Problemi comportamentali nel cane: un approccio cognitivo-relazionale

The aim of this work is to face dog’s behavioural problems according with the cognitive relational method, working on both cognitive skills and relational system. 122 dogs with behavioural problems attributed to early adoption, strong limitations in intra and interspecific relationships, lack of experience and traumas, mistaken interspecific relationship, incorrect role of the dog in the family group participated to the study. A therapy based on knowledge modification and correction of relationship’s structure was implemented in all the subjects. The 122 dogs were divided in 2 groups: the first group constituted by72 dogs with problems related to lack of experience, followed an educational training, the second group constituted by 50 dogs with problems related to traumas, followed a re-educative training. The interventions lasted from 4 to 12 months with 3 sessions per week. In 64 dogs from the first group behavioural problems were completely solved, 7 showed remarkable improvements and are continuing the therapy, 1 still shows the starting problem. In 42 dogs from the second group behavioural problems were solved, 5 showed improvements and are continuing the therapy, 3 still show the starting problem. The results evidence that dog’s behaviour is strictly related with epigenetic factors as variety and quality of environmental stimulations. A good knowledge of behavioural characteristics of an individual prevents behavioural problems and is necessary to solve them.