Need help with your pet’s behaviour? Dr. Michelle Nicholson is a vet with a special interest in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine.
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She is able to offer virtual consult as well as occasional in person appointments.
Don't hesitate if your pet seems uncomfortable and not themselves. Starting a pain conversation with your vet is so important. Pain is a leading contributor to behaviour issues.
Dr. Lisa Radosta discusses the connection between pet behavior and pain, which is often overlooked by pet owners.Many people believe their pets aren't in pai...
We know it's not Monday but this should be said every day of the week! Thanks to American College of Veterinary Behaviorists for this great post we just had to share.
You are doing a good job regardless of where you are in your journey!
Pet of the Month!
Willow's Story
Willow came to us as a foster from Playa del Carmen, Mexico. She had come into the shelter after being found, tied up and abandoned. She wasn't doing well at the shelter so they needed to place her asap. Willow didn't have any domestic dog skills and struggled with strangers, being alone, noise sensitivity, and was afraid to leave the house. Inside the house with her people, she was starting to open up and trust a little bit, and her silly personality was starting to shine. We adopted her seeing her promise, but geared up for a difficult journey. In the few years Willow has been with us she has transformed. She loves being outside and playing in the snow. In the summers, we had to install a doggy door so she could sunbathe at will. She is incredibly playful, compassionate, kind, and the very best communicator we know! She is starting to make some doggie friends, and even some human friends! She enjoys snuffle balls, croissants, and decimating her toys. She takes her role as bunny guardian very seriously, shooing birds and squirrels from our yard every spring so that the baby bunnies born in our yard are free from interference.
Her journey has been full of so many bumps and hurdles, but also so many successes. Willow's growth wouldn't be possible without the village of professionals and caregivers who see her spirit and love her as much as we do. She inspires us to lead our lives and relationships with kindness and understanding. She reminds us every day of the importance of rest and being present every moment you can.
~ Kayla
Fun Fact Friday
Did you know that this look, called whale eye or side eye, is another non-specific sign of anxiety?
This look is typically pegged as guilty, or taken as a sign that they "know they did something wrong".
The truth is dogs don't identify right from wrong but rather safe from unsafe. It is safe to jump on the couch, it is unsafe to chew the couch. Dogs do not do something wrong deliberately, they don't understand what is expected of them, they are too anxious, they are completely panicked, or they have learned that they get attention from doing something "bad".
The look is just another sign of anxiety, about the situation, a reaction they've gotten, or your dog's internal state. It can be normal in the right context, however if your dog often shows whale eye or frequently shows this in an out-of-context situation keep a look out for other signs of daily anxiety or specific situations that cause your dog anxiety.
Fun Fact Friday!
Did you know that a tongue flick or lip lick is a common non-specific sign of anxiety. Watch your dogs the next time you see a lip lick and if they aren't in the middle of eating something, the interaction just before the lip lick likely causes your dog anxiety.
Non-specific signs of anxiety are behaviours that are completely normal in one circumstance and likely anxiety based in another situation where that behaviour was out of context.
**LET'S TALK REINFORCERS PART 1**
Treats, cookies, ball, toys, pets, praise, sniffing, barking, chasing, biting, chewing, digging. These all sounded like great rewards for dogs (and other pets!) until the last five.These are also reinforcers for your dog, just not ones chosen by you!
There are two main parts to understanding reinforcers in behaviour modification.
1. What does your dog find reinforcing that you can readily use to reward appropriate behaviours?
2. What does your dog find reinforcing about the *unwanted* behaviours that they are doing?
Once we have the answers to those questions we can get started with behaviour modification.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this three part series on identifying reinforcers!
Here are some tips to help troubleshoot your dog's challenging behaviours.
If you are struggling with your dog's behaviour, contact us anytime. We are happy to help!
