Behavior and Training Services

Hundreds of animals are turned into shelters each year because of behavior issues. Owners may try to address a problem they are experiencing with their pets with minimal results. Other people become so exasperated with their pet's behavior that they make them an outside pet, further isolating the pet from its family and leading to additional behavior issues.

Naturally pack animals, dogs can become bored in a backyard with no one to keep them company. Digging, chewing or excessive barking are the result of canine boredom. Frustrated owners may feel their only choice is to surrender the pet to a local shelter. One of our goals is to reduce the number of animals coming into our shelter by providing people with the proper tools and support needed for a lifetime of happiness with their pet.

Behavior Helpline/Assistance for Cats and Dogs (FREE service to the public)

Does your dog chew up your furniture or is your cat scratching it? Maybe your dog is barking too much when he's in the backyard, or your cat isn't using her litterbox. If your pet has a behavior issue, you have somewhere to turn to for free help and advice. The Sacramento SPCA offers a behavior helpline that anyone can call, whether or not they've adopted a pet from our shelter.

The behavior helpline is designed to help animals in their homes by providing owners with practical information so that they can alter the relationship they have with their pets to a positive workable one. All information mailed and advice given is based on positive methods of working with your animal's behavior.

In order for us to best assist you, we need a detailed history of your pet's behavior. There are three ways you can help us help you with behavior assistance:

• If you would like to get a head start, please fill our Behavior Help Line Form and fax the form back to us at (916) 383-7062 Atten: Behavior and Training.
• If you would like to start the process via telephone, please call our help line at (916) 383-7387, ext. 9148. Leave us a message with your phone numbers, where you can be reached, times you can be reached, and your e-mail address. These calls are returned within 48 hours, Tuesday through Saturday.
• Finally, while the majority of the assistance we provide to you does require obtaining a history of your pet's behavior, there are some questions we can answer for you without gathering this information first. If you believe this is the case, please e-mail us at Behavior Helpline.

Private Consultation

Do you have a dog with a behavior issue? Need immediate help with your new puppy? Is your dog timid or aggressive toward people or other dogs? With a private consultation you and your dog will receive one-on-one attention to address your dog's behavior issue(s) and any training that may be applicable to your particular situation. Consultations are by appointment only. To schedule, please call our Behavior Helpline at (916) 383-7387, ext. 9148 or write behavior@sspca.org. All initial consultations are done in two sessions at a rate of $85 for both sessions. If your dog was adopted from the Sacramento City or County shelter, the two session fee is only $75. If you adopted your dog from the Sacramento SPCA you will receive one complimentary session. We offer an additional discount to all seniors (60+) at a rate of $60 for two sessions.

At the time an appointment is booked, we ask for a deposit of $25 in the form of a credit card or check. Notification of cancellation or rescheduling must be received at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment for the deposit to be refunded or used as part of payment for a rescheduled time. No refund of deposit will be given for cancellations less than 48 hours prior to scheduled appointments.

If you've scheduled a consultation, please print and fill out our Private Consultation Form before you come.