About the counselor Dr. Sarah Ford graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. Since that time she has been practicing small animal medicine and surgery in Northeast Ohio. Dr. Ford became interested in animal behavior shortly after graduation when she realized that many pets’ behavioral needs could not be met within private practice. In an effort to help clients that were struggling with these pets, she began to read various veterinary behavior texts and attend continuing education seminars focused on animal behavior. Dr. Ford has recently spent time observing board certified veterinary behaviorists and attending courses specific to canine and feline behavior problems. She began her veterinary behavior practice in November of 2006 and since then has seen many cases of aggression, unruly behavior, separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia, and house-soiling in dogs and cats. Types of cases we see Animal behavior counseling focuses on certain problem behaviors that your pet may be experiencing. Unlike training, the goal of behavior counseling is not just to have your pet recognize commands, but to modify your pets problem behavior by using various training techniques. All behavior modification techniques are done by positive reinforcement (treats and praise), not harsh verbal or physical corrections. Aggression, house-soiling, separation anxiety, and compulsive disorders are some examples of the problem behaviors seen.
FACT: Physical punishment or "dominant signals" (rolling, scruffing, pinning) by humans is not a good way
to deal with an aggressive animal (or any animal)!