WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BEHAVIOR appointment
( Full behavior consultations)

The initial consultation for a pet with an existing behavioral problem typically lasts between 1 and 3 hours and consists of three parts.

Part 1: Making a diagnosis
In order to best help you and your pet, it is important that we try to understand the underlying causes of your pet's problem behavior(s) and that we determine any factors that may be reinforcing or aggravating those behaviors. This requires a detailed behavioral history, observations of your pet and of your interactions with your pet during the visit, review of your pet's medical history, and review of any videos or journals of your pet's behavior that you provide. In some instances, where a medical cause for your pets' behavior is suspected, your appointment may also involve a physical examination, further diagnostic testing (such as bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays or ultrasonography), or a consultation with another specialty service.

Part 2: Discussion of Diagnosis and Prognosis
Once all information has been collected, the doctor will explain her diagnosis to you, discuss your goals and expectations, and discuss your pet's prognosis.

Part 3: Treatment Plan
The clinician will outline a treatment plan tailored to your individual pet and household situation. In most cases, the treatment plan will consist of a combination of behavioral and environmental modification, and in some cases, psychoactive medications or pheromones may also be prescribed. Behavior modification techniques used at the RBVH Behavior Service are based on positive reinforcement training and not on physical punishment or coercion. The doctor may also recommend the use of training tools such as head halters, basket muzzles, clickers, and deterrent devices as part of the treatment plan, which the staff will demonstrate to you. At the end of the appointment, you will be provided with a written summary of your pet's treatment plan, which will also be forwarded to your veterinarian.

Follow-up care
In order to achieve the best success, it is critical that you follow-up with the Behavior Service after your appointment to update us on your pet's progress and to ask any questions that arise during implementation of the treatment plan. Two months of free phone/e-mail follow-up are included in the appointment fee.

How many appointments will my pet need?
During the initial appointment, the doctor will formulate a diagnosis and provide you with a plan for the first 1-2 months of treatment. In some situations, this will be all that your pet requires, but in many cases, the doctor will recommend additional recheck appointments. The number of rechecks will vary depending on the complexity of the case, your consistency in following the recommended plan, your goals for treatment, and your pet’s response to the treatment program. Typically, dogs require between 1-3 rechecks, while cats can often be managed in just 1-2 visits. If your pet is receiving medications as part of the treatment plan, a recheck visit will be required every 6 months to carefully re-evaluate the efficacy and need for therapy.

Will you contact my primary care veterinarian?
After your appointment, Dr. Reinisch will contact your pet's primary care veterinarian and/or any referring veterinarians to update them on your pet's case. This will help ensure the best continuity of care for your pet.