Problem Behavior Help | Problem Behavior Resources

Are you troubled by behaviors your dog exhibits, such as:

• Agression toward you or others,
• Shyness around people (hiding behind you, cowering, submissive urination),
• Fearfulness or panic during thunderstorms,
• Fears of sounds, movements, objects, car riding, surfaces, situations,
• Struggles with toenail trimming or grooming,
• Reluctance to being handled (being picked up, toweling off feet, cleaning ears or eyes),
• Resource guarding food bowl or objects of value such as toys,
• Aggression towards other dogs in your household,
• Or aggression towards other dogs on walks?

For behavior problems such as these, Top Notch Dog recommends you consult with a board certified veterinary behaviorist. Although there are only about forty of these specialists nationwide, there are two right here in North Carolina. Please contact the Animal Behavior Service in Cary or Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Greensboro to set up an appointment. Check with your veterinarian for referrals to other behavior specialists.

Don’t see your dog’s problem behavior listed? Check our Basic Manners Training page to see if it is listed there.

Dog behavior problem resources: | Back to Top |

• Aggression: What You Need to Know
• SFSPCA Online Dog Behavior & Training Instant advice and a free help line.
• Dogs are from Neptune: Candid Answers to Urgent Questions about Aggression and Other Aspects of Dog Behavior by Jean Donaldson
• The Cautious Canine: How to Help Dogs Conquer their Fears by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.
• The Bark Stops Here by Terry Ryan
• North Carolina board certified veterinary behaviorists:
• Veterinary Behavior Clinic
• Carolina Veterinary Specialists
• Free dog behavior help lines:
• The San Francisco SPCA Animal Behavior Program
• The Animal Behavior Program offers pet owners step-by-step instructions on how to modify behaviors such as barking, furniture scratching, digging, house soiling and biting. And best of all, it's free! For cat issues, please call (415) 554-3075. For dog issues, please call (415) 901-6646, and one of the trainers will get back to you.
• Denver Dumb Friends League
• Dog or Cat Behavior call toll-free: 1-877-738-0217
• Our helpline answers calls, 24 hours a day, with an automated greeting and will record your concerns and questions so that we assist you with your pet. Calls are returned during regular business hours by specially trained employees and volunteers who are dedicated to helping people understand why pets do what they do.
• ASPCA New York
• Problems handled range from aggression, fear and anxiety, house soiling, destructiveness, excessive noise and self-mutilation. If you are having a problem with your pet's behavior, contact this department via email at companion@aspca.org or leave a message at (212) 876-7700 ext. 4423.