Treating canine and feline behaviour problems and advising clients

In this introductory paper, the young and growing field of pet behaviour counselling and therapy is considered. A case is made for cooperation between veterinarians and trained pet behaviour advisors and for qualification of professionals working in the field. The general causes of behaviour problems, as well as general principles of treatment, are considered. The importance of careful examination of the case in order to arrive at a differential diagnosis of the problem is illustrated by two examples: urine marking vs. undesirable elimination in cats; and destructiveness related to separation anxiety vs. boredom in dogs. Behaviour towards the client is also considered.