BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING

Is unwanted behavior causing a rift between you and your animal companion?

Companion animals act out in a number of ways, and many of their behaviors can be quite unpleasant. Whether it’s a simple house training issue or something more serious, like aggression, bad behavior can be stressful for everyone involved. In fact, it’s the most common reason people relinquish their pets to shelters. At Animal Hospital of Mt Pocono, we’d like to step in before it gets to that point. Our team is experienced in animal behavior and can provide the guidance you need to restore peace and balance back into your home.

Understanding the Problem

The key to overcoming behavior issues in animals is pinpointing the precise problem. First, we must examine your pet to rule out any potential medical causes. Many health conditions have symptoms that can be easily mistaken for bad behavior. For instance, a cat that urinates outside the litter box may not be acting out, but actually be experiencing a health issue. We must eliminate this possibility before we can move forward.

Once your companion has been given a clean bill of health, the next step is determining the true behavior we’re dealing with. This is critical because in many cases, a bigger problem may manifest itself in several smaller ways. For example, destructive behavior when left alone may actually be a sign of separation anxiety. Our team will work with you and your pet to determine exactly what the situation is so we can address it most effectively.

Some behavior problems we can provide assistance with include:

• House training
• Excessive barking
• Jumping
• Digging
• Biting
• Destructive behavior
• Aggression
• Fear/anxiety 

A Plan That Gets Results

With a proper diagnosis in hand, the final step is developing a strategy for overcoming the behavior problem once and for all. There are a variety of different ways we can approach a behavior issue. Whether it’s positive reinforcement, rewards, training or something else, we’ll work with you to customize a plan that gets results.

Don’t let unwanted behavior stand in the way of bonding with your animal family member. We can help you enjoy the loving, peaceful relationship you both deserve. Give us a call or text us today to get started! (570-839-8116)