Pet Behaviour Blog — Expert Advice for Dogs, Cats and Parrots
Is Residential Dog Training a Good Idea?
If you’re struggling with your dog’s behaviour, you might be tempted by the promise of a residential dog training programme. The idea of dropping your dog off for a behavioural “reboot” sounds appealing — someone else does the hard…
Dog Behaviour When Coming Into Season: What to Expect and How to Help
Dog behaviour when in season can shift in surprising ways. We explain the oestrous cycle, the changes you might see, and practical ways to help your dog.
Why Does My Dog Lick Me? What It Means and When to Worry
Why does my dog lick me? Usually it’s affection or a friendly greeting – but licking can also signal anxiety, nausea or pain. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Dog Behaviour After Castration: Why It’s Rarely a Quick Fix
Castration is often suggested as a fix for male dog behaviour problems. The evidence tells a more nuanced story, and for some dogs it can make things worse.
Emigrating With Your Pet: A Behaviourist’s Guide to Moving Abroad With Your Dog or Cat
Moving abroad with a pet? Paperwork is only half the story. Here’s how to prepare your dog or cat emotionally for travel, arrival and settling into a new home.
Can Dogs Sense Pregnancy? Dog Behaviour With a Pregnant Owner
Can dogs sense pregnancy? New research suggests many dogs change their behaviour when their owner is pregnant – sometimes before the owner knows. Here’s why, and how to prepare.
Why Does My Dog Eat Poo? Coprophagia Explained
Why does my dog eat poo? Coprophagia is surprisingly common. We explain the likely reasons, the medical causes your vet should rule out, and what genuinely helps.
Dog Dementia and Cat Dementia: Signs, Support and When to Seek Help
Pacing at night, crying in the early hours or forgetting their house-training? Learn the signs of dog dementia and cat dementia, and how to help your older pet.
Can a Behaviourist Fix My Dog?
Can a behaviourist fix my dog? There’s no magic wand — but with the right approach, meaningful change is absolutely achievable. Here’s the honest answer.
Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? What It Means and When to Worry
Why does my dog eat grass? For most dogs, grazing is completely normal. We explain what the research says and the changes that mean it’s worth a vet check.
Does Diet Affect Dog Behaviour? What the Evidence Says
Does diet affect dog behaviour? We look at the science linking nutrition, gut health and behaviour in dogs, and what it means for your dog’s food bowl.
Animal Behaviourist Accreditation: Why It Matters
ABTC, APBC, FABC, CCAB, PACT, APDT… if that looks like a jumble of random letters, you’re not alone. These are animal behaviourist accreditation acronyms, and understanding what they mean could make all the difference when choosing the right…
Behavioural Medication for Pets: Dispelling 5 Common Myths
Worried about behavioural medication for pets? We tackle five common myths – from personality changes to sedation – and explain how medication supports behaviour work.
What to Expect from an Animal Behaviour Consultation
An animal behaviour consultation is about far more than the one issue you called about. Here’s what to expect and why we look at the whole picture.
Are My Cats Playing or Fighting?
If you live with more than one cat, you’ve probably watched them chase, pounce, and wrestle — looking like tiny tigers in combat. It can be difficult to tell whether your cats are playing or…
How Pain Affects Your Pet’s Behaviour: The Signs You Might Be Missing
Could your pet’s behaviour change be caused by pain? Here’s how pain shows up in dogs, cats and parrots, and why what you notice at home matters to your vet.
Reward-Based Dog Training: Why the Evidence Matters
If you’ve ever wondered why we only use reward-based dog training methods at Second Nature Behaviour, the short answer is simple: the science tells us it works — and it’s better for your dog. But there’s a fascinating story behind that answer,…
Desensitisation and Counterconditioning: Why Working at Your Pet’s Pace Matters
Discover how desensitisation and counterconditioning help pets overcome fear — and why working at your animal’s pace is essential for lasting results.
Why Clinical Animal Behaviourists Work on Veterinary Referral
The Clinical Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Behaviourists at Second Nature Behaviour only see pets following a vet referral from the pet’s primary care vet, but why is this? Here’s why an animal…
Spaying and Dog Behaviour: What Every Owner Should Know
Will spaying change my dog’s behaviour? We look at what the research really says about dog behaviour after spaying – including fear, aggression and timing.
