This event with Dr. Chris Pachel will be hosted in the beautiful Hotel Vejlefjord. We will be focusing on human wellbeing while learning from Dr. Chris.
Any questions are welcomed at:
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Program for the event:
Friday evening:
Navigating difficult conversations: client communication with compassion and efficacy:
As animal care professionals, we're no strangers to adjusting our methods or strategies to the one that allows us to work most effectively with the animal. But when it comes to communicating with clients, many of us are significantly less prepared to navigate those hurdles. This presentation will include discussions around which types of conflicts or obstacles we may be likely to face with pet owners, and strategies for working through or around those obstacles in an effective and compassionate manner.
Saturday morning:
They said what? (Reading between the lines of client-submitted history forms):
You may be using an intake form already for your behavior and training clients, but have you really thought about all the layers of information that you have at your fingertips that the owner or caregiver has shared with you? Let's dig into the information that will deepen your understanding of the animal's behavior, illuminate the owner's perspective on what they're seeing, and sharpen your communication skills in a way that allows you to connect with your clients from the start. This presentation will focus on case-based examples from history forms submitted to the Animal Behavior Clinic, and how that information proved invaluable in assessing and managing those cases.
Canine Noise Phobia and the Anxiety Patient:
This presentation will offer a comprehensive overview of noise phobia and anxiety in dogs, examining them as individual conditions as well as comorbid disorders. We will explore the diagnostic criteria, review potential differential diagnoses, and identify contributing factors such as pain and discomfort. Attendees will gain insights into successful intervention strategies to alleviate the physical and emotional toll on dogs and their owners. Real-life case examples will be shared to illustrate key concepts and effective treatment approaches.
Saturday afternoon:
Neurobiology of Reactivity:
When you hear the word "reactivity," what comes to mind? A lunging, barking dog on a leash? That’s one example, but there is so much more to this story! This presentation will unpack the common language around this term and redefine it meaningfully, providing examples of this response pattern across multiple contexts. We will also take a deeper dive into what is happening within the dog, looking at the "impact of arousal" as a neurobiological influence on behavior and outlining other explanations that should be considered before using this term for an individual animal.
Risk Assessment of Dogs with Aggressive Behavior:
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.
Sunday morning:
Chill out – incorporating conditioned relaxation techniques into behavioral therapy:
Tension, stress, and hyperarousal are common obstacles to the successful treatment of fear, anxiety, and aggression problems in dogs. Teaching a dog how to physically and physiologically relax can be a helpful foundation exercise with widespread applications. This presentation will introduce various ways to condition a reliable relaxation response using techniques that can be applied to 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 various behavioral diagnoses such as noise phobia, resource guarding, and leash reactive behaviors will also be covered.
Sunday afternoon:
Which Way Next? Decision-Making in Behavior Consultation:
A behavior assessment may include hundreds of individual moments where the professional can influence the session's outcome. These moments — what we say or don’t say, what we ask or don’t ask, how we react, and how we talk — all impact the responses and actions of both the animal and the client, directly or indirectly. This list of “infinite possibilities” can be overwhelming, especially in real-time, as an assessment unfolds before you!
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 worldwide,
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.
Also check out other Workshops in Fredericia.
