Media

Tension, stress, and hyperarousal are common obstacles for successful treatment of fear, anxiety, and aggression problems in dogs. Teaching a dog how to relax, both physically and physiologically, can be a helpful foundation exercise with widespread applications. This presentation will introduce a variety of ways to condition a reliable relaxation response using techniques that can be applied to many different patient temperaments and learning styles. Video examples will be provided to illustrate key points that maximize the success of this technique. Practical applications for incorporating this exercise into treatment plans for a variety of behavioral diagnoses such as noise phobia, resource guarding, and leash reactive behaviors will also be covered.

We welcomed the contribution of our insightful and compassionate colleague, Chris Pachel, to the unscripted episode #2! So many dog behavior professionals reached out to us after the release of the first conversation (with Kathy Murphy, Andrew Hale, and Kim Brophey), to share how powerfully the talk had impacted them or how much they resonated with our discussion. We had hit a lovely little nerve in the industry, and people clearly were ready for more, and to get involved themselves. Chris has been a thought leader and passionate advocate for the evolution in the field of canine behavior and training for years, and was a perfect choice as our first guest as we peeled back the next layer of the onion in going beyond the operant lens of behavior. Here, we dig into all kinds of practical (as well as further philosophical) implications in our work as behavioral wellness practitioners and advocates - from both the dog and human perspectives. Chris's characteristically unique skillset in meeting the human end of the relationships with pragmatic empathy contributes powerfully to this evolution in the industry, which is well underway! To all students of animal behavior, this conversation will stretch your thinking, attitudes, and practices in important ways.

Instagram LIVE with Dr Ari Zabell, discussing strategies for helping pets adapt to change in routine (relative ongoing pandemic stress and other factors), and tips for veterinary practitioners for recognizing stress signs in companion animals and providing appropriate support for patient and their families and for each other.

Arousal is necessary for normal day to day activity as well as for survival. We also know that arousal levels are supposed to change in response to environmental and social pressures, and that arousal can affect information processing and the modulation of fight/flight responses. Unfortunately, not all arousal regulation systems are created or developed equally! This presentation will focus on those dogs that are easily over-stimulated by sensory information, tend to over-react to their surroundings, and have a difficult time recovering or returning to a normal resting level of arousal. Information specific to the underlying neurological basis for this pattern, strategies for impacting the development of impulse control and arousal regulation throughout development, as well as behavior modification and medication intervention strategies will be addressed and discussed.

The consequences of insufficient socialization may include behavior patterns such as increased emotionality and a predisposition toward fear and anxiety based emotional states. We also know that the process of socialization is about more than "exposure", and that those social exposures need to be provided in just the right quantity and quality, and at the right time for maximum benefit. What happens when we miss the mark? Is it possible to create problems while trying to provide socialization experiences? This presentation will focus specifically on two such potential problems, traumatic experiences and conditioned arousal, and will outline how these complications may occur and how to avoid them.

The process of learning is affected by many different factors, including the emotional state of the individual. By reading the body language of dogs, we can better understand their emotional state and their ability to respond to training exercises. This presentation will cover many of the body language signals that dogs are likely to show when stressed, fearful or anxious. Perhaps even more importantly, information will be included about how this emotional state directly impacts the process of learning and the effect on a plan or the animal’s response to specific exercises. Strategies such as making adjustments to reinforcement value, refining aspects of the stimulus gradient during desensitization and counterconditioning exercises, altering performance expectations, and setting realistic criteria for success will be covered.