What a Dog Behavior Specialist Does

We've discovered that there is great confusion when looking for solutions to correct our pets' behavior patterns. Many dog owners turn to dog trainers regarding behavioral problems. However, a dog trainer cannot help with problems such as aggressiveness, anxiety, and phobias unless they are a trained dog behavior specialist. To find out more, contact us at West Coast Dog Training, the top in dog training in Langley, BC.

Who is a Dog Behavior Specialist?

In the veterinary field, there are also specialist veterinarians. Well, a dog behavior specialist is one of these. Veterinary specialization is a multidisciplinary science (neurophysiology, genetics, animal behavior), with objectives, formally established methods, and whose knowledge requires specialized training. So, it is safe to state that only a dog behavior specialist can diagnose the root cause of a dog's behavior problem.

A dog behavior specialist in Surrey and a trainer, in principle, should work together. They are drawing a parallel that makes things clearer. If a dog trainer is like an English, math, and science teacher, then the dog behavior specialist would be like the school psychologist.

Can Dog Behavior Specialists in Surrey Help My Dog?

A dog behavior specialist focuses on solving the animal's behavior problems. And you might need the services of a dog behavior specialist to help you sort out your dog's behavior.

In short, a dog behavior specialist identifies the causes of the animal's erratic behavior and indicates the guidelines for preventing it, prescribing or suggesting a treatment for its behavior problems. For this, the doctor will need to assess the animal, its environment, its medical history, etc.

A dog's behavior problems can affect its well-being. The animal learns to adapt its life according to its human masters' demands.

Normally a dog behavior specialist will begin the session with an in-depth conversation with the owner. Your dog's behavior specialist in Surrey will interview you about your pet's routine, environment, etc. and will assess the animal. Sometimes it may be necessary to carry out medical tests to help rule out certain causes. Then the specialist will issue diagnosis and prescribe treatment. These treatments are not medicated but actually are behavior modification techniques.

Most dog owners want their pets to interact and play with other dogs. It's a good sign when your pet meets other dogs in common spaces, such as a park, a path, the forest, or simply walking down the street – and doesn't display aggressive behavior.

However, there are many dogs who avoid contact with other dogs or that react with a certain aggressiveness when they cross paths with other dogs. Although such interactions or lack thereof often worry the pet's owners, the good news is that in the vast majority of cases such behavior can be redirected effectively. It is common for a dog to not relate to other dogs because it's afraid, or because there is an aggressiveness component motivated by other factors.

Discover The Cause

An accurate and precise diagnosis is the first step to effectively treat the dog with the ultimate aim of ensuring that the dog interacts well with others, without creating conflict. To achieve this, take the dog to a dog behavior specialist.

Dog behavior specialist explains that there are four common reasons why a dog can't relate to others well or simply avoids contact with them. One of the most common is having a very bad experience with another dog. Because of this, it feels scared every time it's faced with interacting with other animals.

The second most common cause is the lack of relationships with other dogs during the initial stages of its life. This socialization period occurs between 3 weeks-3 months of it being born. If the puppy did not socialize, it may be that as an adult it will react fearfully to other dogs.

There are other factors that experts relate to a component of aggressiveness, which has nothing to do with fear. There are dogs that are very territorial and try to expel other animals from their area.

Intersex Aggression

When adult male dogs do not want other males in their territory because they see them as direct competitors, they display intersex aggression. On the other hand, when a female dog approaches a male dog, its behavior is radically different. Male dogs are very docile when a female approaches. And the same goes for some female dogs with other female dogs.

Personalized Treatment

Each dog and each problem requires personalized treatment, so the dog behavior specialist's approach can be totally different for each. Some dogs may not respond very well to treatment, while others need more time; some just don't respond to treatment.

In conclusion, redirecting behaviors requires teamwork between the dog and its owner, with the participation of the dog behavior specialist. There is no standard treatment that can be administered uniformly to each dog because each cause and each animal is different.