What is behavior modification?

Behavior modification is creating a plan to change behaviors. We do a fair amount of that here at the clinic regarding our comfort conditioning or cooperative care. In those situations, we're trying to modify your dog’s association with specific procedures. It could be a physical exam. It could be getting their blood drawn. It could be getting an injection. It's just starting to change that association or change that behavioral response to a particular situation or action.

Behavior modification is the process of redirecting undesired behavior towards desired behavior. For example, if your dog is constantly jumping up, you would want to redirect that behavior towards something more acceptable, like sitting. Behavior modification often involves clicker training and food rewards, but you may need professional help to guide you through this process.

Behavioral modification is a broad category that encompasses various techniques to establish a safe environment for your pet, help them walk on a leash, and learn to disassociate fear from certain noises. Essentially, it includes any non-medical intervention that can help alleviate your dog's behavior problems.

Behavior modification is teaching a dog to exhibit a different behavior. Instead of simply punishing a dog for undesirable behavior, we show them what we expect from them and guide them towards preferable behavior.