Reward-based one-to-one dog training in Birmingham plus expert pet behaviour help. Get support from accredited dog trainers and Clinical Animal Behaviourists.

Looking for a dog trainer in Birmingham? You’re in the right place — but we’re a little different from most.

At Second Nature Behaviour, we offer one-to-one reward-based dog training for owners across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, and we’re a clinical behaviour practice working on written veterinary referral for cases where a pet’s behaviour has become genuinely difficult, distressing, or unsafe.

Whether your dog needs help learning loose-lead walking and a reliable recall, or your dog, cat or parrot is dealing with something more serious — reactivity on walks, separation distress, aggression, spraying, feather plucking — we can help you find the right route.

Dog training with Second Nature Behaviour

Book a FREE Discovery Call

Book a free 15-minute phone call with one of our team to discuss how we can support you.

What we offer in Birmingham: One-to-one dog training and pet behaviour help

We work in two related but distinct ways, depending on what your pet needs:

One-to-One Dog Training Personalised, reward-based training sessions in and around Birmingham — at home, in your local park, or wherever you and your dog need help. Loose-lead walking, recall, manners around visitors, calmer behaviour on walks, settling at home.

Clinical Behaviour Consultations For dogs, cats and parrots with established behaviour problems — fear, anxiety, aggression, reactivity, compulsive behaviour, toileting issues, feather plucking. These are home-visit consultations of 1.5–3 hours, followed by a written behaviour modification plan and follow-up support. Vet referral required (your vet can complete our quick online form).

If you’re not sure which one you need, book a free 15-minute discovery call and we’ll point you the right way.

Find out more about our dog training and behaviour services

For more information about our different types of services, have a look at our services table.

Common Dog Behaviour Problems We Support With

Aggressive dog

Aggression to other household dogs

Cat toileting in garden

Chasing traffic or other animals

 

Aggression to humans

 

A Beagle reacting to a trigger whilst on lead during a walk.

Reactive to other dogs on walks

 

Aggressive dog

Separation anxiety problems

 

Cat toileting in garden

Fear & anxiety problems

 

Repetitive compulsive behaviours

Dog training

Dog Training Issues

 

How to Access Our Services

For one-to-one dog training: Book a free discovery call so we can talk through what you’re hoping to work on. We’ll then arrange your first training session at a time and place that suits you.

For clinical behaviour consultations: We work exclusively on written veterinary referral. This isn’t bureaucracy — it’s so we can rule out any medical contribution to your pet’s behaviour, work alongside your vet, and (in many cases) help you claim through your pet insurance. Here’s how it works:

1. Vet referral

Request that your vet completes our quick, online referral form here.

2. Booking

Online or by giving us a call on 0121 299 0188

3. History form

Give us some background about your pet, their environment, routines and your relationship

4. Consultation

Let’s get started on the plan to dealing with your pet’s behaviour towards people

Book a Behaviour Consultation

Get help from one of our animal behaviour experts

Areas Covered

Our Birmingham dog trainers and behaviourists cover all of Birmingham and the surrounding areas — including Edgbaston, Moseley, Harborne, Kings Heath and Cotteridge — and we travel regularly out to Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, and across the wider Black Country.

For owners further afield, we also cover Bromsgrove, Redditch, Dudley, Walsall and West Bromwich. If you’re more than 20 miles from our Birmingham hub, we charge an additional £2 per mile (return) to cover travel.

For cats and parrots specifically, we also offer virtual consultations worldwide — distance doesn’t have to be a barrier to specialist support.

If you’re closer to one of our other hubs, you may prefer to be seen by the team there:

Contact us

In emergencies please call your normal vets local to you.

Second Nature Behaviour
87 Watford Rd, Cotteridge,
Birmingham, West Midlands B30 1NP
Phone: 0121 299 0188
Email: brum@secondnature.bio

Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

  • Dog Training in Birmingham – Plus Expert Behaviour Support for Pets

Book a behaviour consultation

get expert help now

Nicki the vet

Cat and vet
Second Nature Behaviour provides an excellent service for a very reasonable price. As a vet, I have referred many of my patients to Zoe for behavioural and psychological issues and have worked alongside her in managing patients with medical intervention. Zoe has worked absolute miracles on cats, dogs and parrots and given pet owners chance

