| Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Young woman with brown hair, sitting on her sofa with a medical mask as a precaution against the spread of virus, along with her dog of breed Beagle.

Managing Mask Phobia in Dogs

If your dog is fearful of face masks, don’t despair. Behavior modification can help your dog accept the unacceptable masks.

Badly Behaved Dog Ripping Up Cushion At Home

Pet Stress Has Increased During COVID-19, Bringing Behavior Problems

Veterinary behaviorist Stephanie Borns-Weil discusses why the new stay-at-home normal is hard on cats and dogs—and shares tips for fostering healthy behaviors for us all.

Fireworks, Fireworks, Fireworks

As soon as the sunsets, the pops and bangs begin and the poor dog begins to tremble. Even dogs with a history of mild fear can be sensitized to the frequent explosions.

Playful young white unicolored cat looking at feather

Our Four-Legged Friends During COVID-19

Megan Mueller, the Elizabeth Arnold Stevens Junior Professor at Cummings School, and Clinical Assistant Professor Stephanie Borns-Weil were featured on WCVB’s Chronicle talking about the human-animal bond and animal behavior during the pandemic.

An umbrella cockatoo, named Izzy, is perching on a fence screeching

Pets Exhibit Behavioral Issues with Humans Home in Pandemic

Clinical assistant professor Stephanie Borns-Weil talks with WBUR's "All Things Considered" about how the pandemic has impacted pet behavior

Close up of girl playing with her dog on the playground.

Pets are helping us cope during the pandemic—but that may be stressing them out

National Geographic quotes clinical associate professor Emily McCobb and assistant professor Megan Mueller on the relationship between people and pets during the pandemic

man sitting on a bench outdoors with his dog leaning up to lick his face

When should you get your dog ready for a 'return to normal'? Yesterday.

Clinical assistant professor Stephanie Borns-Weil spoke with NBCNews.com for a story on how dog owners can get their dogs ready for a ‘return to normal’

cat sitting next to a dog who is lying on the floor

American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior Position Statement on Punishment

AVSAB’s position is that punishment1 (e.g. choke chains, pinch collars, and electronic collars) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems.

Sleeping with Dogs

Aside from my personal preference, as a veterinary behaviorist, I can say that there is no reason why most dogs should not sleep in their owners’ beds if they and their owners prefer the arrangement.