Veterinary Behavior Options

13/09/2023

11/09/2023

Never could pass up a good opportunity to learn! Here is the group picture from this past weekend's Great Big Dog Aggression Workshop at the Science Museum in St. Paul.

Don't look for me. I didn't know about the picture and was taking a walk...

But how exciting to be back among my peers, learning from experts, about important things!

21/04/2023

There are differences in words used by aversive and non-aversive trainers.

17/07/2021

Yep, I'm still semi-retired, with emphasis on the "semi". People keep asking me stuff!

I just got an advance copy of the September/October 2021 issue of Catster magazine. I'm quoted in an article by Jackie Brown on feline body language.

It's not on their website yet, but here's a link to a couple of other articles I've contributed to.

https://www.catster.com/?s=Terri+Derr

How Cat Grandpa Terry Became Famous for Cat Naps 2 Comments / Lifestyle / By Kellie B. Gormly For decades, people knew Terrence Lauerman as Brother Terry. Now, millions of people know him as Cat Grandpa Terry — a YouTube star, famous catnapper, calendar guy and even coffee flavor. The fame started...

18/05/2021

The time has come to admit to myself: it’s time to retire.

For 17 years Veterinary Behavior Options has been my dream. Wonderful people with lovable but challenging dogs and cats have invited me into their homes, and for the most part I’ve been able to help them.

But medical issues/a pandemic/time have altered my world just enough that I can’t quite reach the level of functioning my clients and my patients deserve.

I’ll miss everything about it.

(Except writing up the consults. Everyone hates writing up consults.)

Thank you for allowing me nearly two decades of rewarding and exhilarating work.

Terri

12/05/2021

Trainer Laska Parrow is from the Twin Cities. We were sorry she relocated to Florida, but lookie here at the great work she is doing!

Buffy, a Labrador retriever, is trained to detect the smell the human body gives off when it is fighting COVID-19, and the dog has brought her skills to the Doctors Hospital of Sarasota in Florida

30/04/2021

Just because!

02/04/2021

An excellent visualization of why some dogs like dog parks, and others don't.

26/03/2021

With my background in animal control and sheltering, this story gives me all the feels!

The animal control officer who moved Sisu from the North Carolina Dollar General store to the shelter bought the stray dog his unicorn toy before bringing the canine in

22/02/2021

Oh, how heartbreakingly familiar this story is!

The writer looks beyond her own interactions, and has words of wisdom about all of our relationships with the animals in our world. But still, it is Jack's story that will stay with you.

To love another animal so different and useless is to remind ourselves of how strange, complex, and irresponsible our behavior as humans can be.

09/02/2021

Seems intuitive, doesn't it? Yet many vet schools in the US have eliminated behavior departments...

Interesting findings from a study of Irish vets’ and vet nurses’ understanding of behaviour problems.

21/12/2020

2020 was a year like no other—but through it all, our pets kept us smiling. So as the year draws to a close, we're honoring the special bond between pets and parents with an original poem.

07/12/2020

This article encapsulates the journey I’ve been on.

From using a choke chain on Bree in 1979 and reading the Monks of New Skete, to today’s improved understanding of how best to address Pip’s chronic anxiety, it’s been fascinating and rewarding.

When we know better, we do better.

Interesting review on the science of training! https://time.com/5880219/science-of-dog-training/

28/11/2020

Many of my patients must learn to wear a muzzle, especially in the early days of treatment. I love this particular approach, and I also love the Muzzle Up Project. Enjoy!

Here's a modification you can use during muzzle training if your dog is hesitant to approach your hands or your body. Learn more at The Muzzle Up! Project. h...

05/11/2020

I'm famous! See my comments in the article by Jackie Brown about Training Your Cat.

I'm honored to be on the same page as Dr. Lisa Radosta.

Although cats can learn anything dogs can, the secret to training cats is tailoring lessons to their specific learning style. Try these tips.

12/10/2020

October 12, 2020

Dear current and future VBO clients,

Some of you know I have been experiencing neurological symptoms for nearly six months. I've been was diagnosed with a treatable (yay!) brain disease, and surgery is scheduled for October 23, 2020.

Because of the gradual increase in COVID19 cases in Minnesota and around the country, I have been advised to limit my exposure to non-family members. I have also been advised that my recovery from surgery could take up to two months, and potentially longer.