Benji, Dawn & Paul

Terrier
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

Gracie

Dog
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

Riley & Paul

Riley the dog
I must say the advice you gave me was excellent. I would without hesitation recommend you to anybody with a problem dog. The consultation process I found most useful in setting out the ground rules. I also found the literature to be most helpful for reference. Things have really improved with Riley on and off

Trinity, Bella & Rachael

dogs
Zoe changed our lives for the better.  We can’t thank Zoe enough. My dogs had started to fight with each other for various reasons. Zoe spent hours with us trying to work out why and how to overcome the problem. Zoe put in hours of work and we put lots of hard work in too with

Dotty, Annie & Colin

Dalmation
We feel totally supported – Second Nature Behaviour are sticking with us on the journey! We are fostering our first rescue dog who had never been properly socialised with other dogs. Zoe assessed Dotty and produced a very thorough and professional report, which has been invaluable in giving us the confidence and the practical techniques

Brambles & Corinne

Dog
I trust them completely: what they don’t know about animals is not worth knowing. Their calmness and reassuring manner transfers to both dogs and owners. I have and will continue to recommend Second Nature Behaviour to any animal owner’s who need support and guidance.  They have been so helpful in sorting out my rescued loopy lurcher’s

Bubba, Karen & Gary

Dog
It was very helpful to speak to you. You offered some very good advice, most of which we have put into practice and we really are seeing results. As you say, it is an ongoing thing, so we still have a way to go, but we have found the whole process very positive and it

Alfie, Mary, Michael & Chris

Dog
We were a little apprehensive about going to the meeting with Zoe, but we shouldn’t have been as she made us feel at ease very quickly.  We were amazed at how quickly Alfie settled.  The suggestions Zoe made were easy to follow. Some of the things we were already doing and others just simple things

Blaze, Laura & Glyn

Dog
Although it is still early days, Zoe has helped us feel more in control, thereby keeping Blaze in a happier place. She has given us the confidence to let him approach other dogs where appropriate. Walk times are getting to be more enjoyable and Blaze has made a new friend!  The service provided is excellent

Cocoa & Julia

Dog
I have been following your advice with Cocoa and we have noticed a difference in his behaviour already!! He’s still bonkers but our change in approach has hugely improved his behaviour.  Your advice for simple yet effective changes around the house is a life-saver and Cocoa is a lot less stressed too!  There is a

Sophie, Chloe & Rosie

Dog

I wholeheartedly recommend Second Nature Behaviour. I have marvellous professional advice and support. Zoe is so committed to helping me and my dogs, Sophie and Chloe. Thank you SO much for your ongoing advice and support. I really feel we benefit enormously from all your expertise. Best, Rosie

Dylan, Juliet & Carl

Dog
Zoe’s early input was so helpful at looking at Dylan’s night-time anxieties in a new way. Her ideas and strategies really worked! We understood that it was not a quick fix and we’ve had to take our time. Zoe gave us a long-term goal and we’ve got a better relationship with our dog in other

Frank & Lynne

GSD dog

You were fab and I couldn’t have asked any more of you. I think that your way of teaching gave me a better understanding of the way dogs think and enabled me to work better with Frank. Many thanks, Lynne

Yogi & Rupert

Dogs sitting together
You can tell Zoe is passionate about what she does and clearly loves animals. She is very thorough and is always on hand for advice. Zoe has helped tremendously – we still have some work to do, but we got to the bottom of both my dogs’ issues and from then was able to get

Murphy & Anna

Dog
Murphy was scared of the vets and generally a little OTT. Things are now going really well – amazing Zoe! Thank you for coming over and giving very sensible, practical advice. Murph now sits patiently on the mat by the back door while I get my shoes on, coat on and lead out. He also sits

Irene & Pauline

Collie
Irene used to be terrified of noises.  The service Zoe provided gave me the confidence and skills to make Irene more confident. Irene is doing really well now – so much that the vet emailed Zoe to say how much better she is. People who meet us in the mornings on our walk also comment

Kizzy, Gyp, Barry & Hilary

Bull Terrier
We have put a lot of Zoe’s advice into practice and Kizzy has turned into a lovely and very loving dog. Things with her and our older dog, Gyp, are much better and no further incidents. We continue to walk them together but without risk.  Both go to kennels when we have breaks where we

