Pet Behaviour Counselling
in Kitchener
Your pet’s behaviour affects every interaction you have with him or her on a daily basis. Behaviour dictates everything from mealtime, to exercise time, to downtime such as relaxing on the couch with other family members. When a pet has a behaviour problem, the consequences are far-reaching. Behaviour problems threaten the bond you have with your pet by damaging the loving relationship that should exist between you. In extreme situations, a serious behaviour problem can lead to euthanasia or surrendering a pet to a shelter.
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Pet Behavioural Counselling: Common Questions
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What is pet behavioural counselling?
Pet behavioural counselling focuses on identifying and addressing unwanted or concerning behaviours in dogs and cats. By understanding your pet’s behaviour, environment, and routine, we can help create a customized plan to improve behaviour and strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
What behaviour issues can you help with?
Behavioural counselling can help with concerns such as anxiety, fear, aggression, excessive barking or vocalization, litter box issues, destructive behaviour, and changes in behaviour related to stress or health conditions.
When should I seek behavioural counselling for my pet?
You should consider behavioural counselling if your pet’s behaviour is affecting their quality of life, your household, or your safety. Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and helps prevent behaviours from becoming more severe.
Is behavioural counselling only for severe problems?
No. Behavioural counselling is helpful for both mild and more serious behaviour concerns. Even small behaviour issues can improve with guidance, training strategies, and environmental changes.
Will my pet need medication for behaviour issues?
In some cases, medication may be recommended as part of a comprehensive behaviour plan. This decision is made on an individual basis and is always combined with behavioural training and environmental management when appropriate.
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"I had a very good first experience here with my cat. The doctor gave multiple suggestions for solutions to the particular problems we are having with our cat. Came up with a good plan of attack to tackle the issues in a step-by-step process. He took his time with our visit and handled our cat well. I also like how this clinic has individual examination rooms with doors directly outside. This is great for not having animals mix it up with each other in a common greeting arena. As we know, sometimes some animals can be more active and curious than what the situation may call for."
~ Chris G.
Pets can have a wide variety of behavioural issues, from simple house training problems to severe anxiety and aggression issues. We are qualified and experienced in diagnosing and addressing behaviour problems with an approach that combines skills from veterinary clinical medicine, behavioural medicine, and pet training. Our goals are to help pets and their owners live together comfortably and safely, and to help restore the bond between pets and their families.
Dealing with behaviour problems can be frustrating for pet owners. Some pet owners may even blame themselves because their pet seems to have an emotional issue. Although behaviour problems can result from emotional trauma or physical mistreatment, in many cases the problem can arise from simple misunderstandings or learned associations that were inadvertently established during training. In addition, several medical conditions can manifest in ways that mimic behaviour problems. Scheduling an evaluation with a professional skilled in diagnosing and managing behavioural issues in pets is the first step on the road to resolving the problem.
Before you and your pet suffer through one more day of inappropriate behaviour, call us. Let’s talk about how we can help.
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