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FAQ
 

BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS

• ABOUT BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS

• ABOUT BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

• WHAT TO DO NOW ABOUT BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

• RECOMMENDED READING

Sometimes our beloved dogs behave in problematic ways that lead to frustration and concern about our canine friend. Behavior problems can include:

• Aggression
• House soiling
• Destruction
• Shyness
• Fear and phobias
• Resource guarding
• Separation anxiety
• And the list goes on and on...
  

About Behavior Consultations

Behavior consultations help to identify why your dog is acting inappropriately and can start you on a treatment/training program tailored to your specific situation.

Behavior is caused by the combination of a dog's genetic profile (breed and individual characteristics) and all of his or her learning from past experiences. Some behavior problems require a diligent commitment to an ongoing program of behavior modification and management, while other behavior problems can be more easily addressed through some routine management and training.

Behavior Consultation (Cost: $190)

• Single behavior consultation (lasts approximately 2 hours). This session focuses on diagnosis of problem behavior and prognosis and recommendations for treatment. Written report with recommendations follows.

Follow-Up Consultations ($75 per session - each session lasts approximately 1 hour)

• Depending on the severity and complexity of the behavior problem, follow-up consultations may be required. Please note that in cases involving aggression, a minimum of three to five follow-up visits is almost always required.
  

About Behavior Modification

Many behavior problems reflect underlying anxieties and fears. For example, a dog may act aggressively toward strangers because it fears them and wants them to go away (It may have learned that the best defense is a good offense!). A dog that barks non-stop while his owner is away, or eliminates in the house, may be very anxious about being left alone.

Traditional approaches to dog training often rely on punishment to get dogs to stop doing "bad" things. The problem with using punishment for most behavior problems is twofold.

• First, it often adds MORE negativity to a situation that already makes a dog anxious or fearful, thus making the dog feel even worse about the "trigger" situation.
• Second, punishment suppresses undesirable behavior, without addressing its root cause. Without addressing the root cause, the possibility that the undesirable behavior will reoccur is always present.

Behavior modification is about changing a dog's feelings about things that trigger undesirable reactions. Through behavior modification, things that were once feared can become welcomed, and situations that once produced anxiety or reactivity can become comfortable. An active program of behavior modification is a key component of an effective, long-term behavior solution for canine behavior problems.

What to do NOW about Behavior Problems

1. Start keeping a journal detailing EVERYTHING you can about the problem situation. When does the undesirable behavior occur, under what circumstances? Where is the dog, where are you and other people, where are other dogs, what is everyone doing? Detail is VERY IMPORTANT. Often discovering roots of behavior problems requires "detective work". Starting a journal now will help better decipher and fix problem behaviors.
    
2. Take EVERY measure to ensure that all humans and other animals are safe from injury. In cases involving anxiety or aggression, please do NOT assume that your dog will not bite. Every dog can and will bite under the "right" circumstances. And please remember that children should NEVER be left unsupervised with any dog, at any time.
    
3. Arrange for a behavior consultation and prepare to follow a rigid program of behavior modification that will affect you, other people in your household, and your dog. For your dog's behavior to change it is very probable that your interactions with your dog (and those of other people) will also need to change, so everyone who interacts with your dog will need to be fully committed and involved.

Recommended Reading

The following are excellent sources for better understanding behavior problems in dogs.

Aggression in Dogs by Brenda Aloff (2002)

Mine! by Jean Donaldson (2002)
This book provides insight into the problem of resource guarding, and ways to solve it.

Dogs are from Neptune by Jean Donaldson (1998)
Jean Donaldson, an internationally renowned trainer/ behavior specialist responds to questions about behavior problems, including a variety of forms of aggression.

Dogs Behaving Badly by Nicholas Dodman, DVM (1999)
Covers the A's to Z's of behavior problems, with case studies of solutions.

The Dog Who Loved Too Much by Nicholas Dodman, DVM (1996)
Provides excellent insight to separation anxiety and other behavior disorders such as fear and aggression.

Note: A great place to buy books about dogs is www.dogwise.com. They have a wide selection and great prices.