Residency Trained Veterinary Behaviorist
I’m veterinarian Dr. Jeff Nichol. After years of caring for dogs and cats with illnesses and injuries I shifted to my greatest passion: improving their lives by guiding better behavior. My residency training is driven by research into the causes of these problems along with healthy, straight-forward treatment strategies for everybody’s wellbeing.
(505) 792-5131
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Separation anxiety – Destruction & Panic when Alone
So what can you do if the dog who’s stolen your heart damages your house while you’re away-often? If you have a dog like this you may feel desperate. Dogs with separation anxiety can actually learn to look forward to their alone time because that will be their chance to engage their innate survival instincts.
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Monster in the Yard – Separation Anxiety & Urine Soiling
The anxiety and blood pressure spikes of white coat syndrome aren’t fun for us. Most pets have the same problem.
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Separation anxiety in a dog home alone?
If you think your dog has separation anxiety you need to know if that’s what’s really happening or only a guess.
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Separation anxiety- Sad partings, over joyful reunions
Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?
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Fireworks – dogs shake & hide
Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. A freaked-out dog or cat needs serious relief from fear. I’ll make it easy for…
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Lunging & Barking on Leash Walks
A dog who obeys fast and reliably can overcome the urge to lunge and bark and lose its mind on leash walks.
Stories
Picking the best pupster
Human relationships can start out really well, but then go sideways. Is there something wrong with us if we don’t get along with somebody? I don’t think so. Behavior disorders can be real problems in species with complex brains – like ours and our pets’. But most creatures are functional with others.
Fighting between well-loved dogs
Polly is a 10 year old Australian shepherd mix who shares her home with Holly, a dog of similar age and parentage. They’ve lived most of their lives together and have always, sort of, hated each other’s guts.
Ambushed & wounded by an orange tabby It had been a rough day, topped-off by stop and don’t go traffic on I-25. Jenny was frazzled when she pulled into the…
Have you ever heard the expression, “Like a dog chasing its tail?” This actually happens.
Improved dog and cat behavior starts here!
Sign up for weekly pet behavior tips that will make life with your dog or cat much better.
Zoom Group Conferences
Zoom Group Conference for Dog Parents – July 30, 2026
For less complex pet behavior problems a Zoom Group Conference may provide enough help to get you and your pet started. 60 minutes shared with 4 people/families max. During our…
Zoom Group Conference for Cat Parents – August 20, 2026
For less complex pet behavior problems a Zoom Group Conference may provide enough help to get you and your pet started. 60 minutes shared with 4 people/families max. During our…
Zoom Group Conference for Dog Parents – September 3, 2026
For less complex pet behavior problems a Zoom Group Conference may provide enough help to get you and your pet started. 60 minutes shared with 4 people/families max. During our…
Resources
Albuquerque Journal Articles
The following questions and answers have appeared in my weekly column in the Albuquerque Journal since July, 1996. Each week a new one is added. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.
Videos
Bringing out the best in a cat or dog is a hands-on task. Seeing it in a video is often better than reading it. My goal with these videos is to make behavior management easier to understand and implement.
Blog
Reading can be the fastest and easiest way of gathering the details you need to get control of a pet behavior problem. Like all of the information in my website these recommendations are research-based. It may most helpful to use the search function to quickly find what you need.
Podcasts
You’ll find a growing trove of podcasts on the management and prevention of pet behavior problems and other concerns. Some will involve interviews with other experts in veterinary medicine. I want you to have all the information you need to take great care of your dog or cat.
About Dr. Nichol
Caring for pets is what I’ve wanted to do since I was 8 years old. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan I started undergraduate classes at Michigan State University as a Pre-Veterinary major just 3 days after high school graduation. What a thrill! I was on my way to reaching my dream.
Your Questions, Answered: Quick Resources
Biting, fighting, destructiveness, fear, urine and fecal soiling, and so much else have been scientifically researched and understood. My post graduate behavior residency training has provided me a wealth of information that I am happy to share. I have created a blog, podcasts, instructional videos, and articles with answers to 2000+ pet owner questions to help with the most frustrating and vexing dog and cat conundrums.
Recently posted articles
Recently posted videos, podcasts, blogs & Albuquerque Journal Pet Care articles. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.
If the pacing, panting, barking/howling, and damage of separation anxiety keeps repeating, it will continue to worsen. People get frustrated. They’ve tried everything – except the right medication. Some worry about drug safety as their dog’s suffering reaches new depths. There’s no need for that.
So what can you do if the dog who’s stolen your heart damages your house while you’re away-often? If you have a dog like this you may feel desperate. Dogs with separation anxiety can actually learn to look forward to their alone time because that will be their chance to engage their innate survival instincts.
Those videos of your sweet dog, home alone and suffering with separation anxiety, have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that it is he who has desecrated your house and not some lurking poltergeist. Step #1: lose the crate.
The anxiety and blood pressure spikes of white coat syndrome aren’t fun for us. Most pets have the same problem.