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Monday 9am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm Thursday 9am - 5:30pm Sunday 9am - 5:30pm

Synergy Veterinary Behavior

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United States
Portland, OR
Synergy Veterinary Behavior

Creating harmony between people and their pets
(19)

We are a veterinary behavior referral practice dedicated to bringing happiness to the Portland-area's people and their pets by providing supportive and comprehensive programs for diagnosis and treatment of problem behaviors.

08/23/2024

Our group classes are back and better than ever!

Are you ready for your pup's next adventure? Or are you ready to tune in on your dog's behavior and improve your relationship together, while also addressing their troublesome teens or reactivity? We've got you covered!

⭐️Control Unleashed: Reactive to Resilient: a 6-week in-person class taking place of our Reactive Rover: Real-Life, based on the acclaimed book series and training program created by Leslie McDevitt
⭐️Reactive Rover: Homeschool: a 4-week virtual course to help you begin your reactivity journey. This class is designed to be taken before our Control Unleashed class.
⭐️Teen Spirit: Life Skills for Adolescent Dogs: a 6-week group class (first class virtual, the rest in-person) designed for pups 6 months to around 2 years of age.
⭐️ Nose Knows: a 5-week class (first class virtual, the rest in-person) that introduces you and your dog to the fun and exciting world of scent games, scent detection, and enrichment!

08/22/2024

Sign up at www.synergybehavior.com/classes
Correction from our post yesterday, this class is 6 weeks!
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Adolescence is a wild ride for many species- and dogs are no exception!
Many dogs reach their adult size long before they have fully developed emotionally and mentally. In fact, similar to adolescent humans, dogs go through a "teen phase" during which you might see decreased responsiveness to previously known cues and increased impulsivity and over-reactions.
Join our Teen Spirit group class! Learn to:
⭐ Navigate this challenging (but also FUN) time with your dog with confidence and patience
⭐ Build a solid foundation for life skills such as leash manners and handling comfort ⭐ Prevent common behavior struggles that often arise during adolescence, such as reactivity
⭐ Enjoy a rock-solid relationship built on trust and communication
Teen Spirit is a 6-week group class (1st week is virtual; all other classes held in-person at Synergy Veterinary Behavior) for dogs aged 6 months and older who are non-aggressive toward other dogs and humans.
Begins September 24 at 6:30PM.
Sign up at www.synergybehavior.com/classes

08/21/2024

Hi All!

Dr. Valli will be out of the office starting today (Aug 21st) until Sept 1st, as she will be helping teach a farm animal course for veterinary behavior residents! During this time, the rest of us (Client Care, Trainers, and our Vet Tech/Vet Assistant) will still be here and available for scheduling needs, medication refills, behavior therapy, etc! No currently scheduled appointments will be affected by her absence 😁

Please reach out to us by phone or email if you have any questions: [email protected] or 503-336-1202.

*Patients must be seen every 6 months in order to approve and process refills of medication, please reach out if you need to schedule🐶🐱

08/21/2024

Sign up at www.synergybehavior.com/classes
----------------------------
Adolescence is a wild ride for many species- and dogs are no exception!

Many dogs reach their adult size long before they have fully developed emotionally and mentally. In fact, similar to adolescent humans, dogs go through a "teen phase" during which you might see decreased responsiveness to previously known cues and increased impulsivity and over-reactions.

Join our Teen Spirit group class! Learn to:
⭐ Navigate this challenging (but also FUN) time with your dog with confidence and patience
⭐ Build a solid foundation for life skills such as leash manners and handling comfort ⭐ Prevent common behavior struggles that often arise during adolescence, such as reactivity
⭐ Enjoy a rock solid relationship built on trust and communication

Teen Spirit is a 5-week group class (1st week is virtual; all other classes held in-person at Synergy Veterinary Behavior) for dogs aged 6 months and older who are non-aggressive toward other dogs and humans.
Begins September 24 at 6:30PM.
Sign up at www.synergybehavior.com/classes

08/20/2024

HUMAN TALK: Giving Your Dog Context

08/20/2024

📢 LIVE TODAY ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! 📢

Certified trainer Andrew Rogers will talk about... talking!
Providing context and predictability to your dog, during both routine and novel interactions, can be a game-changer in reducing anxiety and providing agency. In turn, these small daily "conversations" can be a huge part of establishing and maintaining a trusting and rock-solid relationship with your pup.
Tune in TODAY at 12:30PM PST (in just 30 minutes) to hear about how Andrew shapes these conversations with dogs, and see a live demo!

