Animal Behaviour Coaching in Keith, South Australia | Veterinary surgeon

Animal Behaviour Coaching

Locality: Keith, South Australia

Phone: +61 8 8755 1732

Address: 7 Makin St 5267 Keith, SA, Australia

Website: http://www.animalbehaviourcoaching.com.au/

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• Pet service
• Veterinary surgeon
• Dog trainer

25.01.2022 A great summary of what being a social dog means. This is why in the Puppy Foundation Course (and our other group courses) we rarely do off-lead play. We’re actually often teaching puppies more valuable skills at class by minimizing interactions between puppies. This teaches puppies that they aren’t allowed to go and play with every single dog they meet, and that they still need to listen to their owners in the presence of other dogs. We also practise how to greet another dog on-lead whilst monitoring body language. All very important life skills for dogs to learn!

24.01.2022 We now have walk-on scales! Feel free to bring your pet in for a weight check and treat whenever the shop is open (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday most weeks). We can also give advice on pet weight management if required

24.01.2022 With SA in lockdown for the next 6 days, we're not allowed to walk our pets. Here's some great ideas to mentally and physically stimulate your pets without leaving your home, written by my colleague and I earlier in the year. If you have any other ideas of how you're keeping your pets entertained, I'd love to hear them in the comments below! https://www.animalbehaviourcoaching.com.au//stay-at-home-e

23.01.2022 How cute is little Rocky in his new knit dog coat?! I throughly enjoyed his puppy cuddles and call me crazy, but I just love that puppy smell

22.01.2022 Do you have a puppy aged between 6 weeks and 6 months? Then the Puppy Foundation Course is the must-do course for you. This Course has been designed by Dr Emma Vermeeren, qualified veterinarian and Delta-certified dog trainer, to be the only dog training and behaviour resource you will need. The vet nurse at your chosen location, under the guidance of Dr Emma, will help you turn your unruly puppy into an obedient adolescent throughout the 6 week Course. The Course consists of...: 4x Weekly practical classes with a vet nurse Self-paced online modules to enhance what is taught in class Optional weekly Zoom sessions with Dr Emma Facebook Support Group There's some theory work to do prior to the practical classes starting so make sure you enrol ASAP to get started. Places are limited and enrolment is required to confirm your place in the class. This course is offered at the following locations: * Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic - prac classes starting 2nd March, 3 spots remaining * Bordertown Veterinary Clinic - prac classes starting NEXT WEEK either Monday 15th Feb (1 spot left) or Wednesday 17th Feb (1 spot left) * Keith - not available until Emma returns from maternity leave in August * Millicent Veterinary Clinic - not available until Maddie returns from maternity leave Visit https://www.animalbehaviourcoaching.com.au/puppyfoundationc for more info and bookings. As always, the Online Only Course is available for those that prefer it or cannot make it to the practical classes.

22.01.2022 LIVE AND FROZEN PET/FOOD ORDER I’ll be placing an order for live and frozen pet food on Monday for delivery by the end of the week. If you need anything eg crickets, mealworms, frozen mice or rats, then please let me know by 2pm MONDAY 14th September via Messenger or email [email protected] (along with your email address and phone number so invoices can be issued). PLEASE NOTE: PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO CONFIRM YOUR ORDER. Orders will not be placed without pay...ment. Pickup from the shop in Keith or can deliver to Bordertown Vet Clinic Thursday arvo. Also available from my supplier is a range of live fish (feeder fish, goldfish, coldwater and tropical fish), hermit crabs, and aquarium plants. Please enquire if you’re after something in particular or want prices prior to ordering.

22.01.2022 ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOUR COURSE FOR DOGS Do you have a dog between 6 months and 2 years of age that you’d like some help training? Then don’t miss the upcoming Adolescent Behaviour Course for Dogs that will run on Monday nights in both Bordertown and Keith starting the 12th of October. There's also a 2 hour Adolescent Dog Training workshop being run in Millicent next week, 6th October. Adolescence is a difficult time for many dogs as they are exploring the world without fully rea...lising the consequences of their actions. It marks the time between puppyhood and social maturation into adulthood, which is often associated with exuberant behaviour and an apparent deterioration in learnt behaviours. Adolescence often involves a "fear period" lasting days to weeks where your dog is particularly sensitive (and possibly reactive) to experiences and changes. Throughout the Course, you will learn: Dog behaviour, learning theory, and training methods Basic behaviours (including sit, look, on your mat, drop, loose lead walking) How to deal with undesirable behaviours (eg jumping up, mouthing/biting, digging) How to get your dog to focus and do what it is asked in the presence of other dogs and people Places are limited so jump online and enrol ASAP so you don’t miss out! Visit https://www.animalbehaviourcoaching.com.au/adolescent-behav for more info and bookings.

