CPD FOR PET PROFESSIONALS
Handling Without the Battle: Understanding & Managing Challenging Behaviour in Practice for Professionals
Practical, evidence based CPD for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and the wider practice team.
How many dogs do you dread seeing booked in for their vaccinations?
We all know those patients. The ones who are already barking, trembling or trying to escape before they even reach the consultation room. The dogs who need several members of staff to complete a simple examination, or whose fear and defensive behaviour make even routine procedures difficult.
But what if we could make these appointments easier, safer and less stressful for everyone involved?
Join Alice Watts (Education4Paws) and Natalie Turton (Pawsitive Dog Behaviour) for an informative and practical webinar exploring how a better understanding of canine behaviour can transform the way we approach veterinary handling.
We will look beyond simply getting the procedure done and explore how small, realistic changes to the way we prepare for, approach and handle our patients can make a significant difference to their experience and future veterinary visits.
What will we cover?
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Recognising fear and stress: Understanding canine body language, identifying early warning signs and recognising when a patient is struggling before behaviour escalates.
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Why handling becomes difficult: Exploring how fear, pain, previous experiences, stress loading and loss of control influence a dog's ability to cope.
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Making practical changes in the clinic: Simple adjustments to appointment planning, waiting areas, consultation rooms and handling techniques that can reduce stress.
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Less restrictive handling: Understanding how to minimise restraint whilst still achieving essential clinical procedures safely.
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Cooperative care: How simple training techniques, voluntary positioning and predictable handling can make examinations and procedures easier.
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Muzzle training and safety: Encouraging positive muzzle training and planning ahead for patients who may require additional safety measures.
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Medication and behavioural support: Considering the role of medication, preparation and collaboration with qualified behaviour professionals.
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Working with owners: How to communicate handling difficulties sensitively and help clients prepare their dogs for more successful future visits.
Why attend?
This webinar is designed with the realities of busy veterinary practice in mind.
We understand that you cannot always spend 30 minutes encouraging a dog to cooperate with a vaccination, and that sometimes essential procedures simply cannot wait.
Our aim is to give you practical, achievable strategies that you can start implementing immediately, helping you to:
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Reduce the stress and struggle associated with difficult appointments.
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Improve safety for patients, owners and veterinary staff.
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Recognise potential handling difficulties before they escalate.
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Build more positive relationships with worried or defensive patients.
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Improve communication and collaboration with owners.
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Make future examinations and treatments easier to carry out.
Better handling isn't about avoiding necessary procedures. It's about finding smarter, safer and more compassionate ways to get them done.
Whether you're a veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse, student or member of the wider practice team, this webinar will help you approach challenging patients with greater understanding, confidence and a practical plan.
Join us and discover how small changes in practice can make a big difference to both patient welfare and your working day.
📅 Monday 23rd November 2026
🕖 7:00pm to 8:00pm
💻 Online webinar
🎥 Recording available after the event
💷 £15 per person
Spotting the Subtle Signs: Pain Recognition for Pet Professionals
A 90-minute webinar for pet professionals
How confident are you at recognising the subtle signs of pain in the dogs you work with?
Pain doesn't always look like an obvious limp. Sometimes the clues are much harder to spot, from changes in gait and posture to unusual coat patterns, muscle tension and changes in behaviour.
As pet professionals, we're often in a fantastic position to notice these early warning signs. But knowing what to look for is only half the challenge. How do we approach these concerns with owners? And how can we communicate our observations effectively with veterinary professionals?
Join Alice Watts, Clinical Animal Behaviourist, and Lily Moffatt, Veterinary Physiotherapist, for a practical and informative webinar exploring the relationship between movement, pain and behaviour.
🔍 What we'll cover:
🐕 Gait analysis: What to look for when observing a dog's movement and how to recognise potential abnormalities.
🐕 Subtle signs of pain: Exploring posture, coat patterns, muscle tension and other physical indicators that may suggest discomfort.
🐕 Pain and behaviour: Understanding how pain can influence behaviour, emotional regulation and a dog's ability to cope.
🐕 Conversations with clients: How to raise concerns sensitively and professionally without overstepping your role.
🐕 Working with vets: How to communicate your observations clearly and support a collaborative approach to investigating potential pain.
Who is this webinar for?
Dog trainers, behaviourists, groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters and anyone working professionally with dogs.
You don't need a background in anatomy or physiotherapy. This webinar is designed to help you develop your observational skills and feel more confident recognising when something might not be quite right.
📅 Thursday 26th November 2026
🕖 7:00pm to 8:30pm
💻 Online webinar
🎥 Recording available after the event
💷 £35 per person
Recognising potential pain isn't about making a diagnosis. It's about noticing the signs, asking the right questions and helping dogs access the support they need.
