Behaviour Change Programme

Aggressive behaviour such as growling, lunging, snapping and biting is a serious problem that threatens the safety of you, your family and your community. Dogs displaying aggression are often experiencing emotional distress, and react by showing aggression to make the trigger move away. A common scenario is a fearful dog being approached by a stranger: the dog bites so that the stranger withdraws. Over time, the behaviour strengthens and gets worse because it is a very effective strategy from the dog’s point of view. Aggression often intensifies as the behaviour is reinforced, causing deeper and more severe bites and/or quicker reactions without warning signals.

We don’t use physical punishment or aversive tools when modifying aggressive behaviour. Not only is it dangerous for everyone involved, strong evidence from research indicates that punishment is unlikely to resolve the issue and can even make the problem much worse. Educated professionals harness the power of behavioural science to change behaviour humanely, by modifying contingencies and changing the environment to achieve lasting, resilient outcomes. Many techniques are available to do this in a gradual and positive manner.

“Quick fixes” such as using a training, electric or prong collar to suppress the aggression may appear to work at first, but could quickly become useless (e.g. when the dog develops a pain tolerance) or create new behaviour problems (e.g. generalised anxiety from experiencing an unpredictable, intense aversive stimulus).

Seek help as early as possible to minimise the chance of injury to others. Chances of success are often higher when the problem is tackled early.

Resource guarding, or aggression around valuable resources such as tasty food, bones, toys, territory and even their favourite people, is a common problem in dogs. The characteristic signs of resource aggression around their protected items are sudden freezing, showing eye whites, baring teeth, growling and snapping. This usually happens when another person or animal approaches while the dog is holding on to the resource.

While this behaviour is considered inappropriate for pet dogs, from an evolutionary standpoint it is beneficial for dogs to fiercely defend valuable and scarce resources. In some cases the dog develops resource guarding naturally; in others the dog may be accidentally “trained” to aggress after it learns that people or other dogs will forcefully take away its items or intrude into its safe space. This is why puppy education and preventative training matter so much. If your dog already has this problem, all is not lost: we can help you properly address and manage it with reward-based behaviour modification techniques.

Many dogs suffer from fear and anxiety-related conditions that are left untreated until they become a more serious problem, showing up as aggression, generalised anxiety and severe phobias (e.g. storm phobia). Fear and anxiety can also lead to health problems and a shortened lifespan. Scientific literature tells us that genetics can increase the risk of dogs developing fear and anxiety issues, and certain types of dogs are much more prone to these conditions. Early, positive exposure to potential triggers during a puppy’s sensitive socialisation period is crucial to significantly reduce fear and anxiety in adulthood and build behavioural resilience.

Dogs with these conditions often have a poor quality of life, spending much of their time afraid and anxious. Imagine a person trying to get through life this way! It is our duty to address and alleviate suffering through the appropriate methods, usually alongside veterinary or therapeutic support.

Separation anxiety, as the name suggests, is a type of anxiety. It deserves a category of its own because of how widespread it is, especially after the Covid-19 lockdowns. The dog is fearful of being left alone or separated from you, and becomes anxious whenever it sees signs that you’re about to leave the home. The dog may vocalise (bark, whine or howl) for hours on end until you return, disturbing neighbours and causing you much grief. It may also destroy the home and toilet inappropriately in its panic.

Outdated methods of resolving separation anxiety, such as providing food toys and crate confinement, do little to solve the problem, although they may provide temporary relief. They may even worsen the condition and significantly compromise the dog’s welfare.

Learn more about how we treat separation anxiety using modern, effective methods of training.

Is your dog a slave to its impulses? It may be uncontrollable, always jumping on people in excitement, or pulling hard on the leash whenever you go for a walk. The dog may not have learnt how to control its emotions, and is used to getting what it wants, whenever it wants.

We can help teach your dog how to settle down and be calm. We also teach the concept of delayed reinforcement, where waiting patiently for what it wants pays off. Your dog becomes much more manageable and pleasant to be around once it learns how to behave appropriately in a range of environments.

