"Some of the people who visit us with their pets have really had it up to here"

It always seems like such a great idea: buying a puppy, a trusty new friend in your life. It usually works out fine, but the reality of it all can also be disappointing. Your cute little puppy starts growing and becomes less and less cute despite all your best efforts. It starts biting, is aggressive around other dogs, people and maybe even you. You've already tried everything and don't know what to do anymore. That's the point when people turn to the University Animal Hospital's Behaviour Clinic.

Dr Claudia Vinke, behavioural biologist at the Behaviour Clinic, explains: "The animals we see here don't have the usual parenting or training problems. They've got serious behavioural problems. Severe aggression, hyperactive behaviour, extreme anxiety. Some dogs are so afraid to go outside that they have to be carried into the clinic. Those kinds of problems can really drive the owners to desperation. In some cases, people adjust their entire lives in an effort to cope."

Tried everything 

When people finally arrive at the Behaviour Clinic with their pets, Vinke and her colleagues start by listening carefully. Vinke: "Some people have really had it up to here. They've often tried everything they could think of. Things can get pretty emotional. People tend to feel disappointed, the situation hasn't lived up to their expectations. In other cases, they might feel rejected by their pets. That can be really sad."

People fill in a questionnaire before visiting the Behaviour Clinic; they can also submit videos. Vinke: "That helps us to prepare thoroughly. We then talk to the owner and observe the animal. We observe and analyse: what sort of behaviour is the animal displaying, does it have any medical problems that could be causing the behavioural issue, what kind of background does it come from, how does it interact with its owner, what's the situation at home like? We analyse the animal's entire behavioural history and work with the owner to find solutions."

You could breed anxiety into a line within one or two generations.

Selective breeding and puppy mills

Complex behavioural problems tend to have multiple causes. Every animal has a genetic predisposition, a kind of blueprint. Vinke: "For example, if you breed two anxious dogs, you could potentially breed anxiety into a line within one or two generations. Those kinds of problems are especially common among commercial breeders like the 'puppy mills' in Eastern Bloc countries."

The first phase of the puppy's life is also crucial. Puppies need to be raised by a caring mother. The warmth of the litter, licking and feeding will help them become more stress resistant. That's a huge factor in their future ability to deal with all kinds of stimuli.

The puppy will start its first socialisation phase at 3.5 weeks, which lasts until it's 12 weeks old. This is the most important learning phase in its life, as Vinke explains. "Over the course of this short period, the puppy needs to be introduced to the animals, people and situations it will have to deal with later in life. If that goes wrong at the breeder, the owner will have serious problems later on. In some cases, it will be too late to make up for the lost time."

Vulnerable dogs

Commercially trafficked dogs from abroad are especially likely to be separated from their mothers prematurely so that the mother can have another litter as soon as possible. Vinke: "The puppies might still be in a group at that stage, but in the worst case they'll be kept alone in an enclosure and barely socialised.

There's also another vulnerable group, which makes up about 40 per cent of our patient base: stray dogs from other countries. Those animals have been socialised, but they've been socialised for a life on the streets. That's obviously a very different life than living in someone's house in the Netherlands. We have high standards when it comes to dogs' social skills." 

In the Netherlands, we have high standards when it comes to dogs' social skills.

Guarding, defending, hunting and herding

The dog's breed also factors into its behaviour. Vinke: "Dog breeds that were originally bred to guard and defend us naturally exhibit strong territorial behaviour. You'll need to socialise and raise those dogs really carefully if you want to keep them as pets. Socialising puppies was obviously a lot harder during the Covid lockdown, which is why we're currently seeing more problems. Some of those dogs will just chase visitors straight out the door."

Behaviour like hunting or herding is also genetic. Vinke: "You shouldn't be surprised if your hound snatches the neighbour's rabbit. A sheepdog is just as likely to chase joggers as sheep. Or, it might try herding your kids.

Some of these dogs, like Border Collies, may look cuddly. The thing is, some of them are descended from working dogs that just want to work. If you only want to raise them as family pets, they'll develop all kinds of disorders. That includes hyperactive behaviour, like constantly running around in circles, chasing shadows or obsessively chasing a ball all day long. There's basically nothing wrong with these dogs, but they don't fit into the environment they're forced to live in. They're not in the right context."

A suitable approach

Once the dog's behavioural history has been analysed and diagnosed, the staff at the Behavioural Clinic will evaluate the owner's capacities and the dog's environment. Next, they prepare a tailor-made treatment plan for the owner that is realistic and feasible. The plan outlines a step-by-step approach. The owner must then go through these steps at home, working in consultation with their own vet and a local behaviourist where necessary.

Any physical issues will be treated first by referring the dog to specialists at the veterinary hospital. Safety comes first when dealing with aggressive dogs, as Vinke explains. "If the dog is so aggressive that its owner is actually scared of it, we often start with a muzzle. That takes time, because the dog has to become familiar with the muzzle. We support the owner throughout that process. We also determine whether the dog needs any additional medication.

The treatment plan outlines all our training recommendations. You need to start by teaching the dog all the basic commands, like sit, lie down and come. They gradually become a routine you can always fall back on, and will allow you to get your dog's attention and keep it close by when you need to. The owner will practise these basic commands several times a day in short sessions that last a few minutes each. You can then start taking the training to the next level and gradually train the dog to cope with increasingly challenging situations. Each training session should start off easy in order to encourage good behaviour, which you can then reward."

You gradually teach the dog to cope with increasingly challenging situations.

Aftercare by email

Owners can still ask the Behaviour Clinic for advice once they've started working with their dog on their own. Those interactions tend to take place via email. Vinke: "Some owners stay in touch with us for years, even after things have improved and they can finally enjoy their dog. That's a nice part of the job: I love the animals, but I like the people too."

Unfortunately, there are also situations where the dog's behaviour is so complex or dangerous, or it's suffering so much, that it would be irresponsible to keep trying. Vinke: "If we believe the dog could thrive in another environment, we'll recommend rehoming. Sadly, we may have to recommend euthanasia in extreme cases. Sometimes it's best for the animal's own sake. If the owner agrees, we usually refer them back to their own vet so that the dog can be put to sleep – preferably at home – in a peaceful environment."

Self-reflection and looking inward

So how can you prevent your dog from developing behavioural problems? Vinke: "It all starts with making informed choices. First, choose a reputable breeder, even if that means waiting a bit longer for your puppy. Ask if you can visit to see how the puppies grow up. If they won't let you, that should set off alarm bells. You should also find out how many litters the breeder has and ask about their socialisation plan.

Obviously, it's also important to choose a breed that's right for you. Don't be led by the dog's appearance, learn about its characteristics. You'll also need to be realistic about your own capabilities. I personally love Malinois shepherds, but I have a busy job and I'm not as young or strong as I used to be. I don't want to be dragged down the street, so this particular breed wouldn't be a good fit at this stage of my life.

Self-reflection is also important when you're preparing to choose a pet. You need to be honest with yourself and respect the animal's self-worth. You can't always prevent behavioural problems, but it will help you choose a great pet that you can enjoy for the rest of its lifetime."

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