08/17/2024

🐱🐶 August 17th is Clear the Shelters Day! 🐶🐱

To those of you who have adopted, fostered, rescued, or plan to, thank you!

And to all of you shelter and rescue staff and volunteers, you are AMAZING for helping provide love and care for these animals while they wait to find their second chances💙

If you've recently adopted a pet and need behavioral support, please reach out! Our veterinary behavior team and trainers would love to help you and your new furry companion enjoy a harmonious life together🥰

08/16/2024

The majority of dog bites (77%) happen with known dogs. This is an intimidating statistic when realizing that most dog bites are often preventable!
As a veterinary behavior clinic, we will emphasize time and time again that education is KEY for everyone with a pet at home. We love our animals and children, so let's be proactive to keep them safe and happy.🐶👶🧒

Here are three essential tips to start:
1. Management is your friend- if there is not an adult in the room ACTIVELY paying attention, your kids and pets should be separated by a physical barrier, like a gate or a playpen
2. Learning dog body language is only one piece, start teaching your children how to read them as well!
3. Teach your children and dogs essential skills like:
-children should be taught how to pet and interact gently, at times when your dog is showing you they want to interact (this also means teaching them not to climb on or grab at dogs)
-teach your children how to tell when a dog is not interested, and teach them what times dogs should be left alone entirely (like when resting or eating)
-teach your dog how to relax on a mat or in their kennel in different situations - dogs laying and relaxing are less likely to be underfoot and this can help show dogs they have a safe space to move away

Child and dog safety: https://www.thefamilydog.com/stop-the-77

Be a tree: https://www.trailblazingtails.com/pages/be-a-tree-training

Board game for kids and adults on dog body language: https://doggonecrazy.ca/doggone-crazy-boardgame/

08/15/2024

On , we're sharing a few important reminders on the importance of microchips - such as:

➡ 1 in 3 family pets will get lost
➡ Microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners and microchipped cats are more than 20 times as likely to be returned to their owners

And remember - while microchips greatly increase the chances that pets will be reunited with their families if they are lost or stolen…a microchip only works if its registration information is accurate.

Visit avma.org/CheckTheChip to learn more.

08/09/2024

Let's talk Cat Needs!🐱

Many people love the idea of getting a cat because they are typically considered "low maintenance", but that really isn't the case!

Most behavioral issues we experience with our feline companions have an environmental component, especially in multi-cat and busier households (like households with children or other pets).

Providing cats with a safe, enriched environment, positive social interactions, appropriate playtime, and training are all different ways you can improve your lives together!💙🐱

Credit for illustration: Lili Chin

08/08/2024

Did you know that up to 87.7% of multi-cat households have reported they experience tension, conflict, aggression, and/or other stress-related behaviors between cats who share homes?🐱

The American Association of Feline Practitioners has published their 2024 guidelines on recognizing, managing, and preventing these issues between multi-cat households.

This is a wonderfully educational read for anyone with multiple cats at home!

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1098612X241263465

08/02/2024

What are "Happy Visits" and why might they be useful for your canine or feline companion?

Happy visits are oftentimes recommended if your pet has any sort of fear or anxiety surrounding going to the vet or groomer. During these visits, it's important to take baby steps, repeatedly, without actually having a procedure or groom done! This could look like:
▪walking up to the door, or walking into the lobby for a couple of minutes before leaving
▪walking through the back of the clinic, near or onto a scale, exam room, etc
▪finding treats or being given/tossed treats by different staff members who never try to approach you or your pet

Happy Visits are only one piece of the puzzle when we are working towards long-term behavior change and a pet's comfort at the vet and groomer. Cooperative Care and practice preparing them for procedures and grooms, once we get to that point, will also prove beneficial. This can be a great preventative practice for puppies and kittens without behavioral concerns, too!

If you think this may benefit your pet, please talk to your vet/groomer about your pet's needs and see if this is something they can help coordinate and accommodate, maybe while the doctors are on lunch and no patients are in the building!

07/26/2024

What is a "Sniffari"?🐶

Sniffaris are dog-led walks! They're a fantastic enrichment activity that can be done in just about any low-traffic area. Not only will this help burn energy, but allowing our dogs to make decisions and think independently can help them build confidence in different situations. It also gives us a chance to stop and take a breath along with them AND allows our pups to do a natural, essential behavior for their mental and physical well-being.💙

07/21/2024

Things are gearing up here! The parade is going strong and things are going to be hopping! 🌈

07/20/2024

Join us in supporting our community at Portland Pride!

