• Decoding Your Dog by the DACVB

• Decoding Your Cat by the DACVB

• Puppy Start Right by Kenneth Martin, DVM, DACVB and Debbie Martin, LVT, VTS (Behavior)

• How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Dr. Sophia Yin

• Low Stress Handling, Restraint, and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats by Dr. Sophia Yin

We are a group of veterinarians and doctorate level animal behaviorists dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through an understanding of animal behavior. Join us and discover how insight into animal behavior can strengthen the human animal bond and enhance the welfare of your patients.

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POSITION STATEMENTS

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) is the certifying board for veterinarians who are specialty trained to advance the behavioral health of animals through clinical practice, research, and science-based behavior education. Board-certified specialists are known as Diplomates.

Veterinary behaviorists are trained to address the relationships between an animal’s health, environment, experiences and its behavior. They have extensive knowledge of psychotropic medications, their uses, potential side effects and interactions with other medications, and are licensed to prescribe them when indicated.

Dogs, babies, toddlers, and families!  That is what we are all about here at Family Paws.  Chances are, if you are here, you or someone you know is expecting or adopting a baby sometime in the future. Or maybe you have a baby who is growing and changing, and you want to make sure they and your family dog are comfortable and safe. Or perhaps you have questions about bolstering the relationship between your children and dogs or and need overall support. Either way, we are glad you found us and want you to relax, grab a beverage and take some time to look around and learn how to prepare with your dog for life with a baby, toddler, and children! 

Be BiteSmart is an education initiative, creating age-appropriate multimedia teaching materials to help prevent dog bites to the most at-risk ages. Family dogs are our best friends, but they can bite when provoked, feeling threatened or afraid. By learning how a dog communicates and interprets our behavior, we can detect early warning signs, alter our actions, and prevent bites before they happen. Led by world-renowned veterinarian Professor Emeritus Nicholas Dodman, and in collaboration with a team of professionals and creative specialists, Be BiteSmart aims to support families in recognizing key dog behaviors and maintaining a safe and loving environment.

You want what's best for your pets, and so do we. As pet owners and animal lovers ourselves, we want to help you give your pets happy, healthy, full lives by providing all the expert-reviewed tips and tricks you need in one convenient place. Take a look around. Your pets will thank you!

Cat Friendly Homes is powered by feline veterinarians to provide credible and trustworthy information on a variety of feline topics. Developed by The American Association of Feline Practitioners, this website is your source to update your knowledge about cat health, behavior, and care. 

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) have released the Environmental Needs Guidelines, which have been published in the March 2013 issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

These Guidelines, organized around five primary concepts that provide the framework for a healthy feline environment regardless of the cat's lifestyle, were established to address the needs of pet cats in any environment, including home, veterinary hospital and shelter.

Although cats often do not express overt signs of stress and anxiety, they do experience stress and this is frequently caused by their needs not being met, usually inadvertently, because of a lack of understanding of those needs.

When cats' needs are not met, there is an increase in abnormal behavior, or normal behavior considered undesirable by the owner. It is vitally important to meet cats' needs and allow them to express their natural behaviors, to prevent stress, unfavorable behaviors and to improve feline health and welfare.

By incorporating these Guidelines into the veterinary practice and home life, veterinarians and cat owners can help reduce unwanted behaviors, illness and feline stress, and improve their relationships with their cats. Incorporating these Guidelines into shelters can increase feline adoption rates by providing an environment where cats are more active and less fearful.

Welcome to our cat and dog community of Southern Maryland pets & the humans that love them. We are a new nonprofit organization. Please check back regularly for expanding opportunities. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know about our newest programs and volunteer opportunities.