Behaviour, especially problem behaviours such as aggression towards people or dogs both in and outside of the house, separation anxiety, resource guarding, compulsive behaviours such as tail spinning or light chasing and inappropriate chasing, is often a multifaceted issue. Often there is a medical element to what is occurring. Even if there is currently no medical contributing factor to the behaviour, a medical history may explain why a behaviour has developed. For example, my dog Pumba learned that men touching his head resulted in pain due to an ear infection, this fear of men touching his head was sustained even after the ear infection was resolved. 

Furthermore, behaviour practitioners are not medically trained. We know a few bits and bobs of what to look out for and when to refer back to a veterinarian, even if the referring veterinarian has consented to us working with an animal. But we have no medical knowledge. Personally, there’s an additional reason for this – I faint around blood. There’s a reason I became a behaviourist and not a vet! 

A team made up of a veterinarian and behaviour practitioner is the most effective team to address your behavioural concerns and will ensure that your dog is in the best of hands both psychologically and physically.