Puppy Parenting: Fundamentals for Busy Practitioners

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, is the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota in 2002 and became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2010. He has operated house call, office-based, and telemedicine-focused behavior practices. Pachel lectures worldwide, teaches courses annually at multiple veterinary schools in the US, and has authored articles and book chapters on topics such as intercat aggression, behavioral euthanasia, and pet selection for animal-assisted therapy. He is a sought-after expert witness for animal behavior legal cases and serves on the editorial advisory board for dvm360. Pachel is a vice president of veterinary behavior for the Instinct Dog Behavior & Training franchise and co-owner of Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Portland.

Overview:

Having a new puppy is EXCITING! It can also be overwhelming and stressful because raising a puppy is hard work. If your clients are like most puppy parents, they're worried about getting everything ‘just right,' and you're concerned about getting them all the information they need in the limited time you have available. The good news is that your clients don't have to navigate puppyhood alone, and you don't need to recreate the wheel regarding resources or time spent on client education. Together, we'll run through the fundamentals your puppy parents need to know while showcasing available resources to support them.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the biological and individual traits that influence a puppy’s behavior.
Explore how socialization during the critical window influences a puppy’s emotional development.
Implement effective wellness routines, including exercise, enrichment, and sleep, for a balanced puppy.
Recognize the importance of structured handling practice for grooming and veterinary care.
Prepare for the adolescent phase in puppies and navigate the behavioral changes it brings.

This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.