Most pet owners face behavioral issues at one time or another—in fact, a recent study revealed that 85% of dogs have unwanted behaviors. At Hickory Veterinary Hospital, we understand how challenging these issues can be. Behavior problems are the leading cause of pet surrender and euthanasia, with approximately 224,000 pets affected each year. We’re here to help! Our behavioral consultations preserve and strengthen the bond between you and your pet through comprehensive behavioral care.
Our approach focuses on three key elements:
- Management strategies to set your pet up for success
- Appropriate medication when indicated
- Behavior modification to teach alternative, positive behaviors
While there is no single solution for every problem behavior, most pets can improve with professional help, intervention, and patience.
Our Behavioral Consultation Process
We offer pet behavioral consultations lasting 60-90 minutes for current and new clients. Before your appointment, you’ll complete a detailed questionnaire of the problem behavior, allowing us to make the most of our time together.
During the consultation, we will:
- Provide a diagnosis and prognosis for the problem behavior
- Create management strategies customized to your needs and situation
- Prescribe medication when appropriate
- Develop a comprehensive behavior modification plan
Common Behaviors We Address
- Fearful behavior toward animals, humans, or situations
- Separation anxiety
- Aggressive behavior towards other animals or humans
- Inappropriate elimination or litterbox issues
- Destructive behaviors
- Compulsive or repetitive behaviors (spinning, pacing, light chasing)
- Excessive licking, chewing, or lick granulomas
- Excessive barking, whining, or howling
- Pica/Coprophagia
- Noise aversion
It’s important to note that sudden behavioral changes may indicate underlying medical issues. Since pets can’t tell us when something is wrong, we always recommend ruling out physical causes first, especially with sudden behavior changes.
Ready to schedule a pet behavioral consultation? Request an appointment online or call us at (410) 838-7797 ext. 2. Together, we can help your pet develop better behaviors and strengthen your bond.