1-2-1 training sessions last 1-hour, and are held at your home or virtually. During the session, we will discuss your aims, how to manage your cat’s training issues, and we will practise doing some training with your cat. You may be provided with handouts with training protocols to follow in your own time. After the session, you will be sent an email with an action plan. These sessions involve us demonstrating and/or instructing you how to train your cat. It’s unlikely that we will be able to train your dog to perform specific behaviours, or overcome training issues in one session, as training often requires lots of time, patience and repetition. Therefore, we may need several sessions together to make significant progress with your cat, and it will be down to you to continue the training in your own time.

Cat behaviour problems are usually caused by an underlying negative emotion, such as fear, anxiety or frustration. On the other hand, cat training problems are usually caused by cats not understanding what’s being requested of them, or they may not be motivated enough to perform the behaviour requested. Examples of cat behaviour problems include aggression towards people or other animals, toileting or spraying indoors, or appearing fearful of certain noises etc. 

Contact us for a no obligation chat. After you have been referred by your veterinary surgeon, you can phone us on 0121 299 0188 to discuss the details and costs, or book online here. 

There is no quick fix to any kind of training problem. The training plan advised may produce results very quickly, but often it will take time, effort and commitment from all of the family to produce the improved behaviour. It really varies from individual to individual. However, support from us is ongoing, as you need it. 

Currently, in the UK anyone can practise as a dog trainer whether they have any qualifications and experience or not.  However, there are moves afoot to put pressure on the government to regulate the profession.  The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) is one body that aims to be an umbrella regulatory body for the sector. The Council is made up of several professional trade bodies, representing animal trainers and behaviourists to the public. The ABTC sets and maintains the standards of knowledge and practical skills necessary to be an animal trainer or behaviourist. The ABTC maintains national registers of appropriately qualified and experienced practitioners.  A strict Code of Conduct and an annual CPD (Continuing Professional Development) requirement is expected from the professional trade bodies who are members of the Council.

The Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT) is an example of an ABTC practitioner organisation that assesses individuals who wish to be accredited as Animal Training Instructors (ATIs).

Zoe Demery, who runs Second Nature Behaviour, has a doctorate in animal behaviour and a first-class honours degree in zoology and psychology. She is a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) in dogs, cats and parrots, which means she is fully accredited with the ABTC and CCAB Certification.  She is very happy to be a Certificated Member of FAB Clinicians. Megan Richardson graduated from Harper Adams University with a first class BSc (Hons) degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, then grew her clinical behaviour practice with dogs and cats.  She has many years of experience and is an independently accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB in dogs).  Megan is an active member of various organisations, including FAB Clinicians, APBC and PACT.  Last but not least Megan is registered as a CAB and ATI with the ABTC. All of Second Nature Behaviour’s associate behaviourists are well qualified, but are still working towards CCAB accreditation.  We all work according to the Code of Conduct set by the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians.

Exemplary feedback from our clients indicates they are appreciative of someone having the time to listen to them and to deal with their pets’ problems. Second Nature Behaviour can offer years of experience, well-qualified, empathic behaviourists and dog training instructors along with great facilities. We are able to provide you with the tools and the time you need to develop thorough behaviour and training treatment plans that are suitable for your dog’s individual circumstances. We employ kind, reward-based techniques to resolve dog training problems.