Heather Thomas Clinical Animal Behaviourist

23/10/2026

Canine Self-Control
🧠 What happens in a dog’s brain when they resist temptation?

Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University have been investigating the brain activity involved in canine self-control.

Their 2026 findings suggest that when dogs inhibit a response, their brains show patterns resembling those associated with self-control in humans.

🐕 This is fascinating because controlling impulses is something dogs often find difficult, particularly when they’re excited, frustrated or emotionally aroused.

It also highlights why simply expecting a dog to “behave” in challenging situations isn’t always realistic.

💚 Self-control is influenced by context, learning and emotional state.

Helping dogs develop coping skills, while avoiding overwhelming situations, is an important part of welfare-focused training.

23/10/2026

🎓 What’s the difference between a dog trainer and a Clinical Animal Behaviourist?

Dog training and clinical behaviour work can overlap, but they aren’t quite the same thing.

Training often focuses on teaching practical skills and behaviours, such as recall, loose-lead walking and settling.

Clinical behaviour work looks more deeply at emotional and behavioural difficulties, including fear, anxiety, aggression, frustration and separation-related distress.

As a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), with an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour and a BSc in Animal Welfare, I provide comprehensive behavioural assessments and evidence-based treatment plans.

I also work collaboratively with veterinary professionals where medical factors may influence behaviour.

If your dog’s difficulties go beyond basic training, a clinical behavioural assessment may be the most appropriate next step.

📩 Send me a message to discuss the support available.

22/10/2026

Enrichment and Veterinary Medication
🐾 Can enrichment and veterinary medication work together to improve dog welfare?

A 2026 randomised controlled study investigated ways of reducing excessive arousal in shelter dogs.

The researchers explored a combined approach involving environmental enrichment and pharmaceutical intervention.

The findings suggest that addressing both a dog’s environment and their physiological or emotional needs can help reduce excessive arousal.

💚 This reflects something particularly important in clinical animal behaviour:

Behaviour modification isn’t always just about training.

For some dogs, successful treatment may involve environmental changes, management, appropriate behavioural therapy and veterinary-prescribed medication.

🐕 Every dog deserves an individual approach that considers their welfare as a whole.

22/10/2026

🐶 Puppy behaviour – what’s normal and when should you ask for help?

Puppies bite, chew, jump up, explore and sometimes struggle to settle. Much of this is normal developmental behaviour.

However, persistent fear, intense distress when separated, significant guarding or escalating aggressive responses shouldn’t simply be dismissed as something they’ll grow out of.

Early intervention can make a real difference.

I offer individual training support as well as more comprehensive behavioural consultations where needed.

Whether you’re trying to prevent problems or are already concerned about your puppy’s behaviour, getting appropriate advice early can help build the foundations for a happier future.

🐾 Every puppy is an individual, and their support should reflect that.

📩 Contact me to discuss your puppy’s needs.

21/10/2026

Can Dogs Match Human Voices to Faces?
🧠🐕 Can dogs match human voices to faces?

New research published in Animal Behaviour in October 2026 has explored whether dogs can associate the voices of girls and adult women with their corresponding age groups.

Researchers played recordings of voices before showing dogs photographs of faces.

The results provided tentative evidence that dogs may recognise relationships between human voices and facial characteristics.

Interestingly, experience of living with children appeared to influence some of the dogs’ responses.

🐾 This is another fascinating example of how dogs may develop an understanding of the humans around them.

💚 The more we learn about canine cognition, the more we appreciate just how complex our relationships with dogs really are.

21/10/2026

🐾 Is your dog’s behaviour becoming difficult to manage?

Barking, lunging, growling, separation-related distress or aggression can make everyday life stressful for both you and your dog.

But behaviour isn’t simply about being “good” or “bad”. It’s about understanding the emotions, motivations and experiences behind what your dog does.

As a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), I work with owners to identify the underlying causes of behavioural difficulties and develop individual, evidence-based treatment plans.

💚 My aim is to improve your dog’s emotional wellbeing while helping you feel more confident and supported.

📩 Get in touch to find out more about veterinary-referred behaviour consultations.

20/10/2026

Great offer here! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C5aziRkd2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🚨Calling all owners of Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs!
We’re delighted to announce another FREE BOAS Functional Grading Clinic at Bath Vet Referrals with Respiratory Function Grader & Senior Referral Surgeon Samantha Lane MRCVS.
If your dog struggles with:
• Noisy breathing
• Heat and exercise intolerance
• Snoring
…this is a great chance to get their airways assessed.
📅Wednesday 4th November 2026
⏰9am–4pm
📍Bath Vet Referrals, Rosemary Lodge, Bath, BA2 5RL
☎️01225 982777
📧[email protected]
🐾Dogs found to be surgical candidates receive 10% off BOAS surgery (usual price £3725.99) if the surgery is booked within 3 months.
⚠️Spaces are extremely limited – booking essential.
📌A referral and history from your regular vet is required.

20/10/2026

The Science of Canine Self-Control
🧠 What happens in a dog’s brain when they resist temptation?

Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University have been investigating the brain activity involved in canine self-control.

Their 2026 findings suggest that when dogs inhibit a response, their brains show patterns resembling those associated with self-control in humans.

🐕 This is fascinating because controlling impulses is something dogs often find difficult, particularly when they’re excited, frustrated or emotionally aroused.

It also highlights why simply expecting a dog to “behave” in challenging situations isn’t always realistic.

💚 Self-control is influenced by context, learning and emotional state.

Helping dogs develop coping skills, while avoiding overwhelming situations, is an important part of welfare-focused training.

20/10/2026

Dog Personality Research
🐕 Is your dog’s personality more than just their breed?

A new study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science in October 2026 has explored canine personality types using behavioural assessment data.

Researchers examined whether factors such as demographic characteristics changed the way dogs were grouped into personality categories.

Their findings supported the robustness of a five-type personality framework that was primarily defined by behaviour.

🐾 It’s a useful reminder that understanding an individual dog requires looking beyond breed labels alone.

Two dogs of the same breed can have very different emotional responses, coping strategies and behavioural needs.

💚 Good behavioural assessment considers the individual, not simply the breed.

20/10/2026

🐕‍🦺 Your dog doesn’t have to love everyone – and that’s okay!

Not every dog wants to greet every person or play with every dog they meet.

Some dogs are naturally more cautious, while others have developed fears following difficult experiences.

Forcing interactions in the hope that a dog will ‘get used to it’ can sometimes make matters worse.

Helping dogs feel safe, giving them choices and working at a pace they can cope with are important parts of effective behaviour modification.

I support owners with fearful, reactive and anxious dogs, helping them build confidence and develop practical strategies for everyday life.

💚 Progress doesn’t always mean a dog becomes sociable with everyone. Sometimes success is simply being able to walk past another dog calmly.

📩 Message me to discuss behavioural support.