Masley Pets Behaviour

01/06/2026

Love this post by the Feline Behaviour Coach, we humans in our need to touch our pets and other animals very often don't look for or ignore whether that animal wants to be touched!

The “Scent Handshake”

First impressions matter. When meeting a new cat, reaching over their head or pointing a finger can feel threatening.

Instead, try a different approach: offer a stationary, loose fist at their eye level and let them bridge the gap.

If they rub against you, it’s a green light! If they turn away, we respect their autonomy. True, high-standard care always begins with consent.

31/05/2026

Your cat is scratching the furniture… but why?
Is it:

A) Just for fun
B) To sharpen their claws
C) To mark their territory
D) All of the above

👇 Drop your answer below!

Did you know?
Scratching isn’t just playtime — it’s also a way for cats to mark their territory. They leave both a visual mark and a scent signal from glands in their paws, telling other animals: “I’ve been here!”

Understanding behaviour helps us respond with empathy, not frustration.

27/05/2026

How is everyone keeping their pets cool in this lovely weather? We have been teaching our boy to paddle and snorkel for treats as he isn't a huge fan of getting his feet wet!

26/05/2026

This is so true just because your dog is perfectly trained and obedient doesn't mean they are feeling good.

A dog can look perfectly trained…
and still have poor emotional wellbeing.

That’s an uncomfortable truth to sit with.

But it matters if we actually care about wellbeing.

23/05/2026

I had a lovely assisted walk with team Winnie yesterday. Assisted walks are something I offer for those who may be unsure of how to support their dog with things that happen on a walk - sometimes it is better to walk and work with things as they occur giving both client and their dog the confidence to deal with real world distractions! Winnie is going through adolescence and has been finding things a little overwhelming, so this was our second walk together, this time, joined by Lucy whippet as a calming influence. Winnie was a super star, calmly exploring and just hanging out with Lucy.

20/05/2026

Thought I would share a little video of one of the activities I suggested instead of ball throwing. Arlo loves using his nose, so when he isn't looking, I drop or throw his toy in the long grass or off the path then give him a call to go find it - he instantly engages as he enjoys this challenge!

18/05/2026

Behaviourists and Trainers - there are important differences…. I am a Qualified behaviourist, and also MHERA qualified so I'm all about the emotions behind your pets behaviour, and helping improve their emotional wellbeing. I'm continuing to expand on my training experience by working with experienced trainers to help support my behaviour work.

12/05/2026

I've mentioned it before - I don't like ball throwing (especially with those launchers!) as a way of exercising dogs. So I have (tried!) to put together some slides to show my reasoning and give some alternitves.

12/05/2026

Did you know that when your dog suddenly starts sniffing the ground… it might not be about a smell at all?

Out-of-context sniffing is a commonly missed stress signal. When a dog begins sniffing in situations where it doesn’t quite make sense—like during training, when being approached, or in a tense moment—it can be a way of coping.

💡 What’s really going on?
This behaviour is known as a displacement behaviour. Your dog is essentially saying: I’m feeling a bit unsure or overwhelmed, so I’m going to do something else to cope.”

🔍 When you might notice it:
During training when things become difficult
When meeting new people or dogs
In slightly stressful or confusing situations
When there’s pressure or expectation

⚠️ Why it matters
It’s easy to mistake this for distraction or stubbornness—but in reality, your dog may be feeling uncomfortable or stressed.

💛 What should you do?
Pause and reduce pressure
Give your dog space or a break
Simplify what you’re asking
Observe the environment for stress triggers

Not all stress is obvious. Sometimes it looks like your dog “losing focus”—when really, they’re trying to cope.