Small Animal Breeds and Behavior- Scenario One

Small Animal Breeds and Behavior- Scenario One:

A dog comes into the veterinary hospital with his owner for a scheduled appointment. He is a new patient and his owner is a new client of the hospital. The dog begins to growl in the waiting room where other animals and people are present. In the past a dog did bite another client in the waiting room after growling repeatedly. Dogs can become aggressive towards other animals too. They can even kill other animals or people. The hospital would be legally responsible for any damage to patients or clients hurt in their waiting room.

The receptionist is afraid the dog will become aggressive with another animal or person. She wants to ask the person to take their dog outside to wait for their appointment, but is not sure how they will interpret her suggestion. The hospital manager wants clients to feel welcome at the hospital. There is even a coffee pot and snacks in the waiting room for their pleasure. The hospital staff wants to work with patients when they are calm not aroused. Introducing new patients to the hospital routine is easier when they are calm. There are three exam rooms at this hospital one of which is kept empty in case of emergencies. Technicians tend to place fearful or aggressive patients into this empty exam room as soon as they arrive at the hospital. The veterinarian feels aggressive animals should be medicated on arrival to the hospital if not pre-medicated at home for the trip to the hospital. Her opinion is animals need to experience the hospital environment only when they are calm. The use of anxiolytics does lower anxiety, which can decrease aggression. But it has also been suggested that anxiolytics may disinhibit aggression in some animals.

Define the problem in your own words.

Compare and contrast the available solutions.

Select and defend your chosen solution.

Identify any weaknesses in your chosen solution.

Suggest ways to improve or strengthen your chosen solution.

Reflect on your own thought process during this assignment.

What did you learn?

What would you do differently next time to improve?