Check us out on our new Instagram page for behaviour tips, tricks, and support!
https://www.instagram.com/ottawavetbehaviour?igsh=MXUwbXFzbmR2MHR4ag==
Ersa's Story:
We rescued Ersa at 8 weeks but almost right away we knew something wasn't right; as a young puppy Ersa was scared, reactive and very uncertain with the world around her. So much so there were times we weren't sure if Ersa liked being around us or her new big brother Taco (rescue boxer). Taco was up for the challenge and even managed to withstand Ersa's sharp little puppy teeth as, for months, she just couldn't be around him without wanting to play/attack.
Ersa met Dr. Nicholson at 16 weeks old and we quickly learned that Ersa needed more help than we knew how to handle. Dr. Nicholson worked with Ersa and developed a balanced plan that included medication and behaviour training. She was a challenging puppy but with guidance from the team at OVBS, Ersa is now 1.5 years old and has made huge improvements, finding her own personality and normalcy, she can even relax with her big bro Taco!
Ersa's lil personality shines now that her anxiety is managed. She is funny, sneaky (always looking to snag socks), and loving. She loves all her toys, treats and diving right into the cuddle puddle. Ersa has taught us that patience, acceptance and consistency really can pay off.
~Trish & Dave
October is Veterinary Technician Month! No better time than now to introduce you to our very own - Jamie Wolfe Phillip RVT, KPA-CPT
Jamie has been in love with veterinary medicine since she was a child bandaging stuffed animals. She jumped into being a Registered Veterinary Technician right out of high school and graduated from Algonquin College in 2011. She quickly realized that behaviour was her passion and devoted many years to learning about cat behaviour and kind handling in the clinic. After adopting a very challenging parrot with a tendency for drawing blood, Jamie dove into positive reinforcement, and consent based training. She now specializes in teaching collaborative care training for veterinary visits and approaches each situation with understanding and compassion. Jamie met her husband at a veterinary conference (he’s a veterinarian) and they have enjoyed life with three parrots, a very opinionated cat, and a small jungle of tropical plants. They added a human pet to the mix last year and are currently navigating parenthood with grace and humour (and lots of caffeine)!
Thanks Jamie for all you do for us at OVBS and all the animals you have cared for in the past, present and future!
It's National Dog Day!!! Let's celebrate by sharing the last pic of your dog from your camera roll in the comments below! 📷🐕🦺
And.....go!
Today is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day! 😺😸😹😻😼😽🙀
Visit the Cat Friendly Homes webpage to learn ways you can help get your cat to the vet from trusted leaders in feline care.
National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day reminds us that cats require just as much care as we do! Ongoing regular checkups keep your cat happy and healthy. Learn ways you can help from trusted leaders in feline care. Visit here often for updates, and make sure you sign up
Lucey's Story:
Lucey suffers from anxiety and fear-based aggression. OVBS has assisted us in understanding Lucey and helping her live a happier fulfilled life. Without their assistance, our quality of life (including Lucey's) was/would be very difficult.
We are very grateful to Dr. Nicholson. There were moments where we were very discouraged and we just needed to hear, that everything will be ok.
~ Natasha
Does your dog really feel guilty?? Get scienced with Dr. Lisa's answer to that question.
Tigger's Story:
"An incredibly sweet guy who loves to please, Tigger struggles with anxiety and reacts aggressively when outside his comfort zone. Rescued as a one-year-old, he bears evidence of a rough start in life. While this will be a lifelong journey, he has made huge improvements with the guidance of the OVBS team and we look forward to continuing along this path". ~ Sarah
FYI - bacon is on sale at Food Basics. 🥓 🎆
Love is the foundation of helping any pet with a behavior problem but love is not enough.
Dr. Nicholson is thrilled to have been invited to be part of the Q & A panel alongside these phenomenal women at the Resilience Rainbow Tour in Nova Scotia this coming weekend.
