Most behavioral problems can be reduced in frequency and intensity or totally eliminated. Prognosis for behavioral problem depends on factors such as this history behind the problem, the kind of problem, and the breed and sex of the pet. House calls are needed to see the pet in its own environment and to assess factors in the home environment which potentially impact the problem behavior. Basically a different set of procedures are involved. First, a detailed assessment needs to be made for diagnosis and prognosis purposes.
Medical causation needs to be ruled out.
Second, once the problem is disgnosed correctly, appropriate behavioral modification procedures need to be introduced that involve working with the pet specifically in the environment and in those conditions where the problem behavior tends to happen. Moreover, the specific environmental stimuli associated with the occurrence of the misbehavior need to be identified in order to be meaningfully incorporated into a behavioral therapy program. For most problems, a systematic approach needs to be adopted in order to facilitate change in the shortest period of time. For some behavioral problems and for some individuals, supplementing behavioral modification with drug therapy may be beneficial. However, druf therapy should not be the forst choice.