FAQ
Common Questions & Concerns
If you think you need help with your pet, then you do need help. Every situation and family-pet relationship is different. Veterinary Behavior Solutions can help you determine whether your pet needs redirection, intervention, and/or specialized treatment to work through the current difficulty. We are happy to talk with you prior to scheduling an appointment to determine what type of help is best.
A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is best equipped to holistically evaluate your pet from both the medical and behavioral viewpoint. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist has a four year medical degree in veterinary medicine (a DVM or VMD) and has completed 2-4 years of additional specialty training (a residency) including treating hundreds of behavior cases under the mentorship of a behavior specialist. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist also is required to demonstrate advanced knowledge in learning theory, ethology, psychopharmacology and neurology. This allows a board-certified veterinary behaviorist to design and help implement specialized behavior treatment plans that are most beneficial for your pet.
A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is trained to treat all types of behavior issues including: aggression toward humans and other animals, fear, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, house soiling issues, unruly behaviors such as jumping, scratching, attention-seeking, vocal behaviors such as barking, litter box issues, etc.
Many obedience trainers are wonderful instructors who help pets learn skills necessary in daily life (such as basic commands and manners), work with some unruly behaviors (such as jumping and getting on furniture) and help clients with some mild behavioral issues. The field of obedience training is a rapidly changing area, but has historically had no standard for knowledge or skill requirements. Some trainers have pursued additional education and training to help them understand the science behind training. But few obedience trainers have the knowledge or experience to evaluate and diagnose a complex behavior problem, assess medical contributing factors (such as metabolic, hormonal, neurological , nutritional and/or orthopedic abnormalities) and design a unique treatment plan based on the most current science in animal behavior. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is a specialist who is trained to evaluate and diagnose very complicated behavior problems and design and implement a treatment plan that benefits both the pet and the client. (If you would like to find a qualified trainer to work with your pet, please see The APDT for recommendations on how to evaluate a trainer, their education and experience.)
You do not need a referral from your veterinarian, but it is best that you have a current relationship with a family veterinarian. After the consultation, information regarding the diagnosis and treatment plan will be shared with your family veterinarian. You may be asked to return to your family veterinarian to address any medical issues contributing to the behavior problem.
An initial behavior consultation typically takes about two hours. During the first half of the behavior consult, Dr. Strickler will discuss the problem with you and ask more questions to clarify the problem. She will evaluate any potential medical contributions to the behavioral issue. She will observe your pet’s behavior and your interactions with your pet.
During the second half of the behavior consult, Dr. Strickler will review treatment options based upon her diagnosis and prognosis and then recommend an initial treatment plan that best fits you and your pet. This plan will include any medical recommendations and/or interventions, specialized behavior modification exercises, environmental modifications and cognitive and physical enrichment recommendations.
The staff will also demonstrate any training techniques that will be necessary to utilize at home and work with you and your pet to begin training as indicated.
Our goal at Veterinary Behavior Solutions is to teach you to teach your pet. You have the most opportunities to modify your pet’s behavior. Routine rechecks by telehealth or in-clinic are recommended in the first several months after the initial consultation to adjust and modify the plan and ensure expected progress is being made.
YES! It is always best to address a problem as soon as it presents itself, but it is never too late to address an issue. If the behavior has gone on for an extended period of time, it may take longer to modify or change the behavior. Contact us to help you begin the process of change.
Absolutely not! Medication is one tool in a big bag of tools that are used to treat behavior problems in our pets. Our approach at Veterinary Behavior Solutions is to create the best holistic plan for your pet, which includes special behavior modification techniques, environmental modifications (as necessary) and cognitive enrichment/challenge to ensure that your pet is behaviorally satisfied. Medication is sometimes beneficial to help control your pet’s emotional response to a situation while the pet learns a new response. Decisions to utilize medications or supplements are always made together with the family.
FAQ
Common Questions & Concerns
If you think you need help with your pet, then you do need help. Every situation and family-pet relationship is different. Veterinary Behavior Solutions can help you determine whether your pet needs redirection, intervention, and/or specialized treatment to work through the current difficulty. We are happy to talk with you prior to scheduling an appointment to determine what type of help is best.
A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is best equipped to holistically evaluate your pet from both the medical and behavioral viewpoint. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist has a four year medical degree in veterinary medicine (a DVM or VMD) and has completed 2-4 years of additional specialty training (a residency) including treating hundreds of behavior cases under the mentorship of a behavior specialist. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist also is required to demonstrate advanced knowledge in learning theory, ethology, psychopharmacology and neurology. This allows a board certified veterinary behaviorist to design and help implement specialized behavior treatment plans that are most beneficial for your pet.
A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is trained to treat all types of behavior issues including: aggression toward humans and other animals, fear, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, house soiling issues, unruly behaviors such as jumping, scratching, attention-seeking, vocal behaviors such as barking, litter box issues, etc.
Many obedience trainers are wonderful instructors who help pets learn skills necessary in daily life (such as basic commands and manners), work with some unruly behaviors (such as jumping and getting on furniture) and help clients with some mild behavioral issues. The field of obedience training is a rapidly changing area, but has historically had no standard for knowledge or skill requirements. Some trainers have pursued additional education and training to help them understand the science behind training. But few obedience trainers have the knowledge or experience to evaluate and diagnose a complex behavior problem, assess medical contributing factors (such as metabolic, hormonal, neurological , nutritional and/or orthopedic abnormalities) and design a unique treatment plan based on the most current science in animal behavior. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is a specialist who is trained to evaluate and diagnose very complicated behavior problems and design and implement a treatment plan that benefits both the pet and the client. (If you would like to find a qualified trainer to work with your pet, please see The APDT for recommendations on how to evaluate a trainer, their education and experience.)
You do not need a referral from your veterinarian, but it is best that you have a current relationship with a family veterinarian. After the consultation, information regarding the diagnosis and treatment plan will be shared with your family veterinarian. You may be asked to return to your family veterinarian to address any medical issues contributing to the behavior problem.
An initial behavior consultation typically takes about two hours. During the first half of the behavior consult, Dr. Strickler will discuss the problem with you and ask more questions to clarify the problem. She will evaluate any potential medical contributions to the behavioral issue. She will observe your pet’s behavior and your interactions with your pet.
During the second half of the behavior consult, Dr. Strickler will review treatment options based upon her diagnosis and prognosis and then recommend an initial treatment plan that best fits you and your pet. This plan will include any medical recommendations and/or interventions, specialized behavior modification exercises, environmental modifications and cognitive and physical enrichment recommendations.
The staff will also demonstrate any training techniques that will be necessary to utilize at home and work with you and your pet to begin training as indicated.
Our goal at Veterinary Behavior Solutions is to teach you to teach your pet. You have the most opportunities to modify your pet’s behavior. Routine rechecks by telehealth or in-clinic are recommended in the first several months after the initial consultation to adjust and modify the plan and ensure expected progress is being made.
YES! It is always best to address a problem as soon as it presents itself, but it is never too late to address an issue. If the behavior has gone on for an extended period of time, it may take longer to modify or change the behavior. Contact us to help you begin the process of change.
Absolutely not! Medication is one tool in a big bag of tools that are used to treat behavior problems in our pets. Our approach at Veterinary Behavior Solutions is to create the best holistic plan for your pet, which includes special behavior modification techniques, environmental modifications (as necessary) and cognitive enrichment/challenge to ensure that your pet is behaviorally satisfied. Medication is sometimes beneficial to help control your pet’s emotional response to a situation while the pet learns a new response. Decisions to utilize medications or supplements are always made together with the family.