If you are planning on adding a new furry member to your family you will want a well behaved one! 

Good behaviour starts from before you choose your new friend and here are some tips for getting started on the right track. 

• Choose a breed appropriate to your lifestyle. Problem behaviour is not uncommon in pets kept in the wrong environment. Be honest with yourself - for example how much exercise will you be able to give a dog? 
• Check out their relatives. Try to meet mum and dad. Are they well behaved? Can you recognise any anxiety or behaviour issues in the family?
• Spend as much time as possible with a litter before you make a choice. You might feel sorry for the smallest and quietest puppy or kitten in the corner but it is best to choose a friendly and confident animal who will make a good family pet. 
• Plan plan plan. The first six months are critical when starting out. Will you have time to put in essential training such as puppy pre school? Are you and your family going to be able to be consistent with training?
• Are you going to be able to provide your pet with essential health care, diet and grooming to make their life happy and comfortable? 

We are always here to help you plan and can answer any questions when it comes to choosing the right pet for your family - ask one of our friendly team today. When you have chosen your new pet book in for our popular Puppy Pre-School Classes to instil good behaviour from the early months - 63618388.

So you might have a perfectly behaved and well behaved pooch but all of a sudden things change. Has toilet training gone out the window? Is your dog suddenly fearful of other dogs? Are they freaking out when you leave the house for five minutes?

Behavioural problems in adulthood are very common. Separation anxiety, storm phobia and fear aggression can all raise their ugly heads at any point in your dog's life. 

This is where a medical examination with us is absolutely essential.  Is your dog suddenly urinating in the house? We need to rule out medical problems such as a urinary tract infection or urinary incontinence. 

Perhaps your dog has started growling at you when he is picked up - have you thought your dog might be in pain with the onset of arthritis? 

Many behavioural changes in our senior pets are associated with dementia - ask us about a specific diet available to help slow down the progression of these signs.

There are plenty of tools we have available to help you and your pooch along the way. Don't suffer in silence - arrange an appointment with us as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately we are not sure we can help this dog when it comes to bad behaviour ... 

Pheromones are used in the animal kingdom to communicate. They are released between members of the same species in different situations.

There are now products available both for dogs and cats that contain a synthetic version of the pheromones used to reduce stress and produce a feeling of security. 

We are able to provide you with these products - Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs. 

Indications for use in cats include: inappropriate urine marking, scratching the furniture, reduced desire to interact or play, moving house with your cat, introduction of a new family member (pet or baby), or traveling with your cat. 

Adaptil helps to reassure and comfort dogs so that they can cope with changes in their environment - such as re-homing, car travel and during fireworks. It can also help reduce fear or prevent fear, anxiety and stress-related signs in puppies and adult dogs.

Both Feliway and Adaptil are available in a diffuser and a spray. Adaptil is also available in a collar. Only we will be able to advise you on the most suitable product for your pet so ask us for the most accurate information.