Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants

24/08/2023

Another gem full of truth.

you can get this version of “I Want To Go Home” below, thanks so much!🎵 I Want To Go Home (live) - Single by Oliver Anthony Music https://music.apple.com/us...

19/09/2020

Many areas around the country are seeing clusters of coronavirus infections as schools and universities are back in session. What's your risk at work?

Join our study and share with your colleagues and professional organizations. We need everyone's data so we can deliver you the best analysis.

28/11/2019

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We are thankful for so much! On this eve of Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for our colleague, Jennifer Dawson Shryock. Jennifer and her Family Paws Parent Education Program (https://www.familypaws.com/) share so many awesome resources like this educational video to help keep the holidays safe for families and and their family dogs. Please share it with the families you know!

A community educational webinar brought to you by PPG and sponsored by Family Paws and Doggone Safe. Listen to this great presentation from Jennifer Shryock ...

16/08/2019

This excellent article from our colleague and friend, Dr. Lynn Honeckman, shares how important a puppy's first few veterinary exams can be. Not only can a vet vaccinate against serious illness, a veterinarian knowledgeable in behavior can also "vaccinate" your puppy against serious behavioral disorders that could become life threatening later in life.

If you have behavior concerns, if something seems out of the ordinary with your puppy, ask your vet! Behavior problems are best addressed early. If your veterinarian is unable to help, ask them to refer you to us or to a veterinarian in your area trained in veterinary behavior. Check out the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists or the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior websites to find a veterinary behavior professional near you.

Behavior concerns should be given the same level of consideration as any medical problem, and a complete physical and medical workup should be offered for all behavior concerns.

02/08/2019

Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants' very own Liz Geisen, KPA CTP and the A Sound Beginning Program's Lead Behavioral Trainer and Educator is helping shelter dogs to transition successfully to their new homes! Check out this news clip from NBC Chicago and visit the A Sound Beginning Program's website to learn more! https://asoundbeginningprogram.com/

Transitioning a shelter dog into a loving home can be a challenge. NBC 5's Anayeli Ruiz visits a shelter in Northwest Indiana that's making it a bit easier by offering free training to future pet parents.

24/07/2019

We recently had the joy of witnessing the epitome of a Mother's Love! We had a wonderful visit to the Kankakee County Humane Foundation along with Emily Strong and Allie Bender of First Train Home, and Dr. Trepheena Hunter, of Wild Things Veterinary Behaviour Services, who was visiting all the way from Melbourne Australia. All of these great ladies with extensive shelter behavior expertise got together to share ideas with this deserving shelter. This shelter serves a rural area with many people in need. Please consider sending them a donation to carry on their work!

15/07/2019

Preserving, strengthening, and repairing the human-animal bond when a pet's behavior becomes anxious, fearful, or aggressive is what behavior veterinarians devote their lives to every day. The work can be difficult, challenging, and heartbreaking. But when a bond is saved, the work is so joyous! Our colleague and friend, Dr. Lynn Honeckman discusses why our role matters in this radio interview.

Recently, NAVC’s CEO Tom Bohn and animal behavior expert Dr. Lynn Honeckman sat down with 90.7 WMFE to talk about the human-animal bond, how this important relationship impacts pet owners every day and what happens when the bond is broken. Listen here: http://bit.ly/2JDe67u

04/07/2019

Please be considerate out there, keep those fireworks to a minimum and at public events instead of neighborhoods where dogs and PTSD survivors are struggling today. If your dog is struggling, Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Ilana Reisner offers some helpful tips in this post.

Fourth of July with a dog (and maybe sometimes with a cat, but not as likely), if you forgot and summer is going by too quickly. You've got this.

1. Stay home with your dog tonight. If you were invited to a barbecue, leave way early. Binge watch Good Omens.

2. If your veterinarian has prescribed anti-anxiety medication, give as directed but start earlier than you think you need to. If you don't have any prescribed medication but live with a trembling, terrified dog, make a mental note to discuss possible medication for future.

3. Prepare high value food that you can sustain for a couple of hours, starting at about 8:00pm and continuing to full dark. ("Full dark" is quintessential Stephen King, like "glabrous".)

-- Stuff several Kongs with a slurry of canned dog food, yogurt, canned pumpkin, baby food chicken or other watery high value stuff, and freeze.

-- If no time to put Kong fixings together, go to the supermarket and buy frozen meatballs, and pop 2-3 of those into a Kong.

-- Splurge on a good, smelly bully stick if any pet supply stores are open.

-- Put bits of cheese and meat into a baggie and stick it in your pocket.

