anxiety | Dr. Jeff Nichol - Residency Trained in Dog and Cat Behavior

Sweet Destroyer Poopster

Third in a series Don’t lock him up Bang, bang, ding, dong! Just as Diane walked into the house, finding more of Jasper’s daily carnage, somebody was outside! Fresh scratches…

Snapping at Mom

Is that OK? Dogs are man’s and woman’s best friends but there are species differences.

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Dogs & Cats who Hate the Veterinary Clinic

Most of us are nervous at the doctor’s office and so are our pets. Some get fearful and defensive. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Grooming, nail trims, & ear cleaning – ARRGHH!!!

Some dogs won’t put up with it. They squirm, struggle, and might even bite. Nobody is having fun. We can get this right without the tears and misery.

Media – A Cat who Licks Off her Hair

Itching & Anxiety Question: I adopted an anxious 3 year old cat 3 years ago. Recently I’ve noticed Bella appears more anxious when I’m away from our home. She has…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – 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…

Media – Freaked-Out by Fireworks

Many Great Ways of Helping Scared Cats & Dogs Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. Dogs may hide, tremble, drool, cry…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Hiding Scaredy Cats

Some kitties live under the bed; others may run for the hills when you sneeze. Dogs, noises, or just daily life can trigger a bunker mentality.

Media – Fear-Free Medical Care

Cooperation Earns Food Question: My wonderful, elderly Ellie (13 years) is difficult to work with when she has an ear infection, eye infection or other medical problem. She wiggles and…

Media – Freaked-out by Strangers & Sick when Alone

The Mind-Body Connection is Worth Investing Lulu is a sweet, 2 year old Australian cattle dog who was adopted from a shelter just 2 months before I met her. She…

Media – Crying for Mom

Not Ready for Boot Camp Question: My new puppy, Buddy, arrived yesterday. He has been socialized with other dogs on a regular basis because the breeder has a doggy daycare.…

Media – Feline Heartbreak

Treat with Empathy & Kindness Question: My sweet little six year old cat, Pepper, had a ‘boyfriend’, Fluffy, who lived in the home in back of us. They had both…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Scary Monsters at your Door

Halloween is unfun for a lot of dogs. Those who bark and lunge at children put the kiddos at risk. Those who pilfer chocolate treats put themselves in danger.

Media – Learning in the Bullied

Stress Matters Magawa isn’t just any rat; he is the very best at what he does. You may recall from “The Year of the Rat” in last week’s Fetch page…

Media – Guest Panic

Poop on-the-run is No Fun Question: We got our Jackson at the SPCA in Houston at 12 weeks age. When we were walking him a UPS truck scared him. Since…

Media – Fear-Free Cats at the Doctor’s Office

Here’s How to Keep a Cranky Kitty Calm Does your cat hate going to the veterinary clinic? I get it. Lots of cats freak-out with anything away from home. Despite…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Cats Hate Cars

Yowling, urinating, maybe even some in-the-crate defecating: Are we having fun yet? The anxiety and misery our traveling cats feel, often on the way to the veterinary clinic, needs to…

Media – Confusion & Indoor Whizzing

Teach with Reliable Structure Question: My two Shih Tzus are sisters, 4 years old, adopted last year. They are usually potty trained but I did have to replace hallway carpet…

Media – Alien Invasion

Can Old Cats & Young Puppies Mix? Question: We have a 15 year old cat who is well, happy and calm. In September we will receive a Golden-Doodle puppy from…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Escaping dogs

Tunneling, climbing, running off – OMG! Raise the fence? Electric wire? Let’s figure out why this is happening and help your good dog stay home and succeed. Serious anxiety needs…

Comfort Scared Pets with Good Management Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. Scared dogs may hide, tremble, drool, cry or howl,…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Got anxiety? Your dog does too!

Panting, pacing, licking, pesky – you’re not alone. Our dogs do the same things when they get wiggy. Anxiety is more than miserable; left uncontrolled it causes internal physical disease.…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Calm the Heebie Jeebies

We love our pets like little people in furry suits – that’s the way I feel about mine. But if we’re going to get the calm behavior we want we…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Anxious & Acting-Out

Anxiety can also make a dog crazy. It’s different for dogs than it is for humans but being a little nervous about what might be lurking around the next corner…

Media – Puppy Wigs-Out on Leash

Allow the Little Ones to Drag the Leash at Home Question: I have a 4 month old cavachon puppy, adorable, playful, and lovable. Her name is Joy. On leash walks…

Media – Wigged-Out on the Road

Treat the Cause Question: Our two-year-old Golden retriever is totally unhappy traveling in any vehicle, including our motorhome; which is a shame because we travel a lot. We tried giving…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Dogs, Family Gatherings Overwhelmed & Badly Behaved

Hey-it’s a holiday. Let the good times roll! Maybe not for everybody. Some pets get badly unsettled and engage in unhealthy and dangerous behaviors because they’re nervous or scared. The…

Media – Holidays Happen

Keep it Safe I can’t wait for Thanksgiving: Family, turkey, pie, and political football. Well, maybe for you and me. Keep a close eye on your pets. Tense body postures…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Fear Agitation – Help on the Spot

It’s not about you; your pet’s brain needs to calm down. But when you relax – your dog or cat will feel better too.

