Pet Behaviour

If you have any concerns about your pet’s behaviour, we may be able to help you work through these issues. The team at Ash Tree Vets can offer general advice on a number of common behavioural problems but we do not have a specialist or certified behaviourist amongst the team, therefore you might prefer, or we may recommend, that you seek advice from someone with these further qualifications or accreditations.

In this situation, we are more than happy to provide a list of local and remote (professionals accessed online) trained behaviourists for you to contact.

The advice of a certified behaviourist is strongly advised if your pet behaviour is complex or if your pet shows aggression which could potentially cause injury to yourself, a family member, a member of the public or other household pet. Certified behaviourists will often want us to rule out common medical conditions and pain before we refer you, so we may still ask to have a chat with you on the phone or ask you to bring your pet to the surgery for an examination.

If you would like us to help, please complete our Pet Behaviour Questionnaire. Once completed we will contact you to book an in-person or telephone consultation with a vet about your behavioural concerns. There will be a charge of £54.00 for this initial consultation and any follow up consults will be charged at £47.50.

Additional Advice and Resources

Does my dog have separation anxiety?

Dogs are social animals and often prefer the company of people or other animals to solitude. Even dogs that appear independent might base their independence on the fact that their owners are not far away. Some dogs are deeply indifferent to human comings and goings, whilst others might resign themselves to the inevitable and manage to settle. The problem arises when dogs left alone are significantly distressed.

Separation anxiety is a collection of behaviours that a dog may display usually when they are left without their owners.

This anxiety can present in behaviours such as:

destructive chewing and digging, often at windows, doors and other exit points
urination and defecation
persistent vocalisation.

Unless evidence is left behind, or a neighbour tells you, owners might be completely unaware of their pets’ distress. Videoing your dog while you are away from them can help you identify whether they are not settling at all, they do settle after a short time, or are settled until disturbed by something.

Treating Separation Anxiety

The following can be beneficial for dogs with separation anxiety:

ruling out any medical problems
behavioural modification – teach your dog how to to settle and stay settled when you are absent for short periods of time
creating a safe space for them
creating emotional stability
altering expectations of interaction
leaving predictable signals
never punishing

To find out more watch this video about the Calm programme.

Some dogs will also benefit from pheromones and / or anti-anxiety medications but these should always be used in conjunction with a behavioural modification programme. Medications can usually be slowly withdrawn once your dog has developed the skills to settle in your absence. Occasionally, more anxious dogs might need lifelong medication.

There is often no quick fix and training can take 4-6 months or more. Often the training will need to be regularly reinforced throughout your dog’s life. If you would like help and support with separation anxiety or separation related problems please contact the surgery.

Treats and Toys at the Vet

Bringing treats or toys to the vet can be a great way to help your pet feel more comfortable and reduce anxiety during their visit.

Here are some tips:

Favourite Toys: Bringing along your pet’s favourite toy can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort. For smaller pets, you can place the toy inside their carrier.

Treats: If your pet is allowed to eat before the visit, bringing their favourite treats can be helpful. Treats can be used to reward calm behaviour and make the experience more positive. We always have plenty of treats available, but not all pets can have our treats, or some may just prefer their own. If your pet is having a procedure, please check with us before giving them treats as they may need to starve beforehand. It’s useful if owners of rabbits and guinea pigs bring a small amount of their pet’s usual food, and their pet’s favourite veggies, along with them at admit – to help aid their post operative recovery whilst with us.

Comfort Items: Items like a favourite blanket or something that smells like home can help ease your pet’s anxiety.

Carrier Familiarity: For pets that need to be in a carrier, make sure they are comfortable with it beforehand. You can leave the carrier out with treats, toys, or blankets inside to help your pet see it as a safe space.

Calm Environment: Scheduling the appointment at a quieter time can reduce stress. Early morning or late afternoon appointments might be less crowded.