Koven Moodley - Smart Pet Behaviour

07/06/2026

ANXIETY IN CATS - MILA

Madam Mila, from Springs Gauteng, was obsessed with patrolling and protecting her territory, and hence giving the big, bad intruder kitties a run for their money...she was stressed, anxious and unhappy.

3 Weeks after our first online session, there was a notable change in her - she had decided to focus on her mental health, family and the awesomely stimulating activities that were provided at home during peak hunting times as opposed to worrying about intruders to her territory.

In addition to long walks in the garden, bird watching and catching some sun, she now watches Catflix and indulges in some lovely TV snacks after some stimulating mental games...she is less anxious about other cats these days🐾🐾🐾

Well done Madam Mila for getting Mum and Dad to be at your service. They finally understand that you are the Madam of the home and that they needed to step up their game to keep you happy and fulfilled🙌🥳

05/06/2026

A good post on why board and train solutions are not recommended for dogs. The post also has references which can be reviewed.

This post is about Dobermanns but the logic is sound and applies to ALL dog breeds.

WHY WE WILL NEVER RECOMMEND A BOARD-AND-TRAIN FACILITY FOR A DOBERMANN

As a Dobermann rescue, people often ask us whether we recommend sending a dog away to a board-and-train facility.

Our answer is simple:

No.

Not for Dobermanns.

Not for obedience.

Not for reactivity.

Not for aggression.

Not for anxiety.

Not for behavioural problems of any kind.

Not for any reason.

In fact, one of the most common themes we encounter in rescue is owners contacting us after a board-and-train programme has gone wrong.

The story is often the same.

The owners were promised a quick fix.

They were told their dog would come back obedient.

They were told the behavioural issues would be solved.

The dog was sent away.

The dog came back appearing calm and compliant.

Then the problems started.

The dog became fearful.

The dog became shut down.

The dog became anxious.

The dog became less trusting.

The dog stopped giving clear warning signals.

Or, in most cases, the dog escalated to biting family members, visitors, or other animals.

By the time the owners contact rescue, they are often frightened of the very dog they were told had been "fixed."

This is one of the reasons we are fundamentally opposed to the board-and-train model, especially for sensitive, intelligent breeds like the Dobermann.

Training is not something that happens to a dog.

Training is a relationship between a dog and its owner.

A Dobermann does not need a stranger to build that relationship.

A Dobermann needs you.

Dobermanns are exceptionally intelligent, emotionally sensitive, and intensely loyal dogs. They form deep bonds with their families and are highly affected by how they are handled. Their greatest strength is their willingness to work with and trust their people.

That trust is not something that can be outsourced.

Many board-and-train facilities advertise quick results.

"Two weeks and your dog is obedient."

"Guaranteed results."

"Aggression solved."

"Reactivity eliminated."

But behaviour is not a machine that can be repaired and returned.

Behaviour is communication.

When a dog growls, barks, lunges, avoids, freezes, or reacts, it is communicating an emotional state.

Fear.

Stress.

Anxiety.

Frustration.

Conflict.

Uncertainty.

Those emotions do not disappear simply because the behaviour is no longer visible.

This is where the science becomes important.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) states that reward-based methods should be used for dog training and behaviour modification and warns against the use of aversive methods because of the risks they pose to animal welfare and the human-animal bond.

Multiple scientific studies have found that dogs trained using aversive methods experience poorer welfare outcomes than dogs trained using reward-based methods.

Research published in PLOS ONE found that dogs trained with aversive methods displayed more stress-related behaviours and experienced poorer welfare both during training and outside of training situations.

Research published in Scientific Reports found that dogs exposed to aversive training methods showed more negative emotional states and a more pessimistic outlook when faced with unfamiliar situations.

In other words:

These methods do not simply change behaviour.

They change how dogs feel.

That matters because a dog that is afraid to communicate is not a safer dog.

A dog that is punished for growling may stop growling.

A dog that is punished for showing discomfort may stop showing discomfort.

The warning signs disappear.

The underlying emotion often does not.

Veterinary behaviour professionals have warned for years that suppressing warning signals without addressing the underlying emotional cause can create significant welfare concerns and increase risk.

