Behaviour Support for your Pet

At Erin Mills Pet Hospital, we understand that behaviour is a vital part of your pet’s overall health and well-being. Changes in behaviour can be stressful, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Our team is here to support both you and your pet with thoughtful and compassionate guidance!

Book Appointment

Why Behaviour Matters

Behaviour is your pet’s way of communicating with you. Whether it’s anxiety, aggression, excessive barking, inappropriate elimination, or destructive habits, these changes often reflect an underlying emotional, medical, or environmental cause.

Addressing behaviour concerns early can:

– Improve your pet’s quality of life

– Strengthen your bond with your pet

– Prevent issues from becoming more serious over time

Our Role in Behaviour Support

While we are not certified veterinary behaviourists, we play an important role in helping you understand what may be contributing to your pet’s behaviour and guiding you toward the right next steps.

Our support may include:

Reviewing your pet’s medical history, or recommending diagnostics, to rule out underlying health concerns
Helping you identify potential triggers and patterns
Providing initial management strategies
Helping you determine when more specialized support is needed

When to Seek Additional Support

Some behaviour concerns benefit from working with experienced trainers or veterinary behaviour specialists.

Here are two places we recommend our patients, based on specific needs:

When Hounds Fly
600 Orwell St Unit 1, Mississauga, ON L5A 3R9
www.whenhoundsfly.com

When Hounds Fly offers specialized support for dogs who struggle with reactivity toward other dogs. Their programs focus on positive reinforcement techniques to help your dog respond more calmly and confidently in the presence of other dogs. Please note that their services are best suited for dog-to-dog reactivity and is not appropriate for dogs displaying reactivity or aggression toward people.

North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialists
2974 King Rd, King City, ON L7B 1L6
www.northtorontovets.com

For more complex or severe behavioural concerns, including cases that may require medication or advanced intervention, we recommend consultation with a board-certified veterinary behaviourist out of North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialists.

We are happy to work collaboratively with these professionals to ensure your pet receives comprehensive care.

A Team-Based Approach

Behaviour care is most effective when it is collaborative. Our goal is to support you, connect you with trusted resources, and remain part of your pet’s care team throughout the process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Behavior Support

Why is a veterinary medical exam the necessary first step for a behavior issue?

Pets cannot tell us when they are hurting, so they often express physical discomfort through sudden behavioral shifts. For example, a cat who stops using the litter box may have painful urinary crystals, and a dog who suddenly snaps when touched may be suffering from hidden arthritis or an ear infection. Before assuming a behavior is strictly psychological, we must perform diagnostic tests to rule out an underlying medical cause.

What is the difference between a dog trainer and a veterinary behaviorist?

Dog trainers focus on teaching obedience commands, manners, and modifiable skills (like loose-leash walking). A board-certified veterinary behaviorist is a licensed veterinarian who has completed years of advanced residency training specifically in animal mental health. They diagnose complex emotional disorders like severe separation anxiety or compulsive behaviors, and they are uniquely qualified to prescribe behavioral medications when necessary.

My dog is reacting aggressively toward other dogs on walks. How should I handle this?

Dog-to-dog reactivity is common and usually driven by underlying fear or frustration rather than a desire to fight. Step one is safely managing their environment: use a secure harness, avoid high-traffic walking times, and create physical distance from other dogs. Because safety is paramount, we highly recommend referring local Mississauga clients to positive-reinforcement programs like When Hounds Fly to systematically rebuild your dog’s confidence.

When should I consider anxiety medications for my stressed pet?

Behavioral medication is never a “magic pill” on its own, but it is an invaluable tool for pets whose high anxiety keeps them in a constant state of panic. If a pet is so terrified that they cannot calm down enough to learn new coping skills, medication can help lower their baseline stress level. This chemical stability opens a window where behavioral modification and positive reinforcement training can succeed.

How can I tell if my cat is experiencing severe anxiety or stress?

Cats show anxiety much more subtly than dogs. Instead of barking or destroying furniture, an anxious cat will often hide for days, groom themselves excessively until they develop bald patches, hiss at long-time housemates, or eliminate outside of their litter box. If you notice these sudden shifts in your household, contact our clinic right away so we can screen for underlying medical triggers.