Design, implement and evaluate a plan to address undesirable behaviour in animals

work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience

comply with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice

confirm that the relevant environmental and health and safety policies and risk assessment requirements are put into practice across your area of responsibility

assess how to provide for the welfare needs of the animals you engage with

handle and interact with the animal in a manner that does not compromise animal welfare, avoids behaviour giving rise to welfare concern, to allow observation and assessment to be carried out

gather information about the animal’s behaviour issues using a range of methods

interpret information about the animal from relevant sources to help determine the animal’s suitability for intervention

assess the impact of external factors on the subsequent development of undesirable behaviour

assess husbandry/management practices in relation to the causation and development of the undesirable behaviour

identify and liaise with veterinary surgeons and other animal professionals and organisations involved in the care of the animal to provide a consistent and suitable approach to rectifying the undesirable behaviour

design a plan to address the undesirable behaviour

select and use suitable training aids/equipment to assist in achieving the plan in line with current animal welfare legislation

discuss and agree the plan with the owner or keeper where required and obtain informed consent

explain and demonstrate the use of training aids/equipment to owners or keepers and produce guidelines, where necessary, to confirm they are used as required, and the welfare of the animal is protected

confirm that the owner or keeper understands the importance of their role in achieving and maintaining the desired behaviour once it is reached

teach the owner or keeper the required skills and knowledge associated with good practice, where necessary, taking into account their physical and psychological abilities

implement and monitor the plan keeping veterinary professionals and other animal professionals informed, where necessary

record progress against the plan including the animal's health and welfare

apply the principles of animal learning theory to training methods to achieve agreed goals

evaluate the suitability of the plan and revise accordingly

seek professional advice when necessary and refer cases on when required

plan, record, evaluate and reflect upon your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and work within the requirements of the relevant professional organisation

confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy

your professional responsibilities when designing, implementing and evaluating a plan to address undesirable animal behaviour, and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience as well as the relevant legislation

your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare, animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice, and the legal limitations of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act

your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies

the importance of insurance cover, including professional indemnity

how the welfare needs of the animals you engage with may be assessed and addressed

how to check that the animal’s welfare is maintained throughout and that your behaviour, or that of those involved in your work, does not cause adverse reactions, fear or distress

how to recognise and relate behavioural problems in animals

how behavioural problems can arise from the provision (or lack of provision) of resources, exercise regimes, mental stimulus or enrichment factors specific to the behavioural needs of the animal

the antecedents, triggers, indicators and anxiety/stress cycle of the animal that you are working with

the antecedents, triggers and indicators of the cycle of anxiety/stress in humans

the effects and implications of using aversive techniques to the success of the training and the owner/animal relationship and how these might contravene current animal welfare legislation

the potential impact of physiological and pathological factors on behaviour

the limitations and legal position when analysing behaviour and developing plans to address undesirable behaviour

the principles of animal learning theory as applied to designing a plan to address undesirable behaviour, and the effects of these approaches on animal behaviour

the range of training aids/equipment available to assist in animal training, including their action and potential for misuse

how to teach, motivate and support owners/keepers and handlers to develop the skills and knowledge associated with good practice and the maintenance of desirable behaviour

the importance of discussing assessments and treatment with the owner or keeper, and obtaining informed consent to continue

the legal responsibilities of owners or keepers and the judicial consequences of the relevant legislation designed to protect the environment, other animals and people from harm by animals

the relevance and importance of identifying and liaising with veterinary professionals and other animal professionals involved in the care of the animals that you are working with

the range of other treatments and therapies that owners or keepers may use, in accordance with the current Veterinary Surgeons Act

the records that need to be kept in relation to dealing with undesirable behaviour in animals and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy

your professional responsibilities and the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain professional competence

where to obtain professional advice and guidance and the role of professional bodies and associations

discussion with owner or keeper and others involved with the animal

assessment by veterinary surgeon

case history

medical history

observation

species, breed and parentage

age and development stage

life history

physical condition

health and medical history

hormonal status

training history

temperament/characteristics

medical history

motivation

species-typical behaviour and ethology

breed and breed traits, including hybrids

parentage

development stage

reproductive status

hormonal stage, if entire

motivational drivers and effects

environment

socialisation

habituation

social referencing

training

behavioural needs

medical conditions

effects of medication

other external or internal factors or antecedents

External factors could include:

environment

ethological requirements

previous experiences

environmental enrichment

social interaction

physical activity

human interaction

diet

physical environment (space, temperature, provision of bedding materials, etc)

other animals

ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns

timing of onset of behaviours

Factors to take into account when designing a plan to address 

available resources

ability of the animal

circumstances and ability of owner or keeper

time constraints

likelihood of compliance

associative and non-associative learning

issues of stimulus control

the influence of different schedules of reinforcement

the effects of removal of reinforcement and the extinction of response,

the concepts and use of extinction, systemic de-sensitisation and counter-conditioning