Heather Thomas Clinical Animal Behaviourist

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Heather Thomas Clinical Animal Behaviourist A full APBC / FABC member and CCAB Clinical Animal Behaviourist & dog trainer with over 2 decades of experience.

Heather has worked professionally with dogs since 2003. She started her first pet business when she was just 19. She built this business from the ground up and had 20 staff and 18 vans before she started this new venture using her newly acquired qualifications.

🐶❤️ DO DOGS UNDERSTAND WHEN WE CRY?A fascinating new study published in Scientific Reports on 22 September 2026 explored...
14/10/2026

🐶❤️ DO DOGS UNDERSTAND WHEN WE CRY?

A fascinating new study published in Scientific Reports on 22 September 2026 explored how dogs respond to human crying.

The research examined how a dog’s previous life experiences may influence their responses to emotional signals from people.

This is particularly interesting when we consider the differences between dogs raised in family homes and those with very different social experiences.

We often hear people say that their dog knows when they’re sad, but canine responses to human emotion are more complex than simply assuming that every dog experiences empathy in the same way.

Dogs are individuals. Their previous experiences, learning history and relationships can all influence how they respond to us.

Understanding the individual animal is at the heart of good behavioural assessment.

🐕🧠 IS IT FEAR, FRUSTRATION OR SOMETHING ELSE?A new paper published on 22 September 2026 in Frontiers in Psychology explo...
13/10/2026

🐕🧠 IS IT FEAR, FRUSTRATION OR SOMETHING ELSE?

A new paper published on 22 September 2026 in Frontiers in Psychology explores how fear and frustration can be understood and classified within clinical animal behaviour.

This is an incredibly relevant subject for those of us working with complex behavioural cases.

Two dogs might bark, lunge or snap in very similar ways, but their underlying emotional motivations may be completely different.

One may be frightened and trying to increase distance.

Another may be frustrated because they cannot access something they want.

Some dogs may experience a combination of emotional responses.

This is why looking at behaviour alone isn’t enough. We need to understand the motivation, emotional state, history and circumstances surrounding it.

A behavioural diagnosis should inform an individual treatment plan, rather than simply attempting to suppress what we can see.

🐾 DOES WALKING YOUR DOG FEEL MORE LIKE WATER-SKIING? 😂If your dog pulls you down the road, forgets you exist when you ca...
13/10/2026

🐾 DOES WALKING YOUR DOG FEEL MORE LIKE WATER-SKIING? 😂

If your dog pulls you down the road, forgets you exist when you call them or struggles to concentrate around distractions, one-to-one training could help!

I offer individual dog training sessions tailored to your dog, your lifestyle and the skills you’d like to develop.

We can work on:

🐕 Loose lead walking
🐕 Recall
🐕 Jumping up
🐕 General manners
🐕 Puppy foundations
🐕 Settling and everyday life skills

Unlike group classes, one-to-one training allows us to concentrate on your individual goals and progress at a pace that suits your dog.

My training is kind, reward-based and informed by current behavioural science.

📍 Sessions available in Bath and surrounding areas.

🐾 45-minute training session: £90

🐶💕 GOT A NEW PUPPY? LET’S GET THINGS RIGHT FROM THE START!Bringing a puppy home is exciting, but it can also be exhausti...
12/10/2026

🐶💕 GOT A NEW PUPPY? LET’S GET THINGS RIGHT FROM THE START!

Bringing a puppy home is exciting, but it can also be exhausting!

Toilet accidents, biting, chewing, jumping up and sleepless nights are all familiar challenges for new puppy owners.

Early training isn’t just about teaching your puppy to sit.

It’s about helping them develop confidence, learn appropriate life skills, build positive associations and feel safe in the world around them.

I offer one-to-one puppy training and support to help you navigate those important early months.

We can cover:

🐾 Toilet training
🐾 Puppy biting and chewing
🐾 Appropriate socialisation
🐾 Settling and relaxation
🐾 Recall foundations
🐾 Handling and cooperative care
🐾 Building confidence and independence

Whether your puppy has just arrived or you’re preparing to bring one home, I’m here to help.

📍 Bath and surrounding areas.

🐕 STRUGGLING WITH YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOUR? YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORK IT OUT ALONE.Aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, reac...
12/10/2026

🐕 STRUGGLING WITH YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOUR? YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORK IT OUT ALONE.

Aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, reactivity and fears can make everyday life difficult for both dogs and their families.

I’m Heather Thomas, an MSc-qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), with over 20 years of experience working with animals.

I offer comprehensive behavioural consultations for dogs and cats, helping owners understand not just WHAT their pet is doing, but WHY.

My consultations include:

🐾 A detailed behavioural assessment
🐾 Review of your pet’s history and environment
🐾 An individual behaviour modification programme
🐾 Practical, realistic advice for your household
🐾 A comprehensive written report
🐾 Support following your consultation

Behaviour consultations are undertaken following veterinary referral, ensuring that potential medical contributors are considered.

