Veterinary Behaviour & Training
Dr Debbie Prattley
Most of the animals I’m asked to see have changed their behaviour – of course, that’s how they let us know that something is wrong in their world! Sometimes, in addition to the hands-on treatments, pain relief and other therapies, we also need to help our pets and horses overcome boredom, fears, anxiety and confusion.
Brain games
Whether you have a pet recovering from surgery that needs to be kept confined, an older dog that can’t walk far any more, or a horse on stable rest or unable to be ridden, there are still lots of activities you can do with them. These include tricks, scent games, and often simple and safe exercises that double up as rehab activities.
scared or anxious pets
There are many situations that can upset our animals. I often work with pets and horses who are worried about being touched and handled. This can make grooming, nail trimming, vet visits and other activities very upsetting for them. I help you to turn these situations into things your animals can enjoy! I work in conjunction with behaviour vets for animals who need the extra level of care they offer.
physical Exercises
We typically exercise our animals by walking our dogs and riding our horses. There are other options though! While therapeutic exercises are used for particular purposes, we can also teach exercises for strengthening and improving balance, coordination and mobility. Our animals tend to love the one-on-one time with you, plus the food and toy rewards they get!
Training principles
I’ve always had an interest in animal behaviour and training, and have done extra study in this area too. My animals are all trained using positive reinforcement, and get really excited about our sessions! Get in touch for an appointment if you’d like to learn to train your animal to do exercises, brain games, or cope with the challenging situations in their lives.