22.01.2022 LIVE AND FROZEN FOOD, FISH, HERMIT CRABS, LIVE PLANTS ORDER We'll be placing an order early next week. If you need any live or frozen pet food (eg crickets, mealworms, woodies, frozen mice/rates, turtle food, fish food, etc), live fish, hermit crabs, live plants, etc then please let us know by MONDAY 22nd February at 10am. We also keep a small range of frozen food in stock (and happy to keep regular orders in stock for people) so please enquire if there is anything you need.

21.01.2022 We call these clingy dogs Velcro dogs. Did you know that this can be a sign of anxiety or separation anxiety? If you have a Velcro dog, we’d encourage you to contact Animal Behaviour Coaching to speak to one of our team as it may be a sign your dog needs professional help.

21.01.2022 Gracie approves of her new bed!! She couldn’t even wait for the plastic to be removed before she tested it out

20.01.2022 Opening hours this week Monday & Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday 12-2pm Thursday 10am-5pm Friday 12-2pm... I’m coming to Bordertown tomorrow if anyone needs something delivered

19.01.2022 ADAPTIL DIFFUSER & REFILLS ON SALE We have 1x diffuser start-up kit and 2x diffuser refills currently ON SALE as they are due to expire this month (March 2021). Adaptil diffuser start up kit $50 (usually $106) Adaptil diffuser refill $30 each (usually $55)... Please visit https://animal-behaviour-coaching.square.site/p/adaptil/11 to purchase or Contact Us. Can be collected in-store this Thursday or Friday, delivered to Bordertown if ordered by Thursday, or posted to you (additional postage fees apply).

19.01.2022 REMINDER: shop open 12-2pm today!REMINDER: shop open 12-2pm today!

19.01.2022 ONLINE BOOKINGS now up and running for Grooming Services (as well as behaviour consults and one-on-one training sessions). Thursdays will be the main grooming day with Renee Hutson (veterinary nurse) being the main grooming lady. Emma will be available to assist Renee, and will also be available to do some grooming on other days around her consulting schedule. To book grooming with Emma, or book a day other than Thursday, you need to contact us via Messenger, phone, or email. https://square.site//LA4EQX4PWYR/groom-room-keith-keith-sa

19.01.2022 With SA in a circuit-breaker lockdown for the next 5 days, we are not allowed to walk our pets. Check out this blog post a colleague and I wrote earlier in the year that contains many great things you can do to exercise your pet, both physically and mentally, whilst remaining at home. https://www.animalbehaviourcoaching.com.au//stay-at-home-e

18.01.2022 GROUP DOG TRAINING CLASSES TERM 4 We're very excited to be running group dog training classes for dogs of all ages and experience levels again in Term 4. The classes are divided based on your dog's age, and are as follows: * Puppy Foundation Course - dogs 6 weeks to 6 months of age (available at Keith, Bordertown, Kingscote, Millicent, and Online Only) * Adolescent Behaviour Course - dogs 6 months to 2 years of age (available at Keith & Bordertown) * Adult Behaviour Course - ...dogs 2 years of age and over (available in Keith only) * Advanced Behaviour Classes - dogs 2 years of age and over, having completed at least one other Course with Animal Behaviour Coaching (or equivalent) - associated video is of this class To those if you who’ve attended a Course with Animal Behaviour Coaching before, I’d like to offer you a discount on these Courses. Please contact us for your discount code. Please visit https://www.animalbehaviourcoaching.com.au/services.html and click on the relevant age category for your dog for all the information, pricing, and enrolment. If you are unsure what class to enrol your dog in, or are concerned about how your dog will cope in a group setting, please contact us.

