In this episode, Lisa sits down with Dr Lucy Scott from Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ to explore what happens when behaviour is driven by what’s going on inside the body, not just training or environment.

Lucy is a qualified veterinarian with a Membership in Veterinary Behaviour who works with dogs, cats and horses. Today, the focus is on dogs and the often-overlooked medical, emotional and physiological factors that can shape how they show up in the world.

Together, Lisa and Lucy unpack the powerful connection between the body and the brain, why some dogs struggle despite “doing all the right things,” and how shifting from labels to curiosity can completely change outcomes for dogs and their humans.

💎 Lisa and Lucy talk about:

• What veterinary behaviour medicine actually is and when it’s needed
• Why some behaviour challenges are not “just training” issues
• How pain, illness and internal stress can present as reactivity, anxiety or aggression
• What’s really happening hormonally during adolescence in entire dogs
• How chronic stress affects the nervous system and behaviour over time
• When behaviour medication can be helpful and how it supports learning
• What a regulated dog looks like physically, mentally and emotionally
• Daily habits and lifestyle shifts that support nervous system health
• Why collaboration between trainers and behaviour vets matters

It’s an honest, grounding conversation for anyone living with a dog who feels like they’re struggling beneath the surface. If you’ve ever wondered whether behaviour might be more than just behaviour, this episode is for you 🎧🐾

Dr Lucy’s Links:
Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ Website

Veterinary Behaviour Services Facebook

Veterinary Behaviour Services Instagram