When to See a Vet Versus a Trainer
There is a subtle difference between a problem behaviour and a behaviour problem. Some issues are a result of an underlying mental health disorder or maladaptive behaviour, in which case a combination of medications and training can assist. If your training is not progressing, your dog has underlying anxiety or there is an element of aggression it may be that a veterinarian is needed. Not all vets are experienced in behaviour. Many have more of an interest in medicine or surgery, so consulting with a veterinarian who has extra skills with behavioural medicine like Dr Eloise will help you progress faster. Not sure if you need a vet, a behaviourist or a trainer? There is more information about the difference here.
Do I Need to Pay for Additional Pets?
There is no additional fee for extra animals, unless they are different species. So if you have cats and dogs and both species are experiencing problems it is best to book separate consultations. Otherwise it is absolutely fine to talk about two different pets during one consultation. Often the problem revolves around relationships between dogs and cats and often it is not necessarily the one you think that is struggling the most. Please don't hesitate to ask if you are not sure.
Do You See Cats?
Yes, in fact Dr Eloise is currently undertaking more study at the moment with the International Feline Medicine Society in Advanced Feline Behaviour for Veterinary Professionals and regularly accept referrals from local vets for behaviour problems in our feline friends. The questionnaire for cats is available here.
Medications and Pets
Many pet owners feel very strongly about medications and their pets. Just as many health conditions need pharmacological treatment, mental health conditions also benefit from safe, effective medications. Options are always discussed, taking into account your personal preferences, however if medications are recommended, it will ultimately help your pet's brain biochemistry improve. The aim is not to drug your pet for convenience or to change their personality and the appropriate medication should not sedate your pet. The aim is to improve their happiness and reduce anxiety, stress and fear.
Do You Advocate Force-Free, Positive Techniques?
Yes, I believe that using positive techniques are ultimately safer and more productive. This is backed up by years of research and is based on current knowledge and recommendations. Trainers that are using 'balanced' training or use any form of punishment are incredibly damaging, particularly to pets with an underlying anxiety disorder.
How Do I Find a Good Trainer?
Ideally find a trainer that advertises they use force-free, positive and reward-based methods. Avoid those that use terminology like Alpha or Dominance or advocate balanced methods or choke chains. Those that are Delta trained, registered with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers or the Pet Professional Guild are also generally modern trainers. More information about some excellent trainers is available here.
What Should I Expect During a Behaviour Consultation?
Prior to the consultation we will ask you to fill out a pre-visit questionnaire to gather some background information. The questionnaire for dogs is available here. For cats the questionnaire is here. When Dr Eloise arrives she will chat to you and ask you what your priorities are and observe your dog or cat, watching body language and assessing temperament and personality. If multiple people are training and interacting with the pet, they can also join in at this stage. Some additional history-taking and physical examination may then be done (depending on what the problem is). If you have any video footage of the problem, this can be useful for unusual behaviours, though it is important not to put your pet in a compromising position, particularly in relation to aggression. The reasons for your pet's behaviour will then be discussed; identifying the motivation can help work out the best approach.
Once it is possible to make a diagnosis, recommendations will be made for first steps and a plan will be agreed on. If medications, supplements or pheromones are recommended these will be discussed and options will be given for sourcing these (many can be scripted at the time and sourced from human pharmacies or online). Suggestions for behaviour modification and reducing triggers for the behaviour will be made and some short-term solutions will be initiated. After the consultation, within 7 days a summary will be emailed to you. You are welcome to contact Dr Eloise via email for clarification or advice at any stage after the consultation to fine-tune the plan and work out any difficulties.
What Follow-up is Recommended?
After the consultation you are welcome to contact Dr Eloise by email with additional questions. Additional free email follow-up is provided free of charge for 6 months after the initial consultation. If further in-person consultations are needed, these will be charged at $160 via Zoom or $250 in person. Often for complicated problems these are recommended at 3 and 6 months after the initial assessment.
Will you Talk to my Regular Veterinarian?
A report will be sent to your veterinarian to summarise the treatment plan if ongoing medications are required. This will mean your rechecks for medications and/or blood tests can be undertaken at your regular veterinarin as well, which can ultimately be more convenient. You can advise your preference for follow-up at the time of the consultation.
What Websites, Books or Resources are Recommended?
The Pet Professional Guild has some great instructional videos and position statements about training methods. The Dog Welfare Campaign also nicely describes why the Dominance Myth has been well and truly debunked. Karen Pryor has a great book called 'Don't Shoot the Dog', great for training family and friends also! There are some great resources on ther Clicker Training website also.
What Common Dog Problems are Treated?
Aggression, barking, generalised anxiety, separation-related distress, leash reactivity, hyperactivity, noise sensitivity, fear of people or other dogs, house soiling, guarding (food, objects, space or people), repetitive behaviours like pacing or spinning and any problem behaviour that is causing issues at home.
What Common Cat Problems are Treated?
Not using the litter tray, night-time vocalisation, scratching furniture, destructive behaviours, aggression between cats or towards people and generalised anxiety or fear-based behaviours.
