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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Are Thundershirts Helpful for Dogs who Fear Fireworks & Storms?
Dr. Nichol addresses a letter in which a dog owner asks about the effectiveness of “Thunder Shirts” on dogs who fear storms and loud noises.
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Fireworks Freak-Out
There will be a whole lot of scared pets this weekend. It’s hard enough if they tremble and hide but some panic and escape the yard in search of safety…
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July 4th Aerial Bombardment – How to protect a noise phobic pet.
Jeff Nichol, DVM, has a plan to get your pets ready for a LOUD Fourth & beating the heat of summer.
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My Dog Has Shotgun Pellets Embedded in His Skin
What are the dangers of lead shotgun pellets found in the skin of a newly adopted pet.
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Is Garlic Bad For My Dog?
Dr. Nichol explains what happens to a dog when they eat any amount of garlic.
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Considering a Second Cat? Think Twice (podcast)
Does your cat seem lonely? Wouldn’t he love to have a friend? Well, maybe. I treat a lot of aggression between household cats. Fret not; I’ll also explain how to…
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Dog fights – human struggles
Unseen aggression between family dogs Behavioral research shows that 75% of dogs are anxious in veterinary clinics. We’re ethically bound not to make it any harder for them. I quietly…
Insomnia – It’s complicated A big, older girl with a gentle soul was having a hard time sleeping. She laid down during the night but popped back up after a…
I’ve always loved pets. I remember watching Lassie and Rin Tin Tin on TV, enthralled with the loyal bond between these dogs and their children. By age 8, I just had to have one of my own. Making it happen was a long shot.
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…
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.
Upcoming Events
Zoom Group Conference for Cat Parents – August 21, 2025
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 – September 4, 2025
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 MoreResources
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.
Is everybody ready for earsplitting blasts? Mick, the Nichol family Border collie will do OK; he knows his folks will be on duty. There are pure bred and mixed dogs,…
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Dr. Nichol addresses a letter in which a dog owner asks about the effectiveness of “Thunder Shirts” on dogs who fear storms and loud noises.
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Question: A year ago I emailed you about Amber, my female cat. She had an ear mite infection and severely scratched the right side of her head. The veterinarian gave…
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There will be a whole lot of scared pets this weekend. It’s hard enough if they tremble and hide but some panic and escape the yard in search of safety…
Read More