Behaviour Consultations
What is a Behaviour Consultation?
A Behaviour Consultation is the first and most important step in understanding why your dog is behaving the way they are.
It’s about drilling down into the core issues, exploring your goals, and creating a clear plan forward.
Some families come in for a once-off assessment.
Others use this session as the foundation for a longer behaviour modification programme.
We also receive referrals from vets and trainers when cases require deeper behavioural or emotional evaluatio
What we assess
Your consultation explores every part of your dog’s world, including:
Full behaviour and medical history
Lifestyle, environment, and daily routine
Observations of body language and emotional patterns
Triggers, stress responses, and coping ability
Your goals and what your “dream outcome” looks like
This gives us a complete understanding of your dog — emotionally, medically, and behaviourally.
Behaviour Doesn’t Happen in a Vacuum
Every behaviour serves a purpose.
It may be driven by fear, anxiety, frustration, desire, confusion, or an unmet need.
The consultation uncovers these underlying drivers and allows us to create an overall plan that addresses both:
the behaviour itself, and
the root cause behind it.
This is why a thorough behavioural assessment is so important — it sets the direction for everything that follows.
Who is a Behaviour Consultation For?
A behaviour consultation is ideal for:
Dogs referred by veterinarians for anxiety, aggression, or complex behaviour
Dogs referred by trainers for issues beyond standard training
Owners wanting a clear, evidence-based understanding of their dog
Families needing clarity before starting training or considering medication
Anyone unsure where to begin or why the behaviour keeps getting worse
Whether it’s reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, resource guarding, over-arousal, compulsive behaviours, fear, or unpredictable reactions — this is where we start.
What You Gain From the Consultation
A Behaviour Consultation gives you:
Clear answers: You finally understand what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what needs to change.
Direction and structure: A logical, step-by-step pathway — no more guessing or conflicting advice.
Professional insight: As a veterinarian with advanced behaviour qualifications, every assessment combines medical knowledge + behavioural science + practical training expertise.
A tailored plan: Recommendations that match your dog’s emotional needs, your lifestyle, and your goals.
Next steps that make sense: A clear understanding of what comes next — whether that’s training, environmental changes, vet follow-up, or occasionally, no further action.
What Happens After the Consultation?
Following the assessment, a personalised plan is often recommended. This may involve:
Behaviour modification and training with Pet Logic
Collaboration with your existing trainer, with the full plan referred back to them
Veterinary follow-up, if medical investigation or medication is appropriate
No further steps, if the assessment shows all needs are already met
Every recommendation is tailored to your dog and your goals.
Medication (When Needed)
In some cases, medication may be considered to support the behaviour plan — particularly when a dog is too anxious or over-aroused to learn effectively.
Medication is never the first choice, never used alone, and not commonly recommended for younger dogs.
The focus remains on:
behaviour modification
environmental change
emotional stabilisation
training and lifestyle adjustments
Medication is used only as a supportive tool, with careful monitoring to ensure benefits outweigh any side effects.
Book Your Behaviour Consultation
Your first step toward change starts here.
Problems We Commonly See
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Reactivity on Walks & in the Home
Lunging, barking, pulling, pacing, hyper-vigilance, or freezing when your dog sees people, dogs, or movement.
Whether rooted in fear, frustration, or overwhelm — we can help. -
Aggression & Safety Concerns
Growling, snapping, biting, stiff body language, or escalating conflict.
This includes issues toward people, other dogs, or within the household.
We take a calm, professional, judgment-free approach to help restore safety and confidence. -
Separation Anxiety & Home Alone Distress
Crying, barking, destruction, escape attempts, pacing, drooling, or full-blown panic when left alone.
We focus on stabilising emotions and building a plan your dog can actually cope with. -
Resource Guarding
Protecting food, toys, bones, beds, space, or people.
From mild guarding to serious incidents, we help you understand the emotional drivers and rebuild harmony. -
Fear, Anxiety & Stress-Based Behaviours
Noise sensitivity, fear of visitors, handling issues, startle responses, fear of unfamiliar environments, or generalised anxiety.
We focus on the why so fear isn’t just masked — it’s resolved. -
Compulsive & Repetitive Behaviours
Tail-chasing, pacing, licking, chewing, shadow or light chasing, fly-snapping, or fixation on specific objects or routines. We assess the underlying emotional, neurological, and environmental factors driving these behaviours.
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Difficulty with Medication, Handling or Vet Exams
Struggling to take medication, resisting grooming or nail trims, panic during vet visits, or fear of restraint/handling.
We build cooperative care skills so your dog can participate calmly and safely. -
Destructive Behaviours
Chewing walls, furniture, doors, or household items, digging, shredding bedding, or breaking out of crates or barriers.
We identify whether this stems from stress, boredom, anxiety, over-arousal, or unmet behavioural needs. -
Over-Arousal, Impulsivity & Inability to Settle
Dogs who escalate quickly, jump, bark, mouth, or go from 0–100 in seconds.
We help stabilise emotions, build coping skills, and create structure. -
Multi-Dog Household Tension
Growing friction, competition, guarding, or conflict between dogs at home.
We help you understand the dynamic, reduce risk, and rebuild a peaceful environment. -
Noise Sensitivity & Phobias
Thunderstorms, fireworks, household noises, or sudden sounds that trigger panic, shutdown, or frantic escape behaviours.
We build predictable coping strategies that reduce fear over time. -
Unpredictable or Escalating Behaviour
Dogs whose behaviour appears to worsen suddenly or without a clear cause.
We assess the underlying emotional, medical, and environmental factors to create a clear path forward. -
Cognitive Decline & Dementia (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction)
Disorientation, pacing, restlessness at night, increased anxiety, toileting regression, new-onset fear, or changes in interaction.
We help owners understand what’s happening, adjust the environment, and create a supportive plan that improves quality of life. -
Puppy Development Challenges
Biting, chasing, over-arousal, toilet training difficulties, restraint sensitivity, struggling to settle, or difficulty coping with new experiences.
We focus on emotional resilience and healthy learning right from the start. -
Toileting Issues
Indoor toileting, substrate confusion, anxiety-related accidents, age-related decline, or inconsistent toileting habits.
We address both behavioural and potential medical contributors for reliable long-term change. -
Car Anxiety, Travel Stress & Motion Sensitivity
Whining, shaking, drooling, vomiting, restlessness, panic when approaching the car, or refusing to get in.
We work to build confidence, reduce nausea-related fear, and create a positive, predictable travel routine.
Not sure where your dog fits?
Most behaviour concerns overlap — and that’s completely normal. If you’re unsure what category your dog falls into, a Behaviour Assessment is the best place to start.
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What Our Clients Say