📍 Home visits around Bath and surrounding areas, with online consultations also available.

🐕‍🦺 HAS YOUR DOG STARTED GROWLING, SNAPPING OR REACTING AGGRESSIVELY?Aggression is one of the most misunderstood areas o...
11/10/2026

🐕‍🦺 HAS YOUR DOG STARTED GROWLING, SNAPPING OR REACTING AGGRESSIVELY?

Aggression is one of the most misunderstood areas of dog behaviour.

When a dog growls, lunges, snaps or bites, it can be frightening and upsetting for everyone involved.

But aggression isn’t a diagnosis in itself. It’s a behaviour that can occur for many different reasons.

Fear, pain, frustration, conflict, previous learning experiences and environmental pressures can all play a part.

As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, I work with complex cases, including dogs with a history of biting, aggression towards people or other dogs, and difficulties within multi-dog households.

My priority is always safety, welfare and understanding the underlying causes before developing an appropriate behaviour modification plan.

Please don’t wait for a situation to become more serious before seeking professional help.

🐾 MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour
🐾 Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
🐾 Over 20 years’ experience
🐾 Veterinary referral consultations

📍 Bath and surrounding areas, with online appointments available.

🐈 IS YOUR CAT TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING?When people think of animal behaviourists, they often think of dogs, but did ...
11/10/2026

🐈 IS YOUR CAT TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING?

When people think of animal behaviourists, they often think of dogs, but did you know that I also work with cats?

Cats can experience a wide range of behavioural difficulties, including:

🐱 Urine spraying and toileting outside the litter tray
🐱 Aggression towards people
🐱 Conflict between cats living together
🐱 Fear and anxiety
🐱 Difficulties following changes within the household

These behaviours can be incredibly frustrating for owners, but they are rarely as simple as a cat being naughty or spiteful.

Cats are sensitive to their environment, social relationships and changes in routine.

Medical conditions can also contribute to behavioural changes, which is why veterinary involvement is an important part of the assessment process.

I offer individual cat behaviour consultations, looking at the whole picture and developing practical recommendations for your household.

🐾 MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour
🐾 Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist
🐾 Home and online consultations

🏥🐾 A DOG’S EMOTIONAL WELFARE MATTERS DURING HOSPITALISATIONAn article published in The Veterinary Nurse on 21 September ...
10/10/2026

🏥🐾 A DOG’S EMOTIONAL WELFARE MATTERS DURING HOSPITALISATION

An article published in The Veterinary Nurse on 21 September 2026 discusses the importance of behavioural care for dogs staying in veterinary hospitals.

We often focus on physical recovery, but what about the emotional experience of the animal?

Unfamiliar smells, handling, noise, confinement and separation from familiar people can all be challenging for some dogs.

The article explores how veterinary teams can consider an individual dog’s needs and use behaviourally informed approaches to reduce fear and improve their hospital experience.

This is something I feel particularly strongly about.

Behaviour and physical health should never be treated as completely separate issues. A frightened dog needs understanding and appropriate support, not simply more restraint.

10/10/2026

🐕💊 CAN MEDICATION AND ENRICHMENT WORK TOGETHER TO HELP ANXIOUS DOGS?

An interesting new study published in September 2026 has looked at how different interventions can help dogs experiencing excessive arousal in rescue shelters.

Researchers studied 50 shelter dogs, comparing different combinations of enrichment, exercise, human interaction and veterinary-prescribed medication.

The results suggested that combining medication with calm enrichment was particularly beneficial for reducing behaviours such as jumping, vocalising and panting.

As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, this is something I regularly discuss with owners. Sometimes, a dog is simply too anxious or overwhelmed to learn effectively, and appropriate veterinary support can make behavioural rehabilitation more achievable.

Medication isn’t a replacement for behaviour modification, but for some dogs it can be an important part of a wider treatment plan.

It’s important to remember that this was a short-term shelter study, so we shouldn’t assume the findings apply equally to every pet dog.

🎓🐾 DID YOU KNOW THAT THE TERM ‘ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST’ ISN’T A PROTECTED TITLE IN THE UK?This means that qualifications, ex...
09/10/2026

🎓🐾 DID YOU KNOW THAT THE TERM ‘ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST’ ISN’T A PROTECTED TITLE IN THE UK?

This means that qualifications, experience and professional registration are particularly important when choosing someone to help with your pet’s behavioural difficulties.

I’m Heather Thomas, an MSc-qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), with over 20 years of experience working with animals.

I’m also registered with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC).

Behavioural problems can be complex, particularly when they involve aggression, anxiety, fears or a history of biting.

An appropriate assessment should consider the animal’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, environment, learning history and individual needs.

My behaviour consultations are carried out on veterinary referral, allowing us to work collaboratively when medical factors may be involved.

💷 Did you know that some pet insurance policies cover behavioural consultations?

Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim some or all of the cost of an appointment with an appropriately qualified behaviourist.

Always check directly with your insurer before booking.

Address

7 Hinton Villas
Bath
BA27SS

Telephone

+447784626598

Website

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