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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.

(505) 792-5131

Dr. Jeff Nichol

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Is My Dog OK At Home Exam

March 27, 2023

Our dogs are special to us. None of us wants there to be any problem. They need to stay well and enjoy a great long life with us. If you…

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Dog with an Idle Mind

March 20, 2023

  Puppies and dogs of any age can be unrelenting chewers and destroyers of all things we may hold sacred. We can love man’s and woman’s best friend like a…

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Life isn’t Perfect; It’s Still Mighty Good

March 13, 2023

  Last in a series For many dogs, separation anxiety has a hereditary basis but changes in their environment often worsen the problem. It turned out that Newt had been…

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The Monster in the Yard

March 6, 2023

Third in a series Newt did well on his antianxiety medication. He was alert, happier, and playing with a new puppy but there was no home run. He continued to…

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People – Can’t live with them; can’t live without them

February 27, 2023

Second in a series Our dogs are not little people in furry suits. We love them that way but their upstairs wiring is somewhat different. With his significant anxiety disorder,…

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Older Dog Confused

February 20, 2023

 Pets who age gracefully bring comfort to their doting pet parents. But not all of them do well in their golden years. Some get dementia that their families mistake…

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Stories

Bichon Frise

Urine was Never the Solution

Newt’s River The anxiety and blood pressure spikes of white coat syndrome aren’t fun for us. Most pets have the same problem. That long walk to the exam room, running…

crawdad

Crawdad Fishing–What (who) they Caught

I’d arrived home, made myself dinner (at that point in my life it might have been of the TV variety), and was starting to unwind when my pager beeped. We…

cat

Mr. L – Somebody got Lucky

I was wearily motoring home, down unlit El Pueblo Road, when my Triumph’s headlights lit up a slow moving small while object. Grocery bag in the breeze? Ah, no. White…

dog with ball

Free to Roam & Risk

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? Was he anemic…

Upcoming Events

Zoom Group Conference for Cat Parents – April 13, 2023

April 13 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm MDT

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 – April 27, 2023

April 27 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm MDT

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…

Read More

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.

girl and dog

The Cleavers’ Boston

First in a series Visiting the Grahams was always exciting although, in retrospect, it was pretty ordinary. Kenny Graham was a funny kid, the same age as my big sister…

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video

Is My Dog OK At Home Exam

Our dogs are special to us. None of us wants there to be any problem. They need to stay well and enjoy a great long life with us. If you…

Read More
child and dog photo

The Apple & the Tree

Retrievers can retrieve tennis balls until exhaustion. An Australian shepherd might herd you until you hide in a closet. At the Western Veterinary Conference last month I attended presentations on…

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video thumbnail

Dog with an Idle Mind

  Puppies and dogs of any age can be unrelenting chewers and destroyers of all things we may hold sacred. We can love man’s and woman’s best friend like a…

Read More

"I brought a Dobie to you a few years ago for a consultation about separation anxiety. During our two hour visit you picked up so many things I was doing to increase his anxiety that I was completely unaware of. Then you gave me a written list of recommendations that I could refer to along with an anti-anxiety medication to help him. I was so impressed and would like everyone to know what a great idea it is to consult with someone like you to help work through the problem with a plan for tailored for their individual dog and the household they live it. It's worth every penny of the consultation fee." Debra

"Knut has made a wonderful transition thanks to your master plan!!!! So we will keep up with the good training… We love you for helping us with Knut." Kathleen and Andre

"Dr. Nichol, Our previously vicious basset, Pepper … has become a nicely mannered dog. He especially loves our grandchildren. We are grateful for your lessons about a year ago. It works!" Harold and Lezlie Ann, Charlie

"Your help allowed our little guy to be a much happier & calmer dog. Seeing him cope with his anxiety enriched our lives with him tremendously. Thank you for that peace of mind." Andy

“Charley is doing GREAT--she is really the dog she was meant to be. Hardly ANY accidents anymore--she is loving, playful and confident. Thanks SO much” Kim

“Echo is doing great—sort of morphed from a shy, fearful dog into a normal, happy, excited 8 month old. She can easily approach dogs and people. Thanks for your help.” Jim & Rhonda

“I do not even know how to convey how the environment has shifted without the worry of a fight just around the corner. Very happily reporting low tension in this canine household! I cannot thank you enough!” Kaya