17.01.2022 Ruby visited the shop this week so we could fit her with a new harness. We tried on 3 different styles and decided a Marlow front and back connection harness was the perfect fit. We recommend bringing your dog into the shop with you so we can assist in fitting and adjusting the harness to suit your dog as they’re all unique in their shape and size! Otherwise, measuring around the chest behind the front legs (girth) helps get an approximate size.

16.01.2022 UPDATED OPENING HOURS this week Wednesday 9:30am-1pm Thursday 9:30am-1pm

16.01.2022 Cats can be trained in very much the same way as dogs. It can just be a bit more challenging at times to find something that motivates them! Check out these clever kitties.

15.01.2022 These cute little additions arrived in the shop this week and are awaiting their new forever homes. Fish and hermit crabs are great starter or low-maintenance pets for kids and adults alike.

14.01.2022 OPENING HOURS THIS WEEK: Thursday 10am-4pm Friday 12pm-4pm We snuck off to the Flinders for a quick family holiday. But we’re back tonight, ready to work again tomorrow!... As of next week, I’ll have the shop open 4 days a week around consulting. Watch this space for a post about opening hours!

14.01.2022 DOG & CAT GROOMING The bindi prickles and grass seeds have started to dry off and we’re seeing some pets with prickles stuck in their coat already. Make sure you’ve got your grooming appointments booked for summer to avoid disappointment.... Book online at https://animal-behaviour-coaching.square.site/ then click switch location and select groom room. Alternatively, contact us on Messenger, email [email protected] or give us a call on 8755 1732. Please make a note on your booking if you’d like to go on the wait list if an appointment becomes available sooner. Our veterinary nurses use positive reinforcement and low stress handling techniques to give your pet the best possible grooming experience under the supervision of Dr Emma Vermeeren.

14.01.2022 Here's another fun game to keep you all amused for these final hours of lockdown. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=358532295047283

13.01.2022 Had to share: chubby Shiba Inu goes viral for constantly messing up family photos! There’s always that ONE person.... Derry Brice Bunting!

13.01.2022 PUPPY TRAINING PRACTICAL CLASSES START OCTOBER Do you have a puppy, or do you plan to get a puppy, that is 6 weeks to 6 months of age? Then the Puppy Foundation Course is the must-do course for you. This Course has been designed by me, Dr Emma Vermeeren, qualified veterinarian and Delta-certified dog trainer to be the only dog training and behaviour resource you will need. I'll help you turn your unruly puppy into an obedient adolescent through the perfect combination of: ... Self-paced online modules Weekly live Zoom sessions Weekly practical classes Facebook Support Group Practical classes are being offered at: * Bordertown Veterinary Clinic * Keith branch of Bordertown Veterinary Clinic * Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic * Millicent Veterinary Clinic Dates vary depending on location, and are listed on the website. There's some theory work to do prior to the practical classes so make sure you enrol ASAP to get started. Places are limited and I know these Courses will sell out fast! Visit https://www.animalbehaviourcoaching.com.au/puppyfoundationc for more info and bookings. As always, the Online Only Course is available for those that prefer it or cannot make it to the practical classes.

12.01.2022 I'll be at the locked shop consulting today. If you need anything, please contact me to arrange a contactless collection :)I'll be at the locked shop consulting today. If you need anything, please contact me to arrange a contactless collection :)

12.01.2022 Hehe I love the little one at the end!

12.01.2022 OPENING HOURS THIS WEEK Monday 12-4pm Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday CLOSED Thursday 10:30am-2pm... Friday 12-3:30pm See more

11.01.2022 "You broke the dogs; we want our money back! Ok just kidding but when we turned the music on, they passed out. Actually, they just fell asleep during the first song. Thanks for the tip. I think we may sleep after all."... This is the email and video I received recently from clients attending the Puppy Foundation Course with their 2 gorgeous puppies who have been waking frequently throughout the night for the past 5 months. I recommended they play "Through A Dog's Ear" music, which can be downloaded from iTunes, streamed off Spotify, or played via YouTube, to help settle their dogs of an evening. Don't underestimate the power of music in helping your dogs switch off and relax. I often recommend the "Through A Dog's Ear" music compilation to help dogs settle and relax