Decoding Your Pet

Animal Behavior

What Your Senior Cat Wishes You Knew

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on January 16, 2018

Do you live with an older cat? Here are some suggestions for helping her to stay comfortable and contented.

Do you live with an older cat? Here are some suggestions for helping her to stay comfortable and contented.

Animal Behavior

Your Cat Is Bored!

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on January 1, 2018

If your cat had thumbs, would he be twiddling them with boredom? A few ideas can go a long way.

If your cat had thumbs, would he be twiddling them with boredom? A few ideas can go a long way.

Anger

Why Not Alpha?

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on December 9, 2017

Does your dog bite, snarl or snap at you, despite your most devoted love and affection? Are you worried you may have an “alpha” dog?

Does your dog bite, snarl or snap at you, despite your most devoted love and affection? Are you worried you may have an “alpha” dog?

Animal Behavior

The True Cost of a Nail Trim

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on November 22, 2017

This procedure often is more touch-and-go than you think. Let’s talk about why you should bring basic dog care back home where your friend is most comfortable.

This procedure often is more touch-and-go than you think. Let’s talk about why you should bring basic dog care back home where your friend is most comfortable.

Animal Behavior

Where Not to Take Your Dog

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on November 1, 2017

Now more than ever people are taking their dogs with them to public places, but is that always a good idea?

Now more than ever people are taking their dogs with them to public places, but is that always a good idea?

Compulsive Behaviors

Abnormal Behaviors Aren't Always Psychological

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on October 2, 2017

Recent research stresses the need to check for a medical component to what you might think is just a behavior problem.

Recent research stresses the need to check for a medical component to what you might think is just a behavior problem.

Animal Behavior

Back to School for Your Pet: Let’s all Just Relax!

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on September 16, 2017

As you make back-to-school plans for the kids, think about what you can do for your pet to help improve her world and keep her brain engaged. How about teaching her how to Relax

As you make back-to-school plans for the kids, think about what you can do for your pet to help improve her world and keep her brain engaged. How about teaching her how to Relax

Animal Behavior

To Muzzle or Not to Muzzle: That Is the Question

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on September 6, 2017

Don't like the idea of having your dog wear a muzzle? Many don't, but muzzles can have benefits you may not have thought of.

Don't like the idea of having your dog wear a muzzle? Many don't, but muzzles can have benefits you may not have thought of.

Animal Behavior

Tools for Managing the Aggressive Dog

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on October 18, 2016

The owner of an aggressive dog needs a comprehensive treatment plan to address the problem. Several tools will help keep people (and other dogs) safe in the meantime.

The owner of an aggressive dog needs a comprehensive treatment plan to address the problem. Several tools will help keep people (and other dogs) safe in the meantime.

Sport and Competition

Canine Sports

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on October 4, 2016

Is your dog looking for something new to do? Try out one of these fun canine sports. He'll get some mental and physical exercise and you'll get out of the house, too!

Is your dog looking for something new to do? Try out one of these fun canine sports. He'll get some mental and physical exercise and you'll get out of the house, too!

Animal Behavior

Food Toys and Dispensers for Dogs and Cats

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on September 9, 2016

Do your dogs and cats eat out of bowls? Let's change that! Meal time, play time, and training can be much more rewarding with the right food toys and dispensers.

Do your dogs and cats eat out of bowls? Let's change that! Meal time, play time, and training can be much more rewarding with the right food toys and dispensers.

Animal Behavior

Leashes...

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on May 31, 2016

The tools you use to walk a dog can make walking a pleasant or unpleasant experience for both of you. A lot of communication happens at both ends of the leash.

The tools you use to walk a dog can make walking a pleasant or unpleasant experience for both of you. A lot of communication happens at both ends of the leash.

Animal Behavior

Why Does My Dog Bite Me When He Approaches Me to Be Petted?

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on April 4, 2016

You think Fido loves you until he eagerly approaches you for love and then—bam!—he bites you. Find out one very common reason for why Fido may do this.

You think Fido loves you until he eagerly approaches you for love and then—bam!—he bites you. Find out one very common reason for why Fido may do this.

Animal Behavior

Your Dog Can’t Be In Pain As He Runs and Plays? Think Again!

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on February 1, 2016

Pain can contribute to your pet's behavioral issues and can be challenging to diagnose.

Pain can contribute to your pet's behavioral issues and can be challenging to diagnose.

Anger

Social Conflict Between Household Cats

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on December 7, 2015

With the popularity of companion cats at an all-time high, many households have multiple cats. This can lead to some interesting dynamics, including aggression.

With the popularity of companion cats at an all-time high, many households have multiple cats. This can lead to some interesting dynamics, including aggression.

Animal Behavior

Steroids Can Change Your Dog's Behavior

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on November 23, 2015

Roid rage is real, even for dogs. Learn the most common behavior changes for dogs on steroids.

Roid rage is real, even for dogs. Learn the most common behavior changes for dogs on steroids.

Animal Behavior

Risk Analysis of Behavior Problems: Owner Factors (4)

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on November 10, 2015

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. In this blog post we will address owner factors that can affect this decision.

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. In this blog post we will address owner factors that can affect this decision.

Animal Behavior

Risk Analysis of Behavior Problems: Environmental Factors 3

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on October 22, 2015

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. In this blog post we will address environmental factors that can affect this decision.

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. In this blog post we will address environmental factors that can affect this decision.

Animal Behavior

Risk Analysis of Behavior Problems: Animal Factors, 2

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on October 9, 2015

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. In this blog post we will address animal factors that can affect this decision.

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. In this blog post we will address animal factors that can affect this decision.

Animal Behavior

Risk Analysis of Behavior Problems: Overview Part 1

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on September 23, 2015

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. This is the first of four posts on factors playing a role in their decision.

Behavioral problems often elicit high emotions in owners. Owners often have been dealing with these problems for a long time and, for reasons that are real for them, now feel that they have an emergency. This is the first of four posts on factors playing a role in their decision.