Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services

Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services Need help with your pet’s behaviour? Dr. Michelle Nicholson is a vet with a special interest in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine.

She is able to offer virtual consult as well as occasional in person appointments.

A dog in a muzzle isn’t a bad dog. 🐶💛Muzzles don’t mean a dog is dangerous — they mean someone is being responsible. Muz...
11/11/2025

A dog in a muzzle isn’t a bad dog. 🐶💛

Muzzles don’t mean a dog is dangerous — they mean someone is being responsible. Muzzles keep everyone safe while allowing dogs to enjoy walks, vet visits, and training sessions with low risk or worry.

Many dogs even wear muzzles for reasons that have nothing to do with aggression, including fear, scavenging, reactivity, or even just because their guardian wants to be proactive.

Let’s normalize seeing a muzzle as a sign of care and meeting dogs' needs for space.

Share if you agree!

Cats are often left out in the cold when it comes to training and behaviour modification; it's assumed that their behavi...
11/08/2025

Cats are often left out in the cold when it comes to training and behaviour modification; it's assumed that their behaviour is set in stone - but this isn't true. Cats can learn, problem-solve, and build confidence through training just as much as dogs can — and they love it just as much. 🐱❤️

Many of the same exercises we practice with dogs can be practiced with cats. Not only is this helpful for improving challenging behaviours at home, but it can provide enrichment for your cat, making their life more interesting and fulfilling as a result.

Do you believe that cats deserve enrichment and training just as much as dogs do? Share to help us get the word out and improve life for our feline friends. 🐈

🚫 Not all “training tips” are worth following.We know how much you want to do right by your dog — but some popular advic...
11/04/2025

🚫 Not all “training tips” are worth following.

We know how much you want to do right by your dog — but some popular advice can quietly chip away at trust, safety, and emotional well-being.

A healthy training plan meets your dog’s needs first, then builds skills on that foundation. Because a dog who feels secure learns better, faster, and more joyfully. 💛

If you’ve ever been told to “tough it out,” “make them work for it,” or “show them who’s boss” — you deserve kinder, evidence-based support. We’re here for that.

A clean, comfortable litter box isn’t a luxury — it’s essential to your cat’s health and emotional well-being. Here’s wh...
10/31/2025

A clean, comfortable litter box isn’t a luxury — it’s essential to your cat’s health and emotional well-being. Here’s what “set up for success” really looks like 👇

✅ Size matters: Choose a large box — about 1.5x your cat’s length. Most commercial boxes are too small! Big, open boxes (like clear storage bins) make it easier for cats to turn, dig, and feel safe.

✅ Placement counts: Quiet, low-traffic areas are best. Avoid spaces near furnaces, washing machines, or appliances that turn on suddenly — those sounds can startle even the most confident cats.

✅ Quantity & spacing: One box per cat plus one extra, ideally in different rooms. This gives each cat options and prevents conflict or stress.

✅ Litter type: Most cats prefer unscented, low-dust, clumping litter. Scented litters might smell nice to us but can overwhelm a cat’s sensitive nose. Experiment to find what your cat likes best.

✅ Hygiene is everything: Think of scooping like “flushing every time you use it.” Scoop at least once daily, and clean with unscented dish soap and hot water weekly (or monthly at minimum). Keeping the box where you’ll see — and smell — it helps you stay consistent.

A clean, well-placed box means fewer accidents, happier cats, and a calmer household. 💛

Halloween can be fun for us — but confusing or scary for our pets. 🎃Costumes, doorbells, flashing lights, strange scents...
10/27/2025

Halloween can be fun for us — but confusing or scary for our pets. 🎃

Costumes, doorbells, flashing lights, strange scents, and people who don’t look or move like themselves can all feel unpredictable or even threatening to animals. For pets already prone to fear or reactivity, that sudden chaos can be overwhelming. 😬

Preparing ahead gives them a better chance to cope calmly — whether that means practicing doorbell sounds, creating a safe retreat, or planning enrichment before the trick-or-treat rush begins. Speak to your veterinarian or us about medications that can help as well.

For some pets, Halloween is just too much and that's okay. If you see signs of fear, trying to escape or aggressive displays that are just not improving, it's best to find an alternative plan for your pet when you're out enjoying the festivities.

Our appearance may have changed, but our purpose hasn’t.At Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services, we’re still dedicated t...
10/23/2025

Our appearance may have changed, but our purpose hasn’t.

At Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services, we’re still dedicated to helping you and your pet form a closer bond — through compassion, understanding, and collaborative care. 💛

Here’s to continuing our shared mission: supporting pets and their people with empathy, evidence, and lasting solutions.

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Ottawa, ON
K2P0K8

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+16134545818

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STRENGTHENING THE BOND BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR PET

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.