Psychotherapeutic Practices for Dogs: Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Part 3 of 3 of “Connecting Canine Behavior and Animal Welfare” series

Originally written for, and published by, Pets After Dark, a veterinary publication.

Welcome back!

This piece is the third of a three-part series.  I strongly recommend reading the first two pieces before moving forward. For those who read them, here is a quick recap:

1)      We looked at the differences between methods based on their goal and purpose.

2)      We looked at the impact of brain development and how this effects behavior, with a focus on adolescent and adopted dogs.

While conditioning methods are effective with puppies and some dogs, they can fall short when addressing behaviors common among adolescent or adopted dogs, and behaviors associated with anxiety and aggression.

This does not mean that conditioning methods are, unto themselves, wrong, but, rather, that they have limitations, as do all methods! It is important to recognize when a method is limiting, ineffective or counterproductive, and from there, explore more suitable methods.

Common indicators of needing to move beyond conditioning methods and enter the world of psychotherapeutic methods include:

-          continuously searching for “higher value” treats,

-          unsuccessfully trying to distract a dog from a stimulus,

-          relying on canine enrichment activities, which although beneficial, are not addressing behavioral issues,

-          noting increased unwanted behavior and/or a decrease in the human-dog bond, and/or

-          feeling out of options, leading to aversive practices, surrender or euthanasia.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy provides the subject with skills, tools, insights, and hands-on exercises to effectively work through emotional issues leading to behaviors considered unwanted, unacceptable, or unnecessary. Psychotherapeutic practices recognize the impact of individual perception, emotions, and feelings, and thus aims to reset brain patterns leading to unhealthy thoughts causing anxiety, fear, or negative thought patterns. 

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

CBT is one of many psychotherapeutic practices. The scientifically proven methodology is designed to address the reason for the behavior, such as inability to process, cognitive dissonance, reliance on routines, and/or learned behavior that may cause fear, anxiety, anger, and other emotions that then lead to behaviors believed by the subject to be necessary to achieve their personal goal. This goal can include, but is not limited to, remaining safe, keeping subjects at bay, getting attention, maintaining one’s happiness, protection, preventing change, retaining a tangible object, making a point/getting one’s way (yes, dogs do this), acquiring an object, or managing a situation or subject.

CBT respects emotions and feelings - it is ok to not like everyone! CBT employs exercises that allows the subject not feel panic or fear or anger leading to unwanted behavior (aggression, anxiety).

CBT works under the assumption the behavior is the result of an emotion and/or a decision based on a few factors. For this reason, behaviors are not considered right or wrong, thus there is no need for reactive reinforcements to encourage the right behavior. This does not mean CBT simply removes the reinforcement!  CBT follows a completely different set of practices and principles, using cognitive exercises to reset thought patterns and allow for calm decision making.  

CBT takes a proactive approach, meaning it proactively prevents thought patterns that lead to emotions causing behaviors. CBT achieves this by developing exercises that practice resetting the brain in situations that are positive and non-stressful. These exercises induce processing and decision making, which is then self-applied (due to intrinsic motivation) during more challenging times thus preventing the emotion and ultimately, the behavior. 

What are “cognitive exercises”?

Common cognitive exercises applied in human therapy include journaling, taking three deep breaths, a brisk walk, singing, yoga, colouring and other activities. The point of these activities is not so much the activity unto themselves, but where our brain goes when performing them. By repeating these exercises, our brain practices “resetting”, processing, preventing unhealthy thought patterns, and making good decisions. These exercises can be practiced throughout the day, as routines, or sporadically with the goal of providing effective strategies when our emotions become heightened. We may not have our journal with us or be in a place where singing or performing yoga is possible, but we can self-regulate our thoughts by “taking our brain” to the place that allows us to process and make good decisions.

With dogs, as with humans, these exercises are individual. There is a process for devising these exercises based on the reason for the behavior (perception, habit, learned behavior, cognitive dissonance and/or processing abilities) as well as individual preferences and situations. The exercises change and develop as the program progresses.

