Behavior Modification for Cats in Shelters and Foster Homes

Getting a leopard to change his spots sometimes seems easier than getting a domestic cat to change her behavior. Fortunately, the science of feline behavior modification has come a long way in recent years, leaving animal shelters, rescue groups, fosters and adopters with plenty of new tools to help cats become happier and well-adjusted companions.

Dr. Sara L. Bennett, a board certified veterinary behavior specialist who enjoys working with problem behaviors in shelter animals, presents a review of the behavior modification techniques that have been demonstrated to change feline behavior, with specific examples and recommendations for appropriate situations for the use of each approach.

Students will learn:

Definitions of different types of learning, such as habituation, classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Definitions and examples of the four quadrants of operant conditioning

Definitions and applications of counter-conditioning, response substitution and systematic desensitization.

How to put together a basic behavior modification plan, including important management steps needed to ensure success

Welfare implications of different behavior modification techniques are also discussed.

Presenter: Sara L. Bennett, DVM, MS, DACVB

cat behavior, feline behavior, behavior modification, conditioning, desensitization, habituation, enrichment, stress, play, training, Adjusting to a New Home, foster programs, in-shelter welfare, Maximize physical and behavioral health, webcast