We know you love your pet. But when they are struggling with behavior that is fearful, aggressive, or just plain confusing, it can be incredibly stressful for the whole family. It can leave you feeling worried, frustrated, and isolated. Please know, you are not alone, and it is not your fault. Our Pet Behavioral Medicine team is here to help you understand the “why” behind your pet’s actions. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for both you and your pet through a scientific and, above all, compassionate approach to animal behavior. Our goal is to find solutions that bring peace back to your home.
What is a Veterinary Behaviorist?
A Veterinary Behaviorist is a licensed veterinarian who has also completed years of specialized, post-doctoral training in a competitive residency. They are true specialists who have passed a rigorous board-certification exam to earn the title of Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB). It means you have a partner in your pet’s care who is a true Veterinary Behavioral Medicine Specialist. They are uniquely qualified to see the entire picture.
A Veterinary Behaviorist understands the complex link between your pet’s physical health, brain function, environment, and their behavior. They can diagnose a problem from both a medical and a behavioral perspective. This is what sets them apart: they can determine if a hidden medical issue (like chronic pain, a thyroid imbalance, or a neurological problem) is the root cause of the behavior, and they are the only specialists who can prescribe medication if it’s needed to help your pet feel calm enough to learn.
When Should Your Dog or Cat See a Veterinary Behaviorist?
It’s common to try classes or work with a trainer, and these are wonderful resources for general manners! But if you’re dealing with a problem that feels overwhelming, isn’t getting better, or is putting your pet or your family at risk, it’s time to see a specialist. We help pets with behaviors that come from deep-seated, involuntary emotions like anxiety and fear, as well as those that have become frustrating, learned habits. We recommend a consultation if you are experiencing:
Common Signs in Dogs
- Aggression toward people (family, visitors, or strangers on walks)
- Aggression toward other dogs (in your home or in public)
- Severe separation anxiety (panic, destruction, howling, or house soiling when you leave)
- Intense fear of noises (thunderstorms, fireworks) or new situations
- Generalized anxiety (seems to “worry” all the time)
- Compulsive behaviors (tail chasing, light chasing, spinning, flank sucking)
- Guarding food, toys, or people (resource guarding)
- House soiling (especially if medical causes have been ruled out)
Common Signs in Cats
- Urinating or defecating outside the litter box (inappropriate elimination)
- Urine marking or spraying
- Aggression toward people or other cats in your home
- Constant fear, anxiety, or hiding
- Compulsive behaviors (over-grooming, pacing, chewing on non-food items)
- Destructive scratching
- Sudden behavior changes related to aging (confusion, new anxieties)
Our Diagnostic Approach: Finding Answers Together
Our primary goal is to help you and your pet lead a safer, happier, and less stressful life together. To do that, we must first figure out why the behavior is happening. Our approach is thorough, compassionate, and non-judgmental.
First and foremost, your pet can't tell us when they're in pain or don't feel well. Many behavior problems are symptoms of an underlying medical issue. Arthritis, dental disease, a skin condition, or an internal issue can all cause a pet to become irritable, anxious, or aggressive. As veterinarians, our first step is always to ensure your pet is not suffering from a physical ailment that is contributing to their behavior.
We will ask you to complete a very detailed questionnaire. This isn't just paperwork; it's our most important tool for understanding your pet's world. We want to know about their history, daily routine, environment, and the specific challenges you're facing. This helps us see the complete puzzle of your pet's life.
Based on all this information, our specialist will provide a diagnosis and create a customized, multi-part treatment plan. We know that for a plan to work, it has to be realistic for your family. This plan may include behavior modification, environmental management, or medication (if needed).
What to Expect from the Plan
Behavior Modification: Humane, science-backed techniques to gently change your pet’s emotional response and learned habits.
Environmental Management: Simple, practical changes to your home and routine to reduce stress and set your pet up for success.
Medication (if needed): Sometimes, anxiety or fear is so overwhelming that a pet’s brain simply can’t learn. In these cases, medication can be a life-changing tool. It is never a “quick fix” but rather a way to provide relief and help your pet be calm enough to learn new, healthier ways of coping.
Trainer Referral List
DACVBs welcome collaborating with qualified trainers to help your pet succeed. At your appointment we can suggest a certified trainer that will assist in implementing your treatment plan. Below is a list of trusted trainers we have worked with in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Berks County
Get Connected Canine
Serves several townships bordering Berks and Lehigh counties.
Bucks County
Best Paw Forward
Also serves Doylestown, Chalfont, Lansdale, North Wales, Warrington, Perkasie, Souderton, Telford, Warminster, Horsham, New Britain, Buckingham, Hatfield, Harleysville, and nearby areas.
