Dr. Leslie Sinn
CPDT-KA, DVM,
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)
Resources for Pet Owners
In this section, you will find recommended reading for pet owners and practitioners. Read below about some common behavioral problems and things you can do to help your pet.
Is your dog perfect? No? Neither is mine.
In this article, Dr. Sinn discusses how modern day suburban dogs face increased, and sometimes unreasonable, expectations from their owners.
Did you know that pets experience stress too?
People aren't the only species that are negatively affected by chronic stress! This article describes how to best mitigate the effects of stress for your pets.
Consider leaving your retractable leash at home
Retractable leashes are very popular, but pose a myriad of risks to pets and owners. Learn more about some of the downsides of rectractable leash use.
Thunderstorms and Fireworks and Noises, Oh My!!!
In this free webinar, Dr. Sinn discusses noise phobias along with strategies to help your dog.
Spotting depression in pets
In this Northern Virginia article, Dr. Sinn gives tips about how pets might show depression and what to do if your pet is acting blue.
Want to better understand your dog's behavior?
In 2014, the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists released a new book titled Decoding Your Dog. This is a helpful resource for owners to better understand normal behavior and potential behavior problems.
Normal avian behavior
In this free webinar, Dr. Sinn explains how bird behavior affects bird care. Topics include: social behaviors, grooming, pair bonding, nesting, and verbal and non-verbal communication. This is valuable information for shelters and rescue or foster parents caring for birds.
CBD, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
In this free webinar, Dr. Sinn discusses what we do (and don't) know about the efficacy of CBD in the treatment of behavioral problems in pets.
Keeping your pet happy during a move
These tips help keep your pets safe and comfortable during air or ground travel so you can rest easier knowing you’ve taken care of everything they need.
Want to better understand your cat's behavior?
In 2020, the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists released a new book titled Decoding Your Cat This a fantastic resource for owners to better understand normal behavior as well as potential behavior problems including Dr. Sinn's chapter on oral obsessions.
Bird housing, enrichment & care
In this free webinar, Dr. Sinn explains how to provide a high quality of life for birds in shelter and foster homes. Topics covered include: housing, environmental enrichment, cleanliness, and bird health.
The Reactive Dog
In this free webinar, Dr. Sinn discusses reactivity in dogs and how to begin to to manage the chaos.
Resources for Veterinarians, Shelters & Practitioners
Abnormal repetitive behavior in dogs and cats
Tynes, V, & Sinn, L. 2014. Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors in Dogs and Cats: A Guide for Practitioners. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 44(3), 543-564.
The relationship between physiology and behavior in dogs and cats
Tynes, V, Sinn, L., & Koch, C.S. 2015. The relationship between physiology and behavior in dogs and cats. In Weiss, E., Mohan-Gibbons, H., & Zawistowski, S., Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff (pp. 63-101). Ames, IA: John Wiley & Sons.
Owners Perceptions of the Treatment of Feline Behavior Problems
Clinician's Brief review by Dr. Sinn of Grigg EK, Kogan LR, van Haaften K, Kolus C. Cat owners’ perceptions of psychoactive medications, supplements and pheromones for the treatment of feline behavior problems. J Feline Med Surg. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X18807783
Animal-Assisted Interventions & Canine Welfare
Clinician's Brief review by Dr. Sinn of de Carvalho IR, Nunes T, de Sousa L, Almeida V. The combined use of salivary cortisol concentrations, heart rate, and respiratory rate for the welfare assessment of dogs involved in AAI programs. J Vet Behav. 2020;36:26-33.
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Behavior
Read Dr. Sinn's chapter on Feline Aggression in Horwitz, Debra F., ed. Blackwell's five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion: canine and feline behavior. John Wiley & Sons, 2018.
The Behavioral Assessment
Sinn, L. June 2018. The Behavioral Assessment: Clinicians Brief.
How to promote good canine behavior
Here Dr. Sinn talks about what veterinarians need to know about promoting good canine behavior.
Scratching of Inappropriate Objects by Cats
Clinician's Brief review by Dr. Sinn of Moesta A, Keys D, Crowell-Davis S. Survey of cat owners on features of, and preventative measures for, feline scratching of inappropriate objects: a pilot study. J Feline Med Surg. 2018;20(10):891-899.
Puppy & Kitten Socialization
Clinician's Brief article by Dr. Sinn on puppy and kitten socialization.
Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff
Read Dr. Sinn's chapter on The relationship between physiology and behavior in dogs and cats in Weiss, Emily, Heather Mohan-Gibbons, and Stephen Zawistowski, eds. Animal behavior for shelter veterinarians and staff. John Wiley & Sons, 2nd ed., 2022.
Overview of avian care for shelters
In this webinar, Dr. Sinn covers the best avian care practices for shelters. Is your shelter equipped to house and care for exotic birds? Does your staff understand basic avian needs?
This overview of bird care from intake to adoption will help prepare your shelter and foster homes for avians. Topics include: identification, handling, housing, nutrition, safety issues, and behavior.
Advances in behavioral psychopharmacology
Sinn, L. 2018.
Advances in Behavioral Psychopharmacology,
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 48(3): 457-471.
Quiz: Exam Room Behaviors
Dr. Sinn walks veterinarians through common dog behaviors seen in the exam room with videos and photos to test your knowledge!
Review and Quiz: Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Clinician's Brief Red Light: Green Light case study and quiz by Dr. Sinn on the diagnosis and treatment of canine separation anxiety.