My dog has been diagnosed with a behavior problem. What are the next steps?

So once we know your dog's healthy physically, but we do have a behavioral problem, oftentimes, we're going to end up working with a certified professional dog trainer. We have a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in Maine now, which is a fantastic resource. In some situations, we can come up with a plan just between you and me. But in other situations, we're going to call in the troops. Have you worked with one of the trainers that we've vetted and felt comfortable with their methods? Or we can even send you over to Dr. Calder, our veterinary behaviorist, to formulate a plan. That could be something as simple as some exercises or homework to do. But it can sometimes also mean adding on some medications or supplements to improve your dog's mental health and make the behavior modification more successful.

If your dog has been diagnosed with a behavior problem, talk to your veterinarian about it. Veterinarians can help solve basic dog behavior problems and can also rule out medical problems. Additionally, they can recommend supplements and medications if necessary.

Once your dog has been diagnosed with a behavior problem, your veterinarian will likely recommend a behavioral modification plan. This plan will involve training and techniques to help your dog feel more comfortable and less stressed. Additionally, medication may be discussed as a supplementary treatment. It is important to understand that the goal of these medications is not sedation, but rather to help your dog feel less anxious.

The next steps include enrolling your dog in a good training program, ideally with a trainer who can work with you at home. You may also need to start your dog on medication prescribed by your veterinarian to make the training more effective.