Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice

27/10/2026

🎃 Help your dog have a calmer Halloween!🐶

If your dog gets worried by knocks on the door or trick-or-treaters, we’ve got you covered 👻

You can screenshot/save this post to save our “Please do not knock” sign, or send us a message and we’ll happily send you the PDF version to print.

A few simple steps can make Halloween fun and safe🎃

24/10/2026

🎃 Halloween Tips for Pets 🐾

👻 Halloween is just around the corner! Costumes, decorations, visitors and unusual noises can be unsettling for our pets. Here are a few tips to help them feel safe this Halloween!

🚪 Minimise door knocks: If visitors are stressful for your pet, consider a sign asking people not to knock or ring the bell. (We will be posting a poster in a few days!)

🏡 Create a safe space: Give your pet a quiet place to retreat, away from the Halloween excitement. For indoor cats, rabbits and birds, keep them in a secure area away from the front door to reduce the risk of escape.

🎭 Be mindful of costumes: Dressing up isn't for every pet! Costumes can cause stress or discomfort, so avoid them if your pet seems unhappy or restricted.

🍫 Keep treats out of reach: Chocolate and sweets containing xylitol can be toxic to dogs. Keep Halloween treats safely stored away from all pets.

💛 Every pet is different! By understanding their individual needs and giving them space and choice, we can help make Halloween a little less spooky for our animal companions. 🎃

23/10/2026

Fireworks & Your Dog: Stay Calm and Prepared! 🎆

Fireworks can be stressful for our furry friends, but there are ways to help them feel safe and relaxed:

🎧 Background Noise: Use a fan, white noise, TV, or radio to help muffle outside sounds. Make sure your dog is familiar with these noises. For some dogs, music with a steady rhythm, like reggae, can also help. Classical or calming music can be helpful for some dogs, though those sensitive to noise may find it upsetting. Pay attention to your dog’s reactions to see what works best.

⚽️ Interaction & Distractions: Gentle, low-arousal training exercises can help redirect your dog’s focus. If appropriate offer Kongs, chews, or treat-dispensing toys to keep them occupied, but always supervise. If your dog is too anxious to engage, stay calm and patient.

💊 Medication: Situational medication can help reduce anxiety during fireworks. Different types are available, and medication isn’t suitable for every dog. Discuss options with your vet.

🙈 Visual Barriers: Some dogs find seeing fireworks distressing, so closing curtains or doors can help. Others may prefer to see where the noise is coming from, if closing the curtains seems to increase distress trial leaving a small section open.

🖐 Interaction: Avoid over-cuddling, kissing, or excessive attention during fireworks, as this can signal uncertainty and increase anxiety. If your dog seeks comfort, respond calmly with soft verbal reassurance or gentle stroking. Respect their need to retreat to a safe space. If they have found a hiding spot for themselves, so long as they are safe there, allow them to remain there.

🔉 Noise Desensitisation: For dogs not currently anxious about noise, specially created firework audio can help them gradually get used to the sound in advance of firework season. Always use in a safe space and at a low volume. Free audio files and a guide are available from the Dogs Trust website.
Link: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/sound-therapy-for-pets

Helping your dog through fireworks is all about calmness, patience, and understanding! 🐶❤

21/09/2026

This is Ramsay🐾

Ramsay first started working with us back in 2022 for his reactivity around strangers. He has long since been signed off from his behaviour programme, but we’re delighted that he’s continued to visit us for physiotherapy.

Ramsay has always had a slightly ataxic gait through all four limbs and, initially, was very uncoordinated. He can now use his limbs independently for swimming and for navigating stairs which is a huge improvement.

Considering how wary he once was of people, Ramsay now has a great time at his physiotherapy sessions. He’ll often present himself for palpation and even his LASER sessions!

And he absolutely LOVES his remedial exercise plan. Here he is working through his cavaletti poles, helping to encourage coordination, proprioception and controlled movement.

It’s so rewarding to see how far Ramsay has come, both behaviourally and physically⭐️🐶

10/09/2026

Oak Bank Stables (OBS) is our dedicated clinical environment where carefully planned rehabilitation, physiotherapy and veterinary behavioural review sessions take place.

Visits to OBS are strictly by appointment only, ensuring every patient has a safe, calm and controlled experience tailored to their individual needs.

Within this space, we are able to provide structured support using controlled paddocks and quiet areas, allowing us to observe movement, assess comfort and carry out rehabilitation and behaviour-focused interventions in a low-stress setting.

