Rachel Malamed, DVM, DACVB, MBA

01/13/2026

ZOOM CALL SURVIVAL GUIDE — with a pet.

I’m Dr. Rachel Malamed, a veterinary psychiatrist in Los Angeles.

Sound familiar? You sit down for an important call, and suddenly… your dog needs you. Now.
So you cave — toss a toy, hand over a treat, give in to the stare — just to get through the meeting.
And guess what? They remember. It worked. So they’ll do it again.

And just like that, you’re stuck in the “Zoom = attention” cycle.

Want to break it? Here’s how.

(P.S. You might want to schedule a few fake Zoom calls to practice first.)

Comment “ME” if this hits home.

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01/07/2026

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12/28/2025

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12/28/2025

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11/07/2025

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11/03/2025

🐶 Fear, Memory & the Minds of Dogs 🧠

As a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in Los Angeles, I can tell you that fear-based behaviors aren’t “training problems” — they’re emotional, neurobiological responses.

I recently had the opportunity to contribute to this thoughtful piece by , exploring how dogs form and retain fear memories — and how those memories shape their future responses.

The article also highlights preventative and proactive strategies to help reduce the likelihood of fear taking hold in the first place.

It’s a must-read for:
✨ Pet parents with fearful or anxious dogs
🐾 Anyone raising a new puppy
💛 And really, any dog-loving human who wants to understand their best friend better

📖 Read it here:
👉 https://www.kinship.com/dog-behavior/fear-memories-dogs

How well do dogs remember experiences that have scared them, and how traumatizing does the memory have to be to make the cut?

07/03/2025

🎆🐾 Fireworks & Keeping Pets Comfortable and Safe on July 4th:

As we gear up for another Independence Day, here’s a timely throwback to my 2023 interview on LAist 89.3FM’s AirTalk with Larry Mantle.

We covered how to help your pets stay safe, calm, and secure while fireworks light up the sky. We explored:

🔸 The stress fireworks can cause our pets
🔸 Why shelters become overwhelmed this time of year
🔸 Practical ways to create a “safe haven” at home

💡 Key takeaways include:
✔️ Prepping your pet ahead of time
✔️ Sound desensitization tips
✔️ Using white noise or noise-canceling headphones
✔️ Creating comfort zones with toys and treats
✔️ Discussing anti-anxiety medications with your veterinarian

🎧 Listen to the radio interview + read the article here:

https://laist.com/news/los-angeles-activities/la-fireworks-rules-regulations-and-pet-safety-this-july-fourth-what-to-know

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Know the rules, and how to keep your nervous fur babies safe and secure.

03/31/2025

7 Common Mistakes that Humans Make when Greeting Dogs.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Dlqcz62KwaQ?si=CD_xeUVNuoXsIu7z

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Are you unknowingly making one of the 7 mistakes people make when greeting a dog? 😬Hi, I'm Dr. Rachel Malamed, a veterinary psychiatrist based in Los Angele...

03/17/2025

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03/13/2025

Cooperative care tip - administering medication to a cat.

Dont trick and instead build trust! Skip putting the meds in their meals which can cause a food aversion and can often not work after a few attempts and instead do the 1-2-3 medication technique ⁣ Found 2-3 treats your pet loves and start the process: 1. Approach and offer a treat. 2. Offer a seco...

03/11/2025

New Podcast Episode! 🚨

Ever wondered what your pet really needs to thrive? 🐶🐱
I sat down with Amy Castro to talk about how we can better understand our pets' needs and build stronger, healthier relationships with them.

In her latest podcast episode, we dive into:

🔹 Ways we misinterpret body language.
🔹 How to honor your pet’s uniqueness instead of trying to fit them into a mold.
🔹 Why forcing pets out of their comfort zone can backfire.
🔹 The connection between emotional and physical well-being.
🎧 Listen now and pass it along: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../loving.../id1668397502...
👇 Follow me for more pet behavior insights:

🐾 Instagram: [https://lnkd.in/gStPaUHC]
🐾 YouTube: [https://lnkd.in/gRX48CFg]
🐾 Facebook Group: Dr. Malamed’s Veterinary Psychiatry & Behavior Support for Pet Parents [https://lnkd.in/g5GFrNmG]
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Send a message to learn more