Alfie & Charley

dogs
Zoe is the kindest and the most considerate person – if you are looking for a professional pet behaviour therapist that loves animals look no further. Zoe is a top-class professional in her field with the results to prove it. Such a caring lady and nothing too much trouble even with telephone call out of

Bobby & Jayne

Dog
I have found your knowledge of dogs behaviour inspiring and it’s clear to see you have a real passion for dogs. Zoe is the best at what she does. Zoe has given me the confidence to tackle my dogs’ behaviour issues. I am now able to restrain my dog myself and make going to the vets

Cookie, Storm, Andy & Julie

Dog
Our girls, Cookie and Storm, suddenly started fighting with each other.  We are really happy with the time Zoe spent with us and the dogs. Zoe was very thorough when gathering information about their history and previous behaviour. It was obvious that she had a great understanding of dogs.  The plan Zoe sent through was

Bracken & Vivienne

Beagle
Thank you so much for all your help. Before meeting you we were at our wit’s end as to what to do with Bracken, but your time and advice has put us back in control. Bracken is much easier to take out for walks and he is much calmer in the house. We really are

Dexter & Dougie

Dogs
We went into our first visit with Zoe feeling anxious we may end up having to  rehome  one of our beloved Frenchies. Fast-forward 6 months – our dogs are happier (and better behaved!) than ever. They were being aggressive towards each other.  However, now we are finally back to a place where we can relax

Sadie, Julie and Mark

Beagle
You have done everything in a very compassionate and non-judgemental way; an approach that we have really appreciated. You have provided us with sound advice when we needed it most and have been very responsive and supportive in times of crisis.  You took time to understand the character of our dog and followed this with

Nala

Dog
If you’re looking for someone to sort out your pet’s behaviour, that you know it’s weird and don’t have a clue why they’re acting like they are, then contact Second Nature. Zoe has been amazing and gone the extra mile with us. From diagnosing our newfie with anxiety to putting into practice an action plan

Skye & Lynette

Dog
Zoe is a real dog lover who understands that life has to go on around the training. I have learned and am still learning so much from her to help me help my dog. I have been working with Zoe for some months now to help with my dog’s separation anxiety and I cannot recommend

Jules & Linda

Grey Parrot

These are wonderful people, really professional, compassionate and knowledgeable. They helped me during a crisis with my African Grey and their kind, factual, knowledgeable service was excellent. Can’t recommend enough.

Lily & Kiki

Rainbow Lorikeet

You have been wonderful to work with – clearly such a caring person.  You have turned Kiki’s life around.

Nardie’s Flock

parrots
Even the budgies who were easily spooked respond well to me now and really love their fly time! When they are out they know the drill and do very well at coming in and out of the enclosure. Thank you so much Zoe for sharing your expertise and giving me so many tips for improving

Cocky & Timothy

Cockatoo

We couldn’t be happier with the changes we’ve seen in our feathered family member – thank you Zoe.  You’ve worked wonders.

Otis, Grace & Dom

Cat
Zoe is fantastic and spotted solutions with our cat Otis straightaway. He’d bite calves in the morning, hurrying us along for breakfast and would swipe and latch onto feet and arms and bite and rake at us aggressively. He was chewing plastic and thin cables. We’d tried many approaches without success. Zoe stepped in, observed

Harry & Phantom

Cats
Really thorough process – we felt you really took the time to understand us and the cats. We saw almost instant improvements with some of the strategies suggested. The second catflap on the first floor was a stroke of genius! Behaviour work is obviously ongoing because our cats at apparently extremely difficult individuals! But it’s

Hettie, Lily & Chester

Cats and dog
Zoe’s expertise and advice have been invaluable in helping our dog to settle at night due to separation anxiety and overcoming tricky interactions with our two cats. We have followed her advice along with great feedback and ongoing support from Zoe and our dog is now much improved! Highly recommended for tricky behavioural issues. Thank

Charlie & Milo

Grey cats

The help you have given us has been so useful with our two cats who weren’t getting along. It has enabled us to make some changes which appear to be gradually helping the cats live more happily. The continued support and contact have worked well for us. Thank you, Angela.

