Dog & Cat Behaviour Consultations

With Dr Tracey Henderson and Tracy Irons at the helm, the AVBS behaviour team offer a complete range of behavioural services for your pet, servicing all areas of Australia.

Consultations are available at McLaren Vale, Norwood, Privately and Remotely via Skype/Zoom.

We offer private consultations for dogs and cats with behavioural problems ranging from ‘bad manners’ to complex anxiety issues. Using the latest methodology to provide the very best treatment, behaviour modification and management.

Early intervention and treatment will help to improve the outcome for you and your pet.

Behaviour problems we commonly deal with

The main behaviour problems we deal with are anxiety related. These behaviours are often irrational, disruptive to the household and detrimental to the health and welfare of the pet. Some examples of anxiety related problems include:

Dogs:

• Aggression.
• Barking.
• Separation anxiety.
• Noise and thunderstorm phobias.
• Fear/anxiety.
• Compulsive behaviours - eg. tail chasing.
• Destructive behaviours.

Cats:

• Urine spraying.
• House soiling.
• Aggression.
• Fear/anxiety.

What happens in a behaviour consultation

It is recommended that all family members who are involved with the pet be present at the initial consultation.

Initial consultations are charged at a one-off fee, and revisits are charged at an hourly rate. For an initial behaviour consultation we allow 3 hours, depending on your pet’s problem. It takes this amount of time to individually assess your pet, determine it’s problem/s, ensure you understand your pet’s behaviour, and to implement a behaviour modification program specific to your pet’s problems. Prognosis is also discussed.

We also offer a split initial consultation whereby one of our trainers visits your home initially and then you follow up with a visit to the clinic to see one of our behaviour veterinarians.

Some pets may benefit from anti-anxiety medication combined with a behaviour modification program to manage their behaviour problem. This will be assessed and discussed during the consultation.

Following the Behaviour consultation you will be given handouts that are appropriate to your pet’s specific problem, and a written report will be sent to you and your referring vet and/or trainer (these are included in the cost).

Following the initial consultation:

AVBS provides follow up support via phone calls/emails with our reception staff at no cost. This follow up support will continue whilst your pet is in our care. However, if the problem is complex or time consuming you will be advised that either a charged call or visit with either Tracey or Tracy (depending on the problem) may be required

A revisit consultation may be recommended 4-6 weeks later, depending on your pet’s problem This revisit may be necessary to review medications (if required) and the progress of the behaviour modification program. Some pets may even require further revisits – again this will depend on your pet’s problem.

PLEASE NOTE: If your pet is prescribed anti-anxiety medication, revisit consultations will be required whilst your pet is on the medication. However generally you will be able to pick up the medication from your regular vet.

All advice encompasses the most recent scientific (evidence based) behaviour modification techniques with particular emphasis on reward-based methods.

Pre-requisites before a behaviour consultation

Questionnaire

• Download the questionnaire:
• Dog questionnaire...
• Cat questionnaire...
• Please fill out the questionnaire with as much detail as possible, with inputs from different family members.
• Video footage is helpful for problems such as barking or any problems which occur when your pet is alone.

Physical examination

Please take your pet to your regular vet for a physical health check, and ask your vet to send your pets medical history to AVBS prior to the behaviour consultation.

Blood tests

Blood tests are recommended prior to a consultation. If this has not been done, Tracey can speak to you further about it during the consultation. Blood tests are to be performed by your regular vet.

• Blood tests required are complete blood count, biochemistry, and T4 level.
• Blood tests are strongly recommended before starting anti-anxiety medication.

Urinalysis

Required if your pet has an elimination problem. Tracey can discuss this further if recommended.

Physical examination and blood tests are recommended to identify if there are any underlying medical problems that may be influencing your pet’s behaviour.

The questionnaire, physical exam and blood test results need to be forwarded to Australian Veterinary Behaviour Services PRIOR to the behaviour consultation.

Book a consultation

If you have decided that you would like to go ahead with a behaviour consultation, then please contact us and we can organise a suitable appointment time for you.

Please read the pre-requisites required prior to a consultation.