As a community resource, the AWLA offers a variety of assistance for ALL pet owners. Regardless of whether or not your pet was adopted from us, AWLA staff members are happy to help you understand pet behaviors and assist with potential pet-related challenges. For animal behavior help, email behavior@AlexandriaAnimals.org.
Pet Behavior Assistance
Inquiries commonly fielded by the AWLA professionals include
- Unwanted cat behaviors, like furniture scratching, marking, not using the litter box or aggression toward other pets and/or people.
- Unwanted dog behaviors, such as excessive barking, separation anxiety, house training problems, hyperactivity or aggression toward other pets and/or people.
- Questions regarding other pets, including how to introduce new pets into the home, appropriate care and housing for small animals (such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and others) and environmental enrichment for less-common animal companions.
You can also find protocols below on working with and managing several of these common concerns.
Dog Behavior
Alexandria Animal Academy: Dog Behavior & Training Community Courses
Alexandria Animal Academy dog behavior and training community courses have been crafted to teach pets and people to live better - and more harmoniously - together. The courses are taught by our Behavior and Training Coordinator Beth Tumlin and include group and personalized instruction. The unique training plans are based on your dog's behavior. The learning tracks can help with leash reactive, shy/fearful and high-energy dogs.
Cat Behavior
Other Resources
These protocols and information above address many of the most common pet concerns, but you can find more guidance from local and national experts below.
At the AWLA, we only use and recommend positive reinforcement trainers and training techniques. Learn more about positive reinforcement and selecting a humane trainer here.