No Bad Dogs Podcast E334-How the Body Affects Behavior: A Vet & Chiropractor Explains — Dr. Ava Frick, DVM
Dec 26, 2025
Dr. Ava Frick is an esteemed veterinarian and animal chiropractor with over four decades of experience in integrative veterinary care. She shares insights on how structural issues in dogs relate to behavior, connecting breeding practices with health problems like hip dysplasia. Dr. Frick also discusses the impact of poor-fitting harnesses on gait and the significance of proper nutrition and mineral balance in managing anxiety and inflammation. Her innovative approaches in animal rehabilitation and chiropractic care are also highlighted.
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Dachshund Case Sparked Career Shift
- Dr. Ava Frick described a turning point after seeing an immobile dachshund she couldn't fix with drugs alone.
- That case pushed her to study animal chiropractic at Hillsdale and pursue rehab therapies for pain.
Conformation Versus Posture
- Conformation is the dog's genetic build while posture is acquired and can change an individual's function.
- Posture can mimic or worsen conformation-related problems but is often correctable with rehab.
Fit Harnesses To Protect Movement
- Avoid harnesses that cross the front of the shoulder or clip tightly between the scapulas because they restrict front-leg reach and rib expansion.
- Refit to a safer option and prioritize harnesses that free scapular motion and allow full breaths.