There is a subtle difference between a problem behaviour and a behaviour problem. Some issues are a result of an underlying mental health disorder or maladaptive behaviour, in which case a combination of medications and training can assist. If your training is not progressing, your dog has underlying anxiety or there is an element of aggression it may be that a veterinarian is needed. Not all vets are experienced in behaviour. Many have more of an interest in medicine or surgery, so consulting with a veterinarian who has extra skills with behavioural medicine like Dr Eloise will help you progress faster. Not sure if you need a vet, a behaviourist or a trainer? There is more information about the difference here.
Do I Need to Pay for Additional Pets?
There is no additional fee for extra animals, unless they are different species. So if you have cats and dogs and both species are experiencing problems it is best to book separate consultations. Otherwise it is absolutely fine to talk about two different pets during one consultation. Often the problem revolves around relationships between dogs and cats and often it is not necessarily the one you think that is struggling the most. Please don't hesitate to ask if you are not sure.
Do You See Cats?
Yes, in fact Dr Eloise is currently undertaking more study at the moment with the International Feline Medicine Society in Advanced Feline Behaviour for Veterinary Professionals and regularly accept referrals from local vets for behaviour problems in our feline friends. The questionnaire for cats is available here.
Medications and Pets
Many pet owners feel very strongly about medications and their pets. Just as many health conditions need pharmacological treatment, mental health conditions also benefit from safe, effective medications. Options are always discussed, taking into account your personal preferences, however if medications are recommended, it will ultimately help your pet's brain biochemistry improve. The aim is not to drug your pet for convenience or to change their personality and the appropriate medication should not sedate your pet. The aim is to improve their happiness and reduce anxiety, stress and fear.
Do You Advocate Force-Free, Positive Techniques?
Yes, I believe that using positive techniques are ultimately safer and more productive. This is backed up by years of research and is based on current knowledge and recommendations. Trainers that are using 'balanced' training or use any form of punishment are incredibly damaging, particularly to pets with an underlying anxiety disorder.
How Do I Find a Good Trainer?
Ideally find a trainer that advertises they use force-free, positive and reward-based methods. Avoid those that use terminology like Alpha or Dominance or advocate balanced methods or choke chains. Those that are Delta trained, registered with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers or the Pet Professional Guild are also generally modern trainers. More information about some excellent trainers is available here.
What Should I Expect During a Behaviour Consultation?
Prior to the consultation we will ask you to fill out a pre-visit questionnaire to gather some background information. The questionnaire for dogs is available here. For cats the questionnaire is here. When Dr Eloise arrives she will chat to you and ask you what your priorities are and observe your dog or cat, watching body language and assessing temperament and personality. If multiple people are training and interacting with the pet, they can also join in at this stage. Some additional history-taking and physical examination may then be done (depending on what the problem is). If you have any video footage of the problem, this can be useful for unusual behaviours, though it is important not to put your pet in a compromising position, particularly in relation to aggression. The reasons for your pet's behaviour will then be discussed; identifying the motivation can help work out the best approach.
Once it is possible to make a diagnosis, recommendations will be made for first steps and a plan will be agreed on. If medications, supplements or pheromones are recommended these will be discussed and options will be given for sourcing these (many can be scripted at the time and sourced from human pharmacies or online). Suggestions for behaviour modification and reducing triggers for the behaviour will be made and some short-term solutions will be initiated. After the consultation, within 7 days a summary will be emailed to you. You are welcome to contact Dr Eloise via email for clarification or advice at any stage after the consultation to fine-tune the plan and work out any difficulties.
What Follow-up is Recommended?
After the consultation you are welcome to contact Dr Eloise by email with additional questions. Additional free email follow-up is provided free of charge for 6 months after the initial consultation. If further in-person consultations are needed, these will be charged at $160 via Zoom or $250 in person. Often for complicated problems these are recommended at 3 and 6 months after the initial assessment.
Will you Talk to my Regular Veterinarian?
A report will be sent to your veterinarian to summarise the treatment plan if ongoing medications are required. This will mean your rechecks for medications and/or blood tests can be undertaken at your regular veterinarin as well, which can ultimately be more convenient. You can advise your preference for follow-up at the time of the consultation.
What Websites, Books or Resources are Recommended?
The Pet Professional Guild has some great instructional videos and position statements about training methods. The Dog Welfare Campaign also nicely describes why the Dominance Myth has been well and truly debunked. Karen Pryor has a great book called 'Don't Shoot the Dog', great for training family and friends also! There are some great resources on ther Clicker Training website also.
What Common Dog Problems are Treated?
Aggression, barking, generalised anxiety, separation-related distress, leash reactivity, hyperactivity, noise sensitivity, fear of people or other dogs, house soiling, guarding (food, objects, space or people), repetitive behaviours like pacing or spinning and any problem behaviour that is causing issues at home.
What Common Cat Problems are Treated?
Not using the litter tray, night-time vocalisation, scratching furniture, destructive behaviours, aggression between cats or towards people and generalised anxiety or fear-based behaviours.