Synergy Veterinary Behavior

12/18/2025

Holidays can be ruff (ha), especially for our pets with behavioral challenges.

Let's plan our setup ahead of time by creating a "Zen Den"!

We utilize Zen Dens as a form of management for pets who need breaks or total separation from stressors, such as children, other pets, or family/friends your pet is unfamiliar with.

To set up your pet's Zen Den, you'll need:

⛄ A separate space, ideally somewhere like a bedroom, office space, etc. Spend time with your pet in there ahead of time so they become more comfortable.
❄ Enrichment! Toys and enrichment items will help keep them occupied while the humans socialize.
⛄ All of their basic necessities: food, water, and comfortable resting areas. Plan out how you'll approach potty breaks ahead of time, unless this is for a cat or a potty pad-trained pup.
❄ To restrict access to triggers. This could mean covering windows, closing the door, or anything else to minimize the chances of undesirable reactions.
⛄ To provide noise-buffering. Music, white noise, the TV, or a fan can all help muffle noises.

Remember, we use management to prevent unwanted behaviors. (Let's be real, unwanted behaviors from our pets and family members😅😉)

If you don't want to worry about your pet's behavior when visiting family, or when having people over, and you know it will be stressful for you and your pet otherwise, it is OKAY and RECOMMENDED to rely on management to keep everyone safe, while still allowing you to enjoy your time with loved ones.

12/17/2025

12/17/2025

How do you become a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist? 👩‍⚕️ 🐶 🐱 🦜 🐴

Board-certified veterinary behaviorists, such as Dr. Valli, are medical specialists, comparable to psychiatrists for animals. Their recommendations are based on diagnosis, science, and welfare to improve the lives of people and their animals.
So, how do they become animal behavior experts?

1. Graduate from an accredited veterinary school and obtain your license
🔹 Takes approximately 8 years for undergrad and veterinary school

2. Complete a rotating internship or equivalent
🔹 Usually takes about a year

3. Complete a Behavior Residency Program with a DACVB mentor who oversees your first 400 cases
🔹 Takes about 3-5 years
🔹 In-depth work with fear, aggression, anxiety disorders, compulsive behaviors, and complex medical-behavior interactions
🔹 Required education in learning theory, psychopharmacology, neurobiology, ethology, and welfare science

4. Publish a scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal based on your own research

5. Apply for, then pass a 2-day comprehensive examination for your accreditation

6. Required continuing education to maintain both their board certification and veterinary license

https://www.dacvb.org/page/Certification

12/16/2025

Can you tell the difference between a dog that is calm and relaxed versus one that is shut down?

One of the easiest ways to tell a relaxed dog from a shut-down dog is by watching their movement.

A relaxed dog displays loose, easy, and free movements. They are comfortable moving on their own, while also being responsive to environmental cues, including other dogs and humans.

A shut-down dog shows tension, apprehension, and guarded movements, if they even move at all. It is not uncommon for shut-down dogs to freeze. They may also become avoidant and unresponsive to environmental cues.

Pay attention to your dog's body language in every aspect of their life. The more we understand, the more we can advocate for them, guide them, and improve our relationship together.

https://eileenanddogs.com/dog-body-language/

Credit to Lili Chin for the infographic

12/15/2025

Supporting an animal's behavioral health is just as important as supporting their physical health.

Let's talk Behavioral Medication Myths! 💊

Behavior medications for pets are medical tools, backed by decades of research and used to treat diagnosable conditions like anxiety disorders, compulsive behaviors, and fear-based aggression. In veterinary behavioral medicine, treatment plans are based on science, diagnosis, and welfare. Medication, when used appropriately, can be life-changing and should be considered as routine as treating pain, allergies, or arthritis.

“Medications mean I’ve failed.”
No! They reduce emotional distress and show you’re advocating for your pet’s well-being.

“It’s just a training problem.”
Not always. Training can help, but it doesn’t invalidate a diagnosed condition. Medications are not always necessary; however, they can greatly improve a pet's prognosis and ease of learning in cases where they're used.

“Meds will turn my pet into a zombie.”
The right meds shouldn’t sedate your pet (unless that’s the goal for things like vet visits). If something feels off, follow up with your veterinary behavior team. The right medications should help lower stress, improve recovery from triggering events, and support the learning process.

“Meds just mask the problem.”
They’re not magic. The use of appropriate medication should be combined with a comprehensive behavior/training plan from a qualified, positive-reinforcement-based professional.

