Understanding Common Behavioural Issues

Anxiety

Anxiety can affect pets of all types, leading to symptoms such as excessive vocalisation, hiding, or destructive behaviour. We assess your pet’s specific triggers—be it environmental stressors, changes in routine, or past traumas—and develop a customised plan that may include behaviour modification techniques, environmental enrichment, and, if necessary, veterinary referrals for medical management.

Barking and Excessive Vocalising

While barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, excessive vocalisation can also occur in other pets, such as cats and birds. This behaviour can become problematic, often stemming from boredom, anxiety, or a desire for attention. Our consultations focus on understanding the underlying causes of barking or vocalising and implementing positive reinforcement techniques to encourage quieter behaviour. We also provide enriching activities and environmental modifications to help reduce stress and keep your pet engaged.

Social Problems

Social dynamics among various species can be complex, leading to conflicts such as dog-dog rivalries, cat-cat territorial disputes, and dog-cat integration challenges. Birds may experience stress from territorial disputes, while small mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs can struggle with hierarchy. In mixed-species households, misunderstandings can arise, creating tension among pets. At Riverness Animal Consulting, we provide tailored strategies for gradual introductions and social skills training, ensuring safe and positive interactions that promote harmony among all your pets.

Separation-Related Behaviours & Hyper-Attachment

Separation-related behaviours (SRBs) and hyper-attachment can affect a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, and small mammals, leading to anxiety when left alone. Pets with hyper-attachment may show signs of distress such as excessive vocalisation, destructive behaviour, or attempts to follow their owners constantly. Addressing this requires a thoughtful, gradual desensitisation process, where we work with you to teach your pet to feel secure during your absences. Through strategies that include positive reinforcement, creating safe, enriching environments, and promoting independence, we help reduce your pet’s reliance on constant companionship, easing separation anxiety over time.

Aggression

Aggressive behaviour can take many forms across species, from fear-based aggression in dogs to territorial displays in cats and birds, often triggered by factors like fear, frustration, or resource guarding. These behaviours may present as growling, biting, lunging, or swatting, and can escalate if not properly addressed. Our comprehensive assessments help identify the specific triggers and underlying emotional or environmental causes behind your pet's aggression. By creating customised behaviour modification plans, we focus on desensitisation, counter-conditioning, and building your pet’s confidence, all while ensuring safety for both the animal and those around them.

Destructive Behaviours

Destructive behaviours, like chewing furniture, digging, or gnawing on objects, can affect various pets, from dogs to rabbits, and often arise from boredom, anxiety, lack of stimulation, or insufficient exercise. These behaviours, while frustrating, are usually a pet’s way of coping with unmet needs or stress. Our team works closely with you to pinpoint the underlying causes, whether it's a need for more mental stimulation, physical activity, or stress relief. We then provide effective alternatives, such as interactive toys, puzzle feeders, or increased playtime, to help your pet channel their energy in healthier, more positive ways.

Fearful and Avoidant Behaviours

Fear in pets, whether dogs, cats, or smaller animals, can lead to avoidance behaviours or aggressive responses when they feel threatened or overwhelmed. Our approach uses gradual desensitisation techniques to help your pet face their fears in a controlled and positive environment, reducing their anxiety over time. By slowly introducing your pet to fear-inducing stimuli in a safe way and pairing it with positive reinforcement, we help build their confidence and resilience. This method encourages healthier coping mechanisms and fosters a more balanced, relaxed response to stressful situations.

Impulse Control Issues

Impulse control challenges can result in problematic behaviours like jumping, stealing food, or overly rough play, often seen in pets who struggle to regulate their excitement or impulses. Our training methods target these issues by teaching self-control through positive reinforcement, helping pets understand boundaries and develop better manners. Commands such as “wait” and “leave it” are introduced in a way that is easy for pets to grasp and can be applied across various species. By reinforcing calm and controlled behaviour, we help your pet manage their impulses more effectively in different situations.

Noise Sensitivity

Sensitivity to loud noises, such as thunderstorms or fireworks, is a common source of anxiety for many pets, including dogs, cats, and small animals. This fear can lead to panic, hiding, or destructive behaviours. We help you create a safe, calming environment—such as using noise-dampening spaces or comforting objects—and introduce gradual desensitisation techniques to reduce your pet’s stress response. By slowly exposing your pet to these sounds in a controlled manner and pairing them with positive reinforcement, we aim to build their tolerance, helping them cope more comfortably with noisy, stressful situations.

House Soiling

Inappropriate elimination, whether in dogs, cats, or small mammals, can be a complex issue stemming from medical, behavioural, or environmental factors. Our approach begins with a thorough evaluation to rule out underlying medical conditions, ensuring that health issues are addressed first. Once cleared, we focus on developing a consistent and positive training routine tailored to your pet's needs. We also offer strategies to reduce any anxiety or stress your pet may associate with elimination, creating a secure and comfortable environment where they feel safe to relieve themselves appropriately.

Resource Guarding

Resource guarding, while commonly associated with dogs, can also occur in cats and birds, leading to defensive or aggressive behaviours around food, toys, or other valued items. Our behaviour modification approach focuses on positive reinforcement techniques to gradually reduce anxiety over resources. By rewarding calm behaviour and introducing sharing practices, we help pets feel more secure and less protective, which fosters a more harmonious environment in multi-pet households. This method encourages trust and cooperation, reducing tension and conflict over valuable items.

Hyperactivity

Hyperactive behaviour can be challenging in any species, often resulting in restlessness, impulsivity, or difficulty settling down. During our consultations, we assess your pet’s energy levels, temperament, and daily lifestyle to identify the root causes of their hyperactivity. Based on this, we create a structured routine that balances physical exercise, mental stimulation, and training exercises, all designed to channel their energy productively. By incorporating activities tailored to your pet’s needs, we help promote calmness, focus, and overall better behaviour, making life more enjoyable for both you and your pet.

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