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.

Cats who bite or scratch when petted

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | August 10, 2026 | Comments Off on Cats who bite or scratch when petted

Good cats can go bad when petted. They may hiss or swat or bite your hand. Several pets, scratches, or strokes may be tolerated and then Wam! Yell at him?

Separation Anxiety – Non Drug Treatment

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | August 3, 2026 | Comments Off on Separation Anxiety – Non Drug Treatment

Dogs with separation anxiety have a serious problem. I get it. I’ve come home to the sound of my dog Hazel barking and whining. As soon as I opened the door she’d greet me with wild intensity. She was more than just happy to see me; she acted like she’d been saved.

Separation anxiety – Destruction & Panic when Alone

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | July 27, 2026 | Comments Off on Separation anxiety – Destruction & Panic when Alone

So what can you do if the dog who’s stolen your heart damages your house while you’re away-often? If you have a dog like this you may feel desperate. Dogs with separation anxiety can actually learn to look forward to their alone time because that will be their chance to engage their innate survival instincts.

Monster in the Yard – Separation Anxiety & Urine Soiling

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | July 20, 2026 | Comments Off on Monster in the Yard – Separation Anxiety & Urine Soiling

The anxiety and blood pressure spikes of white coat syndrome aren’t fun for us. Most pets have the same problem.

Separation anxiety in a dog home alone?

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | July 13, 2026 | Comments Off on Separation anxiety in a dog home alone?

If you think your dog has separation anxiety you need to know if that’s what’s really happening or only a guess.

Separation anxiety- Sad partings, over joyful reunions

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | July 6, 2026 | Comments Off on Separation anxiety- Sad partings, over joyful reunions

Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?

Fireworks – dogs shake & hide

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | June 29, 2026 | Comments Off on Fireworks – dogs shake & hide

Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. A freaked-out dog or cat needs serious relief from fear. I’ll make it easy for you to help. Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.

Lunging & Barking on Leash Walks

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | June 22, 2026 | Comments Off on Lunging & Barking on Leash Walks

A dog who obeys fast and reliably can overcome the urge to lunge and bark and lose its mind on leash walks.

Lunging, pulling, barking on leash walks

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | June 15, 2026 | Comments Off on Lunging, pulling, barking on leash walks

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 is essential to who they are.

Hot spots on summer dogs

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | June 8, 2026 | Comments Off on Hot spots on summer dogs

More than miserable, blistering summer days can bring dangerous hot spots and a failure of normal panting to release body heat. Keeping our dogs safe and comfortable is about more than ventilation and air conditioning. It’s not hard if you understand the problems.