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Document for clinical treatment. Drafting in progress: March 12, 2023 |
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Behaviors are essentially genetically based, modulated by neurological
(and by all organic) function, modulated by environment (learning). |
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Everything is genetic
(epigenetics) The psychobiological element (behavior, motor-pattern, emotion, mood,
cognition, sensoriality, personality...) has a genetic basis in quality and
quantity (minimal). It cannot be suppressed. It must be satisfied in its need
(genetic) part and redirected in its pleasure part. It is impossible to
suppress the motor-patterns, the behaviors... genetically programmed. It is
impossible to change the personality (the temperament) of a dog (cat, human).
The (genetic, quantitative) ‘need' part can be (forced) reduced by 50%
under medication, as long as the medication is administered, and returns to
100% (genetic quantitative) when the medication is stopped. The medication
reduces emotional (outbursts) and stabilizes mood, which reduces reactivity
quantitatively, making it easier to learn new behaviors. You can't change a wolf into a lamb, a malinois
into a bichon, a border-collie into a couch potato... You can't make behaviors appear that are not pre-determined by
genetics. |
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Learning and environmental
effects The learning of new behaviors and the reinforcement of adequate
behaviors installs memories that are superimposed on (but never erase)
genetic, traumatic, and experiential memories: this is operant
(counter)conditioning and imitation. The change of emotions, cognitions, and moods, installs memories that
are superimposed on (but never erase) genetic, traumatic and experiential
memories: this is associative (counter)conditioning, and habituation by
systematic desensitization and/or controlled immersion. In a healthy animal, learning (re-education) requires numerous
repetitions to perfect (conditioning), over a period of 1 to 2 weeks (in
no-failure mode) for acquisition, and 6 weeks for long-term memorization. |
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Everything is functional neurology.
Behavior (or any psychobiological element) is an approximation
algorithm (programming, software) inscribed in +60% of the brain, in the
(connections between) neurons (connectome). The (problem of) behavior is 'functional neurological'. Behavior (as studied in ethology) is an emergence of the neurological
structure and function and of the body structure. Behavioral disorders are disorders (in the function) of the brain (and
the central and peripheral nervous system). Psychiatric disorders are
functional (and sometimes lesional) neurological disorders. Anything that affects neurological function (and structure) will
modify behavior, emotions, mood... in quantity, sometimes in quality, often
in the context of expression. Functional neurology is modified by: -hormones: sex hormones (excess, deficiency), thyroid hormones
(deficiency more often than excess), adrenal hormones (deficiency, excess)...
-chronic psychological and/or environmental and/or organic stress,
which facilitates inflammation -acute and chronic inflammation, acute and chronic infection
(bacterial, viral, parasitic)... -toxins, toxins -vascularization and oxygenation -Psychological and physical traumas (especially head trauma to the
brain) -the influence of the microbiota (dysbiosis), of the gut-brain axis by
the ascending parasympathetic -Inadequate nutrition in quality, poor nutrition (rich in
carbohydrates...), facilitating dysbiosis |
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Field of action of a
behaviorist The behaviorist coach acts on behaviors (emotions, cognition...) by
learning techniques and adapting the environment to the animal's needs), on a
dog (cat) in good organic (neurological) health, and on a sick dog (cat) with
the agreement and the supervision of a veterinarian. The experienced (and trained) behaviorist coach can suspect
psychological and organic disorders/pathologies, and suggest to the pet's
owners to refer to their veterinarian or a veterinary specialist for
diagnosis (and treatment). It is illusory, ineffective (and a waste of time) to attempt
rehabilitation or therapies on a sick dog (cat). |
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Field of action of the veterinarian
(specialist) behaviorist The veterinarian performs medical procedures: collection of symptoms,
physical examination (neurological, hormonal, immune...) and behavioral,
proposal of diagnoses (of disorder or pathology) psychic and / or organic, treatment
of pathologies, epigenetic treatment, and advice of therapies, coaching of
medical behavioral follow-up. This examination takes time: first consultation: 30' (if referred by
an experienced behaviorist) to 60' (usually) + interventions / follow-up
consultations on demand. The veterinary behaviorist has a vested interest in collaborating with
the behaviorist coach in the application of the therapies in the field, and
in motivating the clients. |
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Owner (Re)Education Investment Owners should: Change their belief that everything (behavior problem) is related (in
reaction) to external factors, or traumas, or child non-treatment... Owners should understand that: -one does not suppress (reduce) the genetic behavioral needs of the
dog (cat) (except drug treatment before adolescence): one must satisfy the
genetic needs, whether it is of pursuit, capture (biting), retrieving, (play
of) fighting, trotting, galloping, jumping... -we must teach the dog (cat) alternative behaviors in R+, multiple
repetitions, for weeks... -one should not transform a subject (dog, cat) into an object (stuffed
animal...) -we must treat the whole animal in its social and physical environment
(holistic medicine) -we must treat the organic to make the neurological functional, and allow
the emergence of better adapted behaviors This requires a serious commitment, and an emotional and intellectual,
time and financial investment. |
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Translated from French with
deepl.com See also |
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© Dr Joel Dehasse – 2023 |
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