As dog trainers, the OC Working Dogs team strives to provide our clients with effective solutions for common canine behavior challenges, while strengthening and supporting the dog-owner bond. Part of this commitment involves recognizing the situations and scenarios in which professional training is not enough to address a dog’s emotional or psychological condition. In these situations, veterinary behavioral assistance is necessary to ensure the best possible outcome for the dog and owner.
What is a veterinary behaviorist?
Veterinary behaviorists are veterinarians who have undergone advanced training, passed additional board exams, and specialize in complex behavioral issues for a variety of species—many of which have an underlying medical cause. As veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists can perform diagnostic testing, diagnose a pet’s medical condition, and prescribe pharmaceutical treatment (e.g., anti-anxiety medications, sedatives). If the dog’s treatment plan involves behavior modification or training, the veterinary behaviorist will advise the trainer on how to carry out a specific protocol or training plan and monitor the dog’s progress.
Because there are only a handful of board-certified veterinary behaviorists (i.e., diplomates) in the US, many provide virtual consultations and support.
When to consult a veterinary behaviorist
No one knows your dog better than you do, which is why any concerning behavior should first be addressed by your regular veterinarian. In addition to ruling out hidden health-related causes, your veterinarian can recommend following up with OC Working Dogs for normal training or refer you to a veterinary specialist for advanced assessment and care.
The following five scenarios merit consultation with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
#1: Sudden aggression or fear
Unexplained personality changes are always a cause for concern—especially if the behavior escalates rapidly. Unmanaged aggression and fear can endanger your dog and others around them, including yourself, friends, family, and other pets. Veterinary behaviorists will gather a detailed history of your dog’s behavior and health, review any previous veterinary records, and assess your pet for pain or neurologic-related issues that may be causing or contributing to their personality change.
If your dog’s behavior is violent or extremely fearful, don’t wait—seek prompt veterinary attention.
#2: Extreme anxiety or phobia
Although many canine anxiety issues can be successfully managed with a balance of positive reinforcement training and pharmaceutical therapy, severe anxiety disorders or phobias often require additional intervention and support. These may include separation anxiety, noise aversion (i.e., sound sensitivity), or generalized anxiety.
Anxiety-related disorders do not get better on their own and can progress to more severe forms. If your dog is experiencing mild or severe anxiety signs, contact your regular veterinarian.
#3: Repetitive behaviors
Excessive or repetitive behaviors such as incessant licking, spinning, or tail chasing are abnormal. A veterinary behaviorist will be able to determine if the cause is medical (e.g., epilepsy, allergies, pain) or environmental (e.g., caused by boredom, isolation, or prolonged periods of confinement). Although these behaviors appear harmless, they can also lead to secondary complications including self-trauma and bacterial infections. Untreated compulsive disorders can also strain the dog-owner relationship and interfere with the pet’s quality of life.
If your dog is suffering from a compulsive disorder, a veterinary behaviorist can break the behavior cycle and help your dog live a normal life.
#4: Inappropriate elimination
Sudden changes in your dog’s elimination habits (e.g., urinating or defecating in the house, eliminating in a specific area, consuming their waste or coprophagia) are generally linked to health-related problems or stress. If your dog’s habits persist after undergoing assessment and treatment with your regular veterinarian, referral to a veterinary behaviorist is strongly recommended to address any lingering emotional or training-related treatment barriers.
#5: Failure to respond to training
Dogs are clever, but they’re not intentionally stubborn, difficult, or aloof. If your healthy dog struggles to progress through standard training or respond to professionally-guided methods and techniques, they may be suffering from a hidden underlying condition. Many health problems can impair your dog’s ability to learn and retain information, while others make them feel unwell. Veterinary behaviorists will consider your dog’s emotional and physical health, lifestyle, and training history to determine why your dog is struggling and help them become a star student at OC Working Dogs.
As dog owners and lovers, we often feel responsible for our canine companion’s behavior and experience a sense of failure or guilt when they don’t live up to our expectations. While training is a key aspect of responsible dog ownership, your dog’s health has an equally powerful influence on their behavior. If you’re concerned about your dog’s unexplained personality change or escalating behavior problems, contact your regular veterinarian to discuss referral to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. If regular training is recommended as part of your dog’s treatment plan, contact OC Working Dogs to learn more about our services and discuss your training goals.
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