07/20/2024

We are looking forward to seeing so many people at the waterfront for Portland Pride this weekend! We have goodies and behavior information galore. 🌈Come visit!

07/16/2024

Come see us at Portland Pride this weekend!🏳️‍🌈

We are beyond excited to help celebrate visibility, love, and freedom of expression and identity with everyone💙

“I want people to fall in love with themselves and to be really proud and full of joy for the space they take up. If someone else appreciates the space you take up, then that’s icing on the cake.”

– Jonathan Van Ness

07/12/2024

❓Do you know how to tell when a dog wants to be pet❓

It's common for people to assume that when a dog comes near us, it's an invitation to be pet. That is not always the case! We must realize that dogs are allowed to have preferences regarding when and how they receive physical interactions or affection from us.

Asking for attention can look different in each dog, but some common behaviors you may notice can be:
▪pushing their head or other body part towards or into your hands
▪leaning into you with their body
▪using their paw to pull your hand closer

If they don't want to be pet, you may see:
▪them pulling away, leaning away, or leaving the space you are in
▪their body (and/or) face tensing/freezing- look at the dog in the first photo!
▪yawning
▪lip-licking
▪lifting up their paw, without using it to move your hand closer

We always talk about advocating for our pets with other humans and in other environments, but it is JUST as important to respect their boundaries and comfort with us, too!💙

P.S. Children especially need to learn this, with your help!

07/03/2024

July 4th is fun for most, but stressful for many...🐶

If you're unable to get away with your pet(s) who are fearful or stressed about fireworks, follow these tips to help make July 4th as stress-free as possible:
❤️If you have medications for your pets to use during stressful events, don't be afraid to medicate them! Plan ahead to make sure you have enough on hand.
🤍If they need to go outside, keep them on a leash (even in your fenced yard), and make sure they are microchipped and wearing their ID tags. Plan potty trips to be as early in the day as possible, or later after people start going to bed. Consider getting a dirt patch or potty patch that can be used indoors on July 4th, New Year, etc
💙Noise buffering is your friend! Blankets can be pinned to walls to allow for some additional sound-proofing, keep music and/or fans on (white noise, classical music), and try to create a cozy, den-like area in the quietest part of your home
❤️Keep them busy! If they will eat, pre-prepare enrichment toys and food-based activities

🌟Do not wait until the last minute to prepare for next year! If your dog struggles with fireworks, please reach out and allow us to provide you and your pup with the support you need🤍

07/03/2024

Our beloved Nose Knows classes are back! And just in time for the summer heat to kick in🌞

Join us for these 5-week, indoor classes to explore ways you and your canine companion can use scent games for energy-burning and enrichment! These classes are perfect for all ages of dogs (puppies included)😁

▪Nose Knows: an introductory course for scent and scent-based games
Starts TUES, JULY 10th at 6:30pm (first class is virtual, the rest in-person)
▪Nose Knows MORE: an advanced version of Nose Knows to continue building on more excitement and enrichment with scent games
Starts TUES, AUGUST 13th at 6:30pm (all in-person at Synergy)

Sign up here: https://www.synergybehavior.com/classes/🐶

06/28/2024

⭐Behavior Fact Friday⭐
What are displacement behaviors and why should we pay attention to them?

Displacement behaviors are normal behaviors displayed out of context, like a person scratching their head out of confusion, rather than actually being itchy, or cleaning their nails as a way to avoid making eye contact during a conversation.

For our canine companions, these behaviors are important in helping us decipher how they feel in certain contexts. Displacement behaviors may be offered as a response to stress, overstimulation, pressure, and other conscious or unconscious attempts at communication.

By teaching yourself to look for these behaviors, you'll become more fluent in interpreting dog body language. Please remember that this is only one piece of the puzzle, though! Context, observing all body language shown, those involved, and the environment are other pieces that come into play.

06/20/2024

☀️💙Happy first day of summer!💙☀️

Those of us with reactive pups know it can be a struggle to find places to go where we can enjoy time on or off-leash and outdoors with them, without it turning into a stressful event.
Sniffspot has been a game-changer living in a busy city, in an apartment with a reactive dog! If you haven't already, check it out!

As a note, this is not an ad, just wanted to share a resource that helps those of us with dogs that don't appreciate being around strange dogs or humans💙

What are YOUR favorite resources, tips, or places to go you've found for your reactive pup?

