We provide behaviour consultation to all species, including dogs, cats, birds, and pocket pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and rats.
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Dr Cathy Lau is an experienced Veterinarian with special expertise in animal behaviour and low stress handling.
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.
Visited a friend and her cat chose to sleep in this massive basket 🧺 😽 super cozy! Where does your cat like to sleep in winter?
It was great to catch up with my regular client 🐕🐾❤️
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
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
"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
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
🚨 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...
🚦 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.
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. 🐶🐱❤️
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.
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.
🤔 "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
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.
🐶 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...
Does your dog gobble their food in seconds? 🤔 Time to slow things down and make mealtime fun! Foraging is the answer.
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.
🐶🐱 Meet Dr. Cathy Lau, our vet behaviourist! With a background in both veterinary and human medicine, Dr. Cathy is passionate about improving the mental well-being of your furry (or feathered!) friends. From anxiety and stress management to training and enrichment, she's here to help pets live their best lives. Learn more about her services and commitment to compassionate care https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/
🐶🐱 Bored pet = problem pet? Is your best friend digging up the yard, chewing your shoes, or barking all day? Mental stimulation might be the answer!
Find out how enrichment feeding could make your pet happier, calmer, and stop those pesky habits. Click here for fun and easy tips!
https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/post/enrichment-feeding-for-pets
This hilarious video debunks the "alpha" theory we talked about in the blog post yesterday.
https://youtu.be/YTyQgwVvYyc
Adam Ruins Everything - Turns out alpha wolves are just...devoted parents.Watch an all-new Ruins Everything on truTV every Tuesday 10/9C! ...
"Be the alpha!" Terrible advice for your dog. 👎 Turns out, dogs thrive on cooperation, not being dominated. Learn the real science behind dog behaviour that makes training a joy! https://wix.to/h4UcsIQ
We've all heard it before: "You have to be the alpha!" or "Your dog is trying to dominate you!" This idea that dogs are constantly trying to be "in charge" runs deep, but unfortunately, it's a big misunderstanding.Outdated Ideas vs. ScienceThe idea of an all-powerful "pack leader" came from a flawed...
As a writer I love words yet there are some I never use, two of those are:
Obedience and Commands.
The concept of 'obedience' in dog training, I feel, sets up a power dynamic that does little justice to the relationship we should strive to have with our dogs. It feels like an outdated relic from a time when dogs were expected to follow our every instruction blindly, without question, almost like programmed machines rather than the sentient beings they are.
The term itself seems to suggest that our dogs should respect us purely because we're in a position of authority, rather than because we've earned their trust and respect through kindness, patience, and understanding.
Similarly, the term 'command' makes me uneasy. It implies that we should dictate our dogs' actions at every turn, robbing them of any say in their own behaviours. What kind of relationship is that? Certainly not one that aligns with my ethos of fostering understanding, empathy, and mutual respect between humans and dogs.
Instead, I believe in the power of 'cooperation'. This isn't just about semantics; it's about fostering a relationship based on mutual understanding, where our dogs don't merely obey out of fear or obligation, but willingly participate in their training. It's about valuing our dogs as individuals with their own needs, feelings, and understanding, and taking the time to communicate with them on their terms.
So, when I hear 'obedience' and 'command', it's more than just a wince.
It's a reminder of the outdated, one-sided relationship we used to foster with our dogs. It reminds me of the urgent need to shift our mindset towards training methods rooted in empathy, cooperation, and mutual respect – building a relationship with our dogs that’s not about control, but about understanding and partnership.
And that's why those words make me cringe a bit inside. They represent a perspective on dog training that I, and many others, believe we've thankfully started to move beyond.
True compassion towards animals 🐥💝requires us to learn how to read their emotions, understand their needs and respect their boundaries. It requires us to rise above our own self-interests and actively work towards their well-being.
