Phone

1800 376 352

Address

2 Ford Rd Coomera 4209
Get in touch

Private Vet Behaviour Consultations

Also available via online platforms such as Zoom and Skype!
Solutions come
not from the position
in which we stand;
but from the direction
in which we look
The bond between pet and owner is like no other. They are there for us unconditionally as we are for them. For this reason, it can be extremely difficult, frustrating, or even upsetting to have a pet with a behavioural problem, especially when you don’t know the cause or what you can do to help them!

At Calm Companions we understand implicitly this relationship and the strain that problem behaviours can have on it. Therefore, we strive to help people and their pets to understand each other better so they can see why their pet does what they do and help them to learn more desirable ways of communicating their needs to us.

Due to everyone’s situation being unique, we find the best way to help you and your pet is through a one-on-one behavioural consultation, that way we can fully understand the challenges you are facing and create a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs, taking into account your individual lifestyle and requirements.

Whether you have a dog, or a cat, we would love to help you and your pet communicate more effectively and support your family in managing the behavioural challenges that you are facing.

So how does it work?

Firstly, a qualified and experienced Behavioural Trainer will come to your home and discuss with you the challenging behaviours your family are experiencing. It’s important to observe the animal in their home environment to best gain insight as to the likely cause.

Following this, the behavioural trainer will recommend one of two strategies:

If the problem behaviour is such that training and management alone will be sufficient, they will create a tailored Behaviour Modification Plan and organise subsequent session(s) with you. These sessions allow for the trainer to implement and extend the program reflective of the dog’s abilities and responses.

Following each session, you will be sent a report that outlines the skills covered and what to focus on at that particular stage of the training plan.

If the trainer believes that the problem is likely caused by a physical or mental health concern, they will refer you to our Behavioural Vet, Dr Nela Graham, who will then see you and your pet at our behaviour clinic.

(Please note, all aggression cases will require a Behavioural Vet Consultation).
Throughout this consultation, Dr Nela will ask further questions and observe the pet’s body language in the safe and comfortable, yet unfamiliar environment of the clinic. Based on this, along with the information from the behavioural trainer’s consultation, Dr Nela will then make a formal diagnosis and discuss with you a treatment plan to help your pet in whatever way(s) required.

You will also receive a detailed report outlining the diagnosis and full treatment plan for your pet.

At Calm Companions, we believe it is imperative to empower owners with the skills and knowledge to truly understand their pet. We will teach you all the skills and strategies needed and offer continued help and support, so you feel confident in your own abilities to create and keep a happy, calm companion.

No problem is too big or too small, if it worries you, just give us a call!

Get in touch

Testimonials

The Story of “Lana”

Polly the rescue greyhound was adopted by Denise. She was a lovely, easy going dog and so after six months, Denise decided to adopt another rescue greyhound, Lana. Lana had a very different personality and the two dogs began to be difficult to manage.

Issues would begin with Polly getting over excited. Lana, being quite anxious, would react to Polly in a way that would sometimes result in Polly biting and Lana having tears in her skin. There were often issues when people passed Denise’s yard. Lana would become anxious and bark and this would result in the dog’s biting each other. Denise sought help from Nela to calm Lana’s anxious behaviour and so reduce Polly’s reactions to her.

Nela helped Denise with practical strategies such as a screen near the fence to reduce the barking behaviour and Denise now also feeds the dogs separately and which allows each dog to be more comfortable when eating. Nela taught Denise how to use commands to quieten the dogs and bring them inside when the barking and excited behaviour began, before it escalated.
Lana is now also on anti-anxiety medication with a plan to gradually wean her of this over the next 12 months. Denise has found that this has helped Lana to be calmer and more relaxed, without changing her personality. She continues to be a happy, active dog but her actions and emotions are not so excessive. Lana and Polly have not had any aggressive incidents in the last six months and the barking behaviour has reduced significantly.
Denise reported “Nela is lovely. She came to our house and saw our dogs in their own environment. She picked up lots from watching their body language and taught me about concepts about how a dog fits into a home and the impact of different personalities. I would also recommend Nela’s puppy school for new pet owners to help them be aware of what individual dogs need. Nela carefully manages every aspect so that puppies receive positive experiences of interacting with other dogs at that vital early stage. I would definitely recommend her”.

The Story of “Bella”

Bella, a nine-year-old Shih Tzu, came to live with Megan, her husband and their Miniature Fox Terrier Byron, as a four-year-old. She had been a “Black Tag” dog at the RSPCA shelter, meaning she had experienced abuse or neglect before being rescued. Bella was quite anxious, but had a lovely nature. She settled in happily with Megan and became very attached to Byron.

After four years together Byron, then aged 14, passed away. His passing triggered an increase in Bella’s anxiety and she developed significant separation issues.

She would follow Megan around all day and would not settle at night. She would insist on sleeping in Megan’s bedroom. If Megan left the house Bella would become very distressed, running about the house bellowing and squealing.

Megan and Bella have been working with Dr Nela and Ziggy, a professional dog trainer, using a combination of medication and behaviour training to help Bella become more calm and settled. Bella is now able to sleep at night in a crate in another room. She still has a way to go but they are making progress. Megan said “We are working hard together; Nela has a heart of gold and is so passionate about the animals she works with”.

The Story of “Remington”

Remington has been attending puppy school with Calm Companions since he was 9 weeks old and started doggy-day care with the team at 10 weeks of age. Remington knew when we arrived at Calm Companions; he was always incredibly excited when dropped off in the mornings, and was so happy when I collected him in the afternoons. It gave me peace of mind knowing he was safe and in a nurturing environment whilst I was at work. The care my boy received was second to none, their knowledge and ability to pick up the subtlest of signals in the dogs and puppies is incredible. Thanks to Dr Nela and her wonderful team, Remington has been given the best start to his life in the big wide world; he is independent, happy, confident, social and engaged. Through the puppy classes I have learnt the skills to successfully crate and toilet train Remington, the keys to doggy socialization, how to minimize his barrier frustration, confidently leave him home alone and establish his basic obedience skills. All the handouts I received throughout the training were truly comprehensive and a big help. Thankyou so much Calm Companions for everything!!

– Caitlin and Remington