|
Which types of behavior modification techniques are used?
Scientifically-sound positive reinforcement techniques are used for treatment of behavior problems. Dr. Krause has a firm understanding of how animals learn and she uses this knowledge in her treatment plans. Behavior treatment plans are designed around helping any emotional state issues (such as fear or anxiety) that may be driving a behavior and rewarding acceptable behavior. All methods are kind and gentle. They help to rebuild/maintain the human-animal bond.
When are behavior evaluations scheduled?
Appointments occur on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM-5:00 AM, Thursday from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM, and Fridays from 10:00 AM-6:00 AM.
How soon can a client usually get in to see Dr. Krause?
Usually within 2 weeks.
How do I go about getting help?
First, since there can be a connection between medical conditions and behavior, discuss the behavior issue with your primary care veterinarian. Pets being treated for behavior issues also need to be in good health. After your pet is evaluated and any medical concerns have been treated or ruled out, your veterinarian may decide to refer you to Dr. Krause.
You should then call Dr. Krause's office directly to make an appointment (734)454-7470.
Clients complete a pre-consultation questionnaire and will be directed to have their primary care veterinarian complete a veterinary history form on the pet.
Are there other forms that need to be filled out?
Yes. There is a consent form that must be initialed and signed. This form needs to be returned prior to the appointment.
How much support is included with the full consultation fee?
Six months of phone and email support is included with the behavior consultation fee.
What other fees may be encountered during the behavior consultation?
Any medication or behavior modification products (leashes, collars, harnesses, muzzles, pheromones, etc.) are additional. These costs vary and will be discussed during the consultation, if applicable. Lab work (such as blood tests), if needed, are done at the client’s primary care veterinarian’s office. If the behavior concern involves more than one pet in the household, there may be an additional fee for each additional pet involved.
What is the difference between obedience training and a behavior consultation?
When a pet has a behavior issue that requires behavioral counseling vs. (obedience) training, the pet is often responding emotionally, not logically/rationally. Therefore, the treatment of the emotional issue is paramount to helping the behavior problem.
The pet will be taught new things, so there is always learning going on, but it is much more and often much different than obedience training.
Other components such as safety, prognosis, and risk are also covered completely during the consultation. Sometimes, this segment of the visit takes an appreciable amount of time.
Information about how to read the pet's body language (which tells us how the pet is feeling) is covered in detail during the behavior consultation.
There is often a significant amount of environmental modification/management that is necessary when treating a behavior issue. Environmental modification/management is manipulating the pet's surroundings to help the behavior problem. This sometimes is extremely important, especially when human and/or animal safety are concerned.
There is always a lot of talking that occurs during the initial visits. With some pets, we need to employ a multi-step approach to the behavior plan. We may be starting with foundation exercises and will build on them in follow-up visits. So, in these cases, there may be very little "action" and pretty much all "talk" at the first visits. There is likely more "action" that occurs at subsequent appointments.
A behavior consultation looks a lot like a family counseling session.
Doesn't Dr. Krause have to see the behavior to be able to diagnose what is going on?
No, for the reasons below:
|
- The detailed questionnaire that is completed by the pet owner before the consultation occurs gives her a lot of information. In the questionnaire, detailed accounts of specific incidents involving the behavior issue are requested. A lot of other information is gained by the questionnaire, including frequency, severity, and triggers of the behavior issue. It is very important that the questionnaire is filled out accurately and as completely as possible.
- The questionnaire also asks detailed questions about the pet's personality, the composition of the family living with the pet, and other pertinent information.
- Clarification of answers on the questionnaire is often necessary during the behavior consultation.
- For some behavior concerns, especially those which only occur when the pet owner is not home, video footage will be requested by Dr. Krause. Video will NEVER be requested if there could be danger or harm to any person or animal in order to obtain it.
- If a pet is being seen for an aggression issue, aggression is not purposefully elicited from the pet during a behavior consultation visit. This would not be safe for anyone involved and would not be kind to the pet. In fact, measures are put in place to prevent aggression from occurring during visits. Safety is always top priority during all consultations.
|
What vaccines are required in order for a patient to be seen by Dr. Krause?
Of course, all appropriate vaccines recommended by the primary care veterinarian for the health of the pet and people connected with the pet are recommended. Pets being referred for a behavior consultation must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccine.
Should younger children attend the Veterinary Behavior Evaluation appointment?
Since the consultation is lengthy and most younger children would get bored, it is usually best if they do not attend. Older children are encouraged to attend.
Can a client get behavioral advice about their pet over the phone/email before a behavior consultation?
Unfortunately, no they cannot. Until Dr. Krause meets with the pet owner and pet, there is not a valid doctor-client-patient relationship. Therefore, she cannot offer help by phone, fax, or email. Thank you for your understanding.
|
Processing ....