Should I Let My Cat Outside? Pros, Cons & What to Consider
Some cats thrive lounging on the sofa, while others are born explorers, itching to get outside and roam. Whether your cat prefers the comforts of home or craves the great outdoors, the…
Is It Okay to Take Your Dog to the Pub? A Behaviourist’s Guide
Taking your dog to the pub can be a rewarding experience for you and your dog if managed well. As a nation of dog lovers, it’s no surprise that many of us…
How to Pet a Cat Properly Using Consent-Based Touch
Do you believe you know how to pet a cat properly? You might be surprised to know that many cats are very particular about the way they like to be touched and…
Understanding Cat Scent Marking Behaviour
One of the most important ways cats share information with each other—and even with humans—is through scent. Unlike humans, who rely primarily on verbal and visual cues, cats use scent as a…
Managing Dogs Around Livestock and Wildlife
Keeping Your Dog Safe and Under Control Around Farm Animals and Wildlife Please note some of the information in this article regarding the law associated with managing dogs around livestock may change…
How to Reduce Cats Predating on Baby Birds
As both a cat owner and wildlife lover, you may have wondered how to stop cats killing birds. Cats are natural hunters, so finding your cat predating on birds is not unusual.…
Understanding Cat Vocalisations – What Your Cat Is Telling You
Cats are capable of producing a wide range of sounds, each with a specific purpose and meaning. Scientific research has described up to 21 different vocalisations which are primarily used for communication,…
Keeping Pets Safe at Christmas – A Behaviourist’s Guide
Festive Cheer Without Pet Fear: Keeping Pets Safe at Christmas The festive season brings joy and excitement, but it can also be overwhelming for pets at Christmas. Changes in routines, unfamiliar guests,…
Understanding Cat Body Language – A Behaviourist’s Guide
For many of us, cats have become indispensable companions, so understanding cat body language and communication signals can enhance your bond with your feline companion and help you better meet their needs.…
Keeping Parrots with Other Pets – Managing a Multi-species Household
Keeping parrots with other pets can be managed safely and harmoniously, but it requires careful planning, training, and constant supervision to ensure the safety of all involved. Challenges of Keeping Parrots with…
Parrots and Children – How to Build a Safe Relationship
Can Kids and Parrots Really Bond? Insights into Their Relationship Ah, the age-old question – do children and parrots make the best of friends? Much like many relationships, it hinges greatly on…
Parrot Flight Training – A Step-by-Step Guide
Safely Harnessing the Freedom of Flight Birds, especially parrots, are naturally gifted aviators. Their primary mode of transportation is their wings, even though they are also adept climbers and walkers. The ability…
Parrot Station Training – Teaching Your Bird to Go to a Spot
Delving into parrot training, one method that reigns supreme in maintaining household harmony is station training. By teaching your parrot to “station,” you effectively guide them to remain on a designated perch…
How to Handle a Parrot – Where and How to Touch Your Bird Safely
If you are a parrot owner, you may wonder how to handle a parrot appropriately. When you think of showing affection to your pet, a gentle touch or petting often comes to…
Parrot Body Language – How to Read Your Bird’s Signals
Parrots are enigmatic creatures, with a rich tapestry of behaviours that, if understood, can pave the way for a harmonious relationship between bird and owner. However, it’s essential to remember that, much…
Parrot Step-Up Training
Birds, especially parrots, are intelligent creatures that can be trained to follow certain cues. One such vital cue is the “step-up” request. Mastering this will not only make interactions with your bird…
Parrot Target Training – A Beginner’s Guide
Diving into the world of your parrot’s cognitive abilities is a fascinating and rewarding experience. Parrot target training stands out as a prime method to enhance both your bond with your parrot…
Clicker Training for Parrots – How to Get Started
Clicker training for parrots is a transformative approach that’s not only effective but also enhances the relationship between a bird and its owner. When you engage in clicker training, you’re not merely…
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Ella the vet
I have been very impressed with Zoe and her team at Second Nature and now they see all my behaviour referrals. Their client communication, follow up support and their passion for what they do is wonderful. As a referring vet, i want my clients to feel happy with whom I have referred them to and I can honestly say every one has been very pleased!
Nicki the vet
Zoe has worked absolute miracles on cats, dogs and parrots and given pet owners chance to build a more understanding and deeper relationship with their pets. I have loved seeing clients back with smiles on their faces after implementing Zoe’s instructions in order to manage the issues they have had for a long time.
Behavioural issues are very complex and with a communication barrier from man to animal creating an even more difficult task, a highly qualified behaviourist with lots of experience is absolutely invaluable and for me, Zoe is just that. An invaluable asset to my work as a vet to ensure you can get the best out of your relationship with your family pets.