Learn more about how to teach the animals in your charge to condition and support resilience. 🌈🌈
Tickets still available for this in person event:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-rainbow-tour-nova-scotia-canada-tickets-499100080777?fbclid=IwAR1A_CCdYULhKSrL7qXy3_MZYe4-WZWO8NFCb5MRXJCJLc9djCblX1YFt1w
Take note of this firework display tonight -
Location: Rideau Carleton Casino
Time: 10pm
Duration: Approximately 10-15 minutes.
Cybelle's Story:
"Cybelle is happier and more playful because she’s learning that the world is not such a scary place. I’ve learned that we need to go at her pace and focus on making sure that she feels safe."
-Nathalie
Feline enrichment is so important. This DIY puzzle feeder is an easy way to start! 🙀🙀
Puzzle feeders don't have to be fancy! This one requires one tissue box and about 30 seconds of your time. Pop one or both ends of the box open and scatter food inside. Done! Your cat will have just as much fun using their paws to extract food as if it were a $30 purchased puzzle feeder.
For those of you that need to hear this.
You can't do a don't?! Really......tell me more Dr. Lisa!
Putting this into context makes so much sense!
Credit to the legendary Dr. Sophia Yin, who encouraged respectful interactions with dogs, no matter the situation or person's age
Milan's Story:
''Everyone comments on what an incredible change there's been. There's no comparison between the frightened, anxious dog of a year ago and the happy, confident dog he is now.
Thank you so much for guiding us through this. I was completely at my wits end a year ago and now I have confidence that we've overcome his terrible anxiety and the sweet natured dog that I wanted is back.''
-Sandi
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me ~ 😺
Today is Respect Your Cat Day. The best way to show your cat respect is to ensure their environmental needs are met. Make sure your cat has food, water, a toilet, a safe place to sleep, familiar territory, and elevated spaces every day. Learn more about your what your cat needs to feel secure at http://bit.ly/2RFmBT7.
Ottawa, ON
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Welcome to our weekly how to videos! We're going to start with going over our 3 initial behaviour modification exercises. For those existing clients, this will be very familiar! And for anyone new to joining us, these are 3 great behaviours to add to your toolbox to help your dog (or cat!) cope with stressors. #dogbehaviour #fearfuldog #behaviourvet #veterinarybehaviour #doglanguage #dogbehaviourproblems
Pet of the Month! Willow's Story Willow came to us as a foster from Playa del Carmen, Mexico. She had come into the shelter after being found, tied up and abandoned. She wasn't doing well at the shelter so they needed to place her asap. Willow didn't have any domestic dog skills and struggled with strangers, being alone, noise sensitivity, and was afraid to leave the house. Inside the house with her people, she was starting to open up and trust a little bit, and her silly personality was starting to shine. We adopted her seeing her promise, but geared up for a difficult journey. In the few years Willow has been with us she has transformed. She loves being outside and playing in the snow. In the summers, we had to install a doggy door so she could sunbathe at will. She is incredibly playful, compassionate, kind, and the very best communicator we know! She is starting to make some doggie friends, and even some human friends! She enjoys snuffle balls, croissants, and decimating her toys. She takes her role as bunny guardian very seriously, shooing birds and squirrels from our yard every spring so that the baby bunnies born in our yard are free from interference. Her journey has been full of so many bumps and hurdles, but also so many successes. Willow's growth wouldn't be possible without the village of professionals and caregivers who see her spirit and love her as much as we do. She inspires us to lead our lives and relationships with kindness and understanding. She reminds us every day of the importance of rest and being present every moment you can. ~ Kayla #ottawavetbehaviour #behaviourvet #petofthemonth #Willow