Marley & Elaine

cat
It has been a comfort knowing that if I needed any more advice, you were always there. Marley is doing amazingly compared to how he was, he still sprays on new items when I bring them into the house, but has not sprayed anywhere for many many months. Without your help and advice, I do

Billie, Tammy & Mary

Cat

Zoe, I can’t thank you enough for all your help and support with my cats. Your advice has been invaluable. The problems with my cats eased so much, as I was at my witts end.  I would highly recommend you to anyone that has problems with their pets. Thanks again. Mary

Riley & Paul

Riley the dog
I must say the advice you gave me was excellent. I would without hesitation recommend you to anybody with a problem dog. The consultation process I found most useful in setting out the ground rules. I also found the literature to be most helpful for reference. Things have really improved with Riley on and off

Alice Watts

Zoe has been a fab mentor, supporting me through tricky cases with advice and experience. I’m really pleased to have passed my CAB exams with her support. Thank you Zoe!

Mari Patel

Our vet referred our dog, Trigger, to Dr Zoe Demery after we noticed a change in his behaviour. He had begun to show signs of fear anxiety with other dogs, including, barking, lunging and running at them. Zoe helped us to understand Trigger’s body language and taught us lots of tips and tricks to deal

Kyra Algazi

Zoe is a great mentor. She always makes sure that I understand why we have to write certain things or not. Zoe continues to help me to increase my knowledge about dogs and English. Kyra Algazi

Lesley Townsend

Zoe at Second Nature Behaviour is a phenomenal mentor. She’s empathic, knowledgeable and experienced. She’s also super approachable which means our sessions never feel like an imposition or a chore and I look forward to our meetings. I’ve learned lots working with her and I highly recommend her services.

K Wilmot

For the last year, Dr. Zoe Demery has been working with me and my dog Bella on separation anxiety and reactivity. I moved from the USA to the UK and back to the USA, and Zoe has stayed in touch and continued to coach me on how to improve Bella’s behavior and make her life

To Mei Lam

Zoe is a very responsible dog trainer. Our dog Toby had been a nervous dog since he arrived England, and we had found numerous dog trainers, but they are not helpful with Toby’s situation. However, Zoe had weekly check ins with us, along with regular check ins via WhatsApp. Zoe also helped Toby with his

Hemendra Singh

I recently used Second Nature Behaviour for my dog’s anxiety issues, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the service provided by Dr. Zoe Demery and her team. Zoe’s deep understanding of animal behaviour and her compassionate approach made a significant difference for us. From the initial consultation, Zoe was incredibly thorough, taking the time

Carole Valentine

I have been using Zoe’s mentoring services since 2020 and I find them invaluable. Zoe herself is a very supportive, welcoming and encouraging person who helps to build your confidence as well as your knowledge and she dedicates a lot of her time to trying to help others succeed in the pet behaviour industry. She

Sara Valverde

I would like to thank Zoe for all the support provided me throughout our mentoring relationship over the period I was studying in the UK, three years ago. Our mentoring sessions have had an incredible impact on my professional growth as a behaviourist. I am very grateful to have been allowed to learn from your

Hannah Burton

I have been Zoe’s mentee for over three years now and I would thoroughly recommend the experience to any budding CABs out there! Zoe is a kind mentor who is not only passionate and knowledgeable about behavioural science but also about helping her mentees to be the very best version of themselves. My favourite thing

Lynne Taylor

Zoe has mentored me over the last two years as I’ve built up my practical experience of behaviour consultations. Her feedback and advice throughout the process of carrying out consultations, writing reports and following-up with clients have been invaluable. The supportive WhatsApp group that she set up to enable her mentees to communicate with her

Lacey and Luca

Fantastic communication, gave some amazing advice and have been very helpful with everything, couldn’t recommend enough!

Rachel Williams

Zoe is a very supportive mentor, providing valuable feedback on how I carried out my consult and written communication with clients. Being able to shadow Keeley during an in-person follow up session was invaluable too. Highly recommend Second Nature Behaviour to anyone seeking support during their behaviourist career.

Emma Simmons

Zoe is not only a brilliant certificated clinical animal behaviourist, but an incredibly knowledgable and supportive mentor to those currently gaining clinical experience towards CCAB accreditation. Zoe has helped me to focus in on the areas of behaviour that most interest me and that I feel I can most effectively help and support owners and

karen kawycz

We have recently had the pleasure to work with Megan to help our three year old maltipoo Harry with anxieties and reactivity which has quite honestly impacted on our lives and made us so sorry that Harry was not settled and happy and also that our joy in having this beautiful little dog in our

Abs Casaus

We have two naughty cats that we would have had to separate if it wasnt for Zoe’s help. She is friendly, supportive and created a pragmatic plan to try to get them to coexist. We have had huge progress and recommend highly to anybody having pet behavioural issues 👍

Tess Whiting

Brilliant! We worked with Megan who is very calm and understanding to help our nervous young staffie with sound sensitivity and fear of dogs. Would recommend them to anyone with a sensitive dog who needs compassion.

