Veterinary Hospital

Small Animal Primary Care

Primary Care Behavior

Dr. Jennifer Burgess with dogBehavior problems are a significant reason for relinquishment of dogs and cats to shelters. Sadly, the majority of these animals are euthanized.  Many behavior problems can be prevented or addressed early on in their development.  Client education along with early intervention helps decrease the numbers of relinquished pets.

Led by Dr. Jennifer Burgess, the Primary Care Behavior Service was created to teach our students and clients how to prevent or identify and treat undesirable pet behaviors.  Behavior topics routinely addressed include but are not limited to normal but destructive or undesirable puppy and kitten behaviors, preventive gentling exercises, house and litter training, environmental enrichment, leash walking, separation-related behaviors, canine and feline aggression, house soiling, noise phobias, and cognitive dysfunction screening.  Students are exposed to these topics through both lecture-based presentations and “hands-on” case management. This allows them to see the role they play as future veterinarians in increasing the quality of the relationship between clients and their pets.

Many behavior problems can be addressed during routine wellness visits or, if a more in-depth discussion is needed, appointments for behavioral consultations can be made with Dr. Burgess (behaviorconsult@cvm.msstate.edu). Client information handouts are frree and are available below.  

Every appointment, no matter the reason, is a behavior appointment. Each visit to the hospital affects how your pet perceives the hospital and how they behave at future visits.  It is our goal to make all visits as positive an experience as possible for both you and your pet.

Client Information Sheets:

Canine

Veterinarian and students treating a dogBasket Muzzle Training
Canine Conflict or "Dominance" Aggression
Crate/Confinement Training for Adult Dogs
Crate/Confinement Training for Puppies
Using a Houseline
Dog Appeasing Pheromone (D.A.P.)
Gentling Exercise for Puppies
The "Learn to Earn" Program

Feline

Kittens: Recommendations for New Owners
Introducing a New Kitten to an Existing Cat
Feline Inappropriate Elimination