Instagram story viewer> @petbehaviourist> Posts

Dr Kate Mornement Ph.D, CAAB - Animal Behaviourist 🐶🐱🦜

@petbehaviourist

2.7K

followers

1470

following

👩🏼‍🎓Board Certified Animal Behaviourist
👩🏼‍💻Consultant to Pet Parents, Industry, Government & Media
✨Helping people and pets thrive together✨

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

I can't quite believe I'm finally announcing this!! 📖

It's been a long held dream of mine to write a book about dogs and the relationship we share with them so I can help even more people and the dogs they love.

After 20+ years working with thousands of dogs and their families, I've seen firsthand how damaging poor advice and outdated training techniques can be. I've also witnessed how much a simple shift in mindset and perspective, from viewing behaviour as defiance to understanding it as communication, can transform the relationship between a person and their dog ❤🐶

This book brings together that experience, the science behind it, and the stories of the owners and dogs who have taught me so much along the way.

I'm beyond grateful to the wonderful team at @newsouthpublishing and to my amazing agent @sarahmck.literarymgmt for believing in me, this book and in the message behind it.

🐾 Want to be one of the first to get your hands on a copy? Join my book launch list and I’ll let you know as soon as it's available to buy (link in bio). by @petbehaviourist

94

44

25 days ago

Progress isn't linear, and if you needed that reminder today, this one's for you. 💙

I am SO excited to finally share this collaboration with the one and only @lilichin_art. Lili Chin, the incredibly talented artist and author behind the @doggielanguagebook. Working with Lili has been a genuine dream come true, and I am still pinching myself.

That's me and Lenny in the illustration too! I just LOVE how she drew him 🐾)

So many dog owners I work with tell me they feel like they've failed because their dog had a bad day after a run of good ones. A lunge. A bark. A meltdown at the park. And they're devastated.

But that bad day doesn't erase the progress. It's just a part of it.

Dogs don't learn in straight lines and neither do we. What matters is the overall direction, not any single day.

Save this. Share it with someone who needs it. Because I promise you; there is someone in your world right now who is about to give up on their dog, and this might be the little nugget of wisdom that help to keeps them going. 🙏

Comment POSTER and I'll send you a link to download the A4 poster version for free!

#DogMum #DogTraining #DogBehaviour #ProgressIsntLinear #Reactivedog #DoggieLanguage #LiliChin #PetsBehavingBadly #BorderCollie #RescueDog by @petbehaviourist

26

2

5 months ago

🚩🙅‍♀️SO MANY RED FLAGS!🙅‍♀️🚩

The dog training industry is unregulated. So many clients I help have engaged trainers previously who continue to use and recommend OUTDATED and HARMFUL training techniques such as dropping a can of rocks near the dog, jerking them around on a choke chain or throwing a glass of water in their face to punish them for an unwanted behaviour. These techniques compromise welfare by causing fear and pain and damage the bond between owner and dog.

When you’re engaging a dog trainer or a behaviourist to assist with your dogs behaviour please be aware of these common red flags...

🚩Telling you to be the pack leader🚩
This outdated philosophy was debunked years ago. Google it!

🚩No dogs on the bed/couch🚩
Because your dog is trying to DOMINATE you! Um, no. Dogs enjoy being with us and the comfort of resting on the bed or couch if you’re happy to share.

🚩Use a choke chain🚩
Choke chains, prong collars and shock collars are designed to cause enough pain and discomfort to stop your dog from repeating the unwanted behaviour. However these “tools” don’t address the underlying cause of the problem behaviour. When we prioritise positive reinforcement, kindness, understanding and gradual progress we set ourselves and our dogs up for success!

🚩Referring to themselves as a “Behaviourist”🚩
Unless they hold advanced postgraduate university qualifications in animal behaviour, they are NOT a behaviourist 😳. Think about other professionals like Psychologists, Zoologists and Chemists. They must have academic qualifications in order to use these titles. Behaviourists are no different. I’ve completed an undergraduate degree with honours and then a PhD followed by professional certification. This has involved over 10 years of formal education. Whereas the Certificate 3 in Dog Training and Behaviour TAFE qualification takes as little as 6 months. It’s not the same!! 😫

If you see these red flags, for the love of dog, RUUUUUUUUN!!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🚩

#petsagram #dogfluencer #dogsarefamily #petparent #dogparent #dogsofinstaworld #instadogs #dogsarethebest #dogbehaviourist #dogtrainer #dogbehaviorist #dogtrainingadvice #dogbehaviour #dogbehavior by @petbehaviourist

132

17

2 years ago

Our latest project: building two raised wicking vege beds. Wicking beds have a reservoir of water that the plants draw from, so they don’t need lots of watering.