For these reasons, VBO is cancelling all current appointments until further notice. My assistant, Jody, will keep a list of those wanting to reschedule, and as soon as I know when I will be able to see cases again, Jody will begin scheduling.

Thank you for understanding, and we hope to see you soon!

Terri A. Derr, DVM

06/10/2020

Hallelujah!

Effort comes as part of broader health and wellness push

20/09/2020

It's not always 'how they're raised'.

08/09/2020

One of the first things I did when dog behavior and training became my official job was to replace the labels “obedience” and “manners” training with “skills” training. Not just

07/09/2020

It's national news, folks. Training and behavior modification based on science and kindness for the win!

The old, obedience-driven model directed at show dogs is out. A new, more relationship-based approach aimed at companion dogs is in.

31/07/2020

Because we all need the Cat Conjugator.

[Thanks for knowing me so well, Debbie Horwitz]

22/07/2020

From the article: "Our results demonstrate through direct evidence from real life situations, that the reward-focused training was, indeed, more efficient than methods which included potentially aversive stimuli such as electric stimuli or excessive lead pressure."

We assessed the efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars compared to training with positive reinforcement. A total of 63 dogs with known off-lead behavioral problems such as poor recall were allocated to one of three training groups (each n = 21), receiving up to 150 min o...

09/07/2020

Nother update. I think I got the email back. But when I went to update my website that lovely picture of the dog's paw in the human hand has disappeared. Oh, it's on the published site, but it's gone from where I edit from.

Isn't tech fun?

Website appears to be functioning normally.

But my email no longer accepts incoming messages.

In case you're wondering, there is no connection between my website and my email.

Been working on it for an hour and still don't have a clue what happened.

Thanks, 2020.

07/07/2020

UPDATE: I fixed it! My website (and thus my life) is back!

Hey there. I managed to screw up my VBO website in my effort to introduce an online payment option.

It's gone! My website is gone.

I know I can get it back, but it's likely to take a few days. In the meantime, a lot of folks are going to think I've shut down.

I haven't!

But boy, when I screw up, I screw up big time!

04/07/2020

Wild animals can be taught using positive reinforcement to tolerate or even enjoy medical procedures. I love this set up!

03/07/2020

August 23, 2020

Dear Clients and Potential Clients,

VBO is once again scheduling in-home consultations.

We're keeping an eye on the COVID19 data as it's posted, and continue to consult with other professionals about how they are managing their practices.

With the following modifications, VBO will be scheduling a limited number of consultations starting now.

No more than two adults may attend the consultation.

No children under the age of 16 may be present for the consultation.

All clients must wear a mask. Dr. Derr will do the same.

Social distancing is required.

Please have a leash on your dog when Dr. Derr arrives.

When you open the door to admit her, please walk your dog back into the house, maintaining a six foot distance minimum from Dr. Derr. Pease keep control of your dog via the leash until Dr. Derr asks you to drop it.

If you feel ill, please reschedule your appointment. Dr. Derr will do the same.

Payment by check or credit card is OK. No cash, please.

With these conditions in place, we'll see how it goes!

Thanks for your patience during the pandemic.

Terri A. Derr, DVM

27/06/2020

Start when they're young. But if you didn't, start now, and keep it up.

Canine scientists investigate why loud sounds cause some dogs to lose their cool and offer insight on effective treatment

21/05/2020

This is so cute I can't stand it.

“Otter teaches human how to pet him. https://t.co/t8U3bArBhi”

19/05/2020

May 19, 2020

Dear VBO clients and potential clients,

Now that Governor Walz has lifted the stay at home order, we have been gratified by the number of people reaching out to schedule a behavior consult. Thank you all so much!

But with the State of Emergency still in force, and with the projected peak of COVID19 not predicted for Minnesota until June 29, we have decided to delay reopening until at least August 1. Reopening at that time will depend on the state of the virus’s activity.

The MN Board of Veterinary Medicine still proscribes new client visits by telemedicine, so we have no choice but to decline all new clients until that time.

Once again, thank you so much for wanting to schedule with VBO.

Hoping to see you in August!

Terri A. Derr, DVM

Owner, Veterinary Behavior Options