Veterinary behaviour and dog training. Practical and kind solutions to unwanted behaviour. Brisbane, Toowoomba & Zoom
Veterinary behaviour and dog training. Practical and kind solutions to unwanted behaviour. Brisbane, Toowoomba & Zoom
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I am an experienced Veterinarian and a Behaviour Vet with a Membership by examinations of the ANZCVS (Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists) in Veterinary Behaviour. I have 15 years experience as a dog trainer, competing successfully in obedience and tracking dog-sports. I am a Fear Free Certified®Professional. I have completed Michael Shikashio's Aggression in Dogs Master Course, the most comprehensive course on dog aggression for behavior consultants throughout the world.
I have a special interest in aggression in dogs - in-home dog aggression, human or dog-directed aggression and other. However, I also love to help dogs and cats with other fear and anxiety problems.
I am committed to staying up-to-date with best practices to find the best kind solutions for your pet and help restore harmony in your home.
I provide house call and Zoom/phone behaviour consultations for dogs and cats. I can provide continuing behaviour training support in-home or via Zoom, without the need to source an extra trainer. I love to work hands-on with you and your dog or cat. However, I can collaborate with your existing trainer, or advise a trainer local to you if preferred.
I work with you to identify "Why?" is your pet doing this unwanted behaviour, and what aspects of the pet's environment (including health) are triggering or worsening the behaviour.
First step is to modify and manage the environment where we can to prevent your pet rehearsing the behaviour and to make behaviour change easier.
Next step is to use reward-based methods to teach the animal what to do instead of the problem behaviour and to create new positive associations with the trigger(s) and feelings of safety.
In the cases involving aggressive behaviours, the aim is that your pet no longer feels the need to show aggressive behaviours, because the trigger is no longer threatening.
There are some situations where I will prescribe behaviour medications in conjunction with the behaviour training plan.
These are if I have diagnosed an emotional disorder such as an anxiety, fear or compulsive disorder; or if your pet is exhibiting excessive fear,anxiety, impulsivity or arousal that is affecting safety, welfare, your human-pet relationship or your ability to make progress with behaviour training.
By treating the underlying emotions of fear or anxiety, or the physiological state of high arousal, behaviour medications can help your dog think and learn the new habits we want, improve their feelings about the trigger and passively help with coping with stress and the ability to feel safe.
I work with pet dogs, working dogs (and cats-see cat page) for the full spectrum of problem behaviours.
I can also provide life skills coaching for you and your puppy, adolescent or adult dog. This includes task orientated skills such as walking on a lead and handling for husbandry procedures, but also techniques for relaxation, how to socialise your puppy correctly, learning how to be independent and how to be "home-alone", play and games to build confidence and build your relationship, how to "think before you act" or "self-control in the face of temptation" (aka impulse control) and building patience and frustration tolerance.
Your puppy needs more than a generic puppy class, especially puppies that are already a little fearful/anxious. I provide a home-based puppy package to clients within 25minutes of Kenmore, or in Toowoomba, to teach you and your puppy what your puppy really needs to navigate the world with confidence.
There will be seven areas to consider in the treatment and management plan.
Dr Cate Webb 2022