🐾What OBS is used for:
- Veterinary and behavioural review appointments
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions
- Controlled exercise and movement assessment
- Individualised recovery and support programmes
- Coaching caregivers in the use of cognitive or desensitisation techniques to improve behaviour in specific contexts (such as reactions to other dogs, consenting to handling or muzzle training).

🌍🌱 A mindful approach to the environment
OBS has also been designed with sustainability in mind, helping us reduce environmental impact wherever possible. This includes renewable energy use, responsible water management, and encouraging biodiversity across the site.

🦋 We are proud that wildlife continues to thrive alongside our clinical work - a reminder that thoughtful land use can support both animal care and the natural world.

At OBS, everything is designed with one goal in mind:
supporting each animal safely, calmly and individually to improve their physical, cognitive and emotional health. 🐾

07/09/2026

The Yellow Dog UK Scheme is an international campaign raising awareness that some dogs need space. Whether it’s from other dogs or humans, overly friendly interactions can cause stress for dogs (and their caregivers) who aren’t comfortable with them.

The understanding and recognition of the Yellow Dog scheme varies across different regions. That’s why spreading awareness is so important! Whether you're a dog trainer, groomer, general practice vet, or specialist/referring vet.

If your dog shows behavioural signs that it needs space, whether around people, other dogs, or specific stimuli, Yellow Dog items can be a helpful tool alongside appropriate training techniques that support emotional well-being.

We acknowledge that not all dogs may feel comfortable wearing an item from the Yellow Dog range. In these cases, caregivers can consider wearing yellow themselves or displaying the "I need space" slogan in another way.

Find out more about this fantastic initiative at: https://yellowdoguk.co.uk/ 💛

Support dogs who need space with Yellow Dog UK. Discover guidance for reactive dogs, awareness resources, and high‑visibility products that promote safer interactions.

02/09/2026

🐾 Meet Paddy 🐾

Paddy is a lovely Miniature Schnauzer who has been coming to us for physiotherapy for a number of years to help manage her chronic IVDD.

Over that time, Paddy has made such wonderful progress, not just physically, but emotionally too. 💕

When she first started with us, Paddy found new people and unfamiliar situations quite frightening. She was often too scared to show us where she was painful, which can make treatment much more challenging. Through patience, consistency, and taking things at her pace, we have gradually built a strong relationship based on trust.

Now, Paddy arrives keen for her sessions and absolutely loves meeting any students who are observing - something that would once have been very overwhelming for her! 🌟

One of the biggest milestones has been seeing her confidently communicate when she is uncomfortable, allowing us to tailor her treatment more effectively and ensure she always feels listened to.

Paddy especially enjoys her massage sessions and her remedial exercises, and it is always a pleasure to work with her.

Well done Paddy! Your confidence and trust have come such a long way, and we are so proud of you. 🐶💙

30/08/2026

Our office is closed tomorrow for the August Bank Holiday and will reopen on Tuesday 1st September.

If you need to contact us, please leave a voicemail or send us an email, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible when we return.

If you need to reach a member of our team urgently, please call the practice as usual and use the emergency contact number provided in our voicemail message.

If your pet requires urgent veterinary attention, please contact your usual veterinary practice or their out of hours emergency provider.

We hope you and your pets have had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend ☀🐾

29/08/2026

Meet Toby! 🐾💙
Toby has been working with us on his behaviour for a few years now, as he can struggle with over-arousal and finds different environments particularly challenging.
Considering his anxieties, Toby does incredibly well during his physiotherapy sessions. For him, simply being able to settle and remain still in a building with other dogs around is a huge achievement.
Here you can see him doing brilliantly with his Kong, helping him to stay calm and focused while we work with him.
Toby is also wonderfully tolerant of being handled during his sessions, and it has been fantastic to watch his confidence grow and see just how far he has come.

Well done, Toby! We’re so proud of the progress he’s made⭐️🐶

27/08/2026

Please note that we will be closed on Monday 31st August for the Bank Holiday.

If you need to contact us, please send us an email or leave a voicemail, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible when we reopen on Tuesday 1st September.

If you need to reach a member of our team urgently, please call the practice as usual and use the emergency contact number provided in our voicemail message.

If your pet requires urgent veterinary attention, please contact your usual veterinary practice or their out of hours emergency provider.

We hope you all have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend! ☀🐾