“They'll need to be on meds lifelong.”
Sometimes. And that’s okay. The duration depends on the individual, same as with humans. Medications can be used short-term, long-term, and situationally.

“They’re a last resort.”
No! We don’t need to wait until things get worse. Medication can be a supportive tool from the start.

12/14/2025

How do you advocate for your pet at the vet?

As a veterinary behavior clinic, we know that the pets we see can have special needs in regards to how they receive the care they require.

What helps your pet be successful at the vet? 👩‍⚕️

Pre-visit medications?
Sedation?
A patient team that takes their time?
Seeing the same staff at each appointment?
Staying in the room with you rather than going to the back for treatment?
Muzzle?
“Less is more” approach?

There are many options available, so it's important to communicate with your pet's veterinary team to make sure they're able to meet their needs. If you don't have a vet or are looking for a new vet, you can start by searching for Fear Free Certified Professionals and Practices.

12/10/2025

Do you feel like you have to micromanage every move your dog makes?

Let it go! Let it go… 🎶

Dogs need opportunities to make choices. Giving them more agency supports their learning, improves their quality of life, and, honestly, helps your stress levels, too.

If you feel like you can’t step back, it’s worth asking why. Often, we’re not micromanaging for fun. Instead, we’re responding to real behavior concerns like conflict between pets, reactivity, or nonstop barking.

The goal isn’t to stop managing altogether. It’s to figure out what systems, medications, behavior modification and training, and/or environmental changes can reduce the amount of effort you’re putting in while still increasing your dog’s freedom and safety.

12/10/2025

The holidays can bring so much joy into our homes, and our pets feel that energy along with us. But with all the new sights and smells, they may encounter things that aren’t safe for them. Review these winter holiday tips to help keep your pets protected so everyone can enjoy the season together.

🐾🎁🐶🔌🎄🐱🕯️

Las fiestas pueden traer mucha alegría a nuestros hogares, y las mascotas también sienten esa energía. Pero con tantos olores y decoraciones nuevas, pueden encontrarse con cosas que no son seguras para ellas. Estos consejos para las fiestas de invierno pueden ayudarte a mantener a tus mascotas seguras y a que todos disfruten de la temporada.

12/09/2025

Did you know that snow days can be perfect for reactive pups? ⛄️

While most people hunker down indoors, a snowy day can be the perfect chance for you and your dog to get outside, explore, and enjoy a little peaceful fun together.

One of my favorite memories with my own dog was during our first icy snowstorm in Portland. Coming from the Midwest, I couldn’t believe how completely the city “shut down”. I thought it was silly until I experienced it myself. 😆

The neighborhood streets were untouched and almost eerily quiet. I tied his long line to my waist (arguably not my best idea), and we ran up and down the street until we were worn out. It was so joy-filled and hilarious, AND we didn’t have to worry about crossing paths with anyone (though we did spot one lone dog walker a block away).

This kind of outing won’t be right for every dog, but whenever you can, take advantage of those naturally quiet moments. Reactive dogs deserve opportunities to do things they truly enjoy, too.

Here’s to hoping Portland gets at least one good snow day this winter. 😋

12/09/2025

12/08/2025

Do we work with people who currently use aversive tools on their dog? 🐶

Absolutely!

As a veterinary behavior clinic, we work with people and their pets who have vastly different experiences and backgrounds, including dog trainers, veterinarians, and those who have never worked in a pet-related field before.

Regardless of one’s journey before us, we care about supporting and educating people and their pets now and into the future, addressing their behavioral concerns effectively and humanely.

We are happy to work with everyone. Along the way, we will provide alternative tools, methods, and education to improve the lives of people and their pets together.

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's Position Statement on Humane Training:https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AVSAB-Humane-Dog-Training-Position-Statement-2021.pdf

12/07/2025

Do you have a dog? 🐕
Yes? Boy, do we have the classes for you!

Our Control Unleashed Group Classes are appropriate for dogs of all ages and skill levels, and are especially great for our reactive pups. 🐶

Both CU1 and CU2 are 6 weeks long each and held in person at our facility at 2127 NW York St, Portland, OR 97210

Sign up here: https://www.synergybehavior.com/dog-group-classes/

In these classes, you'll work on leash skills, learn engagement strategies in different situations, and improve their resiliency in increasingly more challenging environments.

CU there! 😜