Behavior Modification Foundations

Happy birthday (and bachelorette weekend 😜) to this perfect auntie! You are an inspiration to us all, to continually be and do better. We love you Lauren

Link in bio 💻 Vets, DM me if you would want a notebook 🙌🏻

Stop adding to your pet’s stress at their visits. Let them explore the room, let them shake it off, let them jump for treats (as long as everybody is safe, of course). If your vet is demanding “good/obedient” behavior from your pets in the clinic, they’re probably not prioritizing your pet’s emotional health. I want pets to feel as comfortable as possible in the clinic, and I don’t expect them to be on their best behavior in a stressful situation. I want my patients to walk around the room and sniff, play “find it” for treats tossed on the ground, tell me where they’re most comfortable for their exam, and tell me when they need breaks. With their body language, of course. Dominating your pet with words or actions to try and get obedient behavior at the vet makes our jobs harder, not easier. They’re only going to be more scared and potentially reactive at that visit, and definitely at subsequent visits. Do you feel like your pets need to “behave” at their vet?

I used to say all puppies squirm and squeal during their oral exams. Not anymore!! I’m loving our expanded “snack bar” for visits that includes pretzel rods, baby food, ezy cheese, and whipped cream to help all of our patients have happier visits 🐶❤️🐱

Fear of noises is an evolutionary trait that many animals have that helps for survive in the wild. This can start out as a normal response that becomes more and more exaggerated as time passes in some pets due to genetic predispositions, if a pet has a particularly traumatic experience, and these issues often get worse if not treated. Prevention is always easier than treatment and can look like: ✿ gentle exposure to a wide variety of sounds while maintaining a positive experience with treats or toys ✿ avoid exposure to known potential traumatic experiences (leave your pup at home on July 4!) until you know your dog is comfortable with unpredictable sounds ✿ learn to recognize signs of fear and anxiety in pets Treatment often includes: ✿ behavior modification training such as classical conditioning or desensitization and counter conditioning. These techniques can be complicated so they’re best done with a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist ✿ medications or supplements that may help reduce the fear response and should be used in addition to training. Here are some supplements and equipment we like that may help mild noise aversions: ✿ Thundershirt ✿ Composure pro ✿ Zylkene ✿ Rex specs or other head gear Do you notice signs of noise aversions (panting, pacing, and hiding) or phobias (panic, destruction, attempts to escape) in your pet? See our previous post on fireworks for more tips and tricks to help your pet with noise aversions! #cats #vetmed #positivereinforcement #forcefree #dogs

Definitely almost wrote 2024 here :)#vetmed #positivereinforcement #dogs #cats #petparent #warmies

In order to make vet med better, we first need to recognize that what we’ve normalized in the clinic isn’t normal. We need to all know what fear really looks like, and what comfort looks like. How else will we know that we have changes we need to make or where we’re headed? What do you see in these animals? How do you know they’re scared or happy?

“Pilling” a cat cooperatively - it can be done! Next time you find yourself crying on the floor because you tried to hold your cat to put a pill in their mouth but they bit and scratched you and spit the pill out (just me?), try this instead. What I’ve learned from trial and evaluation with my own cats is: if they know I’m about to do something with force (I pick them up and hold them in a way I typically don’t, or lean over and grab their mouth, etc), they’re running or fighting. If they smell it, taste it, or feel the size/texture of the pill or capsule, they’re not going to take it. Our keys to success have been: patience (on my end), finding a food treat they really enjoy, positioning myself to ensure they lick the treat/pill quickly without scrutinizing what’s in that bite, and patience. #forcefree #cooperativecare #cats #vetmed

Happy Birthday to this momma 🎉 to know her is to love her

Thankful for pet parents who don’t hesitate to answer the call when their babies need a little extra comfort ❤️ #forcefree #cats #dogs #positivereinforcement #vetmed #petparent #thanksgiving

Introduction

Pets Are (Sort of!) People Too

What Do Dogs and Cats Understand?

Body Language

What Does it Have to do with Behavior Mod?

Learn Their Language

Take Their T.E.M.P.

Find The Learning Zone

Handout: Your Pet’s Threshold Thermometer

Zoom Out

If Needs Aren’t Met, Unwanted Behavior is More Likely

Handout: Checklist for Mental, Physical, and Emotional Needs

Motivation

Choosing the Best Reward Makes Success More Likely

Rewards Library

Treat Interview

Handout: Your Pet’s Rewards Ladder

Punishment "Works," Why Don't You Use It?

Learning Principles

Classical vs. Operant Conditioning

Trigger Stacking

Describing Unwanted Behaviors

Handout: Defining Unwanted Behaviors

Who We Are

Contact

Requests