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Resource guarding (a.k.a. “possessive aggression”) can be easy to spot when a dog shifts gears from their role as a cuddly family member to one that is growling, posturing, or snapping when their access to a valued resource is perceived to be threatened. But why does this happen? This presentation will dive deep into which aspects of this human-directed aggression pattern may be considered “normal” and which may have underlying influences of medical diagnoses or emotional disorders, before taking an even closer look at management and behavior modification strategies that can be used for the prevention of this pattern as well as for intervention. Patterns of behavior that are specific to individual resources will be compared to dogs showing a more “generalized” pattern, and case examples will be provided to discuss when or if medication may be helpful as part of a comprehensive intervention plan.

Many different methods exist for training animals of all species: most rely on some variety of reinforcement or punishment. Food is generally considered to be a primary reinforcer, which means that it is something that the majority of animals find inherently rewarding, even without prior training or experience. With that said, there are several good reasons why using food in training may not always be a great idea. This presentation will cover these reasons, as well as extensive information about how to use positive reinforcement based training methods without the use of food.

Covered in pet Hair - Season 2, Episode 8 with Veterinary Behaviorist, Dr. Christopher Pachel What an honor it was for me to sit down with Dr. Christopher Pachel of the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Pachel is one of fewer than 100 Animal Behaviorists in the WORLD! Dr. Pachel specializes in cats and dogs but he's drawn toward dogs as pets therefore, in this iteration of LAST CALL, he tells us his favorite and least favorite dog breeds. He also shares about that one dog he grew up with, a dog he thinks of often, albeit with a tinge of guilt, and inspires his work every day. To learn more about Dr. Pachel's career trajectory and his work as a Veterinary Behaviorist, please click here: https://youtu.be/UtmD-NtdZ7Q GUEST BIO I choose to believe that each and every person, including me, is doing the best they can with the tools they have available to them in that moment. With this in mind, my approach to behavior modification within animals and humans is closely focused on the individual—their needs, past experiences, and future goals. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. I consider it my highest calling—a vocation—as well as a profession, where I can positively impact the lives of people and their animals on a global scale. I believe very strongly that I have been given an opportunity to change lives in a meaningful way. I measure my greatest achievements through transformations—little light bulb moments clients share with me—where, through working with their animals, they have incorporated a better way of being into their personal lives. We offer the world our best selves through intention and integrity. Onward and upward, Dr. Christopher Pachel

Covered in pet Hair - Season 2, Episode 9 with Veterinary Behaviorist, Dr. Christopher Pachel What an honor it was for me to sit down with Dr. Christopher Pachel of the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Pachel is one of fewer than 100 Animal Behaviorists in the WORLD! In this episode, we discuss what it takes to become a Diplomate of the ACVB and earn the right to call oneself an Animal Behaviorist. Apart from a Veterinary degree, and a bunch of research and on-the-job training, Dr. Pachel describes his 4+ year process of attaining ACVB certification in our first game, "What's a Behaviorist?" In the second part of the show, we discuss the role Vet Behaviorists play vs. traditional veterinarians and certified dog trainers. Dr. Pachel describes vet behaviorists as psychiatrists, psychologists, and even social workers. I am always thrilled to hear that we have support for our furry and four-legged companions. Dr. Pachel specializes in cats and dogs. CHAPTERS 00:00 INTRO 5:06 GAME #1 - WHAT'S A BEHAVIORIST 20:59 GAME #2 - MUCH ADO ABOUT NAUGHTY GUEST BIO I choose to believe that each and every person, including me, is doing the best they can with the tools they have available to them in that moment. With this in mind, my approach to behavior modification within animals and humans is closely focused on the individual—their needs, past experiences, and future goals. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. I consider it my highest calling—a vocation—as well as a profession, where I can positively impact the lives of people and their animals on a global scale. I believe very strongly that I have been given an opportunity to change lives in a meaningful way. I measure my greatest achievements through transformations—little light bulb moments clients share with me—where, through working with their animals, they have incorporated a better way of being into their personal lives. We offer the world our best selves through intention and integrity. Onward and upward, Dr. Christopher Pachel

Sneak Peek Episode 9, Season 2 with Veterinary Behaviorist, Dr. Christopher Pachel of Instinct Dog Training in Portland, Oregon If you're been in the pet care industry long enough OR spoken to friends and family about board and train facilities, you may have realized that dog training has some nuances and controversies, including the polarizing perspectives on board and train for dogs. Board and train means that the dog goes to a facility, usually for a couple/few weeks and learns manners and desired behaviors at the hands of professional dog trainers. Over the years, this training method has taken a hit due to forceful techniques that are often used in these settings. In this upcoming episode of Covered in Pet Hair, I spoke to world renowned Veterinary Behaviorist, Dr. Christopher Pachel on his interest in taking this approach on at what will soon be his new Instinct Dog Training facility. What are your thoughts, would you send your dog to board and train? Dr. Pache's full interview drops Thursday, 11/4/2021

Dr. Chris Pachel is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and is the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Pachel lectures extensively both domestically and internationally, teaches courses at multiple veterinary schools in the United States, and has authored numerous articles and book chapters for veterinarians and pet owners. He is a sought-after expert witness for legal cases and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360. He is also a Vice-president of Veterinary Behavior for Instinct Dog Behavior and Training, as well as co-owner of Instinct Portland, which opened in the fall of 2020.

