Behaviour Consultations
Understanding the reasons behind your pet’s behaviour and helping families find practical solutions.
Behavioural problems such as barking, anxiety, aggression, reactivity, destructive behaviour or escaping can be stressful for both pets and their families.
These behaviours often develop for complex reasons and may involve a combination of stress, learned behaviours, environmental factors or underlying medical conditions. For example, some dogs with separation anxiety may bark, dig or attempt to escape when left alone, even though owners may not realise anxiety is the underlying cause.
At Dural Veterinary Hospital we take a thoughtful, practical approach to behaviour problems. Our goal is not simply to manage unwanted behaviours, but to understand why they are happening and develop realistic strategies that improve life for both pets and their families.
Behaviour Consultations with Dr Eleanor Tuffley
Behaviour consultations are led by Dr Eleanor Tuffley, one of our experienced veterinarians who has a particular interest in behavioural medicine.
With over a decade at Dural Veterinary Hospital and experience in veterinary practices in both Australia and the UK, Eleanor brings a strong foundation in veterinary medicine to behaviour work. This allows her to identify when medical conditions may be contributing to behavioural changes and ensure these are addressed as part of the overall plan.
Our Behaviour Consultation Process
Behaviour consultations are structured to allow us to build a thorough understanding of the problem before developing a treatment plan.
Initial Phone Consultation
The first step is an in-depth phone consultation with Dr Eleanor Tuffley. This allows us to gather a detailed history, understand when the behaviour occurs and explore the factors that may be contributing to the problem.
In-Person Consultation
This is followed by a longer in-clinic consultation, including a full physical examination. Blood tests or other investigations may be recommended if there is any possibility that a medical condition could be influencing your pet’s behaviour, and are generally recommended before medications are started.
Tailored Behaviour Plan
Following the consultation, Eleanor develops a personalised management plan. This plan includes practical training guidance, environmental adjustments within the home, strategies to reduce stress or triggers, and medications where appropriate.
Our aim is always to create a plan that is realistic for your household and achievable in everyday life.
Common Behaviour Problems We Help With
Behaviour consultations may help with a wide range of issues, including:
separation anxiety
reactivity on walks
excessive barking
destructive behaviour
digging and escaping
inappropriate toileting
aggression towards people or other animals
noise phobias (such as thunderstorms or fireworks)
behaviour changes in older pets
Why See a Veterinarian for Behaviour Problems?
Behaviour changes can sometimes be linked to underlying medical conditions such as pain, hormonal changes, neurological disease or other health problems. As veterinarians, we are able to assess both the medical and behavioural aspects of your pet’s situation.
This allows us to rule out medical causes, identify contributing health issues and prescribe medications if needed as part of a broader behaviour management plan. In many cases we also work alongside experienced trainers to help owners implement practical strategies at home.
Why See a Veterinarian for Behaviour Problems?
Behaviour changes can sometimes be linked to underlying medical conditions such as pain, hormonal changes, neurological disease or other health problems. As veterinarians, we are able to assess both the medical and behavioural aspects of your pet’s situation.
This allows us to rule out medical causes, identify contributing health issues and prescribe medications if needed as part of a broader behaviour management plan. In many cases we also work alongside experienced trainers to help owners implement practical strategies at home.
If you are concerned about your pet’s behaviour, our team is happy to help.