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Natural Behavioral Remedies

Anxiety can be crippling. If one of us doesn’t have a major problem with intense worry we know someone who does. It’s the most common behavior disorder of humans –…

Media – Aging like a Fine Feline Wine

Fear-Free Kidney Care The Nichol family really loves its kitties, Tony and Gaston. They tap into the same part of our hearts as children but there are differences. They haven’t…

Media – Wild and Car Crazy

Question: I need help controlling my Sunny in a car. I have had big dogs all my life but never had this problem and it’s getting scary to travel and…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Incoming Fire – Wigged-Out Jittery Pets

The rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air mean Independence Day for you and me but our pets that just isn’t so. They think that the end is near.…

Media – Feline Fisticuffs

Fighting Among Household Cats Relationships among multiple indoor cats could devolve into a slugfest. The head banana may lurk in the shadows, pounce, and scare the snot out of an…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – The Handyman Dog

Do you have a dog who does odd jobs around the house & then makes a bolt for the door? Indoor toileting: Is it Spite? Confusion? Dementia? Anxiety? Let’s get…

Dr. Nichol’s Blog – Time-Out: Everybody Gets a Break

Dogs need Good Manners Some dogs follow their person’s lead and happily go along with just about anything. Others struggle to do the right thing, needing a bit more hands-on…

Dr. Nichol’s Blog – Mouthy, Nippy, Chewy – Part 3

Fufu’s sharp teeth and nails had scratched and scraped his people enough times that they were reluctant to handle the little guy. It was painful for them. They needed the…

Albuquerque Journal Article – Celebratory Bombing Raid

Pets ready for Fireworks? In the next few days many of us will be treated to (or cursed by) fireworks and even a few skyward gunshots, all to improve our…

Albuquerque Journal Article – Trans-window Hissing Contest

Indoor Cats Freaked-Out by Visitor Question: I have 2 cats, 10 months old. We have recently let them go outside. A few days ago another cat showed up in our…

Dr. Nichol’s Podcast – Greeting Pee

Jack was a 2 year old female dog, a Heinz 57. This kid was as sweet as they come, adapting pretty well to her second family except for one really…

Dr. Nichol’s Blog – Greeting Pee

Do you have a great dog who is everything you’ve ever wanted in man’s or woman’s best friend – except for one really annoying problem? Some dogs wag when greeting…

Dr. Nichol’s Podcast – Cars, Cats, & Furry Suits

Prior to JP’s stretch in animal control, where his new person Esther found him, this feline waif had already been through two homes. This good lady wanted to learn how…

Podcast – Fear and Anxiety

Dogs are man’s and woman’s best friends but there are differences. Unlike most of us they walk on all 4s and they’re somewhat hairier. But like us they’re genetically programmed…

Albuquerque Journal Article – Save your pup from balloon botheration

Balloons Fiesta is a great spectacle for us, but it’s not much of a wingding for pets who freak-out from those cosmic monsters leering and looming over them. Even the…

Dr. Nichol’s Blog – Fear and Anxiety

I was just 8 years old when I made my first trip to the animal hospital with my new puppy. I felt inspired by the doctor who examined him. He…

Albuquerque Journal Article – Cat Fears the Gentle Man in the House

Set Tiger up to Choose to Snuggle Question: We adopted Tiger as a kitten 3 months ago. At first he was very affectionate with me and my husband. Suddenly, when…

Dr. Nichol’s Video – Puppy Planning: Even Freaked-Out Adult Dogs can Learn

We never want a scared dog to perceive a threat. No one should ever approach, lean over, or stare at her. She’ll choose to approach when she’s not afraid. She…

Barking when Alone a Sign of Separation Distress

Food Toys can make a Difference Question: We have a 9 year old Shih Tzu that has started barking when we leave her alone. We leave the TV on, give…

Cat Frightened of Humans

Quiet Enticements and Anxitane can Help Question: We got our 2nd cat last August, a beautiful female calico about 3 years old. Her name is Sweety. She has been abused…

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