Veterinary behaviorists are skilled both as veterinarians and as dog behavior experts. You may consider the help of a behaviorist to help diagnose your dog's problem and help you start working toward a solution. The main difference between a veterinary behaviorist and a dog trainer/behaviorist is that the veterinary behaviorist can prescribe medication for dogs with problems that are too intense or severe to change with training alone.

Consider seeking the help of a veterinary behaviorist if you don't seem to be making any progress after six weeks or if your dog seems unnaturally fearful. Some dogs are so afraid of being left alone that they will cause injury to themselves or major destruction to their surroundings in the absence of their owners. Dogs like this may benefit from veterinary-prescribed drugs that will help restore chemical balance and assist them in learning appropriate and alternative behavior.

If your dog suffers from a chemical imbalance, no amount of training will change that. Restoring the body to its equilibrium will ensure that your dog will be able to make the most of her training sessions and will make progress faster. In most cases, the goal is to wean the dog off the medication by adhering to a strict behavioral program until the dog learns a new response.

Veterinary behaviorists also have experience with difficult or unusual problems, such as excessive tail chasing, shadow chasing, obsessive behaviors, severe separation anxiety, and aggression. A veterinary behaviorist usually charges a substantial fee, which covers the initial visit. On the first visit, the behaviorist will meet your dog and take a complete history to diagnose your dog's problem and advise you on the treatment.

The behaviorist will most likely design a training program for you to follow and require that you give updates on your dog's progress. In some cases, the behaviorist may even refer you to a local obedience trainer to help coach you as you implement the training program. Not all problems require medication, but in some severe cases pharmacological intervention can save you huge amounts of time in training and make the success of your training program that much more likely.

Natural Remedies

If you have a dog that has complex behavioral problems, it is crucial to keep an open mind about alternative methods of treatment, such as massage, acupuncture, and homeopathic remedies. Not all solutions will seem to fit your problems or be something you may have even considered.

Holistic veterinary practitioners may use alternative solutions for fearful dogs. Homeopathic remedies often work to help your dog restore her natural balance so that her body can heal itself. If you decide to go this route, the veterinarian will take a detailed history of your dog's heath and diet and also her likes, dislikes, and general behavioral issues. Consider seeking out a professional to consult with to see what recommendations she might have for your dog. She may use a combination of herbal remedies, body wraps, massage techniques, and behavioral training to help you achieve your goal of a more confident pet. The more alternatives you seek, the more likely you will be to find a solution that will help improve the speed of your dog's training program.

Alternative Solutions Fear is an emotion that can get in the way of training; because of this, you may find that training alone is not the entire solution. Consider seeking out alternative methods of treatment to be sure you have covered all the bases. Fears are often the result of an injury or underlying medical problem that goes undetected and can often be successfully identified through chiropractic or acupuncture consultations.

There are also lots of different massage techniques available for dogs, including the Tellington TTouch. This type of technique helps dogs to become more confident and aware of their bodies and works well in conjunction with a behavior modification program. Regardless of what you start with, the general rule to keep in mind is to do no harm. The more open-minded you are toward trying something new, the more your dog will benefit. If you have a difficult problem, the best approach is to seek out as much information as possible so that you have lots of tools to help your dog live a more comfortable life and make her a more enjoyable companion.

In general, phobic dogs are a mix of unfortunate experiences and a lack of early socialization appropriate for their temperament. Retraining these dogs to be more confident can be a challenge. Changing behavior that is based in fear isn't easy. It requires a huge commitment of time and energy to help your dog learn to cope with life, but the owners who embark on this adventure find the rewards immeasurable. If you are truly committed to making your dog a more confident and participating member of your family, start training your dog today!