Life as a pet owner is always full of surprises—and challenges. Behavioural problems can start off mild but quickly get worse. In these cases, it’s best to consult a professional, as their understanding of animal behaviour can help you get to the root of new or abnormal behaviour.
Sometimes a simple behavioural problem can be a sign of an underlying health condition. Speak with your vet if the situation doesn’t improve even after you’ve implemented changes.
Do you have group classes and private training for dogs?
Yes! For information about our canine behavioural training classes (including number and length of classes, minimum age and class content), call us at 819-775-9958. But hurry! Spots are limited.
What kind of behaviour can a behavioural consultation address?
Frequent problems we see with our clients include:
· Defiant behaviour
· Signs of aggression
· Signs of anxiety
· Fear (of fireworks, storms, noise)
· Hyperactivity or overreacting
· Destructive behaviour
· Accidents, urine marking
What kinds of situations trigger stress and anxiety in pets?
Many new situations can make a pet feel anxious or stressed, including moving to a new home, or the arrival of a new baby or new pet. If your pet has always had someone at home and you return to work (after maternity leave or working from home, for instance), this can also cause stress and anxiety. Thankfully, there are ways to prepare your animal for these kinds of changes.
How should I react when my pet growls or hisses?
When an animal growls or hisses, they are trying to communicate fear or discomfort. Instead of punishing this behaviour, you should identify the source of discomfort and address it. In rarer cases, growling may indicate a more serious behavioural problem. When in doubt, always speak with your veterinarian.
My cat often bites me when I pet her. Is this normal?
Your cat might be trying to tell you that she’s had enough petting. Cats often communicate their discomfort via certain signs (which people sometimes ignore): movement of the skin at the base of their tail, staring at or licking your hand, ears turned backwards, dilated pupils or flicking their tail back and forth. If you notice any of these signs, leave your cat alone! Not every cat is a fan of being petted for more than a few seconds.
Why does my cat claw the furniture?
Scratching is normal behaviour for cats. They scratch to mark their territory, stretch and keep their claws sharp. Our team can share different strategies to encourage your pet to use scratching posts (how to make them enticing, how to integrate them into your environment, etc.).
