Dr. Lisa Radosta

13/07/2025

“I didn’t know I could just… walk away.” That’s what one of my clients said recently—and it stopped me in my tracks. Because avoidance is one of the most simple and profound tools we have in behavioral medicine.

If something scares your pet—the vacuum, the vet, fireworks, nail trims, strangers—your instinct might be to “train it out.”

But here’s the truth:
🚫You don’t have to force it.
🚫You don’t have to “expose them until they get over it.”
✅ Sometimes, the most effective thing you can do is…walk away.

Avoidance isn’t giving up. It’s choosing safety over struggle. It is pressing the easy button and there is nothing wrong with that.

There are many things that we do in our own life to avoid situations where we might fall into bad habits or we might become anxious. I avoid roller coasters. No harm done.

It’s saying, “I see you. I hear you. And I’m not going to put you through that again.”

Will we eventually work on the fear? Maybe, if we need to. Sometimes we can avoid scary things forever. It depends on the family and the pet.

So the next time you think, “But shouldn’t I try to get my pet to push through?”
Remember:
💡Avoidance is not weakness.
💡It’s a strategy.
💡And it’s one your pet will thank you for.

10/07/2025

🚨Is this RIGHT or RISKY? Is this proper puppy socialization?

Just because a puppy is near a child doesn’t mean it’s a safe or effective socialization experience. In fact, it could and often is the opposite.

🐶 If your puppy’s ears are pinned back, tail is down, and they’re pulling away, they’re telling you they’re overwhelmed—even if they aren’t barking or growling.

The more that they are overwhelmed the more likely that they are to resort to growling, jumping and biting in the future. Little things add up and what your puppy experiences in these critical months has a major impact on their adult behavior.

In this picture, the child is towering over the puppy, keeping the leash tight so that he can't escape and splashing water. 💦

This is a great way to make your puppy afraid of kids and water. Say goodbye to peaceful baths!

✅ Real socialization is positive, predictable, and puppy-led. The right setup means your puppy is relaxed, ears forward, happily walking toward the person, and has the choice to opt in or out.

👉 Want a confident, well-adjusted adult dog? Start with respectful, intentional puppy socialization—not chaos in the backyard.

09/07/2025

🐱Meet Chewie—a big cat with even bigger litterbox needs! If your cat is kicking litter everywhere or struggling to cover properly, the problem might not be behavior—it might be the box.

Most commercial litter boxes are too small for the average cat. And for big cats like Chewie, that creates a real mismatch. Chewie’s old box was long and narrow. He wanted to cover, but just didn’t have the space to turn around. Instead of defaulting to a higher-sided or covered box (which might’ve made my life easier), I listened to what he was telling me: “I need more room!”

Here’s a simple trick to size a litter box:
📏Measure your cat from chest to base of tail.
📏Short side of the box = 1.5x that length
📏Long side = 2.5x that length.

For Chewie, that meant a 24"x40" box. Not easy to find at pet stores, so I got creative—cement mixing tubs, pig litter pans, even cattle feeding trays were options and found one as close as possible to that size! In the end, I landed on a large rubber tub from Lowe’s.🧰

We introduced it gradually by placing it next to his old box. Once Chewie gave it the paw of approval, we made the switch.

👉 Now? He’s got room to turn, dig, and cover like a champ. Behavior is communication.

Before labeling a cat as “messy,” consider if the setup meets their needs.

07/07/2025

🙀 10+ cats in one home? That’s a lot of litter to manage — and I need your help!

I’m looking for the best cat litter for a multi-cat household and here’s what it must have:

🐾 Low dust — Because your cats (and your lungs!) deserve clean air.
🌱 Environmentally friendly — Sustainability matters, especially when you’re scooping a lot.
💰 Economical — Multi-cat homes = frequent litter changes = budget matters.

💡 Tofu? Corn? Clay? Crystals? Recycled paper? I want to hear what’s really working in homes like yours.

Tell me:
✨ What brand or type do YOU love?
✨ What should I avoid at all costs?

Your experience could help other cat lovers keep their homes cleaner, greener, and healthier — one litter box at a time.

Drop your recs ⬇️

Because even your cat’s litter box behavior is about more than just “preferences.”

05/07/2025

Looking for a force free trainer in the PBG/Jupiter area to coach an experienced handler through competitive AKC Novice.