I’ve always wanted to grow our own food and have been eyeing these off since we built our chicken coop. It’s so great to finally have them!

Cannot wait to harvest our first home grown veges!

Vege beds: @ceresfairwood
Wicking bed conversion kits: @veryediblegardens

#wickingbeds #raisedvegebeds #homegrownveggies by @petbehaviourist

24

4

15 days ago

I am incredibly excited to see this project - Guides to assessing rehoming suitability in cats and dog - launch, after 18 months of work and collaboration with the Pet Reforms Team at Animal Welfare Victoria.

These guides provide information and resources to help those working in community foster care, rescue groups, pounds, shelters, and research and teaching organisations assess rehoming suitability.

They advocate for a holistic behavioural assessment of cats and dogs over time, and the adoption of consistent record-keeping practices where possible. The guides have been informed by engagement with Victoria’s pet rehoming sector including the Rehoming Pets Working Group and pound, shelter, local government and pet rehoming organisation representatives.

As part of the project I was also engaged to develop two learning modules about understanding cat and dog behaviour and body language to accompany the guides.

Please share these resources with anyone working in the sector who might find them helpful. You can access the guides, learning modules and further information here:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/domestic-animal-businesses/pet-rehoming-sector/guides-for-assessing-rehoming-suitability

#petrehoming #behaviourassessment #catbehaviour #dogbehaviour #rescuepets by @petbehaviourist

16

3

a month ago

Meet Albie 🐾 the Border Collie cross Schnauzer.

I saw him and his brother-from-another-litter, Ollie, for a behaviour consultation last week.

These two were best mates for 5 years. Then a house move last September was followed, months later, by sudden inter-dog aggression at home. Teeth bared, tackling, seemingly out of nowhere.

Interestingly they're fine on walks, at the park, in the car, and even sharing a room at boarding kennels. It's home that's a problem, usually when competing for access to high value resources.

Their family has already done so much right. Now we're building a plan to help Albie and Ollie share the home again, safely and calmly.

#DogBehaviour #DogAggression #AnimalBehaviourist #PetsBehavingBadly #DrKateMornement #MultiDogHousehold #DogTraining #Melbourne #BorderCollie #Schnauzer by @petbehaviourist

6

1

a month ago

Nine years ago I helped this beautiful family settle their gorgeous cleft rescue dog, Leeloo, into her new life. Yesterday I was back, this time for Leeloo and her new little brother, Beamish. “Little” being relative, because this cheeky staffy cross is closing in on 30kg of pure goofball energy 😅

Beamish joined the family as a foster pup last year and for months these two got along beautifully. But as he’s grown bigger and bolder, some resource guarding has crept in and a few real scraps have understandably rattled everyone.

This is a very common call I get from multi-dog households following new introductions: a new dog settles in, then months later a shift happens as they mature and find their place in the household.

The good news? This family didn’t wait for it to get worse. They got in touch, we made a plan, and yesterday’s session was all about giving both dogs the skills and structure to feel safe around each other again.

If tension is brewing between your dogs, please don’t wait it out. Early support can make a real difference 🐾❤

#dogbehavior #resourceguarding #dogbehaviourist #melbournedogs #positivereinforcementdogtraining by @petbehaviourist

18

0

2 months ago

This is Sadie 🐾 A gorgeous 5yo German Shepherd whose person came to me for a behaviour consultation because her lead reactivity (once resolved through months of hard work) has recently resurfaced.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and it doesn't mean you're back at square one. Behaviour can ebb and flow, and old patterns can re-emerge for all kinds of reasons. The dedication that got you there once means you already have what it takes to get there again.

Sadie and her owner have an incredible connection, and that trust is the foundation we'll build the next stage of training on.

You've got this, Sadie 💛

#dogbehaviour #reactivedog #germanshepherd #leadreactivity #dogtraining #petsbehavingbadly #animalbehaviourist #positivereinforcement #dogsofmelbourne #humananimalbond by @petbehaviourist

7

0

2 months ago

Progress isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like one small treat at exactly the right moment. 🐱✨

Daphne, (Kenji) and Yuki have been sharing a home for several months, but Daphne is still finding it difficult to feel comfortable around her new feline housemate Yuki. Rather than forcing interactions or hoping they’ll “work it out”, we’re helping Daphne build a new emotional response to Yuki’s presence.

In this photo, Daphne is enjoying a high value treat (with Kenji looking on) while Yuki is nearby at a comfortable distance. The goal isn’t to distract her; it’s to create a positive association. Over time, if every appearance of Yuki predicts something Daphne loves, her emotional response can begin to shift from fear and anxiety towards anticipation of something good.

Behaviour change starts with changing emotions. When we focus on how an animal feels, rather than simply trying to stop unwanted behaviour, we’re much more likely to achieve lasting success.

Every cat progresses at their own pace, so patience, careful management and consistency are key. We’re looking forward to helping this family create a more peaceful home and preparing all three cats for their international move later this year. 🌏💛

If you need help with successfully integrating a new cat or dog with your resident pets, help is available. Please reach out ☺️

#CatBehaviour #CatBehaviourist #CatTraining #MultiCatHousehold #CatIntroduction by @petbehaviourist

7

1

3 months ago

Yesterday I joined Mary Gearin on ABC Radio Melbourne's The Conversation Hour chatting about anxiety in pets 🎙️🐶🐱

Talkback callers phoned in over about 15 minutes with questions about their own pets' behaviour, and what struck me, as always, is just how many people are quietly worrying about their pet's anxiety and not quite sure what to do about it.

We covered everything from separation distress to shaddow chasing and a few trickier individual cases callers rang in with. I love this kind of segment because the questions are real, unscripted, and come straight from pet parents doing their best for their furry family members ❤️

Huge thanks to ABC Radio Melbourne for having me on, and to everyone who called in!

I'll pop the link to the recording in my bio if you'd like to listen back!

#petanxiety #dogbehaviour #catbehaviour #animalbehaviourist #abcradiomelbourne #petsbehavingbadly #separationanxiety #fearfreepets #petwelfare #appliedanimalbehaviourist by @petbehaviourist

11

0

3 months ago

Poor Lenny 💙

Big day for our gorgeous boy today.

Lenny had surgery to remove a lump from his lower eyelid and a dental while he was under anaesthetic. Thankfully everything went well and he’s now home recovering in style with his giant cone. 😅

Surgery days can be stressful for both pets and their people, but most dogs are remarkably resilient. Right now, Lenny’s getting lots of rest, cuddles, pain relief and plenty of TLC.

Fingers crossed for a smooth recovery and hoping the cone comes off sooner rather than later! 🤞

Have your pets ever had to wear the cone of shame? How did they cope?

💙🐾

#DogRecovery #ConeOfShame #DogHealth #PetBehaviourist #DogLovers DogsOfInstagram PetCare HumanAnimalBond PetParents DogLife by @petbehaviourist

23

6

4 months ago

She wouldn't toilet outside her own backyard until she was 10 months old. Now she runs off-lead for 90 minutes a day. 🐾✨

Meet Maggie; a Border Collie who came to her family at 20 weeks old, unsocialised, fearful, and reactive to almost everything.

When I first heard from Maggie's family:
❌ Wouldn't urinate or defecate outside the backyard until 10 months old
❌ Reactive to cars, bikes, traffic, dried leaves
❌ Air snapping and lunging at dogs near her family
❌ Retreating to another room unable to fully connect
❌ Family constantly anxious about what might happen next

Maggie today at 2.5 years old:
✅ Off medication completely
✅ Affectionate and bonded with her family
✅ 9/10 recall off lead
✅ Calm around most other dogs on and off lead
✅ Thriving on daily herding games and enrichment she loves

The difference? A family who never gave up. Who learned to read her cues, met her needs as a working breed, and showed up consistently every single day. 🥹

If you're in the thick of it right now with a fearful, anxious or reactive dog please don't lose hope. Progress is possible. 💛

Save this post as a reminder and reach out if you need support.

petsbehavingbadly.com.au
#ReactiveDog #AnxiousDog #DogTransformation #BorderCollie #DogTraining #PositiveReinforcement #FearFreeDog #PetsBehavingBadly #DrKateMornement #DogBehaviour #HumanAnimalBond #DogProgress #MelbourneDogs #AnimalBehaviourist #WorkingDog by @petbehaviourist

14

2

4 months ago