The dog appears "fixed."

The fear is still there.

For a breed like the Dobermann, that can have devastating consequences.

Dobermanns are powerful dogs. They are intelligent enough to learn quickly, sensitive enough to be deeply affected by poor handling, and strong enough that the consequences of behavioural fallout can be serious.

As rescuers, we have seen the fallout firsthand.

Dogs that return shut down.

Dogs that return fearful.

Dogs that return confused.

Dogs that return less trusting than when they left.

Dogs that have lost confidence.

Dogs that have become bite risks.

Dogs that return severely injured, a lot of them dying within days.

And perhaps most importantly:

The owners return having learned absolutely nothing.

Because while the dog was away, the people were not being trained.

No trainer lives in your home.

No trainer manages your visitors.

No trainer handles your children.

No trainer supervises your interactions.

No trainer lives your daily life.

You do.

That is why owner education is every bit as important as dog training itself.

The best training teaches both ends of the leash.

A truly trained Dobermann is not one that obeys because it fears making a mistake.

A truly trained Dobermann is one that understands what is being asked, trusts the person asking, and willingly chooses to respond.

That kind of relationship cannot be bought.

It cannot be rushed.

It cannot be outsourced.

And it certainly cannot be achieved by shipping your dog away for a few weeks.

The strongest Dobermanns are not those that have been made compliant.

They are those that have been understood.

If you are struggling with your Dobermann, find a qualified positive reinforcement trainer who will work with you and your dog together.

Learn together.

Train together.

Build trust together.

Because no board-and-train programme can ever replace the bond between a Dobermann and its owner.

Sources:
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statement on Humane Dog Training (2021)
• Vieira de Castro et al. (2020), PLOS ONE — Welfare consequences of aversive versus reward-based training methods in companion dogs
• Vieira de Castro et al. (2021), Scientific Reports — Aversive training methods associated with poorer welfare and more negative affective states in companion dogs
• Ziv (2017), Journal of Veterinary Behavior — Review of the effects of aversive training methods on dog welfare and behaviour

Thank you Koven Moodley - Smart Pet Behaviour for the poster!

04/06/2026

If you own a Pittie, don't add another. If you have small dogs or cats, don't get a Pittie. If you already have 2 Pitties or small animals with a Pittie, please call for a risk assessment

03/06/2026

CAT BITES

There are many reasons for a cat biting. They are however not tying to dominate us or to get back at us. Cat bites are communication or an expression of natural behaviours albeit painful at times.

Here are some possible explanations for cat bites and how to handle it👇🏽

Understand your individual cat's patterns of behaviour and if any behaviour is different, behaviour that suddenly arises, or if there is an escalation in behaviours, please contact your veterinarian first to check for medical issues or pain before contacting a cat behaviourist.

30/05/2026

THE LINK BETWEEN PAIN AND BEHAVIOUR

In approximately 90% of the aggression and reactivity cases I encounter involving both cats and dogs, pain is identified as the underlying cause. Guardians often report either a sudden change in behaviour or a noticeable escalation of existing behaviours over a relatively short period. Pain can significantly reduce an animal's tolerance threshold, resulting in increased sensitivity to sounds, touch, handling, or environmental stimuli that were previously well tolerated. It may also lead to behavioural changes such as social withdrawal, reduced appetite, decreased activity levels, and a diminished interest in play, exercise, or walks. In many instances, these changes represent coping mechanisms through which animals attempt to manage or conceal pain and discomfort.

For this reason, I always recommend that guardians arrange a veterinary examination as a first step to rule out any underlying medical conditions. I also advise against reactive training interventions, including intensive training programmes or board-and-train solutions, particularly for dogs. Pain cannot be trained out of an animal, and inappropriate interventions may inadvertently increase stress and contribute to an escalation of the presenting behaviours. Furthermore, if pain or another medical condition is not immediately apparent and remains undiagnosed, the animal's condition may deteriorate over time.

