Did you know that one of the things we do here at Compassionate Care is behavioral counseling? Sending Fido to therapy may sound a little unusual at first, but it can actually make a huge difference in how your canine buddy interacts with the world. Just like people, dogs can suffer from trauma, anxiety, phobias, and/or compulsive behaviors. These can not only impact Fido’s quality of life, they can also put him—or those around him—in danger. A local Kerrville, TX vet offers some insight on this field below.

Basics

Behavioral therapy can help pooches that suffer from depression, anxiety, and fear, among other things. In some cases, it may be used to help Fido become more accepting of new people and places. In others, it may help to curb aggressive reactions and behaviors. The type and number of sessions your canine pal would need depends very much on the sort of issues he has. In some cases, medication may also be helpful. Ask your vet for more information.

Does My Pup Need Therapy?

Do you suspect that your pet needs behavioral therapy? If Fido is unruly, he might! Dogs often act aggressive when they feel threatened. This can be an issue with dogs that have been neglected and/or weren’t socialized properly. If your furry pal is prone to growling, baring his teeth, snarling, biting, or charging, he may really benefit from sessions. Pooches that have anxiety are also good candidates from behavioral counseling. Some of the signs to watch for here would include panting, pacing, soiling inappropriately, whining or barking, trembling, cowering, or running away. In some cases, this may be separation anxiety, which is about the distress that some pups feel when separated from their humans. With other dogs, it may be related to past traumas.

Tips

In addition to behavioral counseling, it’s also important to provide your pooch with a stable environment and a great dog care regimen. Keeping your pet on a steady schedule for things like walks, meals, and playtime can help quite a bit. You’ll also need to make sure that Fido is getting enough exercise, so he burns off any extra angst he has. Being positive and consistent in your interaction is also important. Do you want to learn more about behavioral therapy for dogs? Contact us, your Kerrville, TX animal clinic, today! It never hurts to ask!