03/07/2025

🎆Are you ready for the 4th of July? Follow my 5 simple steps to get your dog or cat ready.

1. Use ear covers 🎧 if your pet will wear them without fear or distress. I recommend Pawnix and Rex Specs.
2. Create a sanctuary space 🏠 where your pet can get away. Don’t lock them in the space but give them free access. Give them toys, treats, a bed, water and anything else they need. Get them in the safe space well before the noise event.
3. Get with your vet 🩺 asap, about solutions. If your veterinarian has prescribed medication, medicate early.
4. Yes! It is OK to comfort your pet ❤️. If your pet is panicking, ignoring them isn’t going to help.
5. Give them food toys 🍖 so that they have something to do during the event. Use ambient sound 🎶 such as brown noise, classical music or a bathroom fan to drown out the sound.
🐾 Stay safe and snuggly!

▶️ Visit my YouTube Noise Phobia playlist for more information on how to prepare your pet for the 4th!

28/06/2025

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen some recent collab posts about this but…I was on an episode of The Experts for DOGTV!

In honor of Dog Anxiety Awareness Month, this episode is the “Dog Anxiety Special”, focusing on causes, symptoms, and tips for relief. It was great to get to offer my perspective alongside other professionals like:

🐶 Kristen Levine - Host, pet parenting expert, and pet advocate
🐶 Dr. Lisa Radosta - Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
🐶 Victoria Stilwell - World-Renowned Dog Trainer & Behavior Expert
🐶 Alex Sessa - Certified Dog Trainer & Behavior Expert

If you want to watch the episode, you can find it in these places:
🐕 YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1hHLCBH9RQ)
🐕 Streaming on Unleashed by DOGTV (available on Fire TV Channels, Tugo TV, and YouTube)
🐕 DogTV website (dogtv.com/doganxietymonth)

I hope you enjoy it, and pass it along to pet owners you know could use the info!

27/06/2025

🌀🐶Ever feel like your puppy is a tiny tornado of teeth and energy? Press the easy button! 🚨

Studies show that feeding dogs from interactive food toys—instead of only out of a bowl—can boost their brainpower, reduce stress, and help prevent future behavior problems. 📚✨

Here’s why food toys are a win-win:
🧠 Mental enrichment: Puppies need stimulation, introduction to different surfaces and challenges to work out! Food puzzles engage their natural foraging instincts and challenge their developing brains.
💤 Calmer behavior: Studies have shown that dogs given enrichment activities like food toys show fewer signs of anxiety and restlessness. Some studies also show that they are calmer.
🚫 Bite prevention: Keeping mouths busy with something appropriate to chew can reduce mouthing and nipping. A tired and calm puppy is less likely to bite your hands!
🐾 Healthier habits: Teaching puppies to problem-solve early sets the stage for lifelong learning and coping skills.

👉 Pro tip: Start with easy toys (like a Kong smeared with canned dog food) and increase difficulty as your pup gets better at it or if your pup wants to stay with something simple and easy, that is fine too.

🍖Ditch the bowl. Feed the brain. Build better behavior—one bite at a time. 🧩

A few studies behind the science:
1. Herron ME, Kirby-Madden TM, Lord LK. Effects of environmental enrichment on the behavior of shelter dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2014 Mar 15;244(6):687–92.

2. Schipper LL, Vinke CM, Schilder MBH, Spruijt BM. The effect of feeding enrichment toys on the behaviour of kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2008 Nov;114(1–2):182–95.

3. Boonhoh, W., Wongtawan, T., Sriphavatsarakom, P., Waran, N., Chiawwit, P., Tanthanathipchai, N., & Suttidate, N. (2023). Effect of feeding toy and the presence of a dog owner during the feeding time on dog welfare. Veterinary World, 16(8), 1721.


King Kong company

22/06/2025

📣I’m back! Now booking in-person appointments for behavior care.

📆 Starting in July, I’m accepting new and returning patients!
📍401 Maplewood Drive, Suite 8, Jupiter, FL 33458

📱We are keeping the telehealth option for new and returning patients. Whether you’re looking for a full treatment plan or a quick check-in, there’s an option designed just for you.

Appointments go fast, especially in-person appointments, so grab yours now.

🔗 BOOK NOW: https://drlisaradosta.com/appointments/

Let’s help your pet feel better—and your home feel calmer

18/06/2025