Behavior
I think my dog has separation anxiety. What do I do?
First, schedule an appointment with the veterinarian. Based on the behaviors you describe, your veterinarian can decide whether there is a diagnosis of separation anxiety. Medication is often used in these cases to calm the anxious dog, and this is always paired with a behavior modification program. With time, the goal is to wean off medication because the behavior modification techniques have helped your dog deal with your absences in a more appropriate manner and the anxiety associated with your departures is gone. Informational materials in the form of handouts and informational DVDs are sent home to help clients learn more about separation anxiety and how to manage it. Finally, getting outside help from a reputable dog trainer is often helpful.
My cat is urinating inappropriately all over the house. What do I do?
Schedule an appointment with the veterinarian to make sure there are not any treatable health issues that are causing this inappropriate behavior. The veterinarian can help you identify the possible reasons for inappropriate elimination (it can be more complex than you think) as well as multiple solutions. We have some great hand outs on the subject as well. Ask us about Feliway®; this calming pheromone spray is often helpful for this problem.
My pet is behaving aggressively. What do I do?
Schedule an appointment with the veterinarian to make sure there are not any underlying health issues that are making him/her cranky. The veterinarian can discuss the specific instances that trigger the aggression, identify the type of aggression (there are many types and triggers!), and give tips on how to modify the behavior. If appropriate, medication may be prescribed to help manage anxieties that sometimes underlie these behaviors. Finally, we can help you find a trainer that can work with the situation.
Do you have recommendations on housebreaking puppies?
Crate-training is an excellent method for teaching your puppy proper elimination behaviors. It also comes in very handy to have your dog trained to go into a crate in situations such as when company comes over or in emergencies like when the tornado sirens sound. For more on this method, please ask and we will supply an instructional hand out. |
