Dr. Landsberg: Fix These Pet Behavior Mistakes for a Calm Companion

My conversation with Dr. Landsberg unfolded not in a sterile clinic, but in a quiet nook, bathed in soft afternoon light. She spoke with a thoughtful deliberation, her words measured, each insight layered with years of clinical practice and a deep respect for the animal psyche. There was a narrative quality to her explanations, as if she were unraveling a compelling story rather than merely dispensing advice. It became clear that her philosophy wasn’t about “fixing” a pet, but about understanding the intricate dance of communication, environment, and innate drives.

“Many of the behavioral issues I see,” she began, her gaze steady, “stem from a fundamental misunderstanding: we often label a behavior as ‘bad’ without first asking why it’s happening. A dog destroying furniture isn’t being ‘naughty’; they might be experiencing profound separation anxiety, or lacking appropriate outlets for natural chewing behaviors. A cat spraying isn’t ‘spiteful’; they’re likely stressed by something in their environment, communicating a need for more security or resources. It’s a classic failure of empathy, really, when we project human motivations onto animal distress.” She explained that this cognitive reframing is the first, most crucial step: moving from judgment to curiosity, from punishment to problem-solving. This isn’t a soft approach; it’s a strategic one, rooted in the understanding that behavior is a symptom, not the disease. Veterinary behaviorists, she emphasized, approach these cases as complex puzzles, piecing together history, environment, and physical health to reveal the true underlying causes.

She then shifted to the often-overlooked power of mindful presence. “We live in such a busy world,” she observed, “constantly distracted. Our pets pick up on that scattered energy. One of the most common mistakes is giving ‘partial attention.’ We might be petting our dog while scrolling on our phone, or talking to our cat while mentally planning our day. What our pets truly crave, and what genuinely calms their nervous systems, is undivided, present attention.” Dr. Landsberg recounted a case of a highly reactive terrier mix whose owner, after struggling for months with walks, was advised to simply walk in silence, observing, breathing with her dog, without her phone or any other distraction. “It wasn’t about new training commands,” she explained, “it was about the owner learning to be a grounded, secure presence. Within weeks, the dog’s reactivity diminished dramatically because she felt genuinely seen and safe.” This isn’t just anecdotal; research into human-animal interaction underscores how an owner’s calm, focused presence can lower a pet’s cortisol levels and enhance oxytocin release in both species.

Next, Dr. Landsberg delved into the subtle, often missed, stress signals that our pets constantly send. “Most pet parents miss the early warning signs,” she stated, leaning forward slightly. “For dogs, it could be lip licking, yawning outside of sleepiness, head turns, or a stiff body posture. For cats, it might be excessive grooming, hiding more, dilated pupils, or a sudden change in litter box habits. We tend to wait until the ‘big’ behaviors—the growling, the biting, the spraying—before we react. But by then, the pet has been escalating their communication for a long time, often unnoticed.” She stressed the importance of becoming a student of our own animal, learning their unique language through consistent, compassionate observation. Resources like the Fear Free initiative for veterinary care, or various ethology studies on canine and feline body language, provide excellent frameworks for decoding these vital signals, moving us beyond simple anthropomorphism.

Our conversation naturally flowed to the role of the environment, not just physical space, but sensory inputs. “We often underestimate the profound impact of scent and sound,” Dr. Landsberg noted. “Dogs live through their noses, and cats are incredibly sensitive to high-frequency sounds. A chaotic household with constant loud noises, or strong artificial scents, can be a continuous source of low-level stress.” She championed the mindful use of natural calming agents, always with a strong caveat for professional guidance. “Aromatherapy, for instance, can be highly effective when used correctly and safely. Lavender essential oil, diffused sparingly and diluted, has been shown in some studies to have anxiolytic properties for both dogs and humans. Pheromone diffusers, mimicking natural calming pheromones, are another evidence-based tool that veterinary behaviorists have utilized for years to reduce anxiety in both dogs and cats, especially in multi-pet households or during stressful events like fireworks.” She stressed that these are not standalone solutions but adjuncts to a holistic plan that addresses the root cause of distress.

Finally, she illuminated a pervasive but often uncomfortable truth: the ‘ripple effect’ of owner stress. “Our pets are emotional sponges,” Dr. Landsberg said softly. “They are exquisitely attuned to our moods, our anxieties, our own unresolved tensions. If we are constantly stressed, worried, or in a state of emotional turmoil, it’s virtually impossible for our pets to remain perfectly calm and balanced. They absorb it. They react to it. Sometimes, the ‘bad’ behavior we’re seeing in them is simply a reflection of the unaddressed emotional landscape of our own lives.” This reflection hit home, underscoring the interconnectedness of our lives with theirs, making the journey to a calmer pet, inevitably, a journey toward a calmer self.

The conversation left me with a powerful, lingering thought: that the journey of understanding our pets is an endless one, filled with nuances we are still learning to perceive.