Pet Behavior Help
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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Out-of-Control in the Veterinary Clinic
This poor dog is a nervous wreck, scanning back and forth, waiting for the proverbial shoe to fall. Will a homicidal (canine-icidal) maniac blast onto the scene? Will I, the…
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Dog Fights at Home
It is so unsettling, in some cases tragic, when family dogs fight. It’s the most common problem seen by veterinary behavior specialists, with loads of research to support our treatments.…
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Petting Cat – Ouch!
Grooming or petting a cat can be dangerous. Watch for dilated pupils and rippling skin. Physical problems can underlie serious aggression.
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Barking Too Much? Tunnel of Fun
Jumping, nipping, barking – Don’t yell. Don’t punish. A tired dog really is a happy dog. You can have a blast with your dog while s/he does all the running…
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Apprehensive hawk – only a kid
This fledgling hawk looks big enough to fly solo and catch rodents on the run but she’s still just a youngster. Mom was nearby, communicating freely. We think words of…
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Storm Phobia
Close the window blinds during storms. If possible keep your dog in an interior room with less outside sound White, pink, or brown noise (downloadable from the Internet) can be…
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BARKING! Anxiety & Frustration
Dogs Need a Job – Gainful Employment Confucius said, “A man (woman) who enjoys what they do never works a day in their life.” Our dogs can have that life.…
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Come when Called – on the Move
Our dogs should always come when called, whether they’re sitting and looking at us or when they’re heading off in another direction. Don’t get frustrated when ignored; train in baby…
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Leash Walks – Wild & Out-of-Control?
There are so many things to see and sniff outside the home territory. It’s more than just natural for dogs to investigate everything; reading the bulletin boards and posting messages…
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Teaching Stay – Part 2
Mick and I have practiced the stay command 2-3 times a day. I no longer need to stand in front of him to remind him of what I mean when…
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Ditch wading & bird songs
Young Mick Nichol enjoys his daily jaunts along the irrigation ditches because, well, because he’s a dog. Leaving the home territory to sniff, investigate, read the bulletin boards, and post…
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Teaching Down in Three Steps
Teaching “Down” – Step 1 Dogs love to work for food. You don’t need to push a puppy to ground. Give the “Down” command as you use a treat, as…
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Human Dental Hygiene & Cat Guts
Vomiting – Serious or Watchful Waiting? Vomiting is nobody’s favorite pastime. Sadly, some cats retch from time-to-time, seemingly whether they need to or not. Finding the cause can be tricky…
Seemingly logical assumptions can lead the most cautious among us down the wrong path. Veterinary medicine provides generous opportunities so I gather every detail possible. Because it’s important for me…
Poupon was an almost constant source of connectedness and entertainment for Cheryl and her husband Michael.
Is that OK? Dogs are man’s and woman’s best friends but there are species differences.
Did that really happen? Emotions matter but they can certainly interfere.
Upcoming Events
Zoom Group Conference for Dog Parents – October 13, 2022
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…
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Zoom Group Conference for Dog Parents – October 27, 2022
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…
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Zoom Group Conference for Cat Parents – November 10, 2022
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…
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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.
First in series He couldn’t even raise his head, his gums were pale, his pulse weak and thready. Had an injury caused this black German Shepherd mix to bleed internally?…
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The Gila Wilderness is among my most favorite places in part because wild animal encounters are to be expected. The rattlesnake in our campsite wasn’t unusual; the javelinas who sauntered…
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Ignore the Bad; Reinforce the Good Question: I have a 1 year old neutered male Yorkie who is aggressive at all human family members except me, the mom. It doesn’t…
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I had just doffed my pack when arriving at our campsite in the Gila Wilderness last weekend when my friend Tom said, “Look – a rattlesnake.” And there, right where…
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