Behaviour Bites - Quick Fix and Success Guaranteed

Make my Day!

Welcome.   Behaviour is a fascinating topic, and it is something that everyone seems to be an expert on.  Frustratingly, it is also a topic where the success of  treating it appears to be user dependant, and can be easily de-railed by a single stressful event.

Don't we all know the dog who had its nails cut too short at one time, and now won't let anyone near their feet? I know several of them, which is why I am the one ending up whispering sweet nothings into their ear, using lots of "happy juice" (aka Adaptil spray), and lots of jollying up, to get those pesky nails shorter!

Anyway, back to the quick fix!  Did I draw you in with that title? Sorry. There are very few quick fixes when it comes to fixing up behaviour. But wouldn't that be nice if there was a quick fix that could be guaranteed!  I would love to be able to give you a five minute, guaranteed to work, no ifs, buts or maybe's, solution to your pet's anxiety problem.

I also promised "success guaranteed", but I lied.  I can't guarantee success when it comes to an
anxiety related problem, because it is a mental illness... like us.

 You can't shake someone, and say "snap out of the funk you're in"... it doesn't work like that for us, and it doesn't work like that for our animals.

The reality is, the only behaviour problem that can be "cured" is one that is a training issue - as an example - the dog jumps up and all over you - you train it to behave in a different way.

There is something that we really need to talk about - We need to have realistic expectations.

 We need to remember that there are many published solutions to thunderstorm/firework phobias, trillions of words written about it, and, still, pets are being euthenased because they are suffering.

"Is the boogeyman gone yet?"

At the end of the day, it is a welfare issue - if your pet is showing any signs of anxiety when it comes to anything, the earlier it (the anxiety)  is treated, the happier everyone is going to be.

If you wait until your pet has destroyed three bathrooms, and two sheds, as  your trigger to  then decide to see professional help, well, don't expect miracles.

There is no cure for true fear related anxieties and phobias.

It is equally important for you to remember, that I am veterinarian with alot of interests, including behavioural medicine, but I am not a specialist.  If you are reading this, and you are at the stage that you are frustrated, angry that you have tried everything and that is failed, and you are looking for hope - then I suggest you ring your local vet, and get an immediate referral to a Veterinary Behavioural Specialist.  Sadly, the longer you leave it, and the more years your pet has been anxious, the harder it is going to be get them back to functioning normally again.

  I can guarantee that if you are serious to finding the solution for your pet, then we can help you, whether it be directly, or through referral to a specialist.  Sometimes the solution may be a permanent one, helping them across the rainbow bridge, but in many pets, it is a combination of medication and home care.

And that is the truth. I am Dr Liz, and I am here to help you and your pet. Call us on 42 845988 and get the ball rolling.