Positive Elements Behaviour Vet

29/09/2025

🐶💛 Is your dog stressed?
Dogs can’t tell us with words, but they show us in their body language and behaviour. Here are 4 common stress signals — and what you can do to help your pup feel safe.

1️⃣ Panting (not from heat/exercise)
👉 Offer fresh water and a calm, quiet space. If it continues, call your vet.
2️⃣ Restless or Pacing
👉 Redirect with a sniff walk, gentle play, or enrichment toys.
3️⃣ Lip licking not after food
👉 Stay calm, give your dog space, and remove any stress triggers.
4️⃣ Whining or Barking More
👉 Stay calm, avoid punishment, and look for possible triggers.
5️⃣ Avoidance (hiding, refusing food)
👉 Respect their space and build trust slowly.

✨ Spotting stress early means you can step in before it escalates.
👩‍⚕️ If your dog’s stress seems frequent or severe, reach out to your vet — we’re here to help.

💬 Comment below: Which of these signs have you seen in your dog?

24/07/2025

Discover the one cue that builds trust and boosts confidence, and a super cool tool to help you manage a reactive dog!

Bonus: Watch Dr Cathy teach sheep to do target training in the video!

The One Cue Every Dog Should Know—And Nope, It’s Not ‘Sit’Cathy LauJul 23 min readIf you’re looking for a simple yet powerful way to build trust, boost confidence, and strengthen communication with your dog, nose targeting might just be your new favourite training tool. This foundational b...

26/06/2025

🌟 Big smiles over here reading this lovely feedback! 🌟

We recently heard from a client who shared: "Dr Cathy really helped our JRT Luna who was experiencing anxiety and reactive behaviour... We highly recommend Cathy, who is not only an expert in animal behaviour she is also a practicing Vet."

Isn't it wonderful when things just click? As a Veterinary Behaviourist, Dr. Cathy combines deep knowledge from extensive studies in animal behaviour medicine with her veterinary expertise. This means she can truly dig deep to understand pets, often spotting those "surprising things" that make all the difference, helping pets like Luna feel so much better.

We're just thrilled to help families find peace and happiness with their furry companions! 🥰

26/06/2025

🐱✨ Is your cat’s outdoor space truly meeting their needs?
A well-designed cat enclosure isn’t just about fresh air—it’s about fulfilling your cat’s natural instincts. From climbing and hiding to basking and observing, your cat deserves a space that supports their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Our latest blog breaks down the essential elements every cat enclosure should have to create a safe, enriching, and behaviorally supportive environment.

🌿 https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/post/creating-a-purr-fect-paradise-essential-elements-for-an-ideal-cat-enclosure

Creating a Purr-fect Paradise: Essential Elements for an Ideal Cat EnclosureCathy Lau2 days ago3 min readCats are fascinating creatures with unique needs, and understanding these needs is key to providing them with a fulfilling and enriching environment. As a veterinary behaviourist, I want to expla...

24/06/2025

Myth Alert! 🚨 Heard that giving treats to a reactive pet just rewards their bad behaviour like barking or lunging? Think again! 🤔

This is a common misconception that stops many pet owners from using effective, kind training methods. But here's the truth: it's all about timing and what you're actually reinforcing!

We're not rewarding the outburst itself. Instead, we're carefully rewarding those crucial moments when your pet chooses calmness, disengagement, or focus on you – before a full reaction takes hold. It's about changing their emotional association with a trigger, making it a positive experience, not a scary one.

Remember this key principle: Don't just focus on the "bad" behaviour. Pay attention to the "good" and calm ones and reinforce them!

Want to understand exactly how this works and unlock a powerful way to help your pet manage their emotions? Our new article breaks down the science and shows you how the Engage-Disengage Game truly transforms behaviour.

Read our latest blog post and ditch that myth for good! 👇

Debunking the Myth: Does Treating a Reactive Pet Reinforce Bad Behaviour?Cathy Lau8 minutes ago3 min readIt's a common concern among pet owners: "If my dog barks and lunges, and I give them a treat, won't I just be rewarding the barking and lunging?" This sentiment stems from a fundamental misunders...

22/06/2025

Does your pet struggle with leash reactivity on walks, or do conflicts erupt when animals cross paths at home? 🐾 You're not alone, and there's a powerful technique that can help!

Introducing The Engage-Disengage Game: A Solution for Pet Reactivity and Aggression. This positive reinforcement method teaches your pet crucial emotional self-control, helping them respond to triggers with calmness instead of chaos.

It's more than just training – it's building a vital life skill that empowers your pet to handle stressful situations with thoughtful responses and build resilience.

Learn the 6 steps to implement this game and transform your pet's behaviour. See our latest blog article! 👇

The Engage-Disengage Game: A Solution for Pet Reactivity and AggressionCathy Lau26 minutes ago4 min readReal-Life Scenarios: Understanding Pet ReactivityImagine this: You're walking your dog, and they spot another dog across the park. Suddenly, your calm stroll turns chaotic. Your dog pulls hard on....

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