Jo Hall Pet Behaviour

10/03/2025

Sometimes our dogs can find walks overwhelming… the smells, the noises, the walking and training?! Madness they can’t do this all at once! Taking sometime for a sit and a stroke… (even a cheeky selfie) 🤓 is something that can bring their energy back down and allow them to remember you’re there! A walk is for both of you. You both have to be present. Giving them a cuddle can reassure them and build up your bond!

28/02/2025

25/02/2025

Great morning with , who came for another visit at East Durham College and spoke to our student vet nurses! She even came on Ollie’s birthday 🫶🏻🐾❤️

27/01/2025

Had the lovely visit the college today to discuss physio with our veterinary students, she demonstrated some great techniques to aid in muscle and tendon strengthening. Such a pleasure and hope to invite her back! ❤️🐾💪🏻

16/01/2025

Had my last session with Millie today. This little girl has come on leaps and bounds, she was sadly attacked a few months ago. Both her and her owners have worked so hard regaining confidence on walks and put some fab training into practice to enable them both to feel more settled around other dogs. Millie is now off lead on the beach and slowly enjoying more and more on lead walks. It’s so lovely to see, and I am vet proud of bother her and her human family. Well Done!! 🐾❤️😍

04/01/2025

Had Maggie in for some training today too ( it’s been a good day)

Maggie is a x spaniel retriever, and literally vibrates with the need to please. She is so food orientated, but a potential doggy friend will trump food.

Our plan is to work on some refocus techniques to see if we can give her an alternative calm behaviour when she meets another dog! 🐕

04/01/2025

Met the wonderful Dandy today, he’s in for some training due to his over excitement!

Dandy is a x spaniel and beagle.

Two highly intelligent and highly energetic breeds. He is well trained in general puppy obedience thanks to the guys at Dogs Trust, however maintaining his focus is variable!
We’ll be working on this for the next few months to hopefully allow his caregivers to enjoy his walks again! 🥰🐾❤️

29/12/2024

Local pet behaviourist (DipCABT CCAB accredited) and trainer available.
First aid trained, qualified registered veterinary nurse (RVN).
Happy to help with any behavioural issues with both dogs and cats. 🐈‍⬛ 🐕

* dog reactivity
* separation distress
* toileting issues
* puppy training

Private message, email or WhatsApp for further details!

15/11/2024

Molly is a 14 year old Labrador, who is currently having Librella injections monthly (supplied by the vets, administered by me!). She went for her first walk for a few months today, and she did so well, we made sure we had her new pram available when she needed it!

20/10/2024

Keeping your anxious pets safe during HALOWEEEN!!

Halloween 🎃 is my favourite time of year, sadly, it is not always for our animals.
Strangers knocking/ ringing on your door multiple times in one evening, parties, loud noises and busy streets with strange demons (children in costumes) roaming their areas. It’s a bit weird for them.

Also we (horrifically) live in unstable times, where rare individuals may harm our outdoor cats or rabbits etc.

General signs of distress- inappropriate toileting, panting, lip licking, yawning, vocalising, whale eye, hiding, decreased appetite, vomiting, drooling and shaking (there are more…)

So this is just for safety,

1. Walk your pooch early in the day to avoid prime trick or treating times!

2. If your dog reacts to the door, or cats hide when there’s a noise, prepare your home and kindly ask trick or treaters not to knock. Outdoor signs are available, as well as outdoor bowls to allow your home to still participate in the spooky fun! 👻

3. Keep all outdoor animals out of public eye line, cover and protect them if you are unable to give them some indoor space.

4. Calm music or talking tv can aid calming both cats and dogs from the noise outside.

5. Provide hiding spaces, dark rooms for them to retreat to if needed.

Preparation is key!! Let me know if you need any further advice 😊🎃👻

13/10/2024

Hey guys, just a quick reminder that firework season is upon us!

Classic firework guide inbound!

1. Make your home dark and cozy, curtains drawn, plenty of blankets, and a a hiding spot for them (crate, under the table, side of sofa, under the bed etc)

2. Noise cancelling noise! Tv or radio, on but not too loud.

3. Walk wayyyy before it gets dark. Some people let them off in the afternoon/evening so a long early morning walk is best.

4. Please do not listen to people who say not to comfort them when scared, as it reinforces the behaviour. This is a myth. If your animal asks you for a cuddle, cuddle them!!

5.NEVER shout at them. This is fear, it’s not their fault, move them away from windows, and allow them to calm down.

6. They will most likely not eat. When fear kicks in the gastro system shuts down, so lure or treats may not work. Trial thunder shirts or pheromones (adaptil/feliway).

