Below is our first article concerning Behavioral Health. In the months that follow, we will address behavioral health issues and concerns, and offer tips on behavioral wellness,as well.

For questions,concerns or suggestions, please email Dr.Lynn Bowden at vetbehavior@bellsouth.net or contact her by telephone at Woodruff Road Animal Hospital (864-234-5995).

Thank you for allowing us to assist you in your pets’ behavioral needs.

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The well-planned developmental environment of a young puppy is enormously important in to the puppy’s future behavior!

Think of the following suggestions as ways to “vaccinate” your puppy behaviorally. Keep in mind that your puppy needs your guidance and your wise leadership as he/she matures into a healthy, behaviorally sound dog.

• Expose your puppy to many different surfaces;wood,wood-chips,carpet,tile,cement,linoleum, grass,wet grass,dirt,mud,puddles,deep pea gravel,sand,grates,and uneven surfaces. Lift the puppy to see these surfaces from various heights.

• Expose to many different objects;fuzzy toys,big and small balls,hard toys,funny sounding toys, wooden items,paper or cardboard items,milk jugs,metal items,car keys,rocks.

• Expose to many different locations; front yard, other people’s homes, school yard, lake, pond, river, boat, basement, elevator, car, moving car, garage, laundry room, kennel, veterinarian hospital (just to say hi, lots of treats, no vaccinations), grooming salon (just to say hi), and likewise, a visit to the boarding kennel.

• Meet and play with many new people; (outside of family) include children, adults(especially men),elderly adults,people in wheel -chairs,walkers,people with canes,crutches,hats,sunglasses.

• Expose your puppy to many different noises;(stay upbeat and watch the puppy’s comfort level); garage door opening,doorbell,children playing,babies screaming,big trucks,motorcycles, skateboards,washing machine, shopping carts rolling, power boat,clapping loud, singing,pan dropping,horses neighing,vacuums, lawn- mowers,etc.

• Expose to fast moving objects; (don’t allow to chase, keep puppy on harness):skateboards, roller-skates,bicycles,motorcycles,cars,people running,cats running,scooters,vacuums,children running,children playing soccer,squirrels,cats,horses.

• Experience different challenges;climb on,in,off and around a box,go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, climb over obstacles,play hide & seek,go in and out a doorway with a step up or down,umbrella, balloons,walk on a wobbly table (plank of wood with a phone book underneath),jump over a broom,climb over a log,bath/bathtub.

• Eat from many different shaped containers:wobbly bowl,metal,cardboard box,paper,coffee cup, china,pie plate,plastic,frying pan,Kong,spoon fed,paper-sack,filled marrow bone.

• Eat in 10 different locations:back yard,front yard,crate,kitchen,basement,laundry room, bathroom,friend’s house,car,school yard,bathtub,up high(on work-bench),under umbrella,in car,at vet’s,at boarding kennel,at groomer’s.

• Play with at least 6 different puppies(or safe adult dogs)as much as possible.

• Leave alone safely, away from family & other animals. Begin with 5 minutes and work up to 45 minutes. Do this 10 times per week.

• Experience a leash and collar at least 10 different times,and in 10 different locations.

Remember: It is very important that all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include treats and lots of praise. Please report, without delay, any behavior concerns to your veterinarian or allied professional.

Doctor Perzak, Doctor Bowden and the staff at Woodruff Road Animal Hospital, wishes you many happy and healthy years to come with your new best friend!

Dr. Lynn Bowden has practiced small animal medicine and surgery for over 20 years. In early 2009, she decided to join the staff of Woodruff Road Animal Hospital. We are very glad that she did.

While Dr. Bowden enjoys the spontaneity and diversity of general small animal practice, her special passion lies in the area of dog and cat behavior. Many hours of advanced study have made her uniquely qualified to assist families with preventative behavioral wellness counseling and address existing serious behavioral concerns.

Dr. Bowden established Veterinary Behavior Services in December 2007 in order to meet the growing behavioral needs of families with pets in the Upstate community. She recognizes that many traditional veterinary practices fall short in the area of preventative behavioral wellness, as well as in the treatment of existing behavioral concerns. Many owners have been left to seek advice regarding problem behaviors from unqualified semi-professionals who often lack credentials, or are operating with outdated techniques and philosophies that are not based on current scientific evidence.

Through years of additional training and experience, Dr. Bowden is able to assist you in every aspect of your pets’ behavioral health, from problem prevention for the puppy or kitten, to more serious concerns such as anxiety based behaviors and aggression, and including senile type brain changes such as cognitive dysfunction in your senior pet. Her goal is to help families recognize and provide for all the behavioral needs of their pet in order to strengthen the human-animal bond, and ensure that the pet is well adjusted in the family home for its entire lifespan.

When you have a behavioral concern, Dr. Bowden will meet with you and your pet for a comprehensive evaluation.This may include a physical exam and/or blood work in order to rule out a possible medical problem.Due to the complexity of most behavior problems,appointments are better managed in a non-traditional framework such as a house call, or after hours in the office.

Following the behavioral diagnosis, Dr. Bowden will provide you with a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. Treatment will include management, behavior modification, training, and sometimes medications may be indicated.

For further information please email Dr. Bowden at vetbehavior@bellsouth.net or contact her by phone at Woodruff Road Animal Hospital(864-234-5995).

Thank you for allowing us to assist you in your pets’ behavioral needs.