Theresa L. DePorter DVM, ECAWBM, DACVB

11/13/2025

For trainers, celebrating use of shock collars, here's still yet more evidence, as Radio Systems is found to be guilty of false claims that their e-collars are safe and harmless in a $1.9 million class action suit. Shock collars are NOT safe and harmless, as I've been saying for years. Read the court results and my story here in link in comments - and this important to spread the word!

11/06/2025

What Dogs Do

11/05/2025

11/04/2025

11/03/2025

10/31/2025

👻 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets 🎃

🍫 No human treats!

Chocolate is toxic to pets. If your pet eats chocolate, contact an emergency veterinarian right away.

Learn more from Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center:
👉 Chocolate Toxicity – What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Chocolate?
https://bit.ly/4oJIcIb

🚪 Trick-or-treat visitors can be spooky!
Witches, skeletons, and noisy trick-or-treaters may frighten your pet. Consider setting them up in a quiet room away from the door with a long-lasting treat.

💀 Scared pets may bolt and run.
Double-check that your pet’s ID tag and microchip info are up to date.

👗 Costumes aren’t for everyone.
Many pets do not appreciate wearing costumes. If your pet isn't used to wearing clothes already, skip the Halloween costume. If you do dress them up, make sure the costume doesn't restrict movement, vision or cause overheating.

Keep Halloween safe and stress-free for your pets—they’ll thank you with extra tail wags, not tricks! 🐶💕

10/31/2025

Congratulations to our new veterinary behaviorists 🎉🥳🎉

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists just grew by 3!

It’s so exciting to have more amazing DACVBs to help animals and people (and also do committee work, IYKYK). 🎉

10/25/2025

📢 WALKING EQUIPMENT RESEARCH - STILL LOOKING FOR PARTICIPANTS!!! 🐕
*~🐾 Calling All UK Dog Owners! 🐾~*.

SRUC PhD research project: walking equipment for dogs
I'm looking for UK-based dog owners to take part in an online survey exploring dog walking equipment — from harnesses to collars, leads, and beyond.

Whether your best friend is big or small, purebred or mixed, energetic or easy-going — I’d love to hear from you! Your insights will help us better understand how walking gear affects comfort, safety, and the walking experience for both dogs and their humans.

💻 It only takes a few minutes to complete, and every response makes a real difference.

✨ No matter what type of walking equipment you use or what kind of walks you and your dog enjoy, your experiences are valuable and your response anonymous.

❤️ Plus, it’s a simple way to contribute to research that could make life better for dogs everywhere.

Complete the survey here: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sruc/behavioural-and-physiological-impacts-of-walking-equipment-desi 👈

If the link is working, we're still collecting responses so grab a cuppa, take some time out and let us know all about your dog walks!

About me:
My name is River McDonald and I’m a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and PhD student exploring how different types of walking equipment affect our dogs. It’s a fascinating and often overlooked area of research that could help make walks safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for dogs and their humans alike!

You can follow my research progress on instagram . Many thanks for participating and sharing this info.

10/24/2025

Please take this survey about cats. 🐱 Even if you don’t have cats. Please ask one other person to take it too 🐈‍⬛🐈

Think You Speak Cat? Let’s Find Out!

I’m Dr. Pesavento with the OVRS Behavior Department, and I’m conducting a research study on how well people understand feline body language.

Do you believe you can tell what your cat is trying to say? Put your skills to the test! Click the link, look at the cats shown, and share your interpretations:

👉 http://bit.ly/45ja3ai

Thank you for helping us learn more about the feline-human connection!

10/24/2025

🐶🎾💖

10/23/2025

10/15/2025

Only a Labrador could do this with ease and grace.

I think she SHOULD NOT have to do this 😬🙄

But I love how comfortable Mom looks