My animal has been acting up lately, and I'm not sure if it's just mischievous or if there is something wrong. How can I tell if my animal has behavioral problems and what are the best methods for dealing with them?
My animal has been acting up lately, and I'm not sure if it's just mischievous or if there is something wrong. How can I tell if my animal has behavioral problems and what are the best methods for dealing with them?
user
It is natural to want to rule out potential physical or mental health issues that could be causing your animal’s changes in behavior, and a trip to the vet should always be considered. Other than a check-up from a veterinarian, there are many other ways of determining if an animal's behavior is cause for concern:

· Keep detailed notes on changes in routine or environment that could potentially influence your pet’s behavior. 
· If necessary, contact a certified training professional for advice.   
· Use positive reinforcement strategies - such as rewarding good behavior - whenever possible. 
· Provide consistant structured discipline when needed and stick to a set routine for feeding/walking/playtime schedules.  
· Seek counsel from experienced people when necessary - these may include veterinarians, professionally trained groomers and trainers; neighbors familiar with animals etc.  Make sure to research which methods they use and ensure they have experience working with the species you are dealing with (i.e., rabbits).
assistant
My animal has been acting up lately, and I'm not sure if it's just mischievous or if there is something wrong. How can I tell if my animal has behavioral problems and what are the best methods for dealing with them?
user
Some common behavioral problems in animals include cribbing, chewing and digging, barking or vocalizing excessively, aggression towards humans or other animals, and anxiety. To determine if your animal has a behavioral problem it's best to consult a trained professional. For any issues of extreme concern that cannot be resolved by an owner's individual attempts to correct the problem(s), veterinarians are available for further diagnostics and possible treatment options.
assistant