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The risk of being bitten is often considered intrinsic to working in the veterinary profession. However, most bites are both predictable and avoidable. This article highlights the various ways of reducing the risk of dog-related injuries in practice, including managing the environment, changing the way we approach and handle patients, using treats and training to motivate different behaviour, and pharmacology to minimise handling and manipulation.

In this overview we describe literature on how speech production and speech perception change in healthy or normal aging across the adult lifespan. In the production section we review acoustic characteristics that have been investigated as potentially distinguishing younger and older adults. In the speech perception section studies concerning speaker age estimation and those investigating older listeners' perception are addressed. Our discussion focuses on major themes and other fruitful areas for future research. This article is categorized under: Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain Linguistics > Linguistic Theory Psychology > Development and Aging.

The domestic dog is a social species predisposed to living and working with humans. Social behaviour establishes and maintains relationships and includes bonding, care-seeking/-giving, group behavi...

Aggression is the canine behaviour most likely to lead to relinquishment or euthanasia. Understanding how dogs socially interact and manage conflict is therefore of particular importance to veterinary professionals. Traditional approaches to the prevention and management of canine aggression advocated owners assert themselves as ‘pack leader’ through routine control of all resources and correction of any perceived challenge for them. At its most extreme this included physical punishment and steps to inhibit any initiative by the dog, including free movement and social interaction. The theory evolved from early to mid 20th century research into captive wolf behaviour, embellished by subsequent generations of dog trainers and behaviourists. However, more recent research into the behaviour of non-captive wolves and domesticated dogs, both in the home and living ferally, has brought the dominance theory into question. Perhaps more importantly, progress in the fields of animal welfare and training have highlighted ethical concerns and risks associated with the punitive methods of handling and training recommended by advocates. Modern approaches to modifying and managing the behaviour of the domestic dog use scientific principles to understand the motivation for their behaviour. Change is then facilitated through management of triggers, changing the dog's emotional response to them and manipulating things the dog wants, to encourage preferred behaviour.

Part I of this series ( Warnes, 2017 ) discussed common medical differentials for problem behaviours in domestic dogs and cats. This article looks at the next steps once the possibility of a medical cause has been eliminated; in cases of co-morbidity; or where the behaviour persists despite medical causes having been addressed. These include how to identify an appropriate professional to whom the case can be referred; how to conduct a brief risk assessment; and the provision of interim ‘first aid’ advice in cases involving aggression, to reduce the risk of injury to humans or other animals. It also considers ongoing liaison between the Clinical Animal Behaviourist and the veterinary team regarding veterinary aspects of behaviour modification, to ensure a holistic approach.

Sensory loss is most common, and perhaps most debilitating, in the optical and auditory systems, and may occur congenitally or as a result of illness or trauma. How well a dog adjusts to the loss will depend on the speed of onset, the severity of the loss and the individual temperament of the dog. Owners may also find their dog's disability emotionally distressing or challenging to manage. As diagnosis of sensory loss and treatment of associated conditions generally occurs in the veterinary surgery, the practice team is ideally placed to help both dogs and their owners adjust to this change. Adaptations may include maintaining a consistent environment and utilising the remaining senses to enable stress free navigation, modification of methods of communication to preserve the client–pet relationship, and training commands that enable owners to guide their dog. Alterations to exercise routines and provision of appropriate outlets for natural drives can ensure ongoing quality of life. Directing clients to web resources and support groups can also provide inspiration and maintain morale through shared experience.

There have been ground breaking advances in the field of dog training and behaviour modification in the last 20 years. Traditional theories advocating the use of ‘dominance’ to control dog behaviour have given way to ‘force free’ techniques that rely on understanding and changing the dog's motivation. An entirely hands off approach is not realistic in all cases in veterinary practice. However routine application of contemporary behavioural principles to the approach and handling of dogs in practice can improve welfare and reduce defensive aggression for the benefit of both patient and staff alike.

This clinical forum discusses a real-life behavioural case history of canine aggressive behaviour towards people conducted by the author. The case highlights the importance of consulting directly with the client and viewing the dog within the home environment, and the complexity and challenges that each individual case presents. A series of questions regarding this case were asked of behavioral specialists who are full APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) members and a summary of the case presented.

Background While extensive research has been conducted on bullying and victimization in western countries, research is lacking in low- and middle-income settings. This study focused on bullying victimization in Peru. It explored the relationship between the caregiver’s perception of child victimization and the child’s view of selected negative experiences occurring with other children their age. Also, the study examined the association between victimization and adolescent health risk behaviors. Methods This study used data from 675 children participating in the Peru cohort of the Young Lives study. Children and caregivers were interviewed in 2002 when children were 8 years of age and again in 2009 when children were 15 years of age. Measures of victimization included perceptions from children and caregivers while measures of health risk behaviors included cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and sexual relations among adolescents. Results Caregivers identified 85 (12.6%) children bullied at ages 8 and 15, 235 (34.8%) bullied at age 8 only, 61 (9.0%) bullied at age 15 only, and 294 (43.6%) not bullied at either age. Children who were bullied at both ages compared with all other children were 1.58 (95% CI 1.00-2.50) times more likely to smoke cigarettes, 1.57 (1.04-2.38) times more likely to drink alcohol, and 2.17 (1.41-3.33) times more likely to have ever had a sexual relationship, after adjusting for gender. The caregiver’s assessment of child victimization was significantly associated with child reported bullying from other children their age. Child reported victimization was significantly associated with increased risky behaviors in some cases. Conclusion Long-term victimization from bullying is more strongly associated than less frequent victimization with increased risk of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and sexual relations at age 15. Hence, programs focused on helping children learn how to mitigate and prevent bullying consistently over time may also help reduce risky adolescent health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and sexual activity.