Veterinarians and behavior professionals are frequently faced with questions about aggressive behaviors that may include biting, scratching, lunging, or threatening postures. As with other behavioral questions, it is rare for there to be a single “right” answer to a question, or a “one size fits all” solution to the problem that is occurring. This presentation will discuss risk factors that affect the likelihood of achieving a safe and successful outcome for these patients. Strategies for approaching topics such as rehoming or humane euthanasia will also be covered.

A Vet Behavior-Focused Virtual Behavior Chat with Dr. Lore Haug (DVM), Dr. Chris Pachel (DVM), Dr. Valerie Tynes (DVM), and Dr. Eduardo (Eddie) J Fernandez (PhD). In this chat, we cover many topics related to the science and practice of veterinary behaviorism. Some specifics include the history and evolution of veterinary behaviorism, understanding medical models and functional approaches to problem (e.g., "abnormal") behaviors, and bridging the divide between behavior analysis and vet behaviorism.

Wondering whether a veterinary behaviorist can help recover your dog from anxiety, fear, and sensitivity? In this video, we speak with Dr. Christopher Pachel, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, about what a vet behaviorist actually does and how they can help you and your dog. Vet behaviorists often see dogs demonstrating significant behavior problems such as reactivity, aggression, noise sensitivity, separation anxiety, and stereotypes.

Tension, stress, and hyperarousal are common obstacles for successful treatment of fear, anxiety, and aggression problems in dogs. Teaching a dog how to relax, both physically and physiologically, can be a helpful foundation exercise with widespread applications. This presentation will introduce a variety of ways to condition a reliable relaxation response using techniques that can be applied to many different patient temperaments and learning styles. Video examples will be provided to illustrate key points that maximize the success of this technique. Practical applications for incorporating this exercise into treatment plans for a variety of behavioral diagnoses such as noise phobia, resource guarding, and leash reactive behaviors will also be covered.

We welcomed the contribution of our insightful and compassionate colleague, Chris Pachel, to the unscripted episode #2! So many dog behavior professionals reached out to us after the release of the first conversation (with Kathy Murphy, Andrew Hale, and Kim Brophey), to share how powerfully the talk had impacted them or how much they resonated with our discussion. We had hit a lovely little nerve in the industry, and people clearly were ready for more, and to get involved themselves. Chris has been a thought leader and passionate advocate for the evolution in the field of canine behavior and training for years, and was a perfect choice as our first guest as we peeled back the next layer of the onion in going beyond the operant lens of behavior. Here, we dig into all kinds of practical (as well as further philosophical) implications in our work as behavioral wellness practitioners and advocates - from both the dog and human perspectives. Chris's characteristically unique skillset in meeting the human end of the relationships with pragmatic empathy contributes powerfully to this evolution in the industry, which is well underway! To all students of animal behavior, this conversation will stretch your thinking, attitudes, and practices in important ways.

Instagram LIVE with Dr Ari Zabell, discussing strategies for helping pets adapt to change in routine (relative ongoing pandemic stress and other factors), and tips for veterinary practitioners for recognizing stress signs in companion animals and providing appropriate support for patient and their families and for each other.

Arousal is necessary for normal day to day activity as well as for survival. We also know that arousal levels are supposed to change in response to environmental and social pressures, and that arousal can affect information processing and the modulation of fight/flight responses. Unfortunately, not all arousal regulation systems are created or developed equally! This presentation will focus on those dogs that are easily over-stimulated by sensory information, tend to over-react to their surroundings, and have a difficult time recovering or returning to a normal resting level of arousal. Information specific to the underlying neurological basis for this pattern, strategies for impacting the development of impulse control and arousal regulation throughout development, as well as behavior modification and medication intervention strategies will be addressed and discussed.

The consequences of insufficient socialization may include behavior patterns such as increased emotionality and a predisposition toward fear and anxiety based emotional states. We also know that the process of socialization is about more than "exposure", and that those social exposures need to be provided in just the right quantity and quality, and at the right time for maximum benefit. What happens when we miss the mark? Is it possible to create problems while trying to provide socialization experiences? This presentation will focus specifically on two such potential problems, traumatic experiences and conditioned arousal, and will outline how these complications may occur and how to avoid them.

The process of learning is affected by many different factors, including the emotional state of the individual. By reading the body language of dogs, we can better understand their emotional state and their ability to respond to training exercises. This presentation will cover many of the body language signals that dogs are likely to show when stressed, fearful or anxious. Perhaps even more importantly, information will be included about how this emotional state directly impacts the process of learning and the effect on a plan or the animal’s response to specific exercises. Strategies such as making adjustments to reinforcement value, refining aspects of the stimulus gradient during desensitization and counterconditioning exercises, altering performance expectations, and setting realistic criteria for success will be covered.

Are you ready to spend an hour with Dr. Pachel, a board certified veterinary behaviorist, in a casual Q&A style conversation? We can't promise that we'll get to every question, but we'll do our best to get to as many as we can!!

We’re back! After reviewing the Zoom chat box from the previous event, Come, Sit, Stay: A Conversation about Coping in Hard Times, we have decided to offer another event! Join dog behavior professionals and authors Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dr. Chris Pachel, Kathy Sdao and Lynn Ungar for another conversation about coping, hoping and connecting in a time of fear and isolation, hosted by Marissa Martino and guided meditation led by Barrie Finger.