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.

Separation anxiety in dogs – destructive when home alone

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | September 8, 2026 | Comments Off on Separation anxiety in dogs – destructive when home alone

Some dogs are miserable with anxiety, panicking when their people leave home without them. This is hard for everybody including neighbors. Some dogs bark, tremble, pee, poop, and tear down the window blinds or dig up the carpet. Forget punishment and hand-wringing. There are lots of effective ways of helping a dog like this but these methods only work if they are tailored to the individual. Your veterinarian can prescribe antianxiety medications like Reconcile (fluoxetine) plus additional meds that can be given as-needed before you leave home. A Calmer Canine device can help even without medication. Your anxious dog can…

Dog fights

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | August 31, 2026 | Comments Off on Dog fights

Sadly, aggression between family dogs is common. Friendships between canine besties can take a bad turn. I’ve sutured and stapled plenty of wounds and even repaired a few fractures resulting from nasty altercations.

Puppy pee and poop

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | August 24, 2026 | Comments Off on Puppy pee and poop

Some puppies are quick learners; others struggle to get clear on the concept. Those little brains have a lot of growth and maturing ahead of them. Some get their wiring in line earlier than others. The reason you can be confident that your youngster will catch on, at some point, is the instinct they all carry not to foul their living area.

Pets at the office

By Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist | August 18, 2026 | Comments Off on Pets at the office

Build staff morale! A shared passion! Bring your own? Barking, biting, messes, bathroom breaks? I love office pets but it’s not all fun and games.

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?