SINGING dogs, jealous cats and a rabbit that just won't stop digging. Lindy Metheringham has met them all.

The pet behaviour consultant spends her time travelling up and down the North-East, helping owners cope with problem animals. She's also an on-line consultant for The Northern Echo's Pets Corner column.

"You certainly can't say my job's dull," she laughs. "I get to meet some fascinating people and animals, of course.

"On one occasion I was summoned to a stately home to deal with a difficult dog. I was taken to this huge dining room with the gamekeeper, the housekeeper and lots of the other staff. We all gathered round to say a prayer that I could help the dog. It was a very strange experience."

Lindy, who lives in Marske, has always been fascinated by animals and toyed with the idea of becoming a vet before choosing a career in biochemistry. But the lure of the animal world was too strong and, after retraining and becoming a fellow of the Institute of Pet Behaviour Consultants, she set up her own business in 2000. It has grown rapidly since and she now receives referrals from vets, pet shops and satisfied customers.

"Ten years ago people weren't even aware pet behaviourists existed, but now a lot of pet owners are turning to me for help. In America, the pet industry has really taken off but it's not like that over here yet. The British are more reserved and it's usually women who get in touch with me. I think a lot of men are embarrassed to admit they're not able to cope. It's just not macho."

In order to get inside a pet's head, Lindy spends time with the animal and their owner in their home environment and, although each case is different, there are some common problems. Quite often, it's the owners who are at fault and it's them, not the pets, who have to change their behaviour.

People taking on rescue dogs often have difficulties because they don't know anything about the dog's background and there are those who just buy inappropriate pets like Border Collies, which can cause serious problems if they don't get enough exercise and stimulation.

"One of the main problems I come across is people attributing human emotions to their pets," explains Lindy. "I've got two dogs, four cats and a disabled ferret. They're very much part of the family but you have to understand that they are animals.

"I went to see one couple who were having problems with a rescue dog that was biting them every time they tried to leave the room. They told me they didn't understand why it was doing that when they'd given it all the food and attention it wanted.

"It wasn't being ungrateful, dogs don't work like that. It had come from somewhere where it had been thrown out on the streets to a home where it had everything it wanted. In it's eyes, it had a meteoric rise in status and thought it was in charge."

Once Lindy has identified the problem, she works with the owner to combat it, using a system based on rewards. She describes the technique as "positive reinforcement" where the animal is rewarded for good behaviour.

"Meeting aggression with aggression just reinforces the offending behaviour pattern. It's also vital that the owners take an active part.

"Quite often they're disappointed that I don't sort it out for them there and then but these things can take time and they have to put in a lot of effort themselves. It can be really frustrating when I make a return visit and find they haven't been following my advice."

Unfortunately, some people just give in and take their pets to rescue homes or even dump them but Lindy claims an 80 per cent success rate.

"There are some cases where you just can't help, when the behaviour is so ingrained you can't change it no matter what you do. But most of the time, you can do something and it's extremely rewarding."

l Visit Lindy's website at www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk or e-mail her at petproblem