Jules Isaacs-garfield

These are wonderful people, really professional, compassionate and knowledgeable. They helped me during a crisis with my dog and their kind, factual, knowledgeable service was excellent. Can’t recommend enough.

Lauren Sharkey

Zoe was a brilliant mentor to me from when I was still a behaviour student and barely knew anything to when I was gaining confidence working in the industry. Being able to watch a variety of her consultations live and then discuss them afterwards was incredibly helpful and challenged me (in a good way). Thanks

Sarah Pittaway

Zoe has been an amazing help in integrating our two fractious felines. The whole process has been really thorough and we felt that she took the time to get to know both of us and our cats. We had some immediate ‘quick wins’ from her initial recommendations and she’s been there to support us and

Francisca Silva

If you’re looking for someone to sort out your pet’s behaviour, that you know it’s weird and don’t have a clue why he’s acting like he is, then contact Zoe. Zoe has been amazing and gone the extra mile with us. From diagnosing our newfie with anxiety to putting in practice an action plan but

Kad Bell

We went into our first visit with Zoe feeling anxious and afraid that we may end up having to find a new home for one of our beloved frenchies if they didn’t stop their aggressive behaviour towards each other. Fast forward 6 months and our dogs are happier (and better behaved!) than ever and we

Beatrice Schubert

I cannot recommend Zoe enough. I have two German Shepherds who are extremely anxious around other dogs. Zoe gives them both so much care and attention, she even accompanied me on a dog walk to give practical help and advice for challenging situations! She is great at giving tips and tricks, training suggestions and food

Rachael Harrison

Zoe changed our lives for the better. My dogs had started to fight with each other for various reasons. Zoe spent hours with us trying to work out why and how to overcome the problem. Zoe put in hours of work and we out lots of hard work in too with support from Zoe. Whilst

D Adams

I had a longstanding worry with my male cat urinating in the house and vocalising a lot. I was overwhelmed. This was a complex situation and Zoe has been really down to earth, approachable, and persistent – even at those times I was ready to give up. The home assessment and report was great, and

Claire hughes

Without Zoe coming to see us and organising a behaviour plan for our border collie, I feel I would have had to rehome him. Echo shows nervous aggression whenever people come near him. With the behaviour plan in place and lots of hard work from us as a family we now have a more relaxed

Mary Wilde

We were a little apprehensive going to the meeting with Zoe, but we shouldn’t have been as she quickly made us feel at ease, Alfie settled quickly too. Everything Zoe has suggested from closing the kitchen blind so Alfie can’t see the children next door to more complex training has helped enormously. I realise there

Richard Yarnell

We were referred to Zoe by our vets as one of our greyhounds was proving difficult to settle and was reactive to other dogs, seemed to have some sort of sleep terrors and was generally proving difficult to adjust into our household. Zoe’s clear methods and easy style of communication quickly put us at ease,

Peter Blanusa

Thankyou to Zoe and Megan for the help and advice when my dog had guarding and anxiety issues and would bite if anything dropped and also many allergies as well. With there help that gave me excersises and help and support and worked with my vet got Marley the help that he needed. Also changed

Lilly and Kiki

You have been wonderful to work with – clearly such a caring person.  You have turned our lorikeet Kiki’s life around.

Elaine and Marley

It has been a comfort knowing that if I needed any more advice, you were always there. Marley is doing amazingly compared to how he was, he still sprays on new items when I bring them into the house, but has not sprayed anywhere for many many months. Without your help and advice, I do

Rosie Jenkins

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I wholeheartedly recommend Second Nature Behaviour. I have marvellous professional advice and support from Zoe who is so committed to helping me and my dog,Sophie.

Meet Your Local Pet Behaviourists in Birmingham

Hannah Dawes

Hannah Dawes

Veterinary Behaviourist

Hannah is a Veterinary Surgeon who graduated from the Royal Veterinary Cottage in 2008 and has worked in companion animal general practice ever since. She works part-time at a veterinary surgery in Stourbridge.