&kindness
Greatness is measured by kindness. Let's strive to be the best versions of ourselves. We firmly believe in using only positive reinforcement techniques when training animals. ❤️🐕🦺🐈⬛
&kindness
For decades scientists have studied how animals feel and act, and we've learned that kindness is a better way to train them. Shift away from outdated and harmful dominance-based methods, and use more humane and effective approaches, that is, positive reinforcement.
&kindness
Dr Cathy is away on holiday and pursuing professional development in Germany for the next six months, until the 16th of October 2023. As the sole behaviour veterinarian at Positive Elements Behaviour Vet, our behaviour consultation service will be only available online during this time.
To our existing clients, we will continue to support you online. Please do not hesitate to email us if you have any questions, or require a script refill.
Let's strive to see the connectedness of all and act with kindness towards all 😺🐶💞🐦🦎🐴🐇.
Animals are a test of our character and capacity for empathy, which is why we must reject using positive punishment and force in training them. We are called to treat them with kindness and respect, not abuse and punishment.
Having fun doing mini agility training at home 🎈😁🐕
Make it a daily practice to acknowledge and praise your pet for the small positive things they do. By paying attention and recognising their good behaviour, you'll be fostering a strong bond that will last a lifetime.
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 15:00 |
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Cats communicate with their body all the time! 🐾 Learn to read their body language for a happier, healthier bond. 😺🗨️ #felinefriends #pettips #catlife
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 #petpsychology #vetbehaviourist #animalbehaviour #vethelp #happypets #PetSleep
🤔 "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 #dogbehavior #petparent #petwellbeing #dogtraining #happypets
Having fun doing mini agility training at home 🎈😁🐕 #vetbehaviouristadvice #positivedogtraining
Attention all veterinary clinics! Positive Elements Behaviour Vet, led by Dr. Cathy Lau, a qualified veterinary behaviourist with 20 years of experience working with animals and a decade of experience as a veterinarian, is offering in-house workshops and seminars to enhance your clinic's understanding and treatment of animal behaviour. Dr. Cathy has special expertise in cooperative care and low-stress handling, which will provide valuable insights and training for your staff to improve your clinic's services and better serve your animal patients. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field. Contact us to schedule a lunch & Learn session, workshop or seminar today! #veterinarybehaviour #animalbehaviour #veterinaryeducation #cooperativecare #lowstresshandling
Myth: Ignore your dog when they are showing anxious behaviour. Otherwise, you will reinforce the anxiety. Fact: Your dog is feeling fearful and asking for help and support. Ignoring them is essentially withholding information and access to support. It will only increase the fear and sensitise to the trigger(s). #vetbehaviouristadvice #compassion&kindness #positivedogtraining
Dr Cathy is a Perth-based vet behaviourist, who has expertise in all behaviour problems in all species! #vetbehaviouristadvice #compassion&kindness #positivedogtraining #forcefree
Daisy was doing some nose exercises 👃🏃♀️during a behaviour consultation with Dr Cathy Eaton Vet Clinic. It is a big step for her because she used to be stressed out in the presence of a person she doesn't know well and in a vet clinic. Enrichment exercise is often part of Dr Cathy's behaviour consultation. It helps to assess the pet's mental and problem-solving abilities, as a calming exercise and to strengthen our bond. A behaviour consultation is usually a fun and rewarding experience for both the pet parent and the pet! #vetbehaviourist #petsofbunbury
Do you know Dr Cathy sees behaviour cases at Eaton Vet Clinic (6 Cassowary Bend, Eaton) every third Wednesday of the month? Our next clinic is in 2 days, and we have 1 last spot left due to cancellation. Head to our website https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/ to book your appointment. #veterinarybehaviourist #petsofbunbury
📣A free (or cheap) dog enrichment idea suggestion. Dr Cathy found a clam shell pool at verge collection, and got some plastic pit balls from the local Buy Nothing page. Now Haylee is working hard to find her breakfast. 😃🐶 #petenrichment #positivedogtraining #perthpets #dogenrichment #perthpets #behaviourvet
