Are you tired, weary, frustrated, embarrassed, sad, angry  and exhausted with your pet’s behavior?

Overwhelmed, worried, and feeling like there is no hope? 

Do you feel you and your pet’s quality of life is suffering?

Have you tried everything and nothing seems to work?

You are not alone and we can help. 

We have helped thousands of people and pets who have been through various training facilities, trainers, and treatments. Our veterinary behaviorist combines the skills of medical training (to identify underlying medical problems that may be contributing to your pet’s behavior) with extensive knowledge and experience in learning theory, behavior modification, and in some cases medications to help your pet feel better.

Are you ready to get help for your pet?

What is a Behavior Consultation?

Veterinary behavior consultations are very similar to human psychiatric consultations which are designed to diagnose and treat your pet's underlying behavior problem. Just like in humans, our pet's behavior is often more complex than just getting rid of the signs or symptoms your pet is currently exhibiting. For example:

Is your pet barking because they are seeking attention, frustrated, scared, or excited?

Is your pet scratching because they have allergies, fleas, or anxiety?

In order to change the behavior, it is important to modify the underlying motivation that prompts the behavior. One of the most common misconceptions regarding problem behaviors is the animal just needs to be trained or more obedient. Training alone might result in a reduction or suppression of symptoms, but it does not treat the underlying cause of the behavior.  Without treating the cause, the problem will ultimately continue to escalate.

Treatment consists of management, relationship building, behavior modification, and might include medication. The process requires commitment, patience, and time.  

What type of problem do you treat?

Our veterinary behaviorist has years of experience treating all types of behavior problems from anxiety (general, separation, confinement etc) and aggression (fear related, resource guarding, directed to people and or animals, including "housemates") to destructiveness, hyperactivity, compulsive disorders, thunderstorm/ firework and noise phobias- just to name a few. For more information visit our Behavior FAQ page. 

Consulting: 

Our veterinary behaviorist often consults with different organizations from veterinary facilities, shelters, rescues, training clubs, and other animal care facilities to help reduce the distress, improve handling, and management for the animals in their care.

Education:

Dr. Colleen Koch, DVM DACVB is available for educational workshops, lectures, presentations.