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April 2024
Up for Debate
We asked the question to the profession (via Facebook): “What language about dog and cat behavior needs to go away in veterinary medicine?” Here are some of the responses for “Behavior Language That Should Disappear.”
Behavior Language That Should Disappear
We asked the question to the profession (via Facebook): “What language about dog and cat behavior needs to go away in veterinary medicine?” Here are some of the responses.
That animals need to be punished for doing something that we don't want them to do. They should be set up for success and rewarded for doing the right thing. They should also have their needs met.CLAUDIA RICHTER
Owners think dogs and cats are capable of doing things out of spite but it's really just instinct.DEVAN LEISTIKOW
‘Spicy kitties.’ They are fearful and should be treated as such.ADRIENNE PESAVENTO
That animals perform behaviors (i.e., inappropriate urination, scratching, or chewing) just to ‘be a jerk’ or ‘because they’re mad at me.’ Behavior issues can be frustrating, but animals aren’t petty like this and owners need to stop believing that they are in order to fix the problem.KATE SALPINI
'You need to be the alpha’ . . . I'm so tired of people domineering and scaring their animals and calling it training.SOPHIE MC
Also, ‘cone of shame.’ Implies the pet is doing something bad intentionally but they’re only licking at a spot because it hurts or itches and they can’t understand. I prefer the fear-friendly ‘cone of fame.’ERICA PAULSEN
My top two would be the dominance/alpha philosophy entirely, and that puppies and kittens should be isolated completely until vaccines are finished!KRISTA SIROIS