In the normal course of operating my canine behavior practice in New York City, I will sometimes work with the family veterinarian and recommend that the veterinarian prescribe a pharmaceutical to assist me in modifying problem behavior exhibited by a family dog.

What Constitutes a Behavior Problem?

How does one define a problem behavior? A behavior problem is simply a behavior exhibited by the pet that the owner feels is inappropriate. A barking dog may be problem for an apartment dweller but not one for someone who lives on a farm. Most behavior problems result from normal behavior typical of the species.

Veterinary behaviorist Karen Overall, V.M.D. of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia divides problem behavior into two categories: management problems and clinical abnormal behavior. Examples of management problems are jumping on visitors, wild behavior or pulling on the leash. However, if your dogs steals a tissue and you approach him and grab it and he attempts to bite, that behavior can be defined as clinically abnormal.

"There's a lot you can tell about abnormal animals by the context that they do this behavior in. Is it out-of-context behavior? You know, if you've never been taught to walk on a leash and you pull on a leash, that's not out-of-context behavior. But if a human being walks in front of you while you are lying in front of a door and you reach up and sink your teeth into their groin, that's an abnormal behavior. And it's out of context. There was no challenge."

What Problems are Most Often Presented?

In 1995, the most common behavior problems presented at the Canines of America Center in New York City were different forms of aggression (241), fears and anxiety (156) , inappropriate elimination (housebreaking) (149) and excessive vocalization (barking) (96). Aggression is the most serious problem because an aggressive dog can be dangerous. When a pet dog bites, most pet owners will seek out a behaviorist or trainer if they are of a mind to keep the dog. The second most common problem presented is for problems associated with fears and anxiety. Fear of strange people. Fear of being separated from the owner. Fear of Thunderstorms, loud noises or new places and feelings. These stimuli can cause a dog to exhibit what I call the "Three F's", i.e., Freeze, Flee or Fight". Anxiety can cause a dog to become destructive to relieve the tenseness or it can produce escape behavior whereby a dog will chew and scratch through a wall or tunnel under a fence to get out. Eliminating inside the home on carpeting or floors is aggravating to most people and is a major reason why dogs are given up in urban areas each year. Excessive barking (usually a result of separation anxiety) also contributes to given the pet away

When Should Medication be Considered?

Veterinary Behaviorist Bonnie Beaver, D.V.M., professor and chief of medicine at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine in College Station, Texas says:

"Its going to depend on, number one, the types of conditions that you see most often, and number two, what success you've had with other techniques, how long the problem has been going on, what options are viable for a particular owner, in a particular environment. So there are a lot of variables involved in making these kinds of decisions."

Who Determines if Medication Should be Prescribed?

The decision should be made by the animal behaviorist, the family veterinarian and the owner. The behaviorist is most experienced with behavior modification and can set up a plan of action to change the unwanted behavior. The veterinarian is most familiar with the animal's heath and should perform tests to determine if the drug will be safe for the animal. And, of course ,the owner must administer the drug and participate in the behavior modification program by performing the exercises, monitoring the animal's progress and reporting back to the behaviorist and veterinarian.

Benefits and Risks

There are numerous benefits to drug intervention in dogs with behavior problems.

• A Relationship is Saved (and perhaps a life)

• An Aggressive Dog Can be Safer

• Dogs can Lead More Normal Lives

• Owners Can be Relieved of Resulting Stress

Drug therapy is not without risk. Drugs do have side effects. Medication can be costly. And sometimes medication does not work. In some cases you can see dramatic improvement. In some cases, little or none.

For another related article: Classes of Drugs Used in Canines Behavior