4. Use any "white noise" (bad term) you can think of. Radio in the kitchen, TV in the family room, download an app on your iPhone to carry around. If stores, e.g. Bed, Bath and Beyond, are open, buy a Dohm Marpac sound machine. Turn on every fan in the house. For future reference, box fans are loud and recommended.

5. If your dog has dug into any self-made "den" when frightened by noises in the past, prepare that spot: closet, bathroom, behind the living room chair, etc.. Put bedding there and prop it open. Drop a Kong in that spot.

6. If you already have one, try a wrap or Thundershirt or tight onesie. Some dogs seem to relax with one on them. Others seem uncomfortable. If your dog is in the latter group, take it off.

7. Some dogs seem calmer when they have a harness and leash on (while you're home to supervise). The leash can be dragged or you can hold it in your hand, keeping your dog close for comforting and feeding.

8. When the booms start, be ready with bits of cheese or meat for active and sustained counter-conditioning and tell your dog how brave and safe she is. Feed liberally.

And, never worry about comforting, reassuring, petting, feeding and generally showering your dog with soothing attention. His fear won't be "reinforced" and he won't get worse. That's not possible because it's not his choice to be afraid.

26/06/2019

A timely post from Eileenanddogs and valuable information from our good friend and colleague Dr. Lynn Honeckman. It's time to see your vet before the fireworks start!

The best single thing you can do to help a dog who is afraid of fireworks is to see your veterinarian. Do it now, before the noisy holidays arrive.

03/06/2019

Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants is very excited and pleased to be hosting a Foundational Shelter and Rescue 3-day Workshop at our Schererville, Indiana location in July. We are looking forward to an amazing presentation from the First Train Home Organization. They have so much to share to help rescues and shelters and to inspire your volunteers and fosters! Don't worry, the drive is not far, we are located just over the IL-IN state line and only 35 miles from the Chicago Loop. Please come join us!

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23/04/2019

Do you have a fearful dog? Does your dog lunge or bark when walked on leash or when meeting new people? Check out this excellent webinar on how to handle these problems without flooding your dog with fear, or using a choke, prong or shock collar. If you hire a trainer for your dog, make sure they are explaining these concepts to you, if not, find a another trainer! This is what a professional trainer should be helping you do for your dog.

Understand what signs to watch for, how to help your dog feel safe, and what you can do to reduce your dog’s fears.

15/04/2019

Thanks to Steve Dale for writing this! We agree! This style of training is so harmful to dogs. Please share!

Dog Dudes are up for a dog training TV show in Canada. Pet expert Steve Dale expresses concerns regarding training methods as he did with Cesar Millan

01/03/2019

Food for thought!

Having a dog can make you a curious person.  As you watch your dog eating her dinner, you might feel like Jane Goodall embedded with the chimpanzees in Africa. You quietly observe your dog as you wipe off the kitchen counters. As you gaze down at your dog, you may start to wonder, “What is

06/02/2019

Latest Blog Post is up from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior with great news for our feline friends!

Do food puzzles increase feline frolicking? By Mikel Maria Delgado, PhD Psychology I’m a big fan of food puzzles as an enrichment choice for cats. As natural predators, cats have evolved to work for their food. We brought them inside, handed them a bowl of food, and took their jobs away. At least ...

01/02/2019

February 1st is Free The Galgo Day! One of the dirtiest hidden secrets of animal abuse. Thousands of Galgos die every February. Watch the documentary Yo Galgo to learn more: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/yogalgo. The handsome boy on the right is Arandano, Dr. Jokela's beloved Galgo. Read the press release at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wvtanep01l56x8a/Press%20release%20YO%20GALGO_ENGLISH.pdf?dl=0

28/01/2019

Our Chicago Colleague, Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, DACVB shares some excellent advice if you think your dog might be suffering from Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a serious issue that affects dogs and their humans

24/01/2019

What happens when two canine scientists decide to become pen pals? A collaborative blog about dogs and science.

13/01/2019

If you find cats a mystery, study Felinology with this fascinating podcast from Dr. Mikel Delgado!

We love them. We live with them. We are mystified by them. Alie hunted down professional cat behavior expert Dr. Mikel Delgado who dishes on everything from toilet training to feral taming to neonatal kittens to cats eating our dead bodies to domestication, toxoplasmosis, litter box strategies, cats

20/12/2018

The CVBC Team was spotted recently at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. Dr. Ciribassi, Dr. Jokela and the entire staff were seen evaluating the Up and Down behavior of endangered exotic carousel animals.
Behavior Diagnosis: The CVBC Team Holiday Celebration!
Behaviors Noted: A Good Time was had by all!!
Prognosis: Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all our wonderful clients and patients!

