Questions I Wish My Vet Would Ask Me About My Behavior
Dear Doctor;
More young dogs like me are euthanized or turned into shelters for behavior problems than are lost to parvo and other diseases. Since your patients come to see you for wellness exams at least once or twice during the year, I have asked Dr. Robert K. Anderson (DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists), to suggest the following questions as part of your valuable treatment so we can fix behavior problems before they become serious. Thanks Doc.
- How often do I have “accidents” in the house?
- Do I lunge at other dogs or people on my walks?
- Do I walk politely?
- Do I get along with the other animals in my household?
- Do I refuse to let anyone take a valued toy or food away from me?
- Do I threaten anyone if they go near my food bowl?
- Am I afraid of loud noises, storms, or the vacuum?
- Do I bark for long periods at things passing by?
- How long do I bark when guests pull up?
- Do I sit politely when guests visit or do I bark and jump at them?
- Have I been trained to be polite around new babies and children?
- Do I like children?
- Am I afraid of my Vet?
- Do I eat my poop?
- Do I get along with other housemate dogs and cats?
- Do I let anyone brush me or clip my nails at home?
- Do I let a groomer brush me or clip my nails?
- Am I comfortable in my crate?
- Do I follow my owner everywhere in your house
- Do I destroy things when I’m left alone?
Please remember that the risk of a dog like me dying because of behavior problems is more than 1,000 times the risk of dying of distemper or parvovirus. Early learning, socialization of puppies and appropriate vaccinations should go together in a wellness program designed to protect lives of dogs and improve the bond with families.
Contact a certified and professional dog trainer like The DogSmith when your puppy is young, lets not wait until bad behavior has already set in. Prevention is so much easier than cure