Going to a vet for a behavior issue with a dog is a bit like going to a law mower mechanic for advice on how to shampoo a carpet.
Vets are not the beginning or end all of dogs. Most veterinarians know little or nothing about nutrition, breed-genetics, or dog training.
To put a point on it: Going to a vet for a behavior issue with a dog is a bit like going to a law mower mechanic for advice on how to shampoo a carpet; if they know anything at all, its just an accident.
All of this by way of introduction to the fact that the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has just put out a publication called "Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines." In that publication they say
More dogs and cats are affected by behavioral problems than any other condition, often resulting in euthanasia, relinquishment of the patient, or chronic suffering.
Yes. Excellent. And what do vets know about it and what are they saying?
And here is where we come to the nonsense.
Under no circumstances should aggression or any condition involving a clinical diagnosis be referred to a trainer for primary treatment. Referral to a dog trainer is appropriate for normal but undesired behaviors (e.g., jumping on people), unruly behaviors (e.g., pulling on leash), and teaching basic manners.
Eh? A dog with "aggression" issues (whatever that is as it is undefined and would likely include all kinds of leash-reactivity, fear, etc.) should never be taken to a dog trainer? Never?? Then, pray tell, who should see this dog other than a vet with a blue solution?
Behavior cases can be complex, often involving public health and safety issues. Board-certified veterinary behaviorists (diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, www.dacvb.org) are specifically trained and qualified to treat clinical behavior problems in companion animals. Referral to a veterinary behaviorist may be recommended in cases involving self-injury, aggression, multiple concurrent behavioral diagnoses, profound phobias, or for patients not responding to conventional treatment despite the primary care veterinarian’s best efforts. Dogs either inflicting deep bites or those injuring immunocompromised individuals should be referred to a specialist. Under no circumstances should aggression or any condition involving a clinical diagnosis be referred to a trainer for primary treatment. Referral to a dog trainer is appropriate for normal but undesired behaviors (e.g., jumping on people), unruly behaviors (e.g., pulling on leash), and teaching basic manners.
So, the ONLY person that can help you with your dog is a certified veterinary behaviorist who is diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists?
Fantastic.
Because, you see, according to the DACVB web site, there are only 66 such people in the entire world.
Let me say it now: Bunko and bullshit.
This country is full of very good dog trainers using a wide variety of techniques. The notion that there is only one way to train a problem dog, and that you need a Veterinary Behaviorist to do it, is complete nonsense.
If you are a good dog trainer, stop by the local vets and explain what you do and how you do it.
If you are a veterinarian, make it part of your job to learn about dog trainers in your area, and what they can do (being very attentive to what it is your customers actually need, which will vary).
As for the notion that there are less than 100 people in the world that can deal with a problem dog, lets call "shenanigans" and remember exactly what kind of bunko outfit the American Animal Hospital Association really is.
These are pill-pushers and price-gougers, upcoders, and bill padders. Their modus operandi is to write guidelines for over-prescribing, and then to sell the very prescriptions that they have just suggested.
Grifters gotta grift, and there is a tremendous amount of grifting in the veterinary business. Caveat emptor.
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