Positive Elements Behaviour Vet

04/11/2024

We're hosting another free event with Stirling Libraries tomorrow night. Come along for an informative session.

Join Dr. Cathy for a Vet talk on decoding dog body language and bite prevention at Stirling Libraries!

23/08/2024

Planning to build a cat enclosure? Want to learn the essential elements for an enriching cat enclosure design? Come along and join us for the free event on 12th September!

Learn how to design a cat enclosure to keep your cat indoors with Dr Lau at Stirling Libraries. Discover tips for creating safe, stimulating spaces for your cats.

22/07/2024

Visited a friend and her cat chose to sleep in this massive basket 🧺 😽 super cozy! Where does your cat like to sleep in winter?

17/07/2024

It was great to catch up with my regular client 🐕🐾❤️

31/05/2024

Just like us, pets need their beauty sleep to be their best selves. Lack of sleep can lead to:

😡 Grumpiness
⚡ Hyperactivity
🐶 Destructive behaviours
🤔 Difficulty learning
Did you know cats sleep 16-20 hours a day? 💤 How much does your pet sleep?

Discover how to ensure your pet gets the restful sleep they need in our latest blog post! www.positiveelementsvet.com/is-your-pet-grumpy-sleep-deprivation-could-be-the-cause

25/05/2024

Is your pet afraid of the vacuum, thunderstorms, or other dogs? 😩 Counter-conditioning can help transform their fear into positivity! Our new blog post explains this powerful technique and how it can change your pet's life. 🐾

http://www.positiveelementsvet.com/from-reactivity-to-relaxation-counter-conditioning-for-your-pet

23/05/2024

"Frustrated with your pet's behavior? 😓 The answer isn't just 'training' – it's understanding how they learn! Our new blog post reveals the science behind operant conditioning and how it can transform your relationship with your pet. 😊"

www.positiveelementsvet.com/frustrated-with-your-pet-s-actions-understanding-learning-is-the-key

19/05/2024

Walks can be tough for dogs who feel anxious or overwhelmed in busy environments. 😞 An "I'M NERVOUS" harness is a simple way to give them the space they need to feel comfortable. It's like having a wearable "Do Not Disturb" sign! 😉

Not only does it reduce your dog's stress, but it also makes walks more enjoyable for you too!

🐶 Read our latest blog to learn more about these helpful harnesses.

https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/post/i-m-nervous-harnesses-helping-anxious-dogs-walk-easier

14/05/2024

🚨 Hold On Tight: When Pet Behavior Gets WORSE Before It Gets BETTER! 🚨

Ever tried to change your pet's bad habits or follow a behaviour management plan? You saw some initial improvement, but they got WORSE? 🤔 Your pet may be experiencing an "extinction burst". It's frustrating, but it can be normal as part of the learning process!

Here's the deal:
- Your pet's old behaviour is deeply ingrained and frequently practised.
- Changing it is like retraining their brain.
💪 The Key to Success: Stay consistent, be patient, and don't give in!

Check out our latest blog post to understand this tricky stage better. https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/post/hold-on-tight-when-behaviours-get-worse-before-they-get-better

May 32 min readHold On Tight: When Behaviours Get Worse Before They Get BetterIf you've ever tried to change a well-established behaviour in your dog or cat, you may have encountered the phenomenon known as an extinction burst. This is where a behaviour that you're trying to eliminate gets worse bef...

12/05/2024

🚦 Your Dog's Secret Language: The Traffic Light System! 🚦

Ever wish you could read your dog's mind? Well, their body language is the next best thing! Think of it like a traffic light, signalling their emotional state:

🟢 Green Light: Happy & Relaxed (soft eyes, loose body, wagging tail)

🟡 Amber Light: Feeling Uneasy (yawning, lip licking, raised hackles)
⚠️ Time to pause and see what's stressing them out!

🔴 Red Light: Stressed, Anxious, or Fearful (frantic movements, cowering, aggression)
🚨 Act quickly to help them feel safe!

I explain these signals in the blog post:

"Is your dog stressed or happy? Learn to read dog body language to improve training and prevent bites.

29/04/2024

Meet some of my wonderful patients this month! I always feel honored when pet owners put their trust in me to help them forge a deeper connection with their furry companions. Whether it's overcoming anxiety, aggression between the pets, learning leash manners, or simply understanding each other better, those 'aha!' moments are why I do what I do.

Sometimes, building that strong bond just a few simple adjustments in how we communicate. Seeing the relief on both the pet's and the owner's faces is priceless. 🐶🐱❤️

25/04/2024

Did you know cats spend a whopping 1/3 of their waking hours grooming? 🙀 It's more than just keeping clean – it's a way for them to relax and self-soothe.

But here's the thing: when cats feel stressed, they may groom even more often. This excessive grooming can lead to hair loss and even skin problems. 😟

If you notice a change in your cat's grooming routine, it could be a sign that they're experiencing stress or their environment isn't quite right.

21/04/2024

Struggling with your pet's anxiety, aggression, or other challenging behaviours? You're not alone. Many pet owners wonder if medication is the right solution.

The truth is, medication can be a powerful tool when combined with the right training and environmental changes. Our new article breaks down:

💊 The role medication plays in behavior treatment
🏡 How to make changes at home to support your pet
🤝 The importance of working with a veterinarian specialising in behaviour

Learn more about behaviour medications in this 2-minute read blog article: https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/post/managing-pet-behaviour-medications-plus-more

Is your pet's stress affecting your life? Explore treatment options that address anxiety and give both you and your pet more peace.

20/04/2024

🤔 "Is that a happy tail wag, or something else?" Have you ever wondered what your pet is REALLY feeling? Turns out, our pets are full of emotions, just like us!

🐶🐱 New Article: "Understanding Your Pet's Emotions: The Key to a Deeper Bond" ⬇️ https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/post/understanding-your-pet-s-emotions-the-key-to-a-deeper-bond

18/04/2024

Did you know a free-ranging cat hunts an average of 30 times in a day? 🙀 They also catch and eat smaller prey 10-20 times throughout a 24-hour period! This natural behavior highlights why keeping your cat indoors with plenty of enrichment is so important for both their well-being and the local wildlife. How do you keep your cat's hunting drive satisfied? Comment to let us know.

16/04/2024

🐶 Calling all dog parents! Is your once-perfect pup suddenly acting like a rebellious teenager? Don't worry, it's (probably) just a phase! Science suggests dogs go through an adolescent stage too, facing hormonal surges and mood swings just like human teens.

✅ Learn how to navigate these challenging (yet normal!) behaviours with understanding and positive training.

➡Check out my blog post https://wix.to/ccNFb2I
➡ Find science-based tips and insights in this fascinating study: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0097

3 days ago2 min readDoggie Teenage Years: A Time of ChangeJust like human teenagers, dogs experience a period of significant change and development between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Here's what happens:Hormonal Rollercoaster: Surging hormones lead to emotional ups and downs, similar to how h...

15/04/2024

Does your dog gobble their food in seconds? 🤔 Time to slow things down and make mealtime fun! Foraging is the answer.

15/04/2024

Sometimes we do things that confuse or scare our dogs, even with the best intentions. This video helps you see the world through their eyes and avoid common triggers that lead to bites.