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Behavior & Training

  • The Basenji may be the most un-doglike dog on our planet. He does not bark, cleans himself in a manner similar to that of a cat, is a good climber, and is relatively independent.

  • Despite its droopy visage, the joyful Basset Hound is a good-natured, loving dog that plays well with children and is happy most of the time with everyone in its family, including the cat.

  • The Beagle is a sociable, easy-going individual who enjoys meeting anyone and everyone – especially children and other dogs. That said, the breed does have an independent streak, and any self-respecting Beagle is inevitably at the mercy of his nose.

  • The Bearded Collie just loves life. He is an active, shaggy dog with an effervescent personality, always ready to join his people in any activity.

  • The Beauceron is alert, courageous, and loyal, making him an ideal family guardian. He's also eager to please and extremely intelligent, gifted at any task involving learning, memory, and reasoning.

  • Anyone can see why the Bedlington Terrier is called the "little lamb dog." That gentle manner, that lamb-soft coat, those tasseled ears... adorably affectionate and sweet, the Bedlington is the perfect combination of a loving and devoted family pet and a fiery, brave-hearted terrier that can run like the wind on the hunt or defend himself with lion-like courage if provoked.

  • Many behavioral concerns reflect normal behavior and can be resolved with simple training. Other behaviors reflect behavioral abnormalities or may have underlying medical or physical causes. A veterinary behaviorist is trained to assess and treat both normal and abnormal behaviors and can identify medical conditions that can affect behavior. An accurate assessment from the start can improve the outcome.

  • There are many non-pharmaceutical products designed to improve a pet's behavior. There is little oversight for many of these products, and the label “natural” does not guarantee a product is safe to use in dogs and cats. Ask your veterinarian before using any over-the-counter product for your pet.

  • Dogs and cats that experience frustration may exhibit displacement behaviors or may redirect aggression toward another target. Conflict can also trigger repetitive behaviors that appear to have no function, known as stereotypic behaviors. A compulsive disorder is diagnosed when a repetitive behavior occurs frequently enough to interfere with a pet's quality of life.

  • Many behaviors are normal but problematic for a particular person or household. Some behaviors are not normal and may be unsafe for the pet or for others. The first step is to ask your veterinarian to examine your pet for signs of physical illness. Then, a behavior consultation can be scheduled to assess the behavior and design a treatment strategy.