7. Be prepared! If they need meds make sure you ask your vet with plenty of time to ensure they can order them in. Most places will not stock them!

And if you need support, help or you have any questions let me know!

25/09/2024

Kira demonstrating her lights this morning, remember these allow people with reactive dogs to see your dogs approach!

31/08/2024

This little man is 10/11 months old. He is a rescue and has been in this rescue since he was 3 months old. He is currently experiencing life in a home for the first time, he is what we call emotionally shut down.

Sadly his current home is not suitable, he needs a quiet home with a quiet owner who is willing and has the time to put some work in with his training and behaviour. PM me if you would like some more details.

21/08/2024

😱

The specialist veterinary team at Edinburgh University are warning vets about an outbreak of TB in raw fed cats.

Although so far only 11 cases have been confirmed, TB is not a condition many vets will think about because it is so unusual, the symptoms are vague and can mimic other conditions and the testing needed for a diagnosis is very specific.

It is also extremely serious, sadly 8 of the infected cats have already been euthanased and it can make humans very ill as well. Which is why it is important that the word is spread.

All the cats so far diagnosed were fed the same raw diet. They were mainly indoor cats and did not drink raw milk, so had no other risk factors that might have caused the disease.

The company impacted is aware but has not yet been named and the vets are at pains to point out that they appear to have followed all the regulatory requirements and that this is simply an inherent risk (albeit thankfully a low one) of raw feeding.

As yet, as far as I am aware, a recall hasn't been issued.

Infected cats have presented with weight loss, coughing (a real concern as this could increase the ability of the disease to spread, particularly to people), abdominal abnormalities and were often very poorly by the time a diagnosis is made. Their blood tests generally only show non-specific changes like a mild anaemia.

Although TB in cats can present with skin lesions, this strain (similar to the last time this happened) appears to mainly cause respiratory signs and abnormalities may well be seen on chest x-rays.

If a lung wash is performed the bacteria might be identified but any vets doing one on a suspicious case must take care to wear PPE to protect themselves.

If you are concerned you might have a case, the team at Edinburgh, which includes Danielle Gunn-Moore and Conor O'Halloran, are very happy to help and advise you.

They have this webpage which is great; https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/services/small-animals/vet-professional/specialist-services/feline/mycobacteria and advice on suspected cases from this outbreak will be given free of charge.

You can also contact Conor directly on [email protected]

And don't forget that TB is a notifiable disease, so the APHA must be contacted, and they are also a good source of support.

If you are a cat owner who raw feeds and you are worried, the best people to speak to for information and, hopefully, reassurance are your veterinary team and the company who produces the meals you feed.

It is also worth noting the difference between this problem, with a specific subset of infected animals, similar symptoms, a definitive diagnosis, a common diet and specialist vets at the forefront of raising the alert… and the the issues claimed with Purina pet food at the start of this year, which had none of these typical hallmarks of a genuine food related illness outbreak.

For more information about TB in cats, this article from the Edinburgh team, written in 2019, is very helpful; https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/services/small-animals/information-about-cat-tb **But do note the company mentioned in it is in relation to the outbreak at the time, not this one**

Link to this report; https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/tuberculosis-in-young-raw-fed-cats-in-the-uk

*Letter pictured published with the permission of the Vet Record and the authors.

18/08/2024

Due to hour changes at my other job, my opening hours look a little different this academic year! This change will take effect from tomorrow (19/08).

Thank you always for my clients patience and understanding 🐾❤️

07/08/2024

The joys of having a dog with a sensitive stomach!
This is my go to anti-diarrhoea pack!

💩 Prokolin- probiotic to help promote healthy bacteria 🦠 with good fibre to aid in solidifying her motions and promote colon health

💩Gastrointestinal food- nice and bland foods (chicken, egg, rice, plain pasta etc) does not aggravate the stomach, aids in gut health.

💩 veg mix from , lots of vitamins, minerals and fibre to help promote colon health.

Hopefully she’ll be better in no time!

🐾💩🦠

06/08/2024

A classic misconception for most owners is whether they need a behaviourist or a dog trainer.

I can attest that there is a crossover, to modify their behaviour it does require certain things to be trained.

But the understanding and the treatment of the underlying cause is what a behaviourist can do for you!

Do you know the difference?

27/07/2024

Met the gorgeous Holly today. This little girl has had a bit of a rough time, and sadly has a condition where she’s struggling within her own world. Hopefully with some help from her vets and the continued support from her wonderful family, Holly will remember how fun it is to be a dog! 🐾❤️