Decoding Your Pet

Animal Behavior

How to Be a Better Owner for a Pet Rabbit

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on July 6, 2023

Rabbits are prey species with certain natural and innate behaviors they need to be able to perform in their home environment to be healthy and happy.

Rabbits are prey species with certain natural and innate behaviors they need to be able to perform in their home environment to be healthy and happy.

Animal Behavior

The Secret Behind Your Pet's Symptoms

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on May 30, 2023

A pet's behavior problems don’t belong in a box, unless that box has a veterinary team inside it.

A pet's behavior problems don’t belong in a box, unless that box has a veterinary team inside it.

Genetics

The Crossroads of Behavior and Genes

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on March 4, 2023

Did you know that researchers have identified genes responsible for behavior? Behavioral phenotypes are the product of genotype and environment.

Did you know that researchers have identified genes responsible for behavior? Behavioral phenotypes are the product of genotype and environment.

Education

Education Is a Never-Ending Quest

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on August 11, 2022

Don't rest on your laurels and live the status quo.

Don't rest on your laurels and live the status quo.

Animal Behavior

The Great Crate Debate: Why It's Okay to Crate Your Pets

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on June 3, 2022

Pet owners often think about crating for housetraining, but did you know that there are many other uses for it as well?

Pet owners often think about crating for housetraining, but did you know that there are many other uses for it as well?

Animal Behavior

Pets' Pain Often Goes Undiagnosed

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on November 5, 2021

It is important for veterinarians to understand how to appropriately diagnose and treat pain, especially in patients with new or worsening behavior issues.

It is important for veterinarians to understand how to appropriately diagnose and treat pain, especially in patients with new or worsening behavior issues.

Scent

To Pee or Not To Pee: The Feline House Soiling Problem

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on October 1, 2021

House-soiling problems are the most common behavioral complaint in cats. If not managed, house-soiling problems are a major reason for rehoming, abandonment, or euthanasia.

House-soiling problems are the most common behavioral complaint in cats. If not managed, house-soiling problems are a major reason for rehoming, abandonment, or euthanasia.

Animal Behavior

Why Do We Blame Ourselves for Our Pets' Behavior?

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on September 10, 2021

The owners are not always the cause of a dog’s problem behavior. Pets develop problem behaviors for many reasons beyond our control.

The owners are not always the cause of a dog’s problem behavior. Pets develop problem behaviors for many reasons beyond our control.

Stress

Moving With Your Fur Family

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on July 30, 2021

You've prepared your pet for the move, now what?

You've prepared your pet for the move, now what?

Stress

Moving With Your Pet Family

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on June 18, 2021

Most of us will move at some point in our lives, but our pets don't understand why their lives must be turned upside down. A few adjustments can make it easier for them.

Most of us will move at some point in our lives, but our pets don't understand why their lives must be turned upside down. A few adjustments can make it easier for them.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Support Your Dog During the New Normal of COVID-19

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on September 11, 2020

COVID-19 and staying at home do not mean your dog's (and your own) life must come to a halt. Here are some tips for navigating long days together.

COVID-19 and staying at home do not mean your dog's (and your own) life must come to a halt. Here are some tips for navigating long days together.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Puppy or Rescue Dog Socialization During COVID-19

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on April 11, 2020

Yes, it is possible to socialize new puppies and rescues even during a time of social distancing.

Yes, it is possible to socialize new puppies and rescues even during a time of social distancing.

Anger

Avoiding Fights When Introducing a New Cat

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on February 7, 2020

It can be difficult to introduce a new cat into an established household. A few considerations can go a long way.

It can be difficult to introduce a new cat into an established household. A few considerations can go a long way.

Diet

The Scoop on Dog Food and Behavior

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on January 1, 2020

Dog food diet recommendations can be overwhelming. It helps to look at research-based evidence.

Dog food diet recommendations can be overwhelming. It helps to look at research-based evidence.

Fear

"Positive" Dog Training Is Not Always What It Seems

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on September 1, 2018

With so much contradictory information from dog professionals, how can you find a good fit? Beware misleading words and trust your instincts.

With so much contradictory information from dog professionals, how can you find a good fit? Beware misleading words and trust your instincts.

Anxiety

Are Two Really Better Than One?

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on July 4, 2018

Is getting a second dog really the right thing to do?

Is getting a second dog really the right thing to do?

Anger

Dogs and Humans Have Similar Social and Emotional Brains

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on June 18, 2018

Humans and dogs share similar social behavior and emotions, but are likely to misunderstand each other because they speak different languages. It's up to us to bridge that gap.

Humans and dogs share similar social behavior and emotions, but are likely to misunderstand each other because they speak different languages. It's up to us to bridge that gap.

Environment

Is Your Dog Perfect? No?

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on June 4, 2018

The behavioral expectations we have for our companion dogs sometimes do not match with the reality of their lives or ours. A few accommodations can go a long way.

The behavioral expectations we have for our companion dogs sometimes do not match with the reality of their lives or ours. A few accommodations can go a long way.

Fear

Growling as a Sign Post

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on May 1, 2018

Does your dog growl? How growling actually keeps us safe.

Does your dog growl? How growling actually keeps us safe.

Punishment

Punishment Does Not Help

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on April 11, 2018

Being nice to our pets builds a stronger relationship based on mutual respect and not on fear.

Being nice to our pets builds a stronger relationship based on mutual respect and not on fear.