Pets Behaving Badly

About Pets Behaving Badly

Pets Behaving Badly offers solutions to owners of pets with behavioural problems. Training methods are reward-based and gentle, using positive re-inforcement. Services provided include:

	Behaviour modification- including separation anxiety, disobedience, destructiveness, mild aggression, fears and phobias.
	Basic obedience training - such as sit, drop, stay, come and heel. As well as trick training including fetch, shake hands, roll over, play dead, jump through hoop etc
	Advice on pet selection - It is very important that potential pet owners choose an appropriate pet and breed that will suit their lifestyle.

For more information go to Behaviour Consultations

Meet the Behaviourist

Kate has had a life-long passion for animals and that is why she started this business. Kate has owned many pets including dogs, cats, parrots and rabbits. Currently she has a Boxer called Archie and a reclassified guide dog Labrador Retriever called Joseph. Kate is a member of the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASSAB).

(Photo courtesy of Brett Richardson, Glamour Pets Photography)

Kate's Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science with first class honours in zoology (LaTrobe University, Melbourne, Australia).
Currently undertaking a PhD in canine behaviour (Monash University, Melbourne, Australia).
Completed the "Lifestyle Canine Communication" dog training course which included canine behaviour, psychology, body language, socialisation and handling techniques as well as good behaviour shaping techniques (Alpha Dog Training, Melbourne, Australia).

What is an Animal Behaviourist?

An Animal Behaviourist is someone who has studied animal behaviour extensively at university and as a result, is an expert in the field. A minimum of a Bachelor degree with Honours is required however some Animal Behaviourists continue their study to the Doctoral level (PhD) and beyond.

Why choose an Animal Behaviourist?

Your vet is normally the first person you discuss your pet's behavioural problems with. However, vets receive very minimal university training in the behaviour of the animals they treat. Animal behaviourists, on the other hand, have studied the effects of evolution and the environment on an animal's behaviour (behavioural ecology), not just the animal itself. Animal behaviourists take a more holistic approach. For this reason, it is more appropriate to engage the expertise of an Animal behaviourist, rather than your regular vet, to treat behavioural problems in pets.