Author: Hanne Geys
Does your dog bark at every visitor who comes in? Does your cat suddenly start urinating outside the litter box? Or does your pet react fearfully, aggressively or restlessly in certain situations?
In such cases, many owners immediately think of training. However, the cause of problem behaviour often lies deeper. In such situations, pet therapy can help you to better understand your pet's behaviour and make lasting changes.
What is pet therapy?
Pet therapy is professional guidance that focuses on understanding and improving behavioural problems in animals.
Instead of just teaching commands, a pet therapist looks at the whole picture. This involves examining various factors that influence an animal's behaviour, such as its living environment, daily routines, stress factors and interactions with its owner.
The goal is not only to reduce problem behaviour, but above all to understand the underlying cause and improve the animal's well-being. When an animal feels safer and calmer, its behaviour often changes naturally.
Training versus behavioural therapy
Training and behavioural therapy are often confused, but they have different focuses.
Training mainly revolves around teaching desired behaviour, such as walking nicely on a leash or coming to you on command.
Behavioural therapy goes a step further and tries to find out why an animal exhibits certain behaviour. Fear, stress, frustration or previous negative experiences can play a role, for example. By addressing the causes, a more lasting solution is usually achieved than when only the visible behaviour is corrected.
"Pet therapy is professional guidance that focuses on understanding and improving behavioural problems in animals. Instead of just teaching commands, a pet therapist looks at the whole picture."
When can pet therapy help?
Behavioural problems in dogs and cats are more common than people think. Animals react strongly to changes in their environment and communicate through their behaviour when something is wrong.
It may be wise to consult a pet therapist if your pet, for example:
- Reacts aggressively towards people or other animals
- Is extremely anxious
- Displays destructive behaviour
- Has difficulty being left alone
- Suddenly becomes incontinent
- Barks or meows excessively
The sooner you seek help, the greater the chance that the behaviour can be successfully corrected.
How does counselling with a pet therapist work?
A programme usually starts with a comprehensive analysis of your pet's behaviour. Based on this analysis, a personalised counselling plan is drawn up. This may consist of behavioural adjustments, training, changes in the environment or tips to reduce stress in the animal.
Because every animal is unique, the approach is fully tailored to your pet and your situation.
More peace of mind for you and your pet
Behavioural problems are rarely a sign that an animal is “difficult”. Often, the animal is simply trying to communicate that something is not right. With the right guidance, balance and trust can be restored between you and your pet.
Do you recognise the examples mentioned in this article? Then be sure to contact us. We are happy to help you find a tailor-made solution for you and your pet.
Hanne Geys is a Junior Online Marketer at Theys Communicatie and writes freelance blog posts for Pettherapy.be.
Sources
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior – Animal behavior resources Overall, K. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology
