It’s Official!

We’ve made some BIG moves to offer a whole new level of behavior & training support to our ABC clients. As of Monday, September 14th, our ABC training team has joined with the team at City Dog Country Dog to become Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Portland! You get to continue working with the trainers you know & love, but with some pretty amazing new support and service options.

It’s official: Instinct Portland is open for bookings! Learn the need-to-know details to help you get the most from our expanded training services! 🐶🐱

Read on to learn what’s the same, what’s new, and answers to some of the questions we bet you’re already asking in your head 🙂 . WHAT’S THE SAME? Leadership. Dr. Pachel, owner and lead clinician of ABC, and Maren Couch, ABC’s practice manager, are co-owners of Instinct Portland Trainers. Your ABC trainers Megan and Stephanie will continue working with you as full-time trainers at Instinct Portland. Collaborative Approach. With shared ownership & integrated systems, Instinct and ABC will work in close partnership to provide you and your pet with comprehensive behavioral health support. WHAT’S NEW? Service Options. In addition to at-home and virtual private lessons, you’ll now have access to Day Training programs and Board & Train camps (age & behavior restrictions apply prior to our facility opening in 2021). Online Booking. Pay for and schedule your lessons online, at your convenience. Alumni Benefits. You will automatically become a part of the Instinct Alumni family, with access to free alumni group classes, webinars, workshops and more! INSTINCT PORTLAND FAQs How Does this Work, Exactly? You will continue to book veterinary behavior services through the ABC. BUT, effective immediately, you will book behavior & training sessions through Instinct Portland. We will move any of your previously purchased/scheduled sessions over to our Instinct systems Your trainer will begin communicating with you from their Instinct email and phone number Moving forward, new lessons and packages can be purchased and scheduled directly through Instinct Portland, either online or via phone, 971-358-8787. Why the Change? We are able to help more pets & people this way! As VP of Veterinary Behavior at Instinct National, Dr. Pachel has been working with Instinct’s team of vet behaviorists, behavior consultants, canine scientists & welfare specialists to establish a whole new model of team-based behavior & training support for pets and owners. By joining the Instinct family, we are able to tap into their comprehensive support systems and provide you with amazing new training options not available within our ABC framework. Our shared mission: to provide help and hope to every dog and owner through kind, practical behavior & training resources. Will My Lesson Rates Change? Yes. We’ll supply you with Instinct Portland program sheets with specific pricing, but the 1-hr rate for a session with your certified trainer is $175; the 1-hr rate for a session with a certified behavior consultant is $205. Built into that pricing is between-session phone & email support, lifetime free alumni group classes, and access to special alumni-only workshops, webinars, and other educational opportunities. Plus, you’ll get discounted rates on alumni Board & Train camps & boarding when our brick-and-mortar facility opens in 2021. Will My Trainer Change? Nope, not unless you’d like them to change ☺! The entire ABC Training Team has transitioned to full-time trainer positions at Instinct Portland; they won’t miss a beat in continuing to help you implement your behavior change plans, and they’ll continue to work closely with the doctors at ABC to support your dog’s behavioral health. Will My Trainer Do Things Differently than Before? Yes and no. Your trainer will provide you with the same kind, practical, positive reinforcement-based solutions as always. But, thanks to Instinct Portland’s very cool client support systems, they will be able to provide you with a higher level of responsiveness, access to integrated online learning materials, and a host of other great benefits. Is Instinct Portland Opening a Facility? Yes! Our original plan for Instinct Portland was to launch with the facility already secured and built out, but this year had other ideas! So, we are taking a phased approach instead. During this initial phase, we will offer virtual and at-home private lessons, Home School (day training) programs, and Puppy Board & Train camps. Plus, we’ll be doing our free alumni group classes, regular online workshops, and some other fun (safe and socially responsible) events. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021 We are hard at work scouting the perfect location for our very own brick-and-mortar Instinct Portland facility, so we can start offering our positive reinforcement Board & Train camps, Special Needs Boarding, in-facility Day School programs, and free alumni classes to Portland dogs and owners. We promise to keep you posted at every step, from lease signing, to facility build-out, to a special alumni-only Grand Opening party (in whatever way is deemed safe and suitable at the time). That’s all for now! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the Animal Behavior Clinic with any veterinary behavior questions, and we’ll do our very best to answer them for you. For training & behavior modification questions, you can reach out to [email protected]. Onward, together! Copyright © 2020 Animal Behavior Clinic, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Animal Behavior Clinic is Making a Big Move!

We are happy to announce some exciting upcoming changes that will benefit the Animal Behavior Clinic’s clients currently enrolled or interested in behavior modification & training services:

On Sept 21, Dr. Pachel & Maren will launch Instinct Portland to provide our ABC clients with exciting new behavior modification treatment options! 🐕

WE ARE TAKING A BIG LEAP FORWARD! We hope you’ll join us. On September 21, 2020, the leadership & training teams of the Animal Behavior Clinic* and City Dog Country Dog* are joining forces to launch Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Portland! *Animal Behavior Clinic will continue to operate as a veterinary behavior clinic, providing critically important veterinary behavior services to Portland’s dogs, cats, and their owners; our training team is transitioning to become a part of Instinct Portland. *City Dog Country Dog will continue to provide training and behavior consulting services on the Oregon Central Coast.  “Maren and I are so excited to launch this new venture together as co-owners of Instinct Portland! Transitioning our behavior modification and training services to Instinct is a big, exciting leap forward in our mission to help more dogs & owners live together peacefully and happily. We can’t wait for you to come along on the journey.” –Dr. Chris Pachel, Owner of the Animal Behavior Clinic & Co-Owner of Instinct Portland INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE: What to expect between now and Instinct Portland opening in September 2020 Meet the co-owners of Instinct Portland Learn more about Instinct’s vision, mission, services and facilities Look ahead to Instinct Portland’s BIG plans for 2021! I. Here’s what you can expect between now and Instinct Portland Opening in September 2020: The Animal Behavior Clinic will continue to operate as usual while Instinct Portland gets fully operational and ready to go. You will continue to book and schedule training sessions and packages through your ABC trainer as you normally would. When Instinct Portland opens in September, ABC’s training and behavior modification services will fold into Instinct Portland operations. We will work hard to make the transition super smooth and will keep you in the loop with any need-to-know info. You will still have access to the Animal Behavior Clinic team! Our current trainers will still be available to work with you and your dogs, and the leadership you’ve come to know under Dr. Pachel and Maren (see below) will be coming along with Instinct, too.  You will become Instinct Alumni, meaning you’ll have access to special alumni-only services like free webinars, workshops, and discounted alumni programs! In addition to virtual and outdoor, socially-distanced private lessons, you will immediately have access to Instinct services, including: Positive Reinforcement Board & Train camps (certain age & behavior restrictions apply until our facility opens in 2021) Day School programs II. MEET THE CO-OWNERS OF INSTINCT PORTLAND Dr. Chris Pachel, DACVB, CABC (he/him/his) Dr. Pachel is the owner and primary clinician for the Animal Behavior Clinic, VP of Veterinary Behavior at Instinct National, and now, proud Co-Owner of Instinct Portland.   A veterinary behaviorist board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Dr. Pachel brings an approach to behavioral therapy that combines learning theory, medical training, and experience along with compassion and effective communication. Dr. Pachel is a world-renowned speaker and teacher, having taught and presented to veterinarians, animal training professionals, and pet owners across North America and beyond. Maren Couch (they/them/their[s]) Maren joins the Instinct Leadership Team after seven years working alongside Dr. Pachel as Practice Manager for the Animal Behavior Clinic, and is thrilled to hop onboard as Co-Owner and Director of Operations for Instinct Portland. Maren has been working with animals and the people attached to them for decades, with experience in the shelter environment, boarding, grooming, and for the most recent 10 years, veterinary team support. Maren infuses the mechanics of team and business organization with empathy at every level, hoping to improve the lives of others through understanding, vision casting, and connectivity. They are a strong advocate for the welfare of others and helping individuals meet their needs, whether that be for team members, clients, pets, or the world at large. Dr. Caroline Spark, PhD (she/her/hers) Dr. Spark, founder & owner of City Dog Country Dog, has over 45 years of experience helping people solve problems, meet learning goals, and achieve positive change.   With a doctorate in psychology, a background in counseling and adult education, and multiple dog training qualifications, Dr. Spark has extensive experience in helping individuals and families with dog behavior problems.  Dr. Spark particularly enjoys training dogs for family life, Canine Good Citizenship, and service work. She brings empathy, enthusiasm, and creativity to her consulting and leadership, and is passionate about improving quality of life for dogs and people through Instinct Portland. III. Learn about INSTINCT® DOG BEHAVIOR & TRAINING Help & Hope, for Every Dog and Owner Instinct is a national dog behavior & training company led by a dedicated team of certified behavior consultants and board-certified veterinary behaviorists. Our goal? To change the world for dogs and owners by setting a new standard of dog training and care; a standard of kindness, practicality, and professionalism that allows every owner, regardless of means or location, access to quality dog training and behavior help. We are unbelievably excited to have a team as competent, kind, and compassionate as Dr. Caroline Spark, Dr. Chris Pachel, and Maren Couch bringing Instinct to Portland pups and people! Check out our e-book to learn more about Instinct’s beautiful 24/7 supervised facilities, our signature positive reinforcement board & train camps, and our commitment to positive, professional training standards. IV. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021 We are hard at work scouting the perfect location for our very own brick-and-mortar Instinct Portland facility, so we can start offering our positive reinforcement Board & Train camps, Special Needs Boarding, in-facility Day School programs, and free alumni classes to Portland dogs and owners. We promise to keep you posted at every step, from lease signing, to facility build-out, to a special alumni-only Grand Opening party (in whatever way is deemed safe and suitable at the time). That’s all for now! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the Animal Behavior Clinic with any questions, and we’ll do our very best to answer them for you. We know change can be difficult sometimes, but we are truly excited for all the good things that lie ahead on this new adventure! Copyright © 2020 Animal Behavior Clinic, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

One of America’s favorite holidays is just around the corner! Many of us enjoy celebrating the 4th of July with fireworks. Unfortunately, this holiday can lead to some of the worst days and weeks of the year for many animals. Even pets that do not have other behavioral concerns can become profoundly fearful when hearing the loud celebratory booms. Remembering that fear is in the eye of the beholder, it’s important that we acknowledge that although we know the world isn’t ending, our pets can’t understand this concept. To them, they may be fearing for their lives. The good news is that there are many ways that we can help our pets be as comfortable as possible during this upcoming holiday!

Here are some steps that we as pet owners can take to prepare our pets for the 4th of July:

• Create a safe haven. Many pets will attempt to hide when they are scared. We can provide them some comfort by giving them a safe space to relax and hide out away from the loud noises. Pick a place that your dog or cat would prefer to hide out or where they normally take themselves to relax. This can be a crate (if your dog is comfortable in a crate), a bathroom (some dogs even like escaping to the bathtub!), the corner of a bedroom (especially if it is downstairs or in a quiet area of the house), or a closet. Many cats like hiding under beds or other furniture. It is ideal to avoid a place where there are windows as these locations are generally louder and some animals will become worried about seeing fireworks since the sight can predict the noise. Many dogs prefer smaller spaces. Cover crates to keep them dark and keep lights low. Ensure your pet has access to food, water and comfortable bedding. It may help cats to move a litter box near their hiding space so that they don’t have to venture out to eliminate.
  
  
• Audio blocking. Here are some ways to decrease how much outside noise our pets hear: white noise machines or apps, fans, music (especially calming music such as “Through A Dog’s Ear” or “Through A Cat’s Ear” – also available on Spotify). Cotton balls can be gently placed just inside dog’s ears as long as this is comfortable, does not cause any distress and can be done safely. “Mutt Muffs” are headphones for dogs that can help block outside sound. To ensure your dog can comfortably wear headphones, it is recommended that you take the time to positively train your dog how to wear the headphones. Involve a positive reinforcement trainer if you need assistance with this!
  
  
• Identification. Ensure all pets are wearing identification at all times. If your pet accidentally gets outside, they may run far away to try to escape the loud noises. I recommend always using a break-away collar so that if your pet gets caught on something, the collar will release and not become a strangulation risk. Since collars can fall off and ID tags can be lost, I recommend that all pets are microchipped. This is the best way to guarantee they will find their way home should they become lost.
  
  
• Calming pheromones. Pheromones are chemical messengers that can affect an animal’s behavior. There are pheromone products for both dogs and cats that have been shown to help decrease stress and fear. In dogs, I recommend using Adaptil during times of stress. The collar is body-heat activated and is worn 24/7. The collar is made to be a break-away collar and lasts for about 30 days. There is also a spray that can be used on a bandanna. The spray lasts 2-4 hours and can be used as often as necessary. For cats, a Feliway Classic pheromone diffuser may provide support. Each diffuser covers about 600-700 square feet.
  
  
• Avoid spending evenings outdoors. Aim to exercise and walk your dog in the early morning when you are least likely to encounter noise triggers. If your dog is likely to bolt or attempt to escape if they hear a firework while on a walk, it may be best to walk them with not only a harness or collar and leash, but also with a slip lead that can be used as a backup should your dog accidentally get out of their harness or collar.
  
  
• Utilize engaging distractions. Provide enrichment activities for you pets to keep their minds engaged. Check out the free, online “Enrichment” course at instinctdogtraining.com. Cats benefit from enrichment as well!
  
  
• Talk to your vet about medication support. Pharmaceutical intervention can be very helpful for many pets. Just like we would use antibiotics to treat an infection or insulin to treat diabetes, we should treat our pet’s fear and anxiety with pharmaceutical support. Pet’s should not be forced to just suffer through scary times, as this affects their welfare and quality of life and can also contribute to worsening behavior patterns over time. We are fortunate that there are MANY options available to help support pets that are afraid of loud noises. Please plan ahead and ask your veterinarian for advice on medications that may help your pet. Medications should be trialed first to ensure that they provide the support we are intending, so do not delay! Schedule an appointment to discuss this with your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your veterinarian is not familiar or comfortable with the variety of behavioral supplements and medications available, the Animal Behavior Clinic offers “Vet to Vet” consultations. We can help your veterinarian decide on the best pharmaceutical plan for your pet. If you would like to schedule an appointment directly with one of our doctors, please reach out. We are currently able to offer virtual consultations to patients all over the country and we would be happy to help you and your pet!

With preparation and planning we can dramatically improve our pet’s welfare and quality of life during a potentially scary time. Fireworks may be heard for weeks before and after the 4^th of July so it’s important to have strategies in place as soon as possible. From all of us at the Animal Behavior Clinic, we wish you and your pets a Happy 4^th of July!

Dr. Kim Krug
Resident, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists