It is important that ethologists speak the same language to ensure that everybody knows what we are talking about. The following definitions could be helpful.
Companion animals live in the company of humans; and also provide company to humans.
Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour as it occurs in its natural environment. In domesticated animals it is a human-provided environment.
Behaviour is the actions & reactions taken for growth, survival & reproduction (also motivations to fulfil needs). {We prefer using the term 'psychology' for human behaviour only, because traditionally the term originated in that field of study. Terms such as 'dog psychology' or 'animal psychology' are thus avoided.}
Behavioural patterns are organised segments of behaviour with a specific aim and function.
Behavioural system is a group of behavioural patterns that are related and have the same general aim and function.
Ethogram is a collection of behavioural systems (Also a catalogue of typical behaviours that characterise a species).
Domestication is a process by which humans take responsibility for the breeding and care of the animals.
Health ethology is the scientific study of the needs of domestic animals in their usual environments. It means that a balance should be found between fulfilling an animal's needs within a particular environment.
Animal-Assisted Activities is to provide opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life - in association with animals
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is used as an integral part of the treatment process.
Dit is belangrik dat etoloë dieselfde taal praat, om te verseker dat elkeen weet waaroor die ander een praat. Die volgende definisies kan help:
Geselskapsdiere word aangehou in die geselskap van mense en verskaf ook geselskap (vriendskap) aan mense.
Etologie is die wetenskaplike studie van diere gedrag soos dit in die dier se natuurlike (of gewone) omgewing manifesteer. Vir gedomestiseerde (mak) diere is dit 'n mens-voorsiende omgewing.
Gedrag is die aksies en reaksies wat geneem word tydens die ontwikkeling, oorlewing en reproduksie van die dier (ook genoem motivering om bepaalde behoeftes te vervul).
Gedragspatrone is georganiseerde segmente van gedrag met 'n spesifieke doel en funksie.
Gedragsisteme is groepe gedragspatrone wat verwant is en dieselfde algemene doel en funksie het.
'n Etogram is 'n versameling van gedragsisteme (ook genoem 'n katalogus van tipiese gedrag wat eie is aan 'n spesifieke spesie).
Domestikasie is 'n proses waarby mense die verantwoordelikheid neem vir die versorging en teling van diere.
Gesondheidsetologie is die wetenskaplike studie van die behoefte van gedomestiseerde diere in hulle gewone omgewings. Dit beteken daar moet 'n balans gevind word tussen die vervulling van die dier se behoeftes binne 'n bepaalde omgewing.
Dier-fasiliterende Aktiwiteite (DFA) voorsien geleenthede vir motiverings-, opvoedkundige, en/of terapeutiese voordele om lewenskwaliteit te verhoog - in assosiasie met diere.
Dier-fasiliterende Terapie (DFT) is 'n doelgerigte interaksie waarin 'n dier gebruik word as 'n integrale deel van die terapeutiese proses.