Cats, in particular, are highly adept at masking pain and often display subtle signs of discomfort. Guardians should therefore pay close attention to even minor changes in behaviour, daily routines, activity levels, grooming habits, appetite, or social interactions, as these may indicate an underlying medical issue. Behavioural changes are sometimes attributed solely to the ageing process; however, while age-related changes can occur, a veterinary assessment remains essential. Conditions such as arthritis and other painful disorders are common in older animals and, when identified and treated appropriately, can significantly improve their quality of life and overall wellbeing.

Understanding the relationship between pain and behaviour is fundamental to safeguarding an animal's welfare and wellbeing. When behavioural changes arise, a veterinary consultation should always be the first step. Once medical causes have been identified, addressed, or ruled out, a qualified behaviourist can then provide appropriate support where necessary.

29/05/2026

Since adopting MHERA in behaviour analysis and modification, my client sessions have become significantly more productive and qualitative in nature. One of my primary objectives is to empower guardians with knowledge and a deeper understanding of their pets’ emotional experiences, and MHERA has been instrumental in supporting this goal.

During the pre-assessment phase, guardians are introduced to the MHERA approach that will be utilised throughout the assessment and modification processes. This provides reassurance through a science-based, ethical framework that prioritises the wellbeing of their pets over convenience, rules and rigid methodologies.

Incorporating MHERA into my work with guardians is definitely complementary to the values and ethos of Smart Pet Behaviour. Over the past year, this approach has certainly contributed positively to the growth of both my client base and my brand in a very competitive industry.

If you want to learn more about MHERA, please visit www.mhera.org or whatsapp me for more information.




MHERA

📷 MHERA

27/05/2026

TRAINER OR BEHAVIOURIST?

Dog guardians are often confused about when to request the assistance of a trainer and when to seek the help of a behaviourist because their titles and roles frequently overlap.

In summary, trainers teach obedience skills and manners (sit, stay, down, recalls), while behaviourists uncover and treat the underlying emotional roots of complex issues like reactivity, fear, anxiety or aggression. Trainers and behaviourists often work as a team with veterinary professionals on complex cases. In some countries, all behaviourists are veterinarians as per that countries regulations. In South Africa roles can overlap so it is not always clear to guardians as to who they can turn to.

Some behaviour problems can be labeled as disobedience or stubborness by guardians. For example, a dog barking and lunging on a leash isn't necessarily being difficult; they are often experiencing an emotional stress response. Group training classes, board & train facilities and obedience cues like 'sit' or 'corrections' won't solve the core fear generated by the discrete emotional system in the brain.These types of emotional issues requires the assistance of a behaviourist to uncover the root causes of the fear or reactivity. Behaviour work can take months to see improvements as the learns self regulation and alternate coping strategies.

In South Africa, the roles and professional status' of 'dog trainer' and 'dog behaviourist' are not legally regulated. Anyone with basic internet qualifications or access to YouTube or experience only can market themselves as an expert, leaving guardians confused. Working with animals is a science and no longer left to experience only like it was 30 years ago. Working with animals requires an understanding of learning theory, psychology, emotionality, brain systems, anatomy and physiology in addition to a host of other subjects. Experience with qualifications can unlock solutions to complex issues.

In addition to qualifications from reputable schools or universities, guardians in South Africa should can check the websites of following international professional bodies to confirm membership credentials of their trainer or behaviourist:
1. Pet Professional Guild
2. Coape Association of Behaviourists and Trainers International (Cabti).
3. International Companion Animal Network (ICAN)
These bodies have ethical, humane, positive reinforcement and science driven philosophies as fundamental principles, and as such, they will only accept professionals who will abide by these core values. These professionals agree to certain standards of practice and codes of behaviour which are published and which often gives guardians some level of comfort in the approaches, methods and tools used by the professional.

Choose your professional wisely. It will make all the difference to your dog's physical and emotional wellbeing.

26/05/2026

Horse racing is not ethical or glamorous 😢

The NSPCA launched its "Rein in the Pain" campaign at South Africa's most celebrated horse race — because the suffering doesn't stop when the cameras turn on. Whips. Tongue-ties. Horses raced before their bodies are ready. We raised our voice where it was least expected.

📖 Read the full story in our 2025 Annual Review: https://nspca.co.za/2025-annual-review/

Support the work that makes this possible: https://nspca.co.za/donate/

25/05/2026