16355 SW 88th Street
Miami, FL 33196
Monday-Friday: 9:00am-6:00pm; Saturday: 8:30am-2:00pm; Sunday: Closed
Behavioral challenges can strain the bond you have with your pet and create real stress at home. Whether it’s separation anxiety, aggression toward other pets, or a compulsive behavior that worries you, these issues almost always have a medical or psychological root, which is the first thing worth understanding.
Dr. Morales and Dr. Fernandez provide behavioral consultations that look past the behavior itself to what’s driving it. We combine diagnostic testing with behavioral expertise to determine whether a medical condition is contributing, then build a treatment plan around your pet’s specific situation.
Behavioral problems rarely appear without a reason, they often stem from anxiety, fear, inadequate socialization, past trauma, or an underlying medical condition causing discomfort. We commonly see separation anxiety, aggression toward people or other animals, destructive behaviors like excessive barking or chewing, elimination problems, compulsive behaviors like tail-chasing or excessive licking, and noise phobias, which come up often here given Miami’s storm season. Cognitive decline in senior pets can also show up as behavioral change and deserves the same attention.
We start with a detailed history: when the behavior started, what triggers it, and how you’ve been managing it. A full physical exam rules out pain, thyroid issues, or neurological causes, and we run bloodwork, urinalysis, or imaging if needed to uncover any hidden contributors. From there we build an individualized plan covering behavior modification, environmental changes, and medication if appropriate, and follow up to adjust the approach as your pet progresses. Call (786) 885-1590 to schedule a consultation.
Successful behavioral treatment usually works on more than one front at once.
Positive reinforcement, desensitization, and counter-conditioning help change how your pet responds to specific triggers over time. Adjusting the home setup, keeping consistent routines, and providing appropriate mental stimulation also reduces triggers and supports emotional wellbeing.
For anxiety disorders or compulsive behaviors, medication can meaningfully improve outcomes when paired with behavior modification. We often work alongside certified positive-reinforcement trainers so both the medical and hands-on training sides of a challenge are covered.
Sudden or escalating aggression, elimination problems despite prior training, unusual withdrawal or irritability, new phobias, or cognitive changes in a senior pet all warrant scheduling soon. It’s also worth being proactive before a big change, a new baby, moving homes, a new pet in the household, or a new puppy or kitten, since preventing a pattern is easier than undoing one.
At Your Family Veterinarian, we’re proud to offer:
Yes, that’s one of the first things we check. Pain, thyroid issues, and neurological conditions can all show up as behavior changes, so every consultation includes a full physical exam and, if needed, bloodwork or imaging to rule out a medical cause before addressing the behavior itself. Call (786) 885-1590 to schedule an evaluation.
We start with a detailed history of when the behavior started and what triggers it, followed by a physical exam and any needed diagnostic testing. From there we build an individualized plan combining behavior modification, environmental changes, and medication if appropriate, with follow-up visits to adjust the approach as needed.
Not always. Many behavioral issues respond well to behavior modification and environmental changes alone, but for anxiety disorders or compulsive behaviors, medication combined with behavior modification often leads to better outcomes. We tailor the approach to your pet’s specific situation.
Yes, being proactive is often easier than undoing an established pattern. It’s worth scheduling ahead of a big change, like a new baby, a move, a new pet in the household, or bringing home a new puppy or kitten, so good habits get established early.
Yes, cognitive decline in aging pets can show up as confusion, disorientation, or changes in behavior. Early attention can help slow progression and improve quality of life during a pet’s senior years. Call (786) 885-1590 if you’ve noticed changes in your senior pet.
The sooner a behavioral concern is addressed, the more options are usually available and the better the outcome tends to be. Call (786) 885-1590 or book online to schedule a behavioral consultation with Your Family Veterinarian. Our clinic is located at 16355 SW 88th Street, Miami, FL 33196 in the shopping plaza with LA Fitness and Starbucks. We’re open Monday through Friday, 9am–6pm, and Saturday, 8:30am–2pm.
