Behavior Medicine or Dog Training?

Behavior medicine and dog training are different

Dr. Nichol answers questions about pet behavior

Veterinary behaviorists

  • Biting people/other pets
  • Fighting
  • Destructive behavior
  • House soiling (over age 6 months)
  • Older dog/cat behavior changes
  • Compulsive disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Fear
  • Separation behaviors
  • Travel anxiety
  • Storm/noise phobias
  • Self-injury
  • Eating nonfood items/excessive licking of surfaces
  • Sleep disorders
  • Pesky/attention seeking
  • Behaviors with medical complications
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Dog Trainers

  • Exuberant/unruly
  • Jumping up
  • Pulling on leash
  • Obedience challenges
  • Excessive barking
  • Bad manners
  • Counter surfing
  • House training (under age 6 months)
  • Target & clicker training
  • Digging problems
  • Relinquishing items
    • Drop it/leave it
    • Trading up in value
  • Teaching good manners

The science of current learning theory is essential to training as well as research-based behavior medication.

  • The use of coercion or aversive punishment has no legitimate place in either.
  • Dogs who fail to respond to training should see Dr. Nichol
  • Pets with two or more different kinds of symptoms should see Dr. Nichol