We all like to think of our pets as being obedient and behaving in line with our expectations. Yet unfortunately, the truth is that sometimes pet behavior can be less than desirable. Whilst single instances of poor behavior may not be too troublesome, if your pet is repeatedly having behavior issues, it may be time to seek the advice and support of a professional. In this instance, you may look into scheduling an appointment with a pet behavior therapist.
A pet behavior consultation will be the first step in assessing your pet’s undesirable behaviors and determining what is causing them and what can be done to resolve the situation and make your home more harmonious.
Types of Issue That a Pet Behavior Consultation Can Help With:
A pet behavior therapist can offer support with a variety of different problems, which can include:
- Aggression
- Destructiveness
- Marking
- Spraying
- Toileting problems
- Self-mutilation
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Excessive vocalization
- Chasing
- Car travel
- Separation anxiety
- hyperactivity
- General control issues such as jumping up or using recall
Even if your pet’s issue isn’t listed here, it is likely that your pet behavior specialist will be able to assist you since the techniques used to change undesirable behaviors tend to share similar traits.
One of the most important things to remember is to ensure that you enlist the help of a professional as soon as you notice that your pet’s behavior problem is not a one-off but is repeated and starting to have an impact on your home life. Identifying the causes of a behavior problem early on can make the difference between a happy, enjoyable relationship with your pet and a constant and stressful battle with them.
What You Can Expect to Happen in a Pet Behavior Consultation
Your initial pet behavior consultation will usually last between one and two hours. During this appointment, your pet behavior specialist will discuss your pet’s behavior with you. Your professional will want to know everything about your pet’s undesirable behavior including when it started and what, if anything, preceded it. The more that your therapist knows about your pet’s history and the behavioral problems that are being experienced, the more effectively it can be addressed.
Once this information has been established, your pet behavior specialist will work with you to formulate a realistic and manageable behavior modification program that will, in time, reverse or eliminate those things that are undesirable. It is important to remember that pet behavior problems are not resolved with a ‘quick fix’. It will take time and commitment to consistency within the modification program for your animal to alter their behavior permanently.
Following this initial consultation, you may then attend several more appointments which will be used to monitor the progress of the modification program to ensure its effectiveness. Changes can be made if necessary, to guarantee the best outcome for your pet.
For more information on pet behavior modification treatment, please contact our office in Jefferson, OH where our team of experts will be happy to help.
