Rebecca Partoon Animal Behaviourist - Four Your Paws Only Pet Care

17/08/2023

If you are looking for puppy classes, I cannot recommend Charlie's classes enough! She is an accredited trainer through both PACT and ABTC!

Why should you choose our Building Blocks Puppy Class for your puppy? 🧐

This class is a perfect starter class for settling your puppy into their life with you, teaching them how to not just cope in our human centred world, but how to thrive! We prioritise building your pups "emotional resilience" which can ultimately help reduce the likelihood of unwanted behaviours emerging in the future. 😁

This 4 week class focuses on what I consider to be the building blocks of puppy training ;
🟦 Building relationships
🟦 Building routine
🟦 Building trust
🟦 Building confidence

We teach you how to read your dog and help you better communicate with each other. We find out about each family's circumstances and support you in forming a routine for your pup that fits into your life. We teach lots of useful exercises such as sit, down, focus, and even some fun tricks. We train using science-led, ethical, positive reinforcement based training methods to help nurture your puppies trust in you and their environment, and build confidence in themselves. 💕

We only have a small number of puppies at each class so that pups do not become overwhelmed and so that we can provide more individual support to you and your pup. 🙋‍♀️

If you would like to experience our course with your puppy, get in touch asap to book their place!

➡️Next class starting in May !

💙

17/08/2023

This is absolutely fabulous and something I often recommend to clients, especially for habituation training to touch!

🐶⤵️
⭐✨Would you like to be empowered to teach your dog how to stay still for a veterinary examination and even enjoy it?!✨⭐

↪️ Perhaps your dog requires regular grooming and you would like to make it a pleasant experience for them?

↪️ Maybe your breed of dog is predisposed to eye or ear problems and you would like to get them comfortable with having drops in these areas?

↪️ Or maybe you have a dog who scavenges everything off the floor and you need to muzzle train them?

↪️ You might even just enjoy teaching your dog new things and the next step is to teach them cooperative care?!
...I am excited to announce that I will be running a specialised, 4 week "Cooperative Care Course"
🩺💊💉 🪥🐶

In case you haven't heard of this term before, cooperative care is all giving a dog choice to opt into a particular element of handling that they otherwise might not naturally enjoy. To do this we work on building a positive association to the handling or procedure AND teach them how to communicate opting in and out of a situation, for a reward. This should make it easier to do what we need to do to best care for our dog (be it groom, give medication, examine them etc), without stress and difficulty that can often develop.

Suitable for both puppies and adult dogs, this is a small class in order to provide more support to each dog - Only 4 spaces are available!!!! ⚠️

For more information and to book, get in touch ASAP 😁

*N.B. This course is not suitable for a dog already displaying an aversion to handling. For support with this, please get in touch to discuss how a behaviour consultation can help*

25/07/2023

What an amazing time! And I'm so glad the weather was nice too 🌞
I can't wait to do it again next year. 🐕🐶

Yesterday I teamed up with Rebecca Partoon Animal Behaviourist - Four Your Paws Only Pet Care at Cuan Wildlife Centre to offer behaviour and training advice as part of FABC. We had a great time, even got to sneak in and judge on the dog show! If you are looking for advice on your dog's behaviour, please do get in touch 🙂

10/07/2023

Hi! I am a Provisional Clinical Animal Behaviourist through both the APBC and the FABC, and a Pre-certified CCAB. I gained my Master's in Clinical Animal Behaviour in 2022 at the leading University of Lincoln and have been gaining experience ever since!

I cover all of Shropshire and specialise in aggression and anxiety cases! If you have a dog or cat who is struggling and you would like a helping hand, please let me know!

My Website is rebeccapartoon-animalbehaviourist.com with much more information!

08/07/2023

If you are looking for puppy classes, I highly recommend Wright Pet Behaviour. Charlie is absolutely great and an amazing trainer and behaviourist!

I have decided to run an August puppy course!

The Building Blocks course begins on Tuesday 8th August and runs for 4 weeks.

Now available to book!

I only have a maximum of 6 puppies on each course and this course tends to get booked quickly so I urge you to secure your pups place as soon as possible.