Hannah has a General Practitioner certificate in Small Animal Medicine and a postgraduate diploma in companion animal behaviour.

Find out more about Hannah here.

 

Zoe Demery

Zoe Demery

Senior Behaviourist

Zoe is an independently accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) in dogs, cats and parrots.

Zoe is proud to be a Certificated Member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians, a registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council and a Certified Animal Behaviour Consultant (in parrots, cats and dogs) with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants.

Find out more about Zoe here.

 

Megan Richardson

Megan Richardson

Senior Behaviourist

Megan 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.

Find out more about Megan here.

Keely Needham

Keely Needham

Senior Behaviourist

Keely graduated from Harper Adams University in 2021 with a first class honours degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour and Welfare. She works part-time as a behaviourist for a large animal welfare organisation. Keely has independent CCAB accreditation in dogs.

Keely has a wealth of experience working with dogs of all breeds and backgrounds and has a passion for understanding the complex needs of troubled dogs and enhancing the bonds with their care-givers and owners.

Find out more about Keely here.

FAQ

Have a more general question?  Check out our general FAQ.

Prefer to chat things through a bit more?

Contact Us

Give us a buzz by email or phone
0121 299 0188.

How do I book an appointment?

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. You can access the referral form here, or your vet can make the referral online here.

How should I go about arranging a vet referral for my dog?

We will send you a referral form to give to your vet. Ask them to look at your dog and fill the form in. You should send this to us prior to the consultation, together with any clinical records that your vet may think are relevant. Alternatively, your vet may like to email, fax (0844 358 3201), or post their records directly to us. Note that they can also fill in their referral online. If you have already spoken to your vet, then this may be sufficient, but please double-check with them. Different vets have different ways of doing things. Some vets charge an extra fee for a referral.

What kind of guarantees can you offer me? What if your suggestions don't work?

We cannot guarantee a ‘cure’ or work miracles, but if between us we can diagnose what is going on, and if you are prepared to work hard, dramatic improvement is not unusual.  The treatment plan is designed to be fluid.  If what we initially suggest doesn’t seem to have much effect, then we will reassess and make some other suggestions about what to do. 

How quickly will we see results? How long will it take to solve the problem?

There is no quick fix to any kind of behaviour problem. The treatment 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. Always remember that your pet’s current problems may have developed over a long period of time, so it may take a particularly long time to improve. It really varies from individual to individual. However, support from us is ongoing, as you need it. Following your consultation, further advice is available by phone and email as you progress, or face-to-face if you require it. Progress is often faster with greater follow-up behaviour support within your own environment.

Why must I seek referral from my vet? I'm sure my dog is perfectly healthy - what's the point?

A strong link between the veterinary surgeon and the animal behaviourist is essential in all cases. In order to rule out any physiological causes for the problem behaviour and in accordance with the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians‘ Code of Conduct, we only work on veterinary referral. Behavioural symptoms are often intertwined with some medical conditions. To provide a truly holistic solution to your problem, your vet needs to be involved at all stages of the process. The behaviourist will work closely with your vet, who often provides ongoing support from their end for various elements of the behaviour plan. 

How does the vet referral process work? What do you need from them? Do I have to pay more? My vet just said to give you a call - is that enough?

We will send you a referral form to give to your vet. Ask them to look at your pet and fill the form in. You should send this to us prior to the consultation, together with any clinical records that your vet may think are relevant. Alternatively, your vet may like to email, fax (0844 358 3201), or post their records directly to us. Note that they can also fill in their referral online. If you have already spoken to your vet, then this may be sufficient, but please double-check with them. Different vets have different ways of doing things. Some vets charge an extra fee for a referral.

Are you covered by insurance?

Second Nature Behaviour and our employees are fully covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

How do I know if I need to book a 1-2-1 training session or behaviour consultation?

Dog behaviour problems are usually caused by an underlying negative emotion, such as fear, anxiety or frustration. On the other hand, dog training problems are usually caused by dogs not understanding what’s being requested of them, or they may not be motivated enough to perform the behaviour requested. Examples of dog behaviour problems include lunging and barking at triggers on walks, aggression towards people or other animals, appearing fearful of certain noises etc. Examples of dog training problems include pulling on the lead, not coming back when called and jumping up at people. If you’re unsure what type of service you need, get in touch.