Does your dog lunge at the postal worker? Does your cat pee on the plants? Or, do you have a shy pet who trembles at loud noises? Pet behavioral problems are as universal as people behavioral problems. Sometimes, not talking about problem behaviors is easier—after all, who wants to acknowledge that their precious pet is less than perfect? We understand.

To get to the bottom of pet behavioral problems, our Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital team addresses this topic.

Understand your cat or dog

We don’t appreciate many pet behaviors that are perfectly natural to them. In the old “nature versus nurture” debate, most behaviors in pets are a mix of both. Why do some pets like to be hugged, while others don’t? Why is a dog a barking maniac in public, but quiet at home? For example, animals naturally claim their territory and communicate to other animals through marking and spraying. Barking and digging are also instinctual to dogs, much like scratching is natural to cats. 

The clearest path to understanding your pet’s behavior is through educating yourself on their species, their living environment, and the nurturing and training they receive. These play significant roles in their behavior, while the rest will likely remain a mystery. 

Talk to your veterinarian

Talking about your pet’s behavior may be intimidating, but it’s necessary for their well-being. Too often, pet owners blame themselves for their pet’s actions, but it’s not a matter of blame—any pet, for any reason, can behave inappropriately. Our compassionate veterinary team understands and won’t judge. 

Before you bring in your pet for an examination, take some notes about the issue(s) with your cat or dog that you need addressed, such as:

  • What are the exact issues your pet is experiencing?
  • Do they have any current or past medical problems?
  • Describe their home environment.
  • Have any major changes occurred recently, such as the addition of a person or pet family member, a move to another residence, divorce, death, or any other new situations?
  • When did the behavior start?
  • Does your pet’s problem behavior occur more frequently in certain situations?
  • Has your pet been aggressive? In what scenarios?
  • What training methods have you used or are currently using?

These answers provide the baseline and insight into reaching the correct solution for your pet’s behavior. Being open with your veterinarian, and including the unpleasant truths, will give your pet the greatest chance of a happier, healthier life. 

During the examination, we will do a nose-to-tail physical to ensure no health concerns are present. Sometimes behavior changes go hand in hand with health issues and/or aging. We will take into consideration all factors in coming up with an effective treatment for behavior modification.

Stopping problem pet behaviors at home

Most pets exhibit some forms of behavior we deem a problem, whether digging, barking, or scratching. The list is long. For some pets, behaviors like separation anxiety or resource guarding (i.e., overprotection of favorite items), are simply a form of communication. To keep your pet from developing unwanted behaviors, try these four tips at home:

  • Discuss the problem behaviors with your veterinarian — If the behavior is ongoing, no training methods have worked, and you have discussed the issues with your veterinarian, they may refer you to an animal behavior specialist. 
  • Provide your pet with positive reinforcement training — Most pets develop certain behaviors because they have not been properly trained. Professional training classes  provide you and your pet not only guidance but also socialization in a group setting. Ask our team for recommendations on the best trainers and training techniques.
  • Increase positive encouragement and reward — We may get frustrated with our pets, but we love them nonetheless. Reward your pet every time they behave correctly and always provide love and support. They likely are also frustrated and upset, knowing you don’t like what they’re doing.
  • Gain knowledge and insight into your pet’s species — The more you know about behaviors of your pet’s specific species, the better equipped you are to understand your pet. Cats and dogs are vastly different in their instinctual behaviors. Different breeds behave differently. When you consider all the factors, you will have better insight and knowledge for addressing your pet’s quirkiness. 

If your pet is less than perfectly behaved, you are not alone. However, our Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital team is ready to treat these problem behaviors. Contact us for an appointment.