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TOP TEN | to ensure that only force-free methods are used. The *iÌÊ*ÀoviÃÃion>lÊ Õil`Ê petprofessionalguild.com) is a useful resource for locating humane trainers and other dog professionals. 7 BE FAMILIAR WITH COMMONLY-USED BEHAVIOR MEDICATIONS A handful of behavior-modifying drugs, such >ÃÊ vlÕoÝiÌiniÊ ,iVonVili]Ê il>nVo°Vom®Ê >n`Ê Vlomi«- À>miniÊ lomiV>lm]Ê >h°noÛ>ÀÌiðVom®Ê >ÀiÊ ÕÃi`Ê vÀi- quently by veterinary behaviorists as well as general practitioners. In addition, there is a grow- ing nutraceutical and pheromone-based arma- mentarium of behavior modification products, such as L-theanine and S-ade- noÃÞlmiÌhioniniÊ nÝiÌ>niÊ and NOVIFIT NoviSAMe, respectively; virbacvet.com) >n`Ê iliÜ>ÞÊ>n`Ê `>«ÌilÊViÛ>°Õî° liinÌÃÊÃhoÕl`ÊLiÊinvoÀmi`ÊÌh>Ì\Ê UÊ-omiÊ Lih>ÛioÀÊ `ÀÕ}ÃÊ ÀiµÕiÀiÊ >Ê minimÕmÊ £-monÌhÊlo>`in}Ê«iÀio`Ê`ÕÀin}ÊÜhiVhÊÌhiÊLih>Û- ior problem requires intensive intervention) UÊ-i`iÊivviVÌÃÊV>nÊLiÊÃi}niviV>nÌ UÊ iÃinhiLiÌionÊovÊ>}}ÀiÃÃion]Ê>}iÌ>Ìion]Ê>n`ÊoÌhiÀÊ unexpected effects might occur. Potential interactions with other veterinary drugs or over-the-counter products should also be consid- ered. Most important, moderate to severe anxieties, fear, aggression and other problems are not likely to respond to drug therapy alone; therefore, behavior modification must be added to the management plan. ,iÃoÕÀViÃ]Ê ÃÕVhÊ >ÃÊ 6iÌiÀin>ÀÞÊ nvoÀm>ÌionÊ iÌ- ÜoÀkÊvin.com), continuing education at conferences, recently published textbooks, and telephone or email consultation with veterinary behaviorists, allow the general practitioner to further his or her education about behavior therapy. For a list of behavior resources, go to todaysveterinarypractice.com and select Resources. 8 DO NOT PREMATURELY OR INAPPRO- PRIATELY RECOMMEND EUTHANASIA A frequent complaint by clients seeing behavior specialists is that their pet's primary care veterinarian recommended euthanasia too quickly. Even in cases when euthanasia, sadly, might be a reasonable option, the suggestion should be an informed one, taking into account the potential for behavior change as well as the emotional needs of the family. Some clients want only to understand the reasons for their pets' behavior problems, while others have already made the decision to relinquish or euthanize and are seeking your "permission". In any case, the animal and family deserve well-reasoned recommenda- ÌionÃÊÌh>ÌÊÌ>kiÊinÌoÊ>VVoÕnÌÊÌhiÊLiÃÌÊinÌiÀiÃÌÃʵÕ>liÌÞÊ of life and safety) of all those involved. 9 WHEN PRESENTED WITH AGGRESSION, EMPHASIZE SAFETY No matter the history, chronologic development, or causes of biting, management of aggression-related behavior problems should always highlight safety. The prevention of future bites depends upon historic details of the individual animal's behavior as well as common triggers of biting. oÜiÛiÀ]ÊLiÌin}ÊÀiÃkÃÊ`oÊnoÌÊ}oÊ>Ü>ÞÊiÛiÀ®Ê>n`]Ê ivÊ there is a bite subsequent to consultation, you may be considered at least partly responsible. Inform clients about the potential for injury and liability. Write every- thing down in the medical record, which will allow you to refer to your recommendations as needed. Safety recommendations should include avoiding his- torical triggers of aggression and paying attention to body language and postural provocations of aggression. 10 DON'T DROP THE FOLLOW-UP BALL ih>ÛioÀ>lÊmi`iViniÊÀiliiÃÊonÊmo`iviV>ÌionÊ of both the animal's and owner's behavior and education about the often-subtle effects of behav- ioral drug therapy. Without adequate follow-up, there is no possibility of adjusting recommendations and clients may become quickly discouraged, resulting in failure of the plan. Each animal—and each problem—is unique and might respond idiosyncratically to treat- minÌ°Ê ÞÊ>ÃÃi}nin}Ê Ìi>mÊmimLiÀÃÊ ÌoÊiniÌi>ÌiÊVonÌ>VÌÊ with owners, it will be easier to make timely adjust- ments to treatment plans. ■ Ilana Reisner, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVB, is a veterinary behaviorist and consultant in Media, Pennsylvania. Dr. Reisner previously served as the Director of the Veterinary Behavior Clinic at Uni- versity of Pennsylvania's Matthew J. Ryan Veteri- nary Hospital and assistant professor of behavioral medicine at UPenn's School of Veterinary Medicine for 10 years. She is past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Dr. Reisner has written and spoken extensively on the topic of behavioral medicine and has research interests in canine aggression and anxiety. She received her DVM from Oregon State University and her PhD in behavioral physiology from Cornell University. July/August 2012 Today's Veterinary Practice 83 Behavioral Medicine: Top 10 Tools for Success