06/19/2024

Something everyone should know👇

We should always avoid putting dogs in uncomfortable situations. Regardless of whether they're muzzled or not.

Just because a muzzle negates the risk to others, doesn’t mean that it changes the way our dogs FEEL!

It’s so important to treat your dog as you would if there was still a high risk of injury to another being because in doing so you will be more likely to keep your dog out of situations you know they’re unlikely to be able to cope with.

👉 Your dog will still be uncomfortable with dogs even if they're muzzled.

👉 With a muzzle on, your dog will still be uncomfortable at the vet.

👉 If your dog was so fearful they tried to bite your neighbour before, they still might try with a muzzle on.

A muzzle is a MANAGEMENT TOOL that keeps dogs and others safe, but a muzzle alone doesn’t create emotional change. 💕

Putting on a muzzle doesn't mean we can throw everything at our dogs that we couldn't before, just because the risk to others is lower. We help our dogs grow in confidence and feel safe, not them. We do it with good management, great, ethical training, and considering whether our dogs will enjoy our situations.

Let me know if you agree! 💗

06/18/2024

Felines and pain management- what can we do to help?🐱

First and most importantly, ALWAYS start by consulting with your vet if you suspect your cat is painful or if you notice sudden changes in behavior.

Make your home as accessible as possible! This can include things like:
▪keeping food/water/litterboxes all on one floor
▪use ramps or steps to make it easier for them to access their favorite perches, and provide some cozy areas on the ground
▪consider low-entry litterboxes or boxes with a ramp
▪add non-slip mats or rugs throughout the home if there are areas without carpet to make it easier for them to get around

Learn how to safely administer medication and teach your cat to take medications.

Make sure they're still able to groom themselves properly, and help them out if they struggle! Matting is painful, it's far less stressful to trim those out and work on preventing more than trying to brush them out.

https://catfriendly.com/keep-your-cat-healthy/nsaids/

06/14/2024

We have exciting news....🌈

Synergy will be at Portland Pride! We are thrilled to put our rainbows and unicorns front and center all day, every day.
Come visit our table at Pride and say hello!

06/09/2024

Costco trips, firework runs, and other preparations for the 4th of July are probably underway, but have you remembered to request medications for your pets that get stressed during firework season?🐶🎆

If not, please do so ahead of time to avoid the last-minute panic!

We (and your pets) thank you💙

06/08/2024

For Best Friends Day, here's to our beloved animal companions!

For loving us unconditionally (but sometimes conditionally), for never judging us (for long...), for always being there for a laugh, playtime, cuddles, for sometimes being the nudge (or pounce) we need to get out of bed, and for all the memories we get to share!💙

06/07/2024

Because everyone needs to see some kittens to kick off the weekend right😉🐱

Our amazing Jenn is finishing up fostering these two cuties as they're finally old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted, and we're all sad to see them go! It's an amazing experience to watch kittens grow from TEENY bottle babies to confident kiddos ready to take on the world! They also had the best foster mom for the job- Jenn made sure these kittens got a head start on socialization, handling, nail trimming, target practice, and more!

Address

2127 NW York Street
Portland, OR
97210

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Sunday	9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+15033361202

Website

http://www.synergybehavior.com/contact/

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Videos

HUMAN TALK: Giving Your Dog Context

Denali is a great example of how kind and positive training works for ALL dogs- yes, even so-called "aggressive" dogs, "reactive" dogs, and breeds that are commonly subjected to aversive tools and behavior suppression methods. We are so proud of Denali and all the incredible work his humans have done for him. This gorgeous pup is a lucky and very good boy!

Veterinary Behaviorist Valli Parthasarathy Q/A

Have a burning animal behavior question? Ask away!!

The pups and people in our Nose Knows class have been absolutely crushing it! Our classes are all intentionally designed to be reactive-dog friendly, so all teams can enjoy them. Scent games are such an excellent way to provide your pet with enrichment, mental stimulation, and a chance to use one of their most incredible and powerful organs- that boopable and magnificent nose! Have you done any scent work with your dog or other pets? We would love to see you in our next class!

Off-Leash Dog Invasion- how to handle those unwelcome off-leash dogs when out and about with your pup!

Meet our new trainers!

Alert Barking! 🐕🐕🐕

Dr. Valli asks: What's up with Senior Cats?

I'm speaking live today on considerations for senior cats. If this is of interest check out our upcoming class on senior cat behavior and health! https://synergybehavior.dogbizpro.com/public/registration/events.aspx?event=1479