Applied Behavior

A client presents her 18-month-old Labrador retriever, which is destructive and occasionally eliminates when left home alone. The problems have been present since the animal was quite young. How can I determine if the dog has separation anxiety?

A client reports that his dog becomes frantic whenever a mailman or delivery person comes to the house. It attacks curtains and the windowsill and will rip up the mail. Other than getting a post office box, is there anything he can do?

I have many clients come into the clinic who have used punishment-based techniques to change a pet's unwanted behaviors. The problems, however, still exist or are worse.