Cognitive exercises rely initially on inherent rewards and then reach a state of intrinsic motivation.

Inherent Rewards: An inherent reward is one that aligns with the dog’s character and is natural to their routine. For example, they let us know they want outside or on the couch. We use these opportunities, where the dog can do no wrong, to practice cognitive exercises. These characteristic attributes are the foundation of intrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic Motivation: Intrinsic motivation occurs when it simply feels good to do something, based on self-regulation. Examples are exercising or remaining calm in a stressful situation simply because it feels good, mentally, physically and emotionally. This concept can be challenging for those who follow reward-based training to grasp because intrinsic motivation is the result of changed emotion and behavior, whereas Conditioning methods use motivators to change behavior.

How do we know a method aligns with CBT?

This is a great question! 

With open discussions around mindfulness, mental health and therapeutic practices, and the acceptance of non-human animals as sentience beings, there is a growing interest in exploring human-therapeutic practices for non-human animals.

Having said that, it is one thing to adopt the mindsets that align with CBT, promote holistic approaches, and advocate for sentience, and another to employ a method intended to do so.

Marc Bekoff, an ethologist and animal advocate, interviewed me for his column in Psychology Today Magazine. We discussed cognition, emotions, autonomy and agency.  And while Conditioning methods can provide options, choice, and canine enrichment, they cannot achieve decision making, self regulation, and intrinsic motivation.

If the method relies on any form of reaction (from clicker to crating) it is Conditioning. To be CCBT it must reach a state of intrinsic motivation.

Which dog behaviors does Cane Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CCBT) address?

It is common for trainers to specialize in a certain behavior, such as separation anxiety, house-training, or fear-based aggression. The question should not be “which behaviors”, but rather, which method is best for which behavior? The answer lies in the motivation driving the behavior!

I will use a human example: The unwanted behavior is eating too much and making unhealthy eating choices: If the person: 

-          does not know an apple is a better choice than a bag of potato chips, 

-          wants to lose weight but lacks the motivation, then Conditioning Methods (Positive Reinforcement Training strategies) are commonly most effective.

-          sees absolutely no reason to change their habits as they feel this behavior is working in their favor.

-          is routine driven and finds change challengingis eating out of stress, trauma, and/or an emotional challenge

-          then Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or other forms of psychotherapy) is commonly most effective

When is it recommended to apply CCBT?

Certified CCBT Psychotherapists can effectively work with all dogs over the age of six months, irrelevant of the specific behavior, as long as:  

1)      the behavior is stemming from an emotion (anxiety, fear, excitement, stress, curiosity, helplessness, or life stage - commonly adolescence)

2)      the behavior is an automatic reaction, learned behavior, or a habit (common among dogs born into street life)

3)      the dog knows “right from wrong” and is choosing to do the unwanted behavior

4)      the dog employs cognitive skills to perform the behavior (ie - implements strategies to achieve a goal - resource guarding, snapping, unhealthy herding

Why do we need CCBT in mainstream canine education and behavioral practices?

As discussed in Part 2 of this series, parents adapt the way they parent based on changes in behaviors common in different life stages depending on factors, including, but not limited to, age (brain development), individual personalities, history/upbringing, experiences, and personal preference! The approaches and practices we employ with dogs should change and develop throughout the life stages of each individual dog. 

How can YOU be part of the solution?

Animal welfare is in a volatile state. Dogs are being euthanized and surrendered at an alarming rate, with behavioral/lifestyle issues being a main contributor. It is vital that trainers, behaviorists, veterinarians and other experts are equipped to provide pet parents, shelters and rescue organizations with the necessary skills and tools to make impactful changes.  

By empowering yourself with knowledge, you can make a difference, locally and globally!

Please visit our website www.instituteofcaninepsychotherapy.com , sign up to our email list, follow us on social media, and reach out with any questions!