What is the Animal Behavior Network (ABN)?

ABN is a network of families, pet professionals and veterinary practices working together to improve relationships between people and pets.

What does the Animal Behavior Network offer?

• Memberships for families, pet professionals and veterinary practices
• ABN Member Library of articles, slide shows and videos
• Weekly Positive Pet Parenting emails with easy, helpful behavior insights and training tips.
• Veterinary Behavior Case Analysis

What is a pet behavior phone consultation?

If you are an ABN Family Member, you are given a suggested do-it-yourself learning guide with easy access to helpful ABN Library articles, slide shows and videos.

What is a veterinary behavior case analysis?
The behavior case analysis creates a comprehensive analysis for the family, veterinarian and pet professional on what is needed to begin or restore positive, loving, problem-free relationships between families and pets.

With veterinary approval, clients complete an extensive pet behavior history online with AnimalBehavior.Net. A Veterinary Behavior Consultant (VBC) reviews the behavior history and gives the veterinarian the analysis of why a pet is acting out and what services may be needed to improve the relationship between the family and the pet. The pet's veterinarian may need to rule out medical reasons for pet misbehavior.  If a trainer has already worked with the pet, the ABN Veterinary Behavior Consultant or ABN Advisor may need to consult with the trainer. 

The pet's veterinarian makes final recommendations ton the pet's treatment plan and may send the client back to ABN for pet behavior education and a customized behavior modification plan.  ABN services support the client-patient-veterinary relationship.

What is a behavior case triage?
An ABN Veterinary Consultant may also offer a Positive Leadership Program in which an ABN Advisor guides you by phone and email through a customized program to help you prioritize recommended ABN Library articles, slide shows, videos, recommended products, medical work-ups, in-home trainer visits, classes and additional phone consultations.

What is behavior case supervision?

After the Case Analysis is complete, the attending DVM has the option to seek the support services of an ABN Veterinary Behavior Consultant to monitor the implementation of the prescribed behavior modification program. ABN Services are always provided under the supervision of the pet's veterinarian. The pet's veterinarian is responsible for all medical tests, medical diagnosis, treatment, and prescription of behavior medications as indicated.

How do I choose a qualified consultant?

In general, the most reliable information and help comes from a professional with both the best credentials plus familiarity with your specific situation.  Therefore, your best choice to resolve unwanted behaviors or to understand behavior-related concerns is a veterinarian board, certified in behavior with a Ph.D. degree (specific to your pet's problem) with extensive training experience who has collected a behavior and bond history for your pet followed by a house call.  At the extreme, you could choose to fly in the world's expert to get the best advice possible. However, expense varies with credentials and time.

What are possible consultant credentials? (can be combined)

1) A Veterinarian becomes "Board Certified" in Animal Behavior by the American Veterinary Medical Association
2) A "Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist" is a member of the International Animal Behavior Society.
3) A Ph.D. degree in Animal Behavior (if no medical or pharmacology issues in the degree related to pet behavior - as opposed to other species research)
4) A Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine with a special interest in animal behavior
5) Certified Veterinary Technician with a special interest in animal behavior
6) Certified Dog or Animal Trainer (Various certifying bodies and levels of certifications)
7) Authors of pet related books or articles
8) Other pet owners ( = lowest likelihood of success)

What are the possible formats for consultations? (in order of effectiveness)

1) In-Home consult (Trainer or Behaviorist comes to your home)
2) Office visit at the location of the behaviorist or veterinarian
3) Behavior Case Analysis (pet owner completes history at home)
4) Customized pet behavior topics to be read by email at home

What are considerations when choosing a behavior consultant or trainer?

1) Academic credentials (see above)
2) Special training and experience with the species of your pet. (Dog, Cat, Bird)

3) Special training in the specific behavior concerns (e.g. aggression, phobias, etc.)
4) Number of years experience
5) Success rate in the past for your specific behavioral concern
6) Testimonials and recommendations by previous clients
7) Geographic proximity

Why are medical work-ups recommended with behavioral treatment plans?

Behavior problems often have a medical component, so it is important to "rule out" medical causes, depending on the behavioral concern. Physical ailments are usually easier to control than behavior. Resolving them speeds up resolution of behavior concerns.

It is also routine to collect a current "minimum data base" of information before starting behavior medication, if indicated from a veterinary exam to rule out possible unknown minor, chronic physical discomfort that may be influencing the threshold of any behavior (e.g. causing frustration), and insure that all the internal organs are functioning normally before starting medication, and to gain baseline values for this animal to compare for future use.

Therefore it is required that your regular veterinarian be involved, and aware you are seeking behavioral education and guidance.  Some vet hospitals have behaviorists they prefer to use, others offer behavior assistance themselves. In these examples, it may not be necessary to use ABN services. If your veterinary practice does not offer behavior consultations, please mention this ABN (AnimalBehavior.Net) web site to your veterinarian.  They may appreciate this resource for their clients.
 

What is the role of the attending veterinarian?

The local attending veterinarian retains the primary doctor-client-pet relationship. Any medical tests or prescriptions suggested are passed on to the DVM to make all final decisions related to the pet's best interests. The behaviorist is acting as a consultant to the veterinarian, and with the veterinarians permission may continue behavior education and modifications by speaking directly to the client as  part of the overall case.
 

What about cost?

You are choosing to invest in a better relationship with your pet. The return on your time and any costs are intended to result in a  lifetime of increased joy with your pet.  Specific factors that influence your total cost investment include:

• Medical tests needed
• Medication indicated
• Need for basic obedience training
• Need for in-home private training
• Complexity of case, and effectiveness of client compliance

Based on veterinary behavior case analysis, the family will be given an estimate of total cost.

Does ABN offer refunds for unsatisfactory service or outcomes?

Any request for a refund will be reviewed and honored based on the ABN Client Satisfaction Guarantee below. Note this is a guarantee of satisfactory SERVICE and not a guarantee of positive outcomes. Your success is largely dependent on the level of family participation.

What is the ABN Client Satisfaction Guarantee?

If a client is not satisfied with the SERVICE provided by Animal Behavior Network, he or she may complete a form describing the circumstances, and with reasonable cause, receive a refund of any money processed within the preceding 30 days. After 30 days no refunds are available.

There is no guarantee of behavioral improvement, since there are many factors that influence success rate. The client is purchasing either printed behavior topics, and professional time for analysis, opinion, recommendations, and follow-up. ABN provides services solely to clients with a client's agreement to hold the behaviorist, veterinarian, and all related parties harmless for any negative outcome.

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