Ask The Expert

(Featured in February 2017 veterinary publication ‘Companion’) Fear aggression in the vet practice.   Personally I have seen how socials can make a massive difference especially in a young dog.  What is the best way to carry out a social and any top tips?    When dogs are brought into the veterinary practice they experience some or all of the following: Invasion of personal space and restraint by unfamiliar individuals; unusual and aversive smells, noises and floor surfaces; pain (either delivered to them or already in pain when they are brought in); being placed up high on a table where […]

By |2020-05-01T12:37:55+01:00October 10th, 2018|Cats, Dogs|0 Comments

Play is good for the body & brain

(Published in Your Cat magazine, January 2017) Lots of scientific evidence shows that – in both human and non-human animals – play is good for the brain. Grizzly Bears that play the most, survive the longest. Rats that play more with other rats develop bigger, more complex brains. Play stimulates nerve growth in the portions of the brain that process emotions and executive function. The International Society of Feline Medicine and the American Association of Feline Practitioners state that providing toys and opportunities for play is one of the five pillars of a healthy environment for cats. Indeed, it has […]

By |2020-05-01T12:41:14+01:00February 8th, 2017|Cats, Pet News|0 Comments

Why becoming a parent has made me a better pet behaviour counsellor

I have first-hand experience of managing interactions between children & pets – it is not easy! My youngest is currently at the developmental stage I believe most pets find hardest – crawling (invading the animal’s floor space), starting to walk (wobbling), generally behaving unpredictably, cannot yet follow instructions, and absolutely fascinated by the furry 4-legged creatures – the default way to interact is to grab harshly. Introducing my first newborn to my dogs was the first challenge for me. It took months of preparation before the baby’s arrival and even then it was a fairly difficult first week. This experience […]

By |2020-05-01T12:48:24+01:00February 14th, 2016|Cats, Dogs, Pet News, Rabbits|0 Comments

Children and cats – a recipe for disaster or a match made in heaven?

(Published in Your Cat Magazine October 2015 issue). It’s been estimated that around 18% of households in the UK own a cat, and it’s no surprise. Typically they’re quiet, small, and relatively easy to care for – a perfect match for busy families with kids. However, if children aren’t given suitable guidance on how to interact appropriately with cats, it can result in a stressful situation for all involved.   Child health and wellbeing Research has shown that babies who grow up in homes with a cat are less likely to get poorly than children who live pet-free.  The presence […]

By |2020-05-01T12:49:23+01:00January 3rd, 2016|Cats, Pet News|0 Comments

Is your cat ready for life with a baby?

(Featured in Your Cat magazine September 2015 issue) Pet Behaviourist Rosie Bescoby from Pet Sense explains how to make introductions as smooth as possible for you, your baby and your cat. As a pet behaviourist, cat owner, and mother of two, I know that juggling babies and cats is no easy feat. But with a little help and preparation you can make life easier – and safer – for your children and your pets. Becoming parents is a momentous time in our lives, but it can also be stressful. New babies change everything – our routines, our homes, our sleep…. Then […]

By |2020-05-01T12:50:27+01:00November 15th, 2015|Cats, Pet News|0 Comments

Strange Divides

It is becoming increasingly more apparent that there are strange divides within the community of force-free dog trainers and behaviourists. There are those who swear by (and stick to) certain tools in their toolbox, and those who are vehemently anti- the same tools. These methods, protocols or equipment are not ones designed to cause fear or pain. As trainers & behaviourists, we work with a multitude of problems and a vast array of owners. Every pet and owner is a unique partnership. Each has its own story. Owners all have their own attitudes and beliefs, as well as mental and […]

By |2020-05-01T12:57:10+01:00September 26th, 2015|Cats, Dogs, Pet News|0 Comments

Accreditations and Qualifications – what do they mean?

Currently there’s no regulation within the pet behaviour and dog training industry, so anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or pet behaviourist – and they do – without any appropriate experience or qualifications. I’m really proud of the qualifications and accreditations I’ve achieved. However, it’s difficult for the pet-owning public and co-professionals to know what to look for in a ‘pet behaviourist’. Membership of specific Associations rarely means anything, as there are Associations out there whose ethos are out-dated and potentially damaging to pets and owners.  Dog owners only have to look online for assistance and they are flooded with […]

By |2020-05-01T12:59:05+01:00July 15th, 2014|Cats, Dogs, Pet News, Rabbits|0 Comments

Introducing dogs to cats, or cats to dogs!

When you first bring your new dog home and attempt to introduce it to the resident cat, or visa versa, things can quickly go horribly wrong if the cat decides to run away (or react by hissing, swiping or growling), and the dog chases, starts barking or getting aroused in anyway – the cat becomes understandably fearful of the predator living in its house and the dog’s prey mode has been activated. Even dogs who have previously lived happily with a different cat can react very differently to a new cat, and the same can be said for cats who […]

By |2020-08-24T11:38:28+01:00May 13th, 2014|Cats, Dogs, Pet News|0 Comments

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