When would behaviour modification be appropriate?
Behavioral adjustment involves addressing deeper issues related to a dog’s emotions, instincts, or past experiences that may be driving problematic behaviors. Behavioral adjustment often requires a more nuanced approach that considers the individual dog’s personality, history, and specific triggers. Before behaviour modification can start, a behavioural assessment needs to be conducted on your pet first. Here are some examples of where behaviour modification may be appropriate:
- Aggression: If your pet displays aggression towards people, other animals, or objects.
- Anxiety and Fear: Pets experiencing excessive anxiety or fear may exhibit behaviors such as trembling, hiding, excessive vocalization, or destructive behavior.
- Separation Distress: Pets suffering from separation distress may engage in destructive behavior, vocalization, or inappropriate elimination when left alone.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors: Repetitive behaviors such as excessive licking, pacing, or tail chasing.
- House Soiling: Inapropriate house soiling, especially with sudden onset or in adulthood.
- Leash Reactivity: Dogs that exhibit reactive behavior on leash, such as barking, lunging, or pulling towards other dogs or people.
- New Pet Integration: Introducing a new pet into your household, or introducing pets to each other and managing their interactions effectively.
- Other Behavior Concerns: Any behavior that interferes with your pet’s well-being, disrupts your household harmony, or poses a risk to themselves or others.