If my dog is having behavior problems, are they capable of change?
It depends on the behavior problem, but yes, there are some things that we can change about your dog's behavior if they are displaying unwanted behaviors.
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
When should you start training with your dog?
Immediately. Puppies can learn as soon as they are born, so it's important to start letting your dog know what you expect of them right away, regardless of whether they are an adult or a puppy.
What are the most common behavior problems in dogs and how can they be addressed?
There are a lot of behavior problems, some of the common ones include excessive barking, stress, and fear in public places or of people or other dogs.
Can behavior issues in my dog ever indicate they are sick?
Yes, absolutely. Painful conditions can result in aggression when handling or even when approaching a dog. It's important to check if there isn't a medical problem going on.
What are some behavior problems that may be associated with a medical condition?
Pain is one of the biggest ones, but also if a dog is guarding resources, food, personal space, or its body, that can indicate that there's something wrong.
How can a veterinarian help address my dog's behavior problems?
A physical exam is the first step. After that, we can discuss your dog's behavior with a veterinarian who does behavior consults or is really interested in behavior. We can then decide whether or not a behavior consult or medications are warranted.
What other dog behavior management options are available?
We have a list of trainers that we refer to for behavior modification at home. In addition to the physical exam and potential behavior consult, professional training is the next step.
If you have any questions about your dog's behavior or your next step, what should you do?
Thank you, Keisha. You can give us a call here at Lock Haven and we can get you set up with an appointment and decide whether or not your dog needs a behavior consult.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Behavior - FAQs 1
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
When should I seek professional help for dog behavior problems?
There's a lot of reasons to seek professional help for behavior problems. Depending on what you're seeing and whether or not training is helping, getting medical help and making sure that this isn't a medical problem first is your next step.
How can I tell the difference between a behavior problem and a medical problem?
That physical exam is really important at the beginning. We need to make sure that we don't find any reasons or any medical reasons for your dog's changes in behavior, such as painful conditions. That's the first step and then from there we go to more intensive discussions.
What information will my veterinarian need to know about my dog?
Depending on what your dog's behavior problem is, a physical exam and then answering a questionnaire about what's going on at home, what your dog is doing with other dogs at home and what kind of problems you're having in the home are really important to let us know what we need to address.
What questions should I ask my veterinarian about my dog's behavior?
If there's anything that you're concerned about, especially sudden behavior changes, those are all reasons to talk to your veterinarian about your dog's behavior and whether or not it's a problem.
My dog has been diagnosed with a behavior problem. What are the next steps?
Depending on what the issue is and as long as medical things have been ruled out, the next step would be talking to a trainer and also talking to either a veterinary behaviorist, a boarded veterinary behaviorist or a veterinarian who's interested in behavior medicine, such as myself. We can get you set up with a behavior consult where we go the next step and decide what all needs to change and whether or not medications are warranted.
What is behavior modification?
Behavior modification is the practice of actually changing the dog's behavior or changing the environment to affect the dog's behavior. This could involve training your dog to keep all four feet on the ground instead of jumping up for attention, for example.
Is medication a short or long-term solution for my dog's behavior problem?
It really depends on the behavior problem. If it's a situational issue that only happens occasionally, that's a short-term medication. But if your dog is having that problem every day, then more than likely every day medications are going to be warranted until we can get them to a place where we feel like medications aren't needed anymore. A lot of dogs with severe medical problems or severe behavior problems end up needing to stay on those medications lifelong and we tweak them as we need to.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Behavior - FAQs 2
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
When should my dog start training?
As soon as you get your dog, your dog can start learning. So, start your training immediately. Understand what to expect from your dog and what your dog needs to expect from you.
What are the most important basic cues my dog should know?
The most critical cues include the ability to sit, focus or hand target, and walk on a leash. These are vital life skills for dogs, even though we often overlook them.
How can I socialize my puppy?
It's essential to expose your puppy to as many experiences as possible during their initial socialization period, which is short and early in their life. This includes getting them used to handling, the outside world, bathing, crating, and car rides. Socialization isn't just about being social with other dogs.
Should my dog be punished for bad behavior?
Ideally, aim to teach your dog what you want it to do, so you never have to tell your dog what not to do. We try to avoid punishment and bad behavior.
Is my dog too old to be trained?
Never. Regardless of age or issue, we can always teach dogs something new that helps improve their behavior.
What should I look for in a dog trainer?
Look for someone who uses positive training techniques and avoids punishment. We can provide a list of trainers that we refer to, if you need suggestions.
What vaccinations are needed for dog training classes?
Your puppy can start training classes even before it's fully vaccinated, as long as the class or trainer ensures a safe space and knows the vaccination status of all participating dogs.
What is environmental enrichment and how can it help my dog's behavior?
Environmental enrichment involves providing your dog with engaging activities in its environment to keep it occupied. This can help prevent unwanted behaviors like counter surfing or looking for food in inappropriate places.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Behavior - FAQs 3
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Why is addressing dog behavior problems early on so important?
Addressing dog behavior problems early is critical, especially when puppies are concerned. By exposing puppies to various aspects of life in a positive way, we can prevent future behavior problems. If they are not exposed to a range of experiences, it could lead to issues in the future. Therefore, ensuring that puppies have lots of positive experiences early in their life can make for a better behaved dog in the future.
Are certain breeds predisposed to problem behaviors?
Working breed dogs, such as shepherds and dogs that heavily rely on herding, tend to require more stimulation. If they are not engaged with puzzles, games, and activities regularly, they could resort to destructive behaviors like chewing on household items. Therefore, it is crucial to keep every breed of dog occupied, trained, and aware of what is expected of them. However, working breed dogs tend to require more engagement and work.
Can my dog's behavior problems resolve on their own?
The majority of dog behavior problems will not resolve on their own. As pet owners, it is vital to intervene and guide your dog towards appropriate behavior. If we fail to intervene, the problematic behaviors will persist.
When should I seek professional help for these dog behavior problems?
If your dog's behavior problems persist despite your training efforts, or if you're having trouble keeping your dog’s attention during training, then it is time to consult a veterinarian. There may be medications that can help your dog focus. If your dog's behavior issues stem from fear or pain, no amount of training will help. In such situations, getting your vet involved is crucial.
What can I do to reduce my dog's chances of developing behavior problems?
Early socialization is key. Expose your dog to as many experiences as possible in a positive manner. Associate food with actions they need to learn, such as bathing, nail trims, grooming, or being held in a certain position. Early exposure and positive experiences can greatly reduce the chances of developing behavior problems in the future.
Can getting my dog spayed or neutered help with their behavior problems?
Spaying or neutering can help with behavior problems related to hormonal changes and sexual maturity. However, while it can help with some hormonal issues, it won't completely resolve a dog's behavior problems if they have an existing issue. Training and ensuring positive experiences remain crucial alongside spaying or neutering.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram