Heather Thomas Clinical Animal Behaviourist

01/06/2026

📚 NEW RESEARCH

A recent study analysing over 43,000 dogs found that more than 84% showed signs of fear or anxiety at some point.

This is such an important reminder that behaviours like barking, hiding, trembling or lunging are often rooted in emotion — not “stubbornness”.

Behaviour is communication 💛

🔗 https://phys.org/news/2026-05-dogs-anxiety.html

A dog trembling during a thunderstorm or backing away from a stranger may seem like an isolated reaction—yet new research suggests these moments are far from rare. In fact, the majority of dogs may experience some level of fear or anxiety more often than their owners, according to a new study that...

01/06/2026

🐾 Looking for help with your dog?

I currently offer:
✔ Behaviour Consultations
✔ Puppy Support
✔ Training Sessions
✔ Online Consults
✔ Reactivity Help
✔ Calm Dog Support
✔ Recall & Lead Walking

Based near Bath & Somerset with online options across the UK 💛

📩 Message the page to book or ask questions.

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31/05/2026

Researchers studying cat social behaviour found that mutual grooming between cats isn’t always purely affectionate — sometimes it can also happen during social tension.

Body language matters:
✔ Ear position
✔ Posture
✔ Movement away
✔ Facial tension

Cats communicate far more subtly than many people realise.

🔗 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159126001292

31/05/2026

One of the biggest compliments I receive from clients is:

🗣 “You made me feel understood and not judged.”

Living with a struggling dog can feel isolating and exhausting.

My goal is always to support BOTH the dog and the humans behind them 💛

No shame.
No blame.
Just practical help and understanding.

📩 Reach out if you need support.

30/05/2026

🧠 DOG SCIENCE

New research has shown dogs respond differently to emotional vocalisations from both humans and other dogs.

Dogs are incredibly sensitive to emotional information through sound, tone and communication cues — another reminder of just how complex canine communication really is.

Your dog notices far more than we think 👀

🔗 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-46906-y

Vocalizations convey information about both emotional valence (negative/positive) and motivational states (hostile/non-hostile). However, it remains unclear which of these dimensions primarily determines what the listener decodes from vocalizations as social messages, guiding their reaction (approac...

30/05/2026

Did you know stress hormones can stay elevated in dogs for days?

That means punishment-based training can sometimes make behaviour worse, not better.

My behaviour plans focus on:
✔ Lowering stress
✔ Building emotional regulation
✔ Teaching calm behaviours
✔ Creating long-term change

Because behaviour change starts with emotional wellbeing 💛

📩 Behaviour consultations available online and in person.

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29/05/2026

💛 NEW STUDY

Researchers recently explored how interacting with dogs affects human brain activity and emotional wellbeing.

Studies continue to show the incredible emotional connection between humans and dogs — something many of us already feel every single day.

Dogs really are amazing companions 🐾

🔗 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-45639-2

Human-dog interaction brings meaningful emotional support and health advantages, highlighting its positive effects on human well-being. However, little is known about the brain activity during these interactions. This study investigated the effect of interacting with a dog on brain activity using el...

29/05/2026

Sometimes behaviour isn’t about “bad dogs”.

It’s about:
🐾 Fear
🐾 Frustration
🐾 Stress
🐾 Lack of sleep
🐾 Overwhelm
🐾 Pain
🐾 Communication being missed

When we change the way we look at behaviour, everything changes.

Modern behaviour work is about helping dogs feel safer, not shutting behaviour down 💛

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone.

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28/05/2026

🐶 DID YOU KNOW?

A recent study found dogs behaved more similarly to toddlers than cats when humans needed help.

Researchers observed that dogs were far more likely to try and assist humans during problem-solving tasks.

Another fascinating insight into how deeply dogs connect socially with people 💛

🔗 https://phys.org/news/2026-02-dogs-toddlers-cats-humans.html

Why does your dog rush to "help" when you are searching for something, while your cat seems… eh, less concerned? New research suggests that this difference may stem from deep evolutionary roots—and that, in certain situations, dogs behave more similarly to young children than to cats.

28/05/2026

🐾 Is your dog struggling with barking, pulling, anxiety, reactivity or settling at home?

I work with dogs and families across the UK using kind, evidence-based behaviour support that focuses on understanding the why behind behaviour — not punishment.

✔ Clinical Animal Behaviourist
✔ MSc qualified
✔ Neurodiversity-friendly support
✔ Real-life, practical training plans

Every dog deserves to feel safe, understood and successful 💛

📩 Message me to chat about support for your dog.