Dogs bark to communicate and express their emotions. However, excessive barking quickly becomes a problem in densely populated Singapore, where most of us live close to our neighbours. Dogs can bark for a variety of reasons: to communicate their displeasure, when they are afraid, to get your attention or when experiencing severe anxiety.

For a detailed breakdown of potential reasons and the troubleshooting steps we may take to assess your dog, check out our guide on how to stop a dog barking. We assess the motivation for the barking before developing a behaviour modification plan that targets it.

It is possible to teach dogs to be quiet using welfare-friendly, reward-based methods. Using an anti-bark collar to punish and suppress the barking via electric shocks or aversive sprays is dated and can harm your dog’s emotional and physical health. Such methods don’t last, and the dog often reverts to the original behaviour once the collar is removed. We focus on creating long-term change that doesn’t come with harmful side effects.

Toileting is part of daily life and can be frustrating when your dog “just doesn’t get it”. Your dog may be peeing or pooing on the floor, or refusing to go when you are nearby! Many young dogs need instruction on appropriate places to go to the toilet, and this can be taught in a positive way.

Toileting issues may also be a symptom of a larger health problem or an anxiety-related condition. We conduct a proper assessment to dissect the problem and develop a plan to help you and your dog overcome it.

Cat aggression often takes a back seat because cats generally do less damage than dogs. However, it is not something to take lightly: an aggressive cat is often a stressed cat, and chronic stress can be extremely detrimental to your cat’s health and well-being.

We do not condone the use of spray bottles, air pumps or any other aversive tool or method to modify behaviour. We are guided by science and aim for meaningful, lasting behaviour change using desensitisation and counterconditioning together with differential reinforcement techniques.

There are many reasons why your cat may be afraid of certain people, animals, environments, or procedures such as grooming or vet checkups: past traumatic experiences, a lack of proper socialisation during the crucial stages and genetics, to name a few. Living in a constant state of fear means a lower quality of life. If you have noticed excessive grooming, restlessness, a decrease in appetite or increased vocalisation, don’t hesitate. The sooner we address the issue, the better the prognosis.

Peeing or pooing outside the litter tray can be a real hassle, and it is not to be taken lightly! A recent traumatic experience, a new addition to the household or an underlying medical condition could all lead to your cat toileting in places it normally wouldn’t. One thing is for sure: your cat is experiencing elevated levels of stress and anxiety.

We conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the triggers, then put together a plan for you that is both feasible and achievable!

If you’re looking to introduce a new pet into a household with cats, or you’ve already introduced them but they’re not getting along, don’t leave them to figure it out on their own. This can lead to conflicts and problems. A properly planned and structured programme significantly increases the chances of success.

Proactive measures and a well-thought-out programme help prevent problems and create a harmonious environment for all your pets. Prevention is always better than trying to fix problems later on. Let us help you create a plan that considers the unique dynamics of your pets, for a smoother and more successful integration.

By harnessing science-based techniques, we can effectively address behavioural issues displayed by even the most exotic of animals.

Rabbits can show challenging behaviour such as aggression and fear, particularly when they perceive a threat. Some rabbits also have difficulties with their toileting habits and could benefit greatly from a consultation with us.

Rabbits are highly social creatures, so they are best kept in pairs, either of the same sex or sterilised. Introducing and bonding rabbits can be stressful, as any misstep can result in severe injuries or even loss of life. We can guide you through this process and the safest approach to bonding your rabbits successfully.

Smaller exotic creatures like guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, mice, rats, turtles and even frogs can also show behavioural issues. Many of these species evolved as prey animals, which makes them naturally prone to skittishness. Some may also show aggressive tendencies or develop abnormal behaviours, such as excessive grooming.

If you would like to learn more, reach out to us for a discussion. Our team is here to provide insight and guidance on the behaviour and well-being of these fascinating creatures.