Behavior

At dvm360, we asked veterinarians and team members what theyre doing now to help keep fear at bay during veterinary visits. Here are 18 strategies that we compiled from their responsesthese ideas have been tested in the trenches.

What happens in the amygdala stays in the amygdala.

Don't be so quick to label a dog as dominantly aggressive. Chances are it is just scared or confused.

See how stimuli, counterconditioning, desensitization and medication come into play.

Have you embraced this movement yet? No matter what level your veterinary practice is ready for, we've compiled everything you need to decrease patient stress and anxiety.

This practice found the purr-fect cat climber for their feline patients. No kitten around. Fur real.

See the Fear-Free concept at use in a real exam room

These tiny tips can make a big difference in how pets experience their veterinary visits.

Stop by the veterinary clinic when you don't absolutely have to? Yes. Here's why.

Things we do every day can be stress-triggers for our beloved pooches. Here's how pet owners can help break the cycle of stress for their best friends.

Are you ready to join the Fear-Free revolution? Here are 10 simple and practical ideas you can use immediately to work toward Fear-Free veterinary visits. (Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., Ceva, and Elanco)

Sweltering heat, booming thunder, and fireworks that sound like gunshots?! Summer can be scary and uncomfortable for pets. Here's how to help them deal.

Fear-Free veterinary visits start before the dog trots through your front door. Pet owners can help by training these three behaviors to make the exam a less stressful experience.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. John Ciribassi says it depends on what the pet owner wants out of the relationship.

At Bigger Road Veterinary Center in Springboro, Ohio, pets can pop in anytime to get used to the environment. And get a treat.

It's tempting to rush over to pet a new furry friend, but this can be scary for pets. Check out this video for do's and don'ts when it comes to meeting a new puppy. Then share it with your clients.

Puppies can play rough. So to ensure a lifetime of safe and happy interactions, teach pet owners to play appropriately with their new puppy from the start.

Heres a cats-eye-view of a feline fine exam where the cat gets the power to choose how he experiences a visit to the veterinarian.

Bonding hormone improves cue-taking ability in dogs, researchers assert.

Growling can signal fear in dogs. Heres how to teach pet owners to treat the fear instead of punishing the growl.

While behavior has come a long way, theres still lots of room for improvement.

The single most important thing veterinarians can do when interacting with pets

Help clients understand what's happening when they leave their dog at home with this handout.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Ellen Lindell weighs the risks of socialization before vaccinations are complete.

Choose the right treats to make pilling a cat an easier proposition. Here's a quick snapshot of what might work.

Help your clients take these steps to eliminate home destruction and, more important, canine anxiety when they leave their dogs at home alone.

Before you treat a patient for this behavior problem, make sure you have the right diagnosis.

Join the revolution today and start taking even better care of pets

Learning to read the feline dictionary helps prevent injury, maintain human-animal bond.