Medical Problems that Masquerade as Behavior Problems

Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., CAAB interviews Margie Knoll, DVM and Nancy Williams, M.A., RVT, ACAAB

Dog trainers, behavior consultants and veterinarians need to know how best to work together to provide quality behavior care to companion animals. Veterinarians need to be able to trust that the behavioral experts they refer their clients will recognize and respect that evaluating medical influences on behavior fall within the purview of the veterinarian.

However, if properly trained, trainers and behavior consultants can be a valuable source of information for the veterinarian. Trainers and behavior consultants usually spend more time observing pets and talking to their owners than veterinarians can during a regular office appointment. This extra interaction time can allow behavioral signs to be uncovered that should be reported to the veterinarian because they may be indicative of medical disease that is underlying the behavior of concern.

In this two-session telecourse, you will see from numerous case examples how information and observations from a certified animal behaviorist have helped a veterinarian more effectively differentiate medical problems from behavior problems. Discover how this “big picture”, interdisciplinary approach benefits both businesses as well as the pets and people they serve. Participants will learn how to make use of this model, including the “do’s and don’ts” in working together from both a veterinary and behavior consultant point of view.

The information you gain from this example driven telecourse will give veterinarians additional insights on useful diagnostic perspectives when evaluating a pet prior to a behavior referral, and provide trainers and consultants with a new set of eyes for “not normal” behavior that could indicate a medical problem.

Dr. Knoll and Ms. Williams will review common, and uncommon symptoms of medical problems that can affect a pet’s behavior and masquerade as behavior problems. Behavior modification and training programs will not only be ineffective but could also exacerbate injury or illness if medical problems go undiagnosed.

As a special bonus, using case examples Dr. Knoll will briefly discuss diet, supplements, and/or herbal treatments for use with behavior problems as a “sneak peak” to a future more in-depth course on these topics.

This course has been approved for 2.5 CEU hours from CCPDT and CACVT. It is now available two ways: LIVE and ON DEMAND.

The LIVE class is presented as a tele-webinar, with live audio, visual graphics and photographs. You’ll be able to ask questions of the instructors in real time. Each weekly session lasts approximately 1 ¼ hours. The course comes with class notes and recommended readings.

Can’t make the live course or afraid you’ll have to miss some classes? No worries – online replays are available immediately after each session and for one week following the end of the course. CEUs can be earned through listening to the replays by correctly emailing us answers to “test” questions given during the class.

The LIVE class isn’t on our current schedule.Please sign up for our ezine “Pet Behavior One Piece at a Time” to be notified about when it will be offered next. Can’t wait for the next live class?

Take this class ON DEMAND now! The ON DEMAND class is a recorded tele-webcast with the full content of the live class including class discussion and class notes. You have one month’s online access to all class sessions and an opportunity to ask questions of the instructors via email. Their answers to your questions will be recorded and emailed to you within a week.

You can earn CEUs by submitting emailed answers to questions asked by the instructors during the recorded class. We’ll provide the details once you register.

Still have questions about the course? Email for more details info@animalbehaviorassociates.com

Fee: $77.00

Register here for the On Demand Course

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