Paws On Dog Training
Also serves Mercer County, NJ in the Princeton area. Fee for extended travel.
Positive Interactions Dog Behavior and Training
Montgomery and Bucks counties.
Chester County
Biggie Paws
Chester County and some surrounding areas.
Brilliant Dog Training
Dog Training Club of Chester County
Down to Earth Dog Lady
Chester County, including Reading.
Root For Your Dog
Based in Phoenixville. Also serves Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Delaware counties.
The Distinguished Dog
Serves within 20 miles of Malvern.
The Speaking Dog
West Grove and surrounding areas, including West Chester, Chadds Ford, Newark, Delaware, and Nottingham, Pennsylvania.
What a Good Dog
Facility in Frazer, Pennsylvania.
Dauphin County
Good Dog Rising
Harrisburg.
Harrisburg’s Great Dog Program
Harrisburg and surrounding areas. Virtual services available from anywhere.
Who’s Your Doggie
Harrisburg.
Delaware County
Canine Communication
Main Line area, based in Newtown Square.
Pawsabilities Unlimited
Drexel Hill and surrounding areas.
Paws Forward Dog Training
Offers classes and private training with Providence Animal Center in Media, Pennsylvania.
Lancaster County
Pups Unleashed
Also serves parts of York County.
Lehigh County
Cerberus Dog Training
Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem.
Great Companions LLC
Facility in Allentown. Additional fee for travel.
Points of Wisdom
Lehigh Valley.
Montgomery County
At Attention Dog Training
Based in King of Prussia. Serves within 25 miles.
Brilliant Dog Training
Dentler’s Dog Training, LLC
Serves Amity, Bally, Bechtelsville, Birdsboro, Boyertown, Colebrookdale, Collegeville, Douglass (Berks), Douglass (Montgomery), Earlville, East Coventry, East Vincent, Gilbertsville, Limerick, Lower Frederick, Lower Pottsgrove, New Hanover, North Coventry, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Royersford, Schwenksville, South Coventry, Spring City, Trappe, Union, Upper Frederick, Upper Pottsgrove, Upper Providence, Warwick, Washington, West Pottsgrove, and West Vincent.
Elser Canine Services
Norristown area, including Conshohocken, Bridgeport, Phoenixville, Willow Grove, Lansdale, and Hatfield.
Love Bark Philly
Will travel for an additional fee. Contact for your specific area.
My Pet’s Teacher
Serves Rockledge, Colmar, Huntingdon Valley, and Richboro in Bucks County.
Positive Interactions Dog Behavior and Training
Montgomery and Bucks counties.
Right Steps Dog Training
Abington, Warrington, Warminster, and Jenkintown.
Y2K9s
Abington, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia County
Constellation Dog Academy
Also serves parts of Montgomery County.
Gold Standard Pet Service and Kennel
Greater Philadelphia area, including southern New Jersey and York County, Pennsylvania. Also offers pet sitting.
Instinct Dog Training
Philadelphia, South Jersey, and surrounding Pennsylvania suburbs.
Noble Hound Training
Philadelphia suburbs and parts of Montgomery County.
Philly Dog Training
Philadelphia.
Tuff Pup Training
Also serves parts of Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware counties.
Mercer County
Heavenly Hounds
Also serves parts of Bucks County.
Paws On Dog Training
Princeton area and parts of Bucks County. Fee for extended travel.
Monmouth County
Jersey Shore Dog Training
Serves parts of Ocean, Middlesex, and Mercer counties. Contact for other areas.
The Inner Dog
Serves parts of Hunterdon and Mercer counties. Will travel for an additional fee.
New Castle County
BlackDog Behavior and Training, LLC
Delaware facilities in Wilmington and New Castle. In-home training in northern Delaware/New Castle County and the Georgetown/Rehoboth area. Virtual services available from anywhere.
Virtual Only
Harmonious Handling
Virtual only.
Meet Our Behavioral Medicine Specialists
Our dedicated Pet Behavioral Medicine team is led by board-certified specialists who are truly passionate about restoring harmony to your home. They combine expert medical knowledge with a compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental approach to help you and your pet move forward.
Hagar Hauser
DVM, DACVB
MVA
Jacqueline Wilhelmy
MS, VMD, DACVB, CCBC-KA
MVA
Laurie Bergman
VMD, DACVB
HVSH
If you are concerned about your pet’s behavioral health, please talk to your primary veterinarian about a referral to one of our specialty behavior departments at either Metropolitan Veterinary Associates or Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital.