Dog Behaviour Consultation
Helping you and your dog with empathy and science
I offer private dog behaviour consultations in Auckland to help with reactivity, fear, anxiety, and other complex behavioural issues. Sessions are in-home or virtual and fully tailored to your dog’s needs.
Some behaviours go beyond everyday training, and that doesn’t mean you’ve failed your dog. It just means they need a different kind of support.
If your dog is showing signs of reactivity, fear, anxiety, or anything else that feels emotionally driven or persistent, a behaviour consultation can help.
These sessions are designed to get to the heart of what’s going on and offer realistic, kind strategies for change, grounded in current behavioural science.
I work with dogs of all breeds and ages throughout Auckland, offering in-home consultations where your dog feels most at ease. This isn’t about quick fixes or judgment; it’s about understanding your dog, working with who they are, and finding a way forward that suits both of you.
What Is a Dog Behaviour Consultation?
A behaviour consultation helps dogs whose emotions disrupt daily life. This might show as barking, hiding, lunging, snapping, excessive hyperactivity, impulsivity, or shutting down.
These are emotional responses, not training problems. The goal is to change how your dog feels about their world, not just their actions. I help you understand why your dog responds the way they do and teach you how to support them, working together to improve the quality of life for both of you.
This involves adjusting routines, reading body language, and creating a safe environment where your dog can learn and recover without fear or pressure.
When a Consultation Can Help
Your dog doesn’t need to show every issue listed. If they struggle in any of these ways, behaviour support can help.
- Barking, growling, or lunging during walks
- Avoiding visitors or unfamiliar places
- Freezing or panicking when touched or handled
- Showing separation distress or pacing at home
- Reacting to dogs, people, sounds, or movement
- Guarding food, toys, or space
- Sudden behaviour changes not resolved by training
- Struggling to relax or settle
You don’t need to solve this alone.
If you’re unsure whether it’s a behavioural or medical issue, I can work with your veterinarian to find the best next steps.
Who It's For
A behaviour consultation is for anyone living with a dog who’s struggling — or anyone who’s finding life harder because of their dog’s behaviour.
Maybe you’ve tried training before, or maybe you’re not sure where to begin. Some people come after a vet referral. Some after a walk that didn’t go well. Others just have a sense that something’s not right.
We’re here for you, whether things have just started to feel difficult or have been challenging for a while.
Location
I offer in-home behaviour consultations across Auckland — including the North Shore, Central, East, and West Auckland. If you’re outside this area or overseas, I also provide remote consultations via Zoom.
What to Expect
Initial Behaviour Consultation
1.5–2 hours | From $395 + GST | In-home (Auckland) or virtual
I meet you in your home or online, depending on your dog’s needs and where you’re based.
I assess your dog in their everyday environment and take a detailed history of your concerns, daily routines, and any previous training.
We’ll also look at possible medical, emotional, or environmental factors—like pain, anxiety, or overstimulation—that might be affecting their behaviour.
I’ll explain what’s driving your dog’s behaviour in straightforward terms. Then we work together to create a realistic, tailored plan. My approach is based on current, evidence-supported methods, which are:
- Reinforcement-based training
- Environmental changes
- Gradual exposure (systematic desensitisation)
- Emotional response adjustment (counter-conditioning)
- Safe, gentle handling
You get honest, informed guidance with no pressure or unrealistic expectations.
After Your Consultation
You receive a detailed behaviour report within 2–3 business days. It covers our discussion and your dog’s specific needs.
The report includes:
- Behavioural patterns and their emotional causes
- A step-by-step training and management plan
- Clear guidance for applying strategies at home
- Next steps for continuing the plan after you begin
You get three months of phone or email support. This helps with follow-up questions or progress updates.
Follow-Up and Ongoing Behaviour Support
Some behaviour concerns may take more than one session to improve, but support doesn’t have to be ongoing or indefinite. These follow-up options are available if you need help reviewing progress, adapting to new challenges, or building on what you’ve already started.
My goal is to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to continue the work on your own. I’m here to support you early on — but the aim is that, over time, you’ll rely less on me and feel equipped to manage things independently.
Follow-Up Consultations
1–1.5 hours | From $225 + GST
Available in-home (Auckland) or online
These sessions focus on checking in after your initial consult. We review what’s working, make any necessary adjustments, and help you manage changes that may be affecting your dog, such as shifts in routine, family dynamics, or environment. Follow-ups also give us a chance to plan next steps, troubleshoot any setbacks, and keep the behaviour plan moving forward in a way that suits both you and your dog.
Ongoing Behaviour and Training Sessions
1–1.5 hours | From $175 + GST
Available in-home (Auckland) or online
These sessions are designed to maintain momentum and support continued progress. They’re ideal for reinforcing skills, addressing day-to-day challenges, or building on your dog’s behaviour plan over time. There’s no fixed schedule — you can book sessions as needed. Each one is tailored to your goals and adjusted as your dog’s needs evolve.
Specialised Dog Walking Support
Available in selected Auckland areas
For dogs who benefit from additional support outside formal sessions, these walks offer structured training woven into carefully planned enrichment activities. They’re particularly useful for practising behaviour strategies in everyday environments, building confidence, and supporting emotional regulation in a low-pressure way.
Take a look at our Specialised Dog Walking Support page to support your dog’s behaviour program.
Need more detail before booking?
Below are some of the most common questions people ask before getting started. If you have a different question, feel free to get in touch.
Yes, it matters — especially if your dog is showing signs of ongoing stress, fear, or aggression.
A dog trainer focuses on teaching everyday skills that help dogs navigate the human world. This includes recall, loose-lead walking, settling, and learning to focus around distractions. Trainers also help dogs build positive associations with new experiences using reward-based methods. These skills are important for communication, predictability, and reducing frustration for both dog and handler.
A dog behaviourist works with dogs whose behaviour affects their welfare, safety, or ability to cope with daily life. This includes behaviours driven by fear, anxiety, frustration, or aggression — such as separation-related distress, reactivity, resource guarding, or compulsive behaviours. These problems often continue or worsen over time without proper assessment and support. A qualified behaviourist uses science-based methods to identify the cause and design a plan suited to the individual dog and household.
Getting support early can make a real difference. Using the wrong techniques — even with good intentions — can make things worse. A qualified behaviourist will guide you with a plan that’s practical, ethical, and based on how behaviour actually works.
If you’re unsure which service is the right fit, we’re happy to help you decide.
Do you offer in-home or online consultations?
This is a common concern, and it’s a fair question.
One of the biggest challenges in the dog world is that it’s unregulated. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or behaviourist, regardless of their education, experience, or methods. Some may have completed only short courses or rely on personal experience with their own dog. Others offer certifications from organisations that aren’t independently reviewed for scientific accuracy or ethical standards.
Behaviour work isn’t one-size-fits-all. What helps one dog may be ineffective, or even unsafe, for another. Issues like fear, anxiety, or aggression are complex. They involve emotional states, learning history, environment, and sometimes underlying health conditions. These concerns need a structured, science-based approach focused on understanding why the behaviour is happening — not just stopping it.
My approach is grounded in current behavioural science and professional standards. I hold formal qualifications in animal behaviour and welfare and have completed advanced education in this field. My work is evidence-based, humane, and tailored to the individual dog — not based on fixed methods or generic advice.
If you’ve tried help before and it didn’t improve things, it doesn’t mean your dog can’t make progress. It likely means the approach wasn’t right for your dog or situation. I’ll work with you to change that, in a way that’s practical and realistic for both of you.
Yes. We offer:
In-person consults (in eligible Auckland areas)
Online consults via Zoom (ideal for cases where location, schedule, or dog behaviour makes home visits tricky)
No — and anyone who does is likely oversimplifying a complex issue.
Behaviours related to fear, anxiety, phobias, or compulsive patterns are shaped by many factors, including genetics, past experiences, health, stress, and environment. In some cases, changes in the brain, nervous system, or hormones also play a role — as do the dog’s daily circumstances.
Quick fixes may suppress behaviour in the short term but usually ignore the underlying cause. Pressure-based methods or shortcuts can increase stress, damage trust, and create more serious problems later.
I don’t offer shortcuts. I offer careful assessment, support grounded in science, and practical plans that are tailored to your dog and situation. Real progress is possible, but it’s not instant. I’ll work with you to set realistic goals and guide you through each step.
Some cases may also require input from a veterinarian — for example, to rule out pain or to consider medication as part of a wider behaviour plan.
Every dog is different. Outcomes depend on many factors, including consistency, follow-through, and your dog’s individual needs.
If things feel challenging for you and your dog, a behaviour consultation can help you understand why and give you a plan that makes sense.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking for ongoing support, I’m here to help. Get in touch if you have questions or would like to book a session.
Want to learn more? See my reasons for a dog’s behaviour blog.