Ersa's Story: We rescued Ersa at 8 weeks but almost right away we knew something wasn't right; as a young puppy Ersa was scared, reactive and very uncertain with the world around her. So much so there were times we weren't sure if Ersa liked being around us or her new big brother Taco (rescue boxer). Taco was up for the challenge and even managed to withstand Ersa's sharp little puppy teeth as, for months, she just couldn't be around him without wanting to play/attack. Ersa met Dr. Nicholson at 16 weeks old and we quickly learned that Ersa needed more help than we knew how to handle. Dr. Nicholson worked with Ersa and developed a balanced plan that included medication and behaviour training. She was a challenging puppy but with guidance from the team at OVBS, Ersa is now 1.5 years old and has made huge improvements, finding her own personality and normalcy, she can even relax with her big bro Taco! Ersa's lil personality shines now that her anxiety is managed. She is funny, sneaky (always looking to snag socks), and loving. She loves all her toys, treats and diving right into the cuddle puddle. Ersa has taught us that patience, acceptance and consistency really can pay off. ~Trish & Dave #ottawavetbehaviour #behaviourvet #petofthemonth #Ersa
Lucey's Story: Lucey suffers from anxiety and fear-based aggression. OVBS has assisted us in understanding Lucey and helping her live a happier fulfilled life. Without their assistance, our quality of life (including Lucey's) was/would be very difficult. We are very grateful to Dr. Nicholson. There were moments where we were very discouraged and we just needed to hear, that everything will be ok. ~ Natasha
Tigger's Story: "An incredibly sweet guy who loves to please, Tigger struggles with anxiety and reacts aggressively when outside his comfort zone. Rescued as a one-year-old, he bears evidence of a rough start in life. While this will be a lifelong journey, he has made huge improvements with the guidance of the OVBS team and we look forward to continuing along this path". ~ Sarah
Cybelle's Story: "Cybelle is happier and more playful because she’s learning that the world is not such a scary place. I’ve learned that we need to go at her pace and focus on making sure that she feels safe." -Nathalie
Milan's Story: ''Everyone comments on what an incredible change there's been. There's no comparison between the frightened, anxious dog of a year ago and the happy, confident dog he is now. Thank you so much for guiding us through this. I was completely at my wits end a year ago and now I have confidence that we've overcome his terrible anxiety and the sweet natured dog that I wanted is back.'' -Sandi
Simba's Story: "We have seen such amazing progress with Simba. His vet visit today was a prime example. I am still in awe that an annual exam can be so easy. Simba was too busy eating treats to notice receiving any of the vaccines or being weighed or having his heart checked. I could not thank you enough for the foundational blocks you helped me build for Simba to be so comfortable being poked and prodded. I wish I had found you sooner." - Susan Follow Simba on Instagram @gingeraledcat 🧡
Fiyero's Story: Here is an update on how amazing Fiyero is doing. He is improving so much that he is able to ignore cars almost entirely, and the same with bikes. He responds to cues in public (kissing sound or 'touch') even when he is in a stimulating environment. Recently, someone in our neighbourhood was jogging past him, and he was so calm and sweet they pet him on the head and kept running. He just wagged his tail. We still have a lot of work to do, but his medication has undoubtedly changed his life for the better (and of course, in turn, ours). It feels like the hard work we're doing is finally paying off, and I really can't thank the Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services team enough. He is so precious to me, and I feel so empowered as an owner, and endlessly grateful to have the support to give him what he needs to be safe and happy. I wanted to make sure to include a picture of him with his muzzle, because although we aren't using it regularly anymore, it was such a great tool for us for a long time. I know there can be a lot of stigma around needing them. As you can tell from the picture...it never stopped us from having an amazing time! ~ Cassie M. Fiyero's Mom
Need help with your pet’s behaviour? Dr. Michelle Nicholson is a veterinarian with a special interest in Veterinary Behaviour Medicine. Her mobile practice brings veterinary behaviour care out of a clinic setting and into your home or other familiar environment for your pet.
VCA Canada Blair Animal Hospital
Shefford Road
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Booth Street
Bright Light Veterinary Eye Care
Merivale Road
Britannia Heights Veterinary Clinic
Carling Avenue
Gloucester Veterinary Hospital
Street Joseph Boulevard
