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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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Getting toys from a playful dog

February 17, 2025

My dog “Mick” loves to play fetch with a ball but then he holds onto it. I’ve tried pulling it loose so I could kick it for him again. Rather…

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Jumpy, nippy, mouthy puppy dogs

February 10, 2025

Adopting a puppy is good fun until the chewing starts. You have to take action. So what do you do? You’ll teach good behavior using innate canine learning principles. Share…

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Hissing, scratching, biting cats

February 3, 2025

Cats are so sweet and cuddly. But they can damage you with their sharp teeth and claws. Don’t get angry – get cat smart.

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Dogs listen also by watching us

January 27, 2025

Why do dogs follow commands like sit and stay if they don’t understand English? When we speak are dogs processing the words we are saying, or the tone we are…

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Stories

Cat frat hazing or attempted murder?

Karen and Richard loved “Larry” and Curley”, a couple of fuzzy BFFs who’d shared their home with them since kittenhood, eight years earlier. Everybody snuggled. It was feline nirvana. Then…

dogs

Dog Fights at Home

Stop Fighting! Quizzes are fun when I know the answers. Fights between family dogs are caused by: a) Dominance b) Resource guarding c) Jealousy d) Bad juju e) Sometimes a)…

Spank him? Send Him Packing?

We love our pets like little people in furry suits but if they bite, chew, bark, or relieve themselves indoors they need to stop that @#%& right now, don’t they?…

woman grey poodle

Predatory Aggression – Lucky to be alive

Early in my career my veterinary clinic had a feed store as a next-door neighbor. Being a backyard poultry farmer, I visited often for chicks (baby chickens, that is) and lay pellets. I lived the life of North valley chic. The only thing missing was the chic.

Upcoming Events

Zoom Group Conference for Dog Parents – April 10, 2025

April 10 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 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 Cat Parents – April 24, 2025

April 24 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 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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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.

cat and chicken

Bird flu and sick kitties

Egg shortages, bird flu, cat flu, sick people – OMG! We have a serious problem with no end in sight. Here’s an update. Just 12 cats in the US tested…

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getting toys from a playful dog

Getting toys from a playful dog

My dog “Mick” loves to play fetch with a ball but then he holds onto it. I’ve tried pulling it loose so I could kick it for him again. Rather…

Read More
puppy

Jumpy, nippy, mouthy puppy dogs

Adopting a puppy is good fun until the chewing starts. You have to take action. So what do you do? You’ll teach good behavior using innate canine learning principles. Share…

Read More
woman holding a dog

Cute but stinky – Missing the love

Question: My white long hair Chihuahua has body odor.  We’ve always had to groom her often but after only 3 or 4 days her odor is pretty awful.  She loves…

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"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