Testimonials
Workshops / Behaviour Assessments
Peter Kempe from Holdfast Bay Council
AMO Workshop:
“I found the Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services Dog Behaviour & Handling Workshop very informative and useful. I came away with a lot of knowledge that I can use in a very practical way, e.g. when approaching a dog, having a better understanding of the signals that it is displaying, which may indicate whether it is friendly, aggressive, fearful aggressive, etc. Since attending the course, I’ve already been able to use this information in my work, when on one occasion I had to pick up a dog that was displaying fearful aggressive behaviour. I adapted the way I approached the dog, which meant being able to capture the dog safely. I can thoroughly recommend this course to others.”
ETSA half day workshop
Clayton from ETSA
Earlier this year my group undertook dog behaviour awareness training through Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services. Although members of my group considered themselves to have significant experience in dealing with dog related hazards, it was universally agreed that the training substantially raised ability to gauge dog mood and implement effective risk management strategies.
Dog Safety Visit – Madge Sexton Kindergarten
Leanne Lovett – director
Today Emme’s Mum, Tracy came in to teach us about dog safety. Tracy told us that not all dogs feel like playing, and not all dogs like to be patted by children. But how can we tell the difference? Dogs don’t talk!
We saw photos of what a happy dog looks like. We can pat happy looking dogs. We know they are happy because their tails wag, they look like they’re smiling and they show us a “play bow” which looks like the dog is bowing to us.
We also saw photos of what an angry dog looks like. We never pat angry dogs - they do not want to play or be patted. We know they are angry because they show us all their teeth – sometimes by opening their mouths really, really wide, and sometimes by putting their teeth together and pulling their lips apart.
Tracy showed us photos of scared dogs too. Scared dogs won’t look at us, they look away and are sitting or lying down. We learnt if we see a scared dog, we must always ask the owner if we can pat their dog. We saw a funny photo of a dog lying on his back with his tummy showing. Was this dog angry, happy or scared? Did he want to play? Yes! He wanted someone to rub his tummy, and wasn’t showing his teeth, or looking away from us – he was a happy dog.
Tracy showed us how to say hello to a dog. They get scared if we come really close and lean over the top of them. Now we know we need to stand on our side, and put our hand out first. Then we can pat the dog – as long as it’s looking happy or playful!
We learnt how to hold a puppy dog properly – sitting quiet and still and laying the puppy on your lap. We also learnt to never put our fingers in a puppy’s mouth. Then we got to meet Tracy and Emme’s dogs. They were French Bulldogs and were named Xena and Simba. They were very playful, and loved to be patted. We also had a chance to ask Tracy questions, and learnt a lot about a dog’s life!
Thank you Emme and Tracy!
Behaviour Patient Testimonials
'Brian'
"Tracey and Tracy from Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services provided us with a structured, easy to follow management plan to address Brian’s stress and behavioural issues. The combination of training tools and medication enabled us to give Brian back an enjoyable quality of life, and has succeeded to a point where we have gradually weaned him off the medication. We use the tools learnt during individualised one on one training sessions to manage his behaviour as we now understand what his needs are and how best to provide them".
'Wilma'
"I have found the support, encouragement and professional expertise of AVBS to be invaluable. Their experience and knowledge have been key to helping Wilma become a lovable, happy and content dog. It is an ongoing team effort with continuing positive progress. Thank you Tracey and Tracy for enabling Wilma to become a lovable companion.
…..Kay & Wilma"
'Zena'
"The two Tracey's have been nothing but professional, caring, empathetic and completely thorough since our first visit at Willunga around 2 years ago. My kelpie cross had severe long term anxiety issues and after I exhausted almost every avenue I was referred by my local vet to Dr Tracey Henderson and her team at WIllunga. After an initial consult when both owner and dog were very stressed and anxious, I came away hopeful but truthfully a little skeptical. Once I read through the material of how to 're-train' my old girl and with the help of some medication, the time and effort I put in finally paid off. Zena has been much better since and is much less painful to the neighbours!!
