I am an experienced Veterinarian and a Behaviour Vet with a Membership of the ANZCVS (Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists) in Veterinary Behaviour. I have 14 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 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 with problematic behaviours. I can provide continuing behaviour modification support in-home or via Zoom, without the need to source an extra trainer. However, I can collaborate with your existing trainer, or advise a trainer local to you if preferred.
When modifying canine behaviour, I don’t attempt to suppress the behaviour with punishment techniques. Instead we work together to identify what is motivating and reinforcing the behaviour, and what aspects of the pet's environment (including health) are triggering or worsening the behaviour. We then modify the environment where we can to make behaviour change easier, and use reward-based methods to create new positive associations and feelings of safety and teach the animal what to do instead of the problem behaviour.
In the cases involving aggressive behaviours, the aim is that the dog 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 modification 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 emotions that are affecting safety, welfare, the human-animal relationship or the 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 new habits and how to feel safe.