Behavior Helpline

Frequently Asked Behavior Questions

Do you need assistance with your pet's behavior? Please review the handouts below for up-to-date information about a variety of behavior challenges. Some handouts may be listed in one section, but also contain information appropriate for other sections.

If you have a problem that is not addressed in our handouts, that involves aggression, or that does not respond to suggestions listed here, you should contact a qualified veterinary behaviorist.

We always recommend checking with your veterinarian to rule out medical problems before dealing with any behavior problem.

Dog Topics

• American Veterinalry Society of Animal Behavior Statement about Dominance
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Statement about Punishment
• Finding the Right Trainer to Help With Your Dog
• Barking
• Canine Settle Exercises
• Children and Dogs: Important Information for Parents
• Crate Training Your Dog and House Safety
• Crate Soiling - How to Handle
• House Soiling
• Marking Behavior
• Copraphagia (Eating own or other animal's feces)
• Destructive Digging
• Destructive Dogs - General Information
• Dog Toys and How to Use Them
• Canine Learn to Earn (Nothing in Life is Free)
• Canine Disobedient, Unruly and Excitable
• How to Use a Head Halter
• Inside or Out?—Making Your Dog a Part of the Family
• Submissive and Excitement Urination
• Moving With Your Dog

Puppies

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Statement about Puppy Socialization
• Basic Training
• Destructive Chewing
• Handling and Food Bowl Exercises
• Housetraining
• Mouthing and Play Biting
• Play and Exercise
• Socialization and Fear Prevention
• Starting Off Right With Your New Puppy

Cats

• Complete Kitten Issues
• Cat Toys and How to Use Them
• Deterrents for Inappropriate Behavior
• Discouraging Roaming Cats
• Excessive Nocturnal Activity
• The Fearful Cat
• Feline Social Behavior and Aggression Between Family Cats
• Introducing Your New Cat to Your Other Pets
• Feline Marking Behaviors
• Preventing Litterbox Problems
• Feline Scratching and Declawing
• Solving Litterbox Problems
• Understanding Cat Aggression Towards People
• Your Cat: Indoors or Out
• Your Cat Needs A Tag
• Your Talkative Cat

Kittens

• Developmental Stages of Kitten Behavior
• Managing Your Kitten's Rough Play

General

• Behavior Problems of Older Pets
• Coping with Allergies
• Grieving the Loss of Your Pet
• Is This the Best Time to Adopt?
• Moving
• Nothing in Life is Free: How to Keep Your Dog From Becoming Your Boss
• Positive Reinforcement: Training Your Dog or Cat With Treats and Praise
• Preparing Your Pet for Baby's Arrival
• Selecting the Right Pet For You
• Successful Cleaning to Remove Pet Odors and Stains
• Territorial Marking Behavior in Dogs and Cats
• When the Behavior Helpline Can't Help