Get in touch via Facebook or Email to book your place.
💙👍

04/07/2023

🎉 Congratulations Rebecca Partoon on achieving Pre-Certification as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist! 🎉

"I'm so happy to be progressing with my journey. I hope I can help all the animals I see!"

27/05/2023

We've really been enjoying the sun!
I took Dug out to the beach this week, and we practised our recall training, and continued to work on his reactivity towards other dogs.
We did have a really good time and through doing desensitisation and counterconditioning training, he is able to get so much closer to other dogs while feeling calm and happy instead of fearful and frustrated.
If you have a dog who is dog-dog reactive, please get in touch! Or check out my website for more information on what I do as a clinical animal behaviourist. Www.rebeccapartoon-animalbehaviourist.com

25/05/2023

I was at the Dogs Trust Pet Professionals Conference in Glasgow last weekend, and it was amazing! 😄🐕
I learned so much about dog emotions, respecting the boundaries of pets, and the mental wellbeing of both owners, and myself as a petcare professional. I also met so many people from different doggy professions and made some great friends!
I will definitely use all the skills I learned during the seminars and from the practical workshops to develop my skills further 😁

The drive up to Glasgow was also stunning and I got to see some ducklings at the services 😂🐣

08/05/2023

It was so lovely being at the Coronation Dog Show yesterday in Shrewsbury, organised by the amazing Sophi Cee.
I felt so welcome and supported, even with my tiny stall! What an honour to be around such lovely people!
IsoElegant Photography Little claws and big paws

15/04/2023

Does your dog show separation related behaviours or suffer from separation anxiety?
Separation related behaviours include:
- Destructive behaviour (redirected frustration)
- Vocalising (panicking when you are leaving, barking, whining, or howling while you are away)
- Toileting (urinating or pooing)
- Excessive excitement when you return
- Signs of anxiety or aggression when you are preparing to leave
Other, less common signs include: trembling/panting, excessive salivation, self-injury, repetitive behaviour (circling/pacing/barking), vomiting, or not eating/playing when alone.
If you suspect your dog is showing any of the above signs, then please contact me and we can look at helping your dog overcome their separation related problems.

13/04/2023

Our next Doggy Social will be held on Wednesday, 3rd May, at 6:30pm - 8pm at the Oswestry Showground.
It is £15 per dog to book (for more than 2 dogs, please contact me and we can arrange a cheaper deal).
We now ask that all participants book onto the social using the form below, and we look forward to seeing you all!
For dogs who may be reactive, please contact me beforehand and we can discuss the process we can implement during the social.

Please click the link to complete this form.

11/04/2023

Happy National Pet Day!!
To help celebrate the remainder of this day, please comment with a picture of your pet doing its finest 'blep' (sticking their tongue out a little bit) or a 'mlem' (fully sticking their tongue out)!

11/04/2023

As someone who studies dog bites, I can't emphasise enough, how important it is to recognise dogs behaviours. If you can recognise the early signs, you can avoid stressing out your dog, and a potential injury to yourself. When dogs have learned that the earlier behaviours (lip licking, yawning) don't work, but later behaviours like snaps or bites do work, then they will learn to use those later, more aggressive behaviours to push someone or something away as their first choice. When a dog is asleep, injured, or strongly sedated, it may also resort to the later behaviours.
Recognise the behaviours, learn to move away or manage the situation safely, and prevent avoidable stress and injuries.

This is Kendal Shepherd's ladder of aggression. Some dogs may skip steps, especially if they are scared or previous body language attempts have been egnored.

It's also Stress Prevention Week - dogs can bite because they're stressed.

11/04/2023

Do you have a dog who suffers with anxiety or fear? 🐶 Whether this is separation related, situational (firework fear), fear of other dogs or people (sometimes resulting in aggression), I can help!
I am a Provisional/Candidate Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC). I use science-led, compassionate, and non-punitive methods, as set out by the ABTC, to help your dog overcome their undesirable, inappropriate, problematic or dangerous behaviour on veterinary referral.
Please contact me for more information! Or check out my website:

Rebecca Partoon Animal Behaviourist based in Shropshire, but covering surrounding areas and all of the UK virtually. I offer behavioural consultations and modification for dogs and cats, as well as basic dog and puppy training.

