Problem Behavior Assistance

Learn techniques for eliminating unwanted behaviors.

Examples of problem behaviors include: 

• excessive barking
• inappropriate chewing
• biting (mouth too hard/nipping)
• excessive jumping up
• digging
• uncontrollable pulling on leash
• stealing food - counter-surfing
• reluctance to get off furniture
• excessive or hyper energy
• resource (food/toy/owner) guarding
• fear or aggression toward other dogs
• fear or aggression toward people
• separation anxiety
• submissive urinating

Understand the Problems - Gain More Control!

There are reasons why dogs behave in problematic ways. Very often, the dog is lacking in confidence and becomes fearful and aggressive with other dogs, people and new situations. This can be due to an insufficient amount of socializing or exposure when the dog was young. As the dog gets older, if it continues to be fearful without intervention, the behavior will only get worse.

There are very effective methods of dealing with fear and aggression – we can desensitize your dog to what it fears and build its confidence so it will be more comfortable and less aggressive. We can also train it to control and inhibit biting.

Building confidence will reduce the dog’s fear and need to act on its instincts to defend itself and others. You CAN feel safe taking your dog out in public with different kinds of dogs, people and situations.

Being a Dog

Barking, chewing, digging, having excessive energy and even biting are typical canine behaviors. Dogs will do each of these things because it is in their breeding or they have (inadvertently) been reinforced to behave in certain ways.

Some dogs get into destructive behavior because they are either bored, not getting enough exercise or not being stimulated or challenged enough. Dogs are now living in more domestic and urban environments. They are not always able to be "dogs" in the way they have in the past. It is important, however, to channel these instinctive canine behaviors in positive and “socially” acceptable ways.

We CAN channel the dog’s chewing and digging and allow it to “be a dog” without allowing it to destroy your furniture or other possessions. It is also very possible to countercondition and socialize a fearful or aggressive dog and control its aggression toward other dogs and people.

How does this service work?

• We have an initial consultation (usually on the phone) to briefly discuss the behavior problem as well as the goals you hope to achieve in working together. We will discuss a probable time frame for finding a solution to correct the problem behavior.

• The next step is to meet with you and your pet. During this time, a diagnosis of the problem will be made and a treatment plan will be developed to address and correct the behavior problem (s). We will start to work with your dog to find the best short and long-term solutions.

• You will be involved in the treatment plan to enable you to work with the dog in between sessions to reinforce and accelerate the learning and behavior change process.

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