Lots of snuffle mats! We now stock snuffle mats made by Snuffle For A Cause. $5 of each sale get donated to wildlife rescue. We'll be selling them at the coming Larkhill Vets Christmas Market as well. Come see us on 12th December 1774 Mandurah Road. 😊 #snufflemat #perthpets #positivedogtraining #dogenrichment
Another brain and motor skills challenge for little Haylee this morning. I put her breakfast (dry food) in an enrichment toy. Getting your pet to earn their food from challenging tasks, problem-solving activities and enrichment activities is very important and beneficial to their mental health. If you want learn more, I wrote an article about enrichment feeding on my website. https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/post/enrichment-feeding-for-pets #positivedogtraining #behaviourvet #petenrichment
Shredding and tearing the cardboard box apart is so much fun! This provides an outlet for normal behaviour as well as play time. It is very important to offer enrichment activities to you pets to keep them sane. 😇 #positivepettraining #petenrichment #perthpets #behaviourvet #perthvets
Dr Cathy is coming to Bunbury this week again! We'll be at Eat Vet Clinic on Tuesday and Treendale Pet Medical on Wednesday. We have 2 spots left 😊 Head to our website to book or send us an email.
Next Bunbury dates are set! Book your appointment online now. https://www.picktime.com/d3240e29-4c05-4b68-989c-6322aac2497c #petbehaviourvet #perthpets #anxiouspet #bunburypets
"It wasn't 'low-stress' it was actually no-stress ;-) (For both me and my dog!) Thanks Dr Cathy." ❤ From Sonya Dog Charming . Make sure you watch the video with sound ON. You'll hear how happy Sonya (Willow's mum) was. :D I visited Willow for a cooperative care visit last month. Willow needs regular blood tests to monitor her heart condition. She found visiting the vet and having blood taken stressful, so her mum arranged a visit with me. I used the vein on Willow's back leg called "saphenous vein". I put numbing cream on the skin beforehand to minimise the needle prick sensation. I allowed Willow to choose the position she feels comfortable. She also had a choice to walk away if she didn't want to take part in the procedure. I asked Willow's mum to feed her favourite treats - cheese 🧀. There was no restraint needed. In my experience, most dogs tolerate this approach well. We offer personalised training to vets, vet nurses and vet hospitals for low stress handling. We also offer Cooperative Care Visits to pet owners. We can teach you how to perform nail clipping, grooming, giving daily medication, dental care, or giving insulin injections with a low stress and positive reinforcement approach. We can also perform a no stress blood draw like Willow did. You can visit our website www.positiveelementsvet.com to book online. #perthpets #positivedogtraining #petbehaviourvet #lowstresshandlingofdogsandcats #positivepetsdogtraining
Last week I visited Doobi for his follow-up appointment. 🐶 Doobi and his humans are working very hard to manage his anxiety when he is alone at home. They have made amazing progress and I’m very proud of Doobi’s parents’ effort and commitment! 👍 During the visit, we talked a bit about cooperative care training. Meaning to teach Doobi to accept body care routine, such as teeth brushing and nail care. I introduced the “scratch board” during the visit. Doobi was a little unsure to begin with. Fortunately, he is very smart and motivated by food, so he learnt to place his paw on the scratch board in a heartbeat! Nail trimming is usually not a pleasant experience for dogs, cats, or any other animals. Often when people attempt to trim their pet’s nail, physical restraint are use. This took away the control of the pet and escalate their fear. Be mindful every pet responds differently to fear. Some may run, some may freeze, and some may fight. Some pets, particularly those tend to freeze, may appear to be “easy to handle”, but it is not necessarily the case. If the nail trimming experience caused negative emotions, they form bad memories of the experience. The next nail trimming may trigger a “conditioned” negative response. If it is the case, you’d find it harder and harder to get the nails done. However, by using positive reinforcement, we allow them to have a choice to engage in the activity, motivate them to perform the behaviour and teach them the experience is positive. ❤️ Think outside the box. “There is more than one way to trim a dog’s nail”! 😎 #perthpets #lowstresshandlingofdogsandcats #petbehaviourvet #positivetrainingdogs
