When people write to me asking general questions about complex behavioral problems such as your dog's, it is very difficult for me to offer any help. I just don't have enough information about the particulars of the case. Have you worked with a behaviorist using behavioral therapy in conjunction with medication? What drugs were used and for how long? What sorts of changes did you make in the way you interact with the dog, both in regular daily life and specifically during your dog's inappropriate behavior? Many times compulsive behaviors are reinforced by owners who are trying so hard to resolve their dogs' problems they accidentally contribute to them!

When dogs are brought to me for behavioral modification, I look for clues that tell me how much the owners are contributing to the problem and how much of the problem is nonowner-related, or truly a dog problem. I decide upon treatment based on my initial evaluation, so it is important for me to feel I really understand every detail of the case before making any recommendations. I make my determination in two ways: by observing the owner and dog and by taking a very detailed behavioral history.

I know you were hoping I could give you some treatment suggestions, but I can't unless you provide more information. The following questions are from my behavioral profile form I use when evaluating dogs that are brought to me for help. Answer them as completely as possible and send it back to me; once I receive and read it, I'll try to respond to your dog problem with specific suggestions.

• DATE:
• DOG'S NAME:
• MALE, FEMALE, NEUTERED?:
• BREED(S):
• AGE:
• OWNER(S):
• HOME#:
• ADDRESS:
• WORK#:
• TELL ABOUT ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY:
• ARE THERE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN ONGOING INFLUENCE ON YOUR DOG OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM?:
• TELL ABOUT ALL OTHER PETS SHARING THE HOME:
• IS YOUR YARD FENCED? WITH WHAT TYPE OF FENCING?:
• DOES YOUR DOG SPEND ANY TIME CHAINED OUT? ON WHAT LENGTH AND SORT OF CHAIN? FOR HOW LONG AND WHERE?:
• EXPLAIN ABOUT YOUR DOG'S DIET AND DAILY FEEDINGS; WHAT QUANTITY IS FED, AND WHO FEEDS?:
• DOES YOUR DOG RECEIVE ANY SUPPLEMENTS OR TREATS? WHEN AND WHERE? FROM WHOM?:
• WHAT IS YOUR VETERINARIAN'S NAME?:
• WHEN WAS YOUR LAST VISIT?:
• WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE AND OUTCOME?:
• TELL ABOUT YOUR DOG'S LAST HEAT, ANY FALSE PREGNANCIES, REASON IT HAS OR HAS NOT BEEN NEUTERED, ANY BREEDING AND AT WHAT AGE IT WAS OR WILL BE NEUTERED:
• EXPLAIN YOUR DOG'S MEDICAL HISTORY:
• LIST ANY MEDICATIONS TAKEN ROUTINELY:
• LIST ANY MEDICATIONS TAKEN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE DOSAGE:
• AT WHAT AGE WAS YOUR DOG OBTAINED, AND FROM WHERE? DESCRIBE THE ENVIRONMENT:
• EXPLAIN YOUR DOG'S HISTORY PRIOR TO LIVING IN YOUR HOME:
• DESCRIBE THE BEHAVIOR OF YOUR DOG'S PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, IF KNOWN:
• EXPLAIN WHERE AND HOW YOUR DOG SLEEPS:
• EXPLAIN WHERE AND HOW YOUR DOG SPENDS ITS DAYS:
• HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT HOUSE TRAINING?:
• DOES YOUR DOG DEMONSTRATE SUBMISSIVE WETTING OR INAPPROPRIATE ELIMINATION? EXPLAIN:
• EXPLAIN ANY TRAINING YOUR DOG HAS HAD:
• WHAT COMMANDS DOES YOUR DOG OBEY?:
• WHAT COMMANDS DOES YOUR DOG DISOBEY?:

• DESCRIBE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IF APPLICABLE—

• - - -DIFFICULTY AT THE DOOR, WITH GUESTS, WITH PASSERS-BY:
• - - -PROBLEM BARKING:
• - - -PROBLEM CHASING BEHAVIORS:
• - - -PROBLEMS WITH OTHERS TOUCHING OR REMOVING ITS TOYS, BONES OR FOOD:
• - - -PROBLEMS WHEN DISTURBED WHILE RESTING OR SLEEPING:
• - - -PROBLEMS WITH GROOMING:
• - - -PROBLEMS WITH RESTRAINT:
• - - -PROBLEMS WITH SEPARATION OR WHEN HOME ALONE:
• - - -FEARS, PHOBIAS:
• - - -ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS:
• - - -UNRULINESS, EXCITABILITY:
• - - -ATTENTION DEMANDS:
• - - -PROBLEMS DURING PLAY INTERACTIONS:

• DESCRIBE YOUR DOG'S DAILY EXERCISE, ACTIVITIES:

• HOW MANY HOURS DOES YOUR DOG SPEND ALONE OR CONFINED?:
• HOW MANY HOURS DOES IT SPEND ALONE OUTSIDE?:
• WHAT IS YOUR MAIN CONCERN WITH YOUR DOG'S BEHAVIOR?:
• WHEN DID THIS PROBLEM BEGIN?:

• LIST ALL PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES:

• EXPLAIN ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR'S FREQUENCY, DURATION AND WHAT SEEMS TO TRIGGER IT:
• SINCE THE BEHAVIOR BEGAN, HAVE YOU OBSERVED ANY CHANGES IN PATTERN OR INTENSITY?:
• WHAT SORTS OF BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION, INTERRUPTIONS AND DISCIPLINE HAVE BEEN USED, AND BY WHOM?:
• WHAT ARE THE DOG'S REACTIONS TO DISCIPLINE?:
• DESCRIBE THE DOG'S BEHAVIOR WITH FAMILY:
• DESCRIBE THE DOG'S BEHAVIOR WITH STRANGERS:
• DESCRIBE THE DOG'S BEHAVIOR WITH CHILDREN:
• DESCRIBE THE DOG'S BEHAVIOR WITH OTHER DOGS, ANIMALS:
• ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

That's it! I know this questionnaire is rather long and time-consuming to complete, but I think you'll find it worthwhile for the time it will save. I hate to be barking up the wrong tree when it comes to behavioral problem treatment!

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