I will always recommend 100%. Thank you for everything, I look forward to continuing to work with you.
Luke, Harry & Trixie
I cannot recommend Second Nature enough. Zoe gives both my dogs so much care and attention.
I have two German Shepherds who are extremely anxious around other dogs. Zoe accompanied me on dog walks to give practical help and advice for challenging situations! She is great at giving tips and tricks, training suggestions and food recommendations for my boys. Not only is Zoe amazing with the dogs but she is a lovely person to work with and made me feel at ease. The best service you can get for a reasonable price.
Thank you Second Nature,
Trixy
Benji, Dawn & Paul
We have really enjoyed the behaviour consultation process. Zoe has shown us how to deal with our dog’s problems. We now have the tools to carry on with his training.
The walks with Zoe, in particular, have provided what we need to stop Benji’s chasing. We know it is going to be a long process for Benji’s problems, but we now know how to go about trying to change the behaviour with consistency. We know that it is fear that is making Benji chase. We would definitely recommend Second Nature and would use you again if required in the future.
Many thanks for your help,
Dawn and Paul
Ted, Rob and Michelle
Really pleased with the outcome and what an enjoyable experience meeting with you – Ted has calmed down a lot now!
It’s great that I can cuddle Rob now without worrying! Ted is much calmer when people visit, but we’re still working on him tolerating strangers approaching me. Nonetheless, on the whole fantastic!
Thank you for all your help!
Michelle & Rob
Gracie
Whilst Gracie is still an anxious dog, she has made incredible progress and if we are completely honest, more progress than we thought she could make.
Gracie came to live with us from the Retired Greyhound Trust. Gracie was finding life very difficult as she was incredibly anxious and her inability to sleep through the night, cope with anyone other than us coming to the house and her extreme nervousness on encountering other people on walks was making us doubt if we could keep her. This was extremely upsetting for us as she is a very loving dog. As a result of Gracie’s issues and the stress, it was causing her and us, we were referred to Second NatureBehaviour by our vet.
Zoe visited us at home and spent over three hours observing Gracie and talking with us about our experiences with her. This consultation was very successful and almost over-night enabled us to improve the ways we approached and helped Gracie, through:
Diagnosing Gracie’s condition as generalised anxiety disorder and gaining a full understanding of the implications of this condition;
- Working in partnership with our vet to create a clinical as well as a behavioural plan;
- Teaching us how to “address” Gracie in order to reduce her stress levels – this technique we were able to share with visitors and had a great calming effect;
- Using treats to reward small steps forward that quickly grew into lasting improvements;
- Recognising some of Gracie’s stress triggers and developing a regime that reduced them / where possible avoided them; and
- A behavioural programme that helped Gracie during stressful times.
Gracie has now been part of our family for 15 months. There is still a lot to be done to continue to help Gracie, but thanks to Zoe’s input, when she is at home with us she is now a happy, playful, confident and very affectionate dog. During walks she is nowhere near as scared of traffic, people, noises as she used to be, and no longer ‘freezes’ as she used to at times.
The coaching we have had from Zoe through the initial visit and follow up has given us confidence that we can, over time, continue the progress Gracie has made so far to help her live an even fuller and happier life.
We would absolutely recommend Zoe to anyone who has an animal struggling with behavioural problems, as the progress we have seen Gracie make is wonderful, and has made our lives much better, too.
Thank you,
Anette and David
Echo
I do think that if we had not had help Echo wouldn’t be with us today, so this service has been fabulous! With the behaviour plan in place and lots of hard work from us as a family, we now have a more relaxed dog.
Echo shows nervous aggression whenever people come near him. The overall consultation process has helped us as a family to understand Echo a lot better and why he acts as he does at times. The behaviour plan is always on hand to help us in certain areas with Echo and it works so long as we all stick to it, which we do.
Without Zoe coming to see us and organising a behaviour plan for our border collie, I feel I would have had to rehome him. We still have a long way to go, but we now know Echo and how he reacts in situations and why so we can quickly defuse it.
A wonderful service from Second Nature knowing we can call Zoe at any time is so reassuring. Thank you Second Nature and Zoe – so friendly and understanding!
Thanks for all your help!
Claire
Chip, James & Sarah
We found Zoe to be extremely knowledgeable and attentive when it came to talking us through the processes we needed to follow to get our little Yorkie under control.
Very helpful after the home visit with follow-up emails and other offers of help to ensure we had all the support we needed. Would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a professional behaviourist.
Regards,
James and Sarah