06/04/2023

Last night, we said our goodbyes to our beloved Claude. He was one of the sweetest, most laid-back dogs I've ever known, and full of so much character! He was the biggest socialite you'd want to meet. He loved watching what you were doing (especially if it was building works or DIY), playing with other dogs, and he even helped me with several training sessions!
Unfortunately, he was suffering with severe arthritis and a hernia, and while he was mentally still raring to go, his body just couldn't keep up. So last night, my parents, my partner and I, went to be with him in his final moments at one of his favourite locations: the vets!
He will always be remembered and loved by everyone who knew him and will be dearly missed.
Farewell sweet Frog Prince! 🐸❤️

04/04/2023

I am very sorry to announce, tomorrow's doggy social will be cancelled. Unfortunately my family's dog, Claude, needs to be put to sleep. He is scheduled in for his vet appointment at 6pm and I want to be with him on his final journey.
Therefore, we will be cancelling the doggy social tomorrow night. Hopefully we will see everyone next month at our next social in May.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

28/03/2023

Please click the link to complete this form.

28/03/2023

I am very happy to announce that we will be beginning our doggy socials again! 🐶
Our first one will be held next Wednesday, 5th April, at 6:30pm - 8pm at the Oswestry Showground. It is £15 per dog to book (for more than 2 dogs, please contact me and we can arrange a cheaper deal).
We now ask that all participants book onto the social using the form below, and we look forward to seeing you all!
For dogs who may be reactive, please contact me beforehand and we can discuss the process we can implement during the social.

Please click the link to complete this form.

17/03/2023

Rebecca Partoon Animal Behaviourist based in Shropshire, but covering surrounding areas and all of the UK virtually. I offer behavioural consultations and modification for dogs and cats, as well as basic dog and puppy training.

14/03/2023

If you have one of the dogs listed in the picture, please do this survey from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), supported by the Kennel Club UK, to better our understanding of dog ownership, animal health and behaviour, and the owner-dog bond.
https://rvc.uk.com/popular-pooch-survey

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) supported by The Kennel Club UK is looking for UK dog owners to participate in their study, exploring ownership experiences with some popular dog types. This includes comparing experiences of health, behaviour and the owner-dog bond. To take part in this research visit https://rvc.uk.com/popular-pooch-survey

10/03/2023

Dog Trainer or Behaviourist? 🐶🦴

When your dog performs a problem behaviour, you may search for a dog trainer, however, there are several problem behaviours where there is a deep, underlying emotional cause with multiple layers, where behaviourists will need to identify the root cause for treatment.
Qualified behaviourists will work through veterinary referral, going through the medical and nutritional health history of a dog, their early life environment and learning, their current situations and triggers, and much, much more!
Problems that you should see a behaviourist for are:
- Separation related problems
- Fear/aggressive reactivity
- Resource guarding
- Aggression – maternal, towards people, towards dogs
- Noise sensitivities – fears and phobias
- Inappropriate toileting
- Overgrooming
- Destructive behaviour
- Hyperactivity/attention seeking
- Excessive vocalisations
- Cognitive decline (senior pet aging)
This list is not exhaustive and there may be many other behaviours I can help with, please contact me if you would like to discuss any behaviour modifications, or if you need any advice!

Rebecca Partoon Animal Behaviourist based in Shropshire, but covering surrounding areas and all of the UK virtually. I offer behavioural consultations and modification for dogs and cats, as well as basic dog and puppy training.

09/03/2023

You can never trust a dog fully! It is so important to be careful around dogs, read their body language, understand the canine aggression ladder, and never ever get your face near one... I know from experience and now I have a lovely scar on my face! 😂

Dogs are normal creatures with normal emotions and they can get frustrated, defensive, upset and frightened.

08/03/2023

What is arousal in dogs? 🐶
Arousal is a term we use for measuring a dog’s excitement and level of mental control. It is how responsive a dog is to events going on around them (other dogs, animals, cars passing, etc.) or to events instigated by you (training, anxious, etc.).
Arousal affects how much your dog will listen to you, how they perceive positive and negative events, and how they will respond.
Arousal is cumulative so if there are several things going on that may be causing stress or excitement, then this is known as trigger stacking, and can increase arousal.
Arousal will keep mounting until you reach a threshold limit. Think of this like a bucket with a tiny hole at the bottom. You keep adding more and more arousal to it, through different experiences – putting a lead on to go outside, seeing a dog, playing with a dog, barking, a loud car going past, asking for different tricks – it all fills up the bucket, but not enough can drain out through the hole at the bottom, until you reach the top of the bucket – the threshold. This is where the arousal reduces the ability of the thinking part of the brain and increases the survival response (flight or fight). This is where you will see overarousal – a total lack of responsiveness, signs of fear and anxiety, aggression, etc.
Try to avoid getting to this point by looking out for your dog’s awareness levels. When they stop listening to you and start showing signs of frustration, then you should try to leave and go back to a calm environment. It can take over 72 hours for arousal to return to a basal level, so please allow plenty of time to relax!
Increased arousal is a normal response to perceived threats, but it can become excessive and detrimental to normal life.

06/03/2023

Why do behaviourists use veterinary referrals? 🐶

As a behaviourist, my focus will be on the emotional components of your pets behaviour, almost like a doggy psychologist! However, almost 80% of behavioural problems can have at least one medical component!
Behaviourists who do not also act as veterinary surgeons, cannot diagnose medical issues, provide medical treatment, or prescribe medications, however, we can work with your veterinary practice to do these as part of a fully successful treatment plan!
This is why it is so important to go through your veterinary practice to get referred for behaviour issues, or contact me, and I will contact your Vets and chat to them for you!
Some pet insurance providers will also cover behaviour work where it has gone through veterinary referral to a qualified behaviourist, which is always an added bonus!

Please contact me today if you need behaviour modification for your pet!

Rebecca Partoon Animal Behaviourist based in Shropshire, but covering surrounding areas and all of the UK virtually. I offer behavioural consultations and modification for dogs and cats, as well as basic dog and puppy training.

22/02/2023

Do you have a dog who suffers with aggression? 🐶 Whether this is human-directed, situational (in a veterinary practice), or directed towards other dogs (reactivity), I can help!
I am a Provisional/Candidate Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC). I use science-led, compassionate, and non-punitive methods, as set out by the ABTC, to help your dog overcome their undesirable, inappropriate, problematic or dangerous behaviour on veterinary referral.
Please contact me for more information!

18/02/2023

Dog behaviour and training is unfortunately an unregulated industry. Anyone can say they are a trainer or behaviourist without any qualifications or regulation as to what type of training they are using, often causing more damage to your dog.
When looking for a trainer or behaviourist, please make sure to look at the Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC), the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), or the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC) as these are the main regulating bodies for behaviour and training. Most qualified members will also show the logos of their regulating bodies, so please look out for these!
If you are looking for a behaviourist in Shropshire, I am a Provisional/Candidate Clinical Animal Behaviourist through the APBC and the FABC, and I would be happy to help! Please contact me for any behaviour modification or training queries!

APBC Practitioners must use science-led, compassionate and non-punitive methods as set out by the ABTC. Training and Behaviour programmes must not be based on Positive Punishment or the creation of anxiety or fear. You can read our Code of Conduct here: https://buff.ly/3jtkLU6

14/02/2023

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! 🐶🐱❤️
Please post pictures of your true loves in the comments!
Here's me with my beautiful Duggy boy! And my partner, John, with Floki! 🥰😍

08/02/2023

Do you have a dog who is struggling with anxiety? 🐶
Whether it is fear of the vets, noises, other dogs, or separation related problems, please contact me and we can work together to help manage your dogs fear!
As a qualified animal behaviourist, you can be rest assured that I will be giving scientifically sound, professional advice, to the best of my abilities, and many insurance providers will cover the costs of qualified behaviour management!
Check out my website for more details!

Rebecca Partoon Animal Behaviourist based in Shropshire, but covering surrounding areas and all of the UK virtually. I offer behavioural consultations and modification for dogs and cats, as well as basic dog and puppy training.