Residency Trained Veterinary Behaviorist
I’m veterinarian Dr. Jeff Nichol. After years of caring for dogs and cats with illnesses and injuries I shifted to my greatest passion: improving their lives by guiding better behavior. My residency training is driven by research into the causes of these problems along with healthy, straight-forward treatment strategies for everybody’s wellbeing.
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Separation anxiety in dogs – destructive when home alone
Some dogs are miserable with anxiety, panicking when their people leave home without them. This is hard for everybody including neighbors. Some dogs bark, tremble, pee, poop, and tear down…
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Dog fights
Sadly, aggression between family dogs is common. Friendships between canine besties can take a bad turn. I’ve sutured and stapled plenty of wounds and even repaired a few fractures resulting from nasty altercations.
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Puppy pee and poop
Some puppies are quick learners; others struggle to get clear on the concept. Those little brains have a lot of growth and maturing ahead of them. Some get their wiring in line earlier than others. The reason you can be confident that your youngster will catch on, at some point, is the instinct they all carry not to foul their living area.
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Pets at the office
Build staff morale! A shared passion! Bring your own? Barking, biting, messes, bathroom breaks? I love office pets but it’s not all fun and games.
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Cats who bite or scratch when petted
Good cats can go bad when petted. They may hiss or swat or bite your hand. Several pets, scratches, or strokes may be tolerated and then Wam! Yell at him?
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Separation Anxiety – Non Drug Treatment
Dogs with separation anxiety have a serious problem. I get it. I’ve come home to the sound of my dog Hazel barking and whining. As soon as I opened the door she’d greet me with wild intensity. She was more than just happy to see me; she acted like she’d been saved.
Stories
Canine separation anxiety
Nearly all dogs with separation anxiety are wonderful – except when they’re home alone. They do not rip up the carpet, dig holes in a wall, tear down the blinds, or even jump through windows to “punish” their people. They’re overwhelmed, panicked, frantically trying to escape. I’ve treated the broken nails, cut lips, and fractured teeth. It’s very sad.
Human relationships can start out really well, but then go sideways. Is there something wrong with us if we don’t get along with somebody? I don’t think so. Behavior disorders can be real problems in species with complex brains – like ours and our pets’. But most creatures are functional with others.
Fighting between well-loved dogs
Polly is a 10 year old Australian shepherd mix who shares her home with Holly, a dog of similar age and parentage. They’ve lived most of their lives together and have always, sort of, hated each other’s guts.
Ambushed & wounded by an orange tabby It had been a rough day, topped-off by stop and don’t go traffic on I-25. Jenny was frazzled when she pulled into the…
Improved dog and cat behavior starts here!
Sign up for weekly pet behavior tips that will make life with your dog or cat much better.
Zoom Group Conferences
Zoom Group Conference for Dog Parents – September 17, 2026
For less complex pet behavior problems a Zoom Group Conference may provide enough help to get you and your pet started. 60 minutes shared with 4 people/families max. During our…
Zoom Group Conference for Cat Parents – October 1, 2026
For less complex pet behavior problems a Zoom Group Conference may provide enough help to get you and your pet started. 60 minutes shared with 4 people/families max. During our…
Zoom Group Conference for Dog Parents – October 15, 2026
For less complex pet behavior problems a Zoom Group Conference may provide enough help to get you and your pet started. 60 minutes shared with 4 people/families max. During our…
Resources
Albuquerque Journal Articles
The following questions and answers have appeared in my weekly column in the Albuquerque Journal since July, 1996. Each week a new one is added. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.
Videos
Bringing out the best in a cat or dog is a hands-on task. Seeing it in a video is often better than reading it. My goal with these videos is to make behavior management easier to understand and implement.
Blog
Reading can be the fastest and easiest way of gathering the details you need to get control of a pet behavior problem. Like all of the information in my website these recommendations are research-based. It may most helpful to use the search function to quickly find what you need.
Podcasts
You’ll find a growing trove of podcasts on the management and prevention of pet behavior problems and other concerns. Some will involve interviews with other experts in veterinary medicine. I want you to have all the information you need to take great care of your dog or cat.
About Dr. Nichol
Caring for pets is what I’ve wanted to do since I was 8 years old. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan I started undergraduate classes at Michigan State University as a Pre-Veterinary major just 3 days after high school graduation. What a thrill! I was on my way to reaching my dream.
Your Questions, Answered: Quick Resources
Biting, fighting, destructiveness, fear, urine and fecal soiling, and so much else have been scientifically researched and understood. My post graduate behavior residency training has provided me a wealth of information that I am happy to share. I have created a blog, podcasts, instructional videos, and articles with answers to 2000+ pet owner questions to help with the most frustrating and vexing dog and cat conundrums.
Recently posted articles
Recently posted videos, podcasts, blogs & Albuquerque Journal Pet Care articles. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.
Isolation is a growing problem among us Americans. The younger generations, our future, face the worst of it. Social media hasn’t helped. Kindness and empathy from anyone, including pets, can make a difference.
Some dogs are miserable with anxiety, panicking when their people leave home without them. This is hard for everybody including neighbors. Some dogs bark, tremble, pee, poop, and tear down…
Sadly, aggression between family dogs is common. Friendships between canine besties can take a bad turn. I’ve sutured and stapled plenty of wounds and even repaired a few fractures resulting from nasty altercations.
Last in a series
Beer is a common canine dietary indiscretion. I’ve been asked, more than a few times, whether to allow a nonhuman BFF an occasional brewski. Who’s asking? Beer loving dogs are asking their beer loving people, who know their dogs are beer lovers because they’ve already served their underage pupsters, although no one admits it.