13/12/2018

"There is another way, a better way, a more fulfilling, joyful, and rewarding way we can relate to our dogs. This way is paved with compassion and reciprocity. This way is centered on choice".

Before coming to dog training I spent my life working with trauma survivors and educating people about consent and healthy relationships. For over a decade, I advocated for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and understood intimately the devastating effects of trauma caused by coerci

06/12/2018

This would be an amazing Christmas Gift for the Entire Family! And it is something everyone can use all year round!

Raising a puppy is one thing — but doing it with kids in tow can be a whole different ball game! Even if you’ve read the books, bought all the stuff and signed up for training school — you can somehow STILL feel like you’re chasing your tail. Don’t feel bad — you’re not alone. Taking o...

05/12/2018

Teaching Trust is a Beautiful Thing! Notice all the small steps that together build a wonderful relationship.

LOOK AT THE TRUST!!!!

We all know how cute it is when children bond with their canine friends, however, the road to a long-lasting relationship between children and their pets is based on trust.
So how do we build trust?
Through calm and positive associations and teaching our children respect for the animal.
NOTICE -- The child is sitting sideways, allowing the dog to make the decision to either move toward him or not.
When he does reach out to pet her, he is not reaching over her head, he’s simply touching her chest and stopping.
He is giving the dog very special high value treats that she only receives from him - who wouldn't want a friend like that!
The dog knows she still has access to go to her SAFE PLACE if she gets worried or decides to be alone. And the child knows to leave her alone if she walks away.
Bravo Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus for the work you do in educating your foster homes and supporting your adopters.
Trust cannot be forced, but through positive interactions like these, we can see how positive the future will be.

03/12/2018

From one of our favorite Chicago Trainers--Great Advice for City Dogs!

Dogs in High-Rises: A Modest Proposal Kiki Yablon April 22, 2018 Practicing preventively with puppy Siena in the elevatorThere’s probably no tougher place to have a dog with fear or aggression issues than a high-rise. Except maybe a “dog-friendly” high-rise. For dogs, as for all of us, fear is...

01/12/2018

Does your dog say YES to petting? Do you allow your dog to say NO?

21/11/2018

The Holidays are beginning! Take time to learn how to make this a joyous season for all. This webinar is a must see for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and and all dog lovers who celebrate the holidays with kids and dogs!

A community educational webinar brought to you by PPG and sponsored by Family Paws and Doggone Safe. Listen to this great presentation from Jennifer Shryock ...

14/11/2018

"Imagine a human hand shake that goes on…and on…and on…while a stranger is two feet away, staring at you. It would be uncomfortable for people, and it is uncomfortable for dogs".

Recently I attended a dog event and observed about 30 dogs and their handlers come and go in the course of three hours. Most of the dogs were taken to one another for greetings. Call it the curse o…

07/11/2018

Save the date and come out to learn with CVBC's Dr. John Ciribassi and WGN Radio's Pet Expert Steve Dale at the A Sound Beginning Program's Educational Dinner Seminar on Dec. 9th. They will be sharing how to Decode the Fearful Dog to reduce fear aggression. ASB's Lead Trainer, Steven William Frost, KPA CTP will be joining to share training techniques to reduce fear, and decrease the risk of fear-related biting. Everyone is Welcome!!

We are honored to bring the experts in behavior to you for a very special evening that you won’t want to miss! This is your opportunity to see and meet some of the most well-known and sought after speakers in the behavioral community.

Whether you have a dog that suffers from fear aggression, or you work in rescue, or you are a dog trainer, vet, vet tech, dog adopter, or just want to learn -- be sure to register and join us for dinner and this unique seminar.

Register at: https://bit.ly/2SK2Fyl

03/11/2018

Read all about it...the latest news from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior can be found in the AVSAB newsletter at this link: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Fall-2018-AVSAB-Newsletter-1.pdf

25/09/2018

Officials at the University of Illinois-Springfield Campus have issued a shocking mandate: Caregivers can no longer carry out TNR or care for cats on campus. Help us give a shout out for the feral cats in Springfield. TNR Works!! Help us send the message!

Illinois Residents: Help Cats at Risk at Your State University

02/08/2018

Did you know? According to vet behaviourist Daniel Mills, dogs can take between four and ten seconds to investigate something new, and decide that it's safe. On your leash walks, especially with a nervous type, allow them this time to gather information (through smell and sight) before prompting them along. We never want to scare or hurt our dogs, but this "information gathering" time is a particularly bad moment for a leash jerk or verbal correction: you'll be teaching your already anxious friend that the very thing they're investigating predicts something unpleasant or awful. Give them time! Dogs who feel like their world is safe live happier lives and are safer to be around.