Pet Behavior Care

Services

Private Behavior Consultations

At times, cats and dogs present behavioral issues that cannot be resolved through the use of basic training and management techniques by the owner.  However, through the expertise of certified applied animal behaviorists and veterinary behaviorists, these issues can often be resolved or modified to a level that allows for easier control by the pet’s owner. Because many behavior problems, such as aggression, house soiling, fear, and separation anxiety have both medical and psychological components, they are ideally treated by a professional with training in veterinary medicine and animal behavior. Our behaviorists at PBC are veterinarians who are both trained and certified. All of our veterinarians have years of experience working with all kinds of animal behavior problems.

Behaviorists

Private consultations with Dr. Marder, CAAB or Dr. Segurson, DACVB are available. 

What to expect:

  • Prior to your visit, we will ask you to fill out a comprehensive behavioral history which we will review with you during the appointment.
  • If possible, we would like your pet's medical records either faxed or sent to us.
  • The appointment lasts from 1-2 hours and we request that you bring your cat or dog along with you.  During the appointment we speak to you in depth about your presenting issue and provide you with: a diagnosis and explanation of your pet's behavior problem, a personalized treatment plan, and handouts to help you implement the program.
  • Treatment plans may consist of management, behavior modification and drug therapy.
  • If drug therapy is recommended, a recent complete blood count and chemistry screen from your veterinary may be required.
  • If dog training is part of your program, we will work with a trainer in your area.
  • If available, photographs or a 10 minute videotape of your pet’s misbehavior in action are helpful (but not required).
  • The consultation program includes the initial 1-2 hour appointment at our office, 2- 30-minute follow up appointments at the office, and weekly phone follow-ups for a duration of 3 months.
  • The referring veterinarian is always sent a copy of the treatment plan.

Schedule an appointment

If you are interested in meeting with one of our behaviorists, please contact PBC at 617-226-5664 or behavior@arlboston.org.  Prior to your appointment, we will collect basic information about your pet’s issue, briefly explain the consultation program and associated fees, and send you a behavioral history form to complete.

Appointments are available at our Boston location in the South End or in your home. 

Dog Training Classes

Classes are also offered to provide a fun and enriching way to build a relationship with your dog, to meet other dog owners, and can be used as a tool to help to prevent behavior problems before they start.  Classes are offered at our Boston location in the South End. We offer the following classes:

Puppy Kindergarten
Classes for puppies between 8 and 20 weeks.  Classes are 1  hour per week and 6 weeks in length. One 6 week session  costs $150.

 Good Manners
Classes for dogs over 20 weeks of age. Classes are 1 hour  per week and 6 weeks in length. One 6 week session costs  $150.

Off-leash and Agility
Classes for more advanced training. Classes are 1 hour per week and 6 weeks in length. One 6 week session costs $150.

Good Citizen
Classes for owners who would like to obtain an AKC good citizen certificate for their canine friend. Our Good Citizen class is 1 hour per week for 3 weeks and costs $80.

Dog Training Class 2 

To register for our classes please call 617-226-5664 or click here to register via the web.

Behavior Helpline

The ARL of Boston Pet Behavior Helpline is a free service that has been in operation for 5 years. During this time our trained volunteers have helped thousands of people and their animals who are having behavior problems.

You can reach our helpline by calling 617-226-5666. Please leave a message and one of our counselors will call you back within 24 hours 7 days a week.

Please note that the volunteers staffing the helpline are trained to tackle basic behavior issues and should not be used for serious problems such as aggression. 

Below are some of the issues that our volunteers are trained to handle:

 Inappropriate elimination/house soiling in both cats and dogs
 Barking
 Chewing and destruction of home by dogs
 Crate training in dogs
 Puppy behaviors
 Cats that claw furniture, nip at hands/feet, jump on counters

If your animal is currently behaving aggressively, has bitten someone in the past, or you feel that they may do so in the future, please call 617-226-5664 to set up an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist who is trained to assess this issue.