Behavioural Counselling

There is nothing more heartbreaking than dealing with a pet who is struggling with a preventable condition. Behavioural issues can be as serious to a family as a physical disease. Usually, the problem is a miscommunication between what the owner is trying to teach and what their dog is perceiving. Some pets truly have a disease that needs medical intervention. The solution begins with a veterinarian consultation and physical examination.

How can behavioural counselling help my dog’s behaviour?

The greatest benefit to behavioural counselling is the improvement in your relationship with your dog. This change may be a simple as less begging at the table to addressing serious anxiety disorders. Counselling also reviews any medical issues that may be presenting as behavioural problems such as diabetes or adrenal disease.

What happens at the initial dog counselling meeting?

The initial counselling session is used to review the owner’s concerns and examine their pet. As in any hospital, we want to ensure there is no underlying medical concern, so we may discuss some testing options as well. For example, arthritic dogs may start compulsively licking, diabetics may start breaking into the garbage or urinating inappropriately, etc. Once we have determined the primary issue affecting your dog, we discuss changes in our routine that may alter the unwanted behaviour. Occasionally, medications may be prescribed to aid in the retraining process. And like any therapy, communication and rechecks are used to make adjustments to our plan.

Will my pet insurance policy cover the cost of dog behaviour counselling?

Coverage is based on your pet’s insurance type/level. Each company offers different services, as well as different coverage amounts. The majority of providers will answer questions on your level of care.

What can I expect after the consultation?

After the consultation, there will often be a variety of exercises or resources for you to consider. What really happens after the appointment is the start of a long journey; the more practice and repetition in training the better your results.