Anxiety and fear are experienced by humans and animals alike at one point or another. Sometimes, this is an expected response (like when an animal is running away from a predator), but when the threat isn’t real and hinders daily life, it becomes a disorder.
It’s the intensity, duration, frequency, and context around these behaviours that determine whether there’s an underlying issue. For example, it’s normal for dogs to bark briefly at startling noises. But a dog who incessantly barks and cries while their owner goes to work? This could indicate a deeper issue causing them to worry about a threat that doesn’t exist (you always return home to them, after all!).
Anxiety disorder
Fear and phobia
Aggression
Elimination disorder
Noise sensitivity
Separation anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Sleeping disorder
Hyperreactivity
Excessive vocalisation
Cognitive dysfunction in aging dogs
Anxiety disorder
Urine marking and house-soiling
Aggression
Sleeping disorder
Fear and phobia
Excessive vocalisation
Separation anxiety
Cognitive dysfunction in aging cats
Prior to your visit, a detailed history is obtained by filling out our questionnaire. This details your pet's medical history along with a description of their problem behaviour(s).
A behaviour consultation can take two to three hours, depending on their problem(s). During this time, we will help you better understand your pet's behaviour and provide ways of modifying and managing the problem. Each pet is individually assessed, and a behaviour modification program is recommended that takes into consideration not only the pet and their problems but also the whole family's lifestyle. Some animals require medication as well as behaviour modification to manage their behaviour problem.
After the consultation, a report is sent out to you and your regular veterinarian detailing our recommendations. Any medications, prescriptions, or blood tests that are recommended are not included in the cost of the behavioural consultation.
Typically, behaviour consultations are held in our consult rooms at The Gap. Home-based or virtual consultations are also available if required.
Initial behaviour consultation (1.5–3 hours)
Thorough review of your pet’s history and problem behaviour(s) via a detailed questionnaire
Behavioural assessment and diagnosis
Medication recommendation, if needed
Behavioural modification program
Environmental management
Behavioural assessment and recommendation report
Liaison with your regular vet (+/- trainer) for ongoing management (with your permission)
Ongoing support for minor adjustments or modifications to the initial program for two months
A re-examination visit is advised 6–8 weeks after the initial behaviour consult to assess medications (if prescribed) and the progress of the behaviour modification program. In this visit, we’ll review your progress diary and videos of your pet to adapt our treatment plan based on your pet’s response. Further re-examination visits may be necessary and will be recommended if needed.
Most behavioural follow-ups are held in our consult rooms at The Gap. Home-based or virtual assessments can be arranged if required.
Behaviour re-examination visit (45 minutes–1.5 hours)
Review of your monitoring diary and videos of your pet
Adjustments or modifications to medications (if prescribed)
Adjustments or modifications to behavioural modification programs and environmental management
Behavioural re-assessment report
Liaison with your regular vet (+/- trainer) for ongoing management (with your permission)
Ongoing support for minor adjustments or modifications to the treatment plan for two months
(incl. GST)
In-clinic and virtual consults
Home-based consults (per km from The Gap)
