Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, 2e [Paperback]

Gary Landsberg (Author), Wayne Hunthausen (Author), Lowell Ackerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0702027103 | ISBN-13: 978-0702027109 | Edition: 2

This best-selling, practical book on behavior therapy offers easily-accessible information in a user-friendly approach. With this essential handbook, veterinarians don't need to be behavior specialists to provide optimum care for clients with behavior problems. The 2nd edition provides at-a-glance solutions to common behavior problems, offering updated information on preventive and basic counseling advice, as well as new material on the link between genetics and behavior. All treatment protocols have been drawn from and text and compiled into a convenient appendix in the back of the book. Staff responsibilities and the team approach to behavior counseling are also discussed.

• The behavior book of choice for busy veterinarians, offering the best course of treatment for behavior problems.
• Easily-accessible treatment tables provide at-a-glance solutions to common behavior problems.
• Background information shows how problems arise and how they can be prevented.
• Useful appendix on drug information and dosages makes effective prescribing easy.
• Guides the reader through the diagnostic process.
• Provides a clear understanding of behavior modification techniques as well as the use of products, drugs, pheromones, surgery, diet and alternative therapies.
• Explores the rapidly growing and advancing field of behavioral geriatrics including new therapeutic approaches for cognitive decline.
• Treatment protocols are provided in a separate appendix and are referred to throughout the text discussions where relevant.

• Discussion of genetics and behavior helps readers understand possible links.
• Expanded information on preventive and basic counseling advice.
• Added chapter on staff responsibilities and the team approach to behavior counseling.
• A new section addresses pain assessment and management in the home and hospital.
• The economic impact of behavior services in veterinary practice is discussed.
• An accompanying CD-ROM features forms and handouts that can be printed for use with clients. Forms and handouts aid in pet selection, puppy and kitten counseling, and training.

Editorial Reviews

Review

REVIEWS OF PREVIOUS EDITION:

"...The text is clearly written and is full of useful tables and case studies which help the reader to absorb the information conveyed in the text. A useful appendix lists all the drugs mentioned, and their uses and dosages." Veterinary Record, July 19, 1997

"The Handbook of Behaviour Problems of the Dog and Cat ...can help you incorporate behaviour services in your practice." Veterinary Economics, November 1997.

"Following the three chapters on counselling, chapter 4 is devoted to drugs used in behavioural therapy and comprises some 14 pages. This, together with the appendix, I found invaluable. After reading the book I began to use many more drugs for behavioural modification... This book will be of value for both the novice behavioural practitioner and also those with more experience wanting further insight into specific presented problems." Trevor Turner, Veterinary Times, January 1998

"Recent estimates indicate that veterinarians now spend about 20% of their time dealing with behaviour problems... This handbook is easy to read. It is set out clearly and the chapters cover the common behaviour problems seen in general companion animal practice. The book gives common-sense advice. .....the book will be a valuable resource for small animal veterinary practices to include in the behaviour section of the library." K Seksel, Australian Veterinary Journal, December 1997

From the Publisher

There is a growing awareness of behavioural problems that occur in companion animals. As owners expect ever more from their veterinarians, correction of behavioural problems is one factor that can increase the success of practice. This book has been written by veterinarians with practical experience of diagnosing and treating behavioural problems in dogs and cats. The approach to behavioural problems reflects that taken to medical disorders: history-taking and evaluation; physical examination; differential diagnosis; diagnostic tests; treatment and monitoring. Detailed descriptions of behavioural modification techniques are given, as well as information on drug therapy. Case examples illustrate each problem. The role of the veterinary practice in providing information on puppy selection and early training is also emphasised. Reading this book will help veterinarians to incorporate behavioural consultations and counselling into their practices. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 728 pages
• Publisher: Saunders Ltd.; 2 edition (August 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0702027103
• ISBN-13: 978-0702027109
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but would like something better..., February 22, 2006

By 

M. Ferrell (South Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, 2e (Paperback)

I bought this book for a behavior elective I am taking in veterinary school. The book is very well organized with the first part of the book discussing behavior in general and familiarizing the reader with behavior terminology and different types of treatments and prevention (socialization, pharmacological intervention, and diet to name a few). The second half of the book targets more individual problems for dogs and then cats. The beginning of each chapter is clearly labeled with the contents to be found in the chapter, making the book very easy to navigate.

Each individual behavior issue is outlined with a short introduction including a definition of the problem and is then followed by short sections of "Diagnosis and Prognosis", "Management", "Prevention" and then a "Case Example". Key information for each behavior problem (if available) is highlighted in blue boxes at the end of the problem.

I really like the first part of this book (the basic information I discussed above). The second part (the part that addresses individual problems) is a bit disappointing. The downside to this book is that the second part leaves me hungry for more information. In several of the individual cases, the information seems more common sense rather than a new and exciting revelation. Multiple "Case Examples" do not resolve the problem and leave the reader hanging, wondering "Well, how DO you solve the problem?"

One of the biggest things this book missed is animal psychology. It is not really mentioned or integrated in the book. I believe understanding cat and dog psychology (how they think and react to situations in general) is a HUGE key in understanding behavior and behavior problems. If the authors had incorporated it, I think this book would have been worth 5 stars.

Bottom line - If you are curious about animal behavior and want to learn more about it, this book can probably teach you a great deal. However, if you have worked with animals alot and understand their body language and how to train animals and work through issues, this book probably won't be as useful to you.

This is not a bad behavior book, but I think I'll continue the search to see if I can find one I like better.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise review of clinical behavior, June 23, 2001

By 

Linda J. Lew (Kernersville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handbook of Behavioural Problems of the Dog and Cat, 1e (Veterinary Handbook Series) (Paperback)

This book is an extremely useful book on several levels. For the veterinary general practioner, this is a handbook that lives up to the title; the information can be found quickly and easily. For the veterinarian who has an interest in clinical behavior, the book has a large amount of useful indepth information. For the scientist who want to know more about clinical behavior, this book contains an up to date state of the field (in the year it was published). And finally for the veterinary behaviorist, this book has much to offer as well. I highly recommend this book for all graduating veterinarians. If you are a veterinarian and you are only going to have one behavior book in your library, this is it.