A quick teaching session for Izzy after her surgery. 🐶🐶 I taught Izzy that the Elizabethan collar is not scary. I also taught her to put it on herself. It took us about 1.5 minutes to achieve these by using positive reinforcement. She was hungry after she woke up from anaesthesia, so food naturally gave her motivation to learn.😊 She will need to wear the Elizabethan collar for at least 10-14 days after the surgery. Spending this 1.5 minutes for her to understand the concept that "wearing an Elizabethan collar is fine" is very important for her well-being. ❤️ This exercise also allowed me to assess her recovery and if she was ready to go home, too. After a pet woke up from anaesthesia (recovery period), we often keep them in hospital for a few hours. This allows vets and nurses to monitor the pet's recovery, making sure there are no complications and it is safe for them to go home. If you are a vet or vet nurse reading this, I want to emphasise that Low Stress Handling does not "take more time". Imagine Izzy hated the Elizabethan collar, got it out and chewed off the sutures. It will end up in another procedure and longer wound healing. The bond and relationships I build with my patients by providing low stress care is the biggest motivation for me to keep doing it. I wish Izzy a speedy recovery! #perthpets #lowstresshandlingofdogsandcats #petbehaviourvet #positivetrainingdogs #perthvets
Pets can suffer from mental health illness too. We help our clients to manage their pet's mental health problems daily, and a vast majority are related to anxiety disorders. In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, they discussed what is normal anxiety and what is an anxiety disorder. https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkczIuZmVlZGJ1cm5lci5jb20vdGVkdGFsa3NfYXVkaW8/episode/ZW4uYXVkaW8udGFsay50ZWQuY29tOjgwMjk0?hl=en-AU&ved=2ahUKEwjj4KPOm8TyAhXTbCsKHQVPA2YQieUEegQIBBAF&ep=6 We approach pet's anxiety disorders in a similar fashion to humans'. After all, researchers gain an understanding of human mental disorders and find new solutions by studying animal models. When people suffer from anxiety, they seek help from their GPs, counsellors, psychologists and/or psychiatrists. When pets suffer anxiety, you can seek help from your regular vet, a referral vet with special interest in behavioural medicine, veterinary behaviourist and qualified dog trainer with the knowledge and skills to perform a behaviour modification programme. We often work together to help you and your pet! If you love podcasts, make sure to check out this Ted Talks daily episode!
We're coming to Bunbury next week! Dr Cathy will be doing consultations at Treendale Pet Medical on 24 August Tuesday. Book your consult at https://www.positiveelementsvet.com/ or call us at 0466 447 520.
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The name Positive Elements reflects our fundamental approach and philosophy. Our primary method for behaviour modification is positive reinforcement. We believe that reward is always more powerful than punishment and inherently has less relationship-damaging side effects.
We do not employ or believe in the effectiveness of the cruel and hurtful training practices of the past, which were based on an outdated understanding of animal behaviour. It is of the greatest importance to us that all of our pet clients are enjoying a positive and stress-free consultation experience.
We appreciate that understanding and altering behaviour is an art and a science. The name Positive Elements hints at a principle of using space in visual arts, while also referring to the building blocks of chemistry. We believe that analysing behaviour is the art of disseminating a complex presentation into its basic components, using the latest scientific methods and knowledge.
Our dedication to implementing the latest scientific methods and knowledge is reflected in our team’s motivation to constantly seek learning opportunities and to regularly study the latest research journals. In addition to furthering our own knowledge, we are also passionate about providing education to others by hosting training sessions, seminars and workshops.
We highly value the personal experience in our collaborating vets and dog trainers, and we believe that theory, as well as practical expertise, are both needed to understand how animals communicate, how they learn and why they behave in certain ways.
