Financial Assistance for Vet Care

Local Dog Parks

Rental Housing for People with Pets

Pet Friendly Accommodations

How to Build a Dog Park in Your Community

Animal Behavior Advice

Behavior Q & A

Spay/Neuter Myths and Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

Staff Columns in Local Newspapers

San Mateo County Animal Laws

Article Archive

Related Links

Animal Behavior Advice

If you are having behavior issues with your pet such as trouble with housetraining, scratching or digging, PHS/SPCA can help with the following tip sheets. If you need extra help with behavior, please call our free Behavior Helpline at 650/340-7022, ext. 783 (ext. 786 for Spanish).

The PHS/SPCA Behavior Department is funded entirely by donations and obedience class fees. Much of the department's day-to-day work is supported by volunteers. To volunteer, please contact Brian Probst at 650/2340-7022, ext. 328 or bprobst@PHS-SPCA.org

You may also request help by submitting an Online Behavior Help Application

You will need Adobe Acrobat to open these files which you can download by clicking below.

Dog Behavior Advice

• Canine Houdini
• Communication
• Crate Training
• Desensitization and Counterconditioning
• Destructive Chewing
• Destructive Digging
• Dog-Dog Introductions
• Dogs and Cars
• Excessive Barking
• Housetraining
• Introducing to Collars, Leashes, and Stairs
• Jumping-Up
• Leash Reactivity
• Multi Dog Household
• Nothing In Life Is Free
• Obedience Training
• Resource Guarding
• Separation Anxiety
• Submissive Urination
• Teaching a Puppy Not to Bite
• Troubleshooting
• Urine Marking
• Whining

en español

• Convivencia entre Perros
• Viviendo en casa con varios perros
• Ansiedad por Separación... o Separación por Diversión?
• La Resolución de Problemas
• Cuando los perros lloran
• Insensibilización y Contra Condicionamiento

Cat Behavior Advice

• Bringing Your Kitten Home
• Enrichment
• Excessive Meowing
• Great Beginnings
• Handling & Gentling
• Indoors Vs. Outdoors
• Litterbox Training & Spraying
• Nocturnal Activity
• Playing
• Shy Cats
• Solving Common Problems
• Training Your Cat
• Understanding Declawing
• When Your Cat Plays Rough

en español

• Cuando Su Gato Juega Bruscamente
• Llevando su Gatito a Casa
• Entrenamiento en la Caja de Arena & Marcación con Orina

Behavior Advice for Dogs and Cats

• Boobytraps
• Cat-Dog Introductions
• Considerations Before Adopting
• Loud Noises
• Self-Mutilation

en español

• Convivencia entre Gatos y Perros
• Cómo Superar el Miedo a los Ruidos Fuertes