Practical feline behaviour understanding cat behaviour and improving welfare

102 Chapter 7 Reinforcement Reinforcement has occurred if the outcome of a behaviour is rewarding for the ani- mal, resulting in ...

Learning, Training and Behaviour 103 ● It needs to be given as soon as possible after the desired behaviour. The bigger the dela ...

104 Chapter 7 directly necessary for our survival or well-being. But because money has become very strongly associated with the ...

Learning, Training and Behaviour 105 Basic principles of secondary reinforcement training ● The stimulus, e.g. a sound, is repea ...

106 Chapter 7 ● When using a secondary or conditioned reinforcer this can be used ‘instantly’ at the same time as the animal per ...

Learning, Training and Behaviour 107 Shaping behaviour (successive approximation) Even if we use a lure it is rare that the cat ...

108 Chapter 7 ● Then reward only for sitting on the bed. ● Then reward only for sitting on the bed for more than 10 seconds (gra ...

Learning, Training and Behaviour 109 Modifying (changing) unwanted behaviour Punishment Within the terminology of learning theor ...

110 Chapter 7 punisher. Also, if the behaviour is repeated without the expected reward, the con- tinued lack of reinforcement ca ...

Learning, Training and Behaviour 111 Practical feline example ● The cat may keep opening the cupboard door where the treats are ...

112 Chapter 7 Redirecting behaviours or offering alternative targets Behaviours that are innate and necessary for the cat’s gene ...

Learning, Training and Behaviour 113 Practical feline examples ● The scratch post and/or pad offered to a cat that is scratching ...

114 Chapter 7 the visual cue of the owner crouching down and holding out the treat may be more salient, and therefore overshadow ...

Learning, Training and Behaviour 115 Health and cognitive abilities Learning can be significantly influenced by the cat’s physic ...

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Part Two Practical Feline Behaviour Introduction This section of the book provides specific advice on how to improve feline welf ...

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© T. Atkinson, 2018. Practical Feline Behaviour (T. Atkinson) 119 8 Advice for Breeders Producing adorable kittens that can be s ...

120 Chapter 8 ● Both tom and queen should be in good health, free from known hereditary faults and fully vaccinated: ● Infectiou ...

Advice for Breeders 121 behavioural and physical development of the unborn kittens (Weinstock, 2008). It is therefore very impor ...