When Behaviour Isn’t Just Behaviour: Why Vets and Behaviour Consultants Work Better Together

Professional insights, written for veterinarians and pet owners alike.

“Dogs don’t separate ‘medical’ from ‘behavioural’—and neither should we.”

As I sit down at my computer to write this blog, I find myself sifting through so many moments where I’ve been grateful for the collaboration of a veterinarian on a behaviour case. Time and again, having a vet as an ally has made all the difference for the dogs and families I’ve worked with.

One Puppy, Many Questions

One story that stands out early in my career was about a young

pup. He was a playful puppy, but struggling with some concerning behaviours. He was demonstrating early signs of resource guarding towards his toys and food, as well as his own personal space, making it difficult for his guardians to know when they could and could not touch him. He was also demonstrating some flashes of what looked like territorial aggression. However, he was a social puppy, and he did seem to have moments where he enjoyed the company of both his guardians and new visitors, myself included when I had done my initial assessment on him.

On paper, he was a healthy puppy. His family had already taken him to the vet several times, and everything came back clear. So, we began behaviour modification. Some days it felt like we were on the right track, and then suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, he’d have another aggressive episode. It was confusing for everyone involved.

During this time, I spoke with the veterinarian about the case. The clients hadn’t witnessed anything suspicious that suggested seizures, so we discussed what else might be going on. We talked through possible major medical conditions, as well as smaller ones that could sometimes influence behaviour. But nothing was pointing in a clear direction. And as is often the reality, running a multitude of tests just wasn’t financially possible for the family. Without something specific to investigate, we were stuck waiting and watching, hoping the picture would become clearer.

Then, one day, it did. The puppy had a grand mal seizure. That was the missing piece. We realized he’d been experiencing smaller, undetected seizures all along.

Once he was prescribed seizure medication, his medical health started to stabilize. But months of discomfort and unpredictability had already left their mark. He had learned to associate touch and social interaction with stress, and those habits weren’t going to disappear with medication alone. That’s where continued behaviour work came in, helping him rebuild trust and learn new, healthier coping strategies.

Collaboration Makes the Difference

Even before we knew what was happening, close communication with the veterinarian helped us think through possibilities and align a plan. Once the seizure occurred, we worked side‑by‑side to support both medical needs and behavioural recovery.

This was one of many times that veterinarians have been incredible allies in behaviour cases. Over the years, I’ve seen again and again how what starts off looking “purely behavioural” often has an underlying medical component.

Why This Matters

For veterinarians: Subtle medical issues don’t always show up on tests, making it hard to definitively rule out a medical cause without the full picture.

For behaviour consultants: Unseen medical factors can shape how a dog feels and responds, collaboration clarifies the path forward.

For families: Finances are real, clear communication helps when there isn’t a straightforward diagnostic route. Also, knowing that there is a team of professionals listening to you and validating your concerns by working together.

The First Step in Behaviour Modification

As a behaviour specialist, one of the most important questions I ask is: when is it appropriate to send a client back to their vet? The truth is, that really should be the first step in behaviour modification. Before we begin to address behaviour, we need to rule out the possibility that something medical is at the root of the problem.

Every case is a puzzle, and when we put our heads together, families, vets, and behaviour consultants—we’re not just solving problems. We’re giving dogs the chance to feel safe, understood, and joyful again. Few things beat the moment a once‑worried dog relaxes into a happy tail wag.

Let’s Connect

If you’re a veterinarian or pet professional interested in collaborating with Thrive Canine Service Team, We’d love to connect. Compassionate, science‑based, ethical care—together.

By: Lisa Large, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SDC