In Practice 29:540-544 (2007)
© 2007 British Veterinary Association
BEHAVIOURAL MANAGEMENT
Behavioural husbandry: the way to a client's heart
Kendal Shepherd
THE field of behaviour is frequently presented as complicated and labour
intensive, involving copious letter-writing and inordinate amounts of time
spent in the presence of one particular client. But, says Kendal Shepherd, the
same ground rules apply to creating and maintaining appropriate behaviour as a
lifestyle for both human and dog as to treating behaviour problems once they
have already arisen. Advice regarding these rules should be given in a generic
fashion in the same way as advice regarding vaccination, worming, grooming and
diet. Managing a client's relationship with their pet in the most fruitful and
welfare-oriented way will hugely enhance a client's relationship with the
veterinary practice. She suggests that by demonstrating a practical knowledge
of learning theory and its impact on emotional and behavioural welfare,
practitioners should aim to instruct not merely `do as I say' but `do as I
do'.
Kendal Shepherd is the first UK veterinary surgeon to be accredited
by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour as a certified clinical
animal behaviourist. She has spent many years in small animal practice as well
as running her own puppy classes and working in dog rescue. She also acts as
an expert witness on dog behaviour. Her passion is to use her wealth of
experience to prevent dogs having to bite people, both big and small, hence
her involvement in the recently launched Blue Dog Project; her own book for
children, `The Canine Commandments'; and her promotion of the concept of
behavioural husbandry within veterinary practice.
Copyright © 2007 British Veterinary Association