I would thoroughly recommend their services to anyone who is looking to change long term behavioral issues with their dog, with real results and a caring and devoted team as the two Tracey's. Zena will always be a 'special needs' dog however our lives are much happier and much less stressful thanks to Dr Tracey Henderson and of course Tracy Bache!! Forever grateful xx"
'Rangi'
"We discovered that we needed some extra support after struggling along ourselves to no avail.
We had some very positive ideas put forward from Tracey Henderson and Tracy Bache after they assessed Rangi. We were given a very specific plan to guide Rangi and put in place a very structured routine which we kept in place till current. With the addition of Prozac medication plus keeping a total routine in place, Rangi has progressed so much from his earlier behaviour.
He is now 2 years 2months old and although we still have to be very mindful to always keep his routine in place He is 100 percent better than he was before.
Thanks, Rosemary"
Boris
Working with Tracey Henderson and Tracy Bache has given me the much needed support, knowledge and encouragement to work with Boris to return him to the beautiful happy 1 year old cat that he was before he became ill. Their advice on all aspects of cat behaviour has been invaluable. I am so grateful I have been able to get my happy household back.
'Harry'
"Harry's has always been an anxious dog, increasing over the last few years. With Tracey's help and guidance we now know the triggers and can readily detect the signs of his anxiety. Harry will never be 'cured' of anxiety but we feel very confident in managing him and making his world a safer place."
'Karri'
"Dear Karri dog, has an anxiety problem, which certain day to day things ,like when I do the dishes , when I cough and being inside in the evening, would trigger her anxiety . Through help and support from Tracey and Tracy she has improved 80% over the past year. Much thanks and appreciation to you both. Your understanding and support have been wonderful. From Karri and me, Mace"
'Jasper'
"Jasper is a different dog since beginning work with you. He was unable to even be around or close to other dogs, and is now quite comfortable around some dogs. He’s progressing in leaps and bounds, thankyou!"
Callie Marie
Callie was rescued from an animal sanctuary. Within a week of bringing her home, she started exhibiting nervous aggressive behaviour toward other family members. This was a worry. I wanted to give her a chance because her first few months of life hadn’t been all that great. I realized very quickly we didn’t have the knowledge or skill to change Callie’s behaviour. We needed experts, so I called Tracey at Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services. After the first consultation Tracey designed a behaviour modification program for Callie. Within two weeks of following the plan we started to see small but positive changes to Callie’s behaviour. Subsequent visits provided ongoing support and advice for us and new strategies for dealing with Callie’s changing behavour
Callie is now 3 years old. She still encounters situations where she gets a little nervy. That’s when we step up with our behaviour modification program. We accept that she will always be a “special needs” dog but she is no longer aggressive and is a much member of the family.
We do have hiccups and it’s encouraging to know Tracey is only a phone call away.
Barney
Barney came into our family in late 2008 from the RSPCA. Prior to coming
to us Barney had experienced a lot of upheaval and trauma in his little
life. As a result he had been placed on medication. Over time and under
supervision he was weaned off his medication and seemed to be happy.
In May 2010 we moved to a new house and that's when the problems started.
Barney would behave in ways that were not becoming in a little dog. We
were referred to Tracey Henderson by a friend. Tracey and her colleague
(also Tracy) came to our home and assessed Barney. They were able to
provide us with strategies to help Barney including anti-anxiety medication. We have
utilised the strategies they suggested and in conjunction with the
medication Barney has become a much happier and more relaxed dog.
Working with Tracey and Tracey has been brilliant as we can email them
anytime we have any concerns about Barney's well being and we will
always receive a quick response. We would recommend the services of the
Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services to anyone. It is great to have
their support and expertise when you have a dog in the family with
specific and challenging needs. Lynn and Phil.
Pickle & Buster
We originally sought out the help of Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services in order to reduce our dogs barking and lower their levels of anxiety. Tracey and Tracey provided us with the information and training techniques needed to make Pickle and Buster feel more secure in their home and less likely to react to noises which were triggers for their stress and barking. We saw improvement in our dogs instantly and with time they have become much more responsive to our commands and generally much better behaved. Looking back on how much they have improved in a few short months has left us so grateful to Tracey and Tracy. We continue to build upon the training foundations taught to us by Adelaide Veterinary Behaviour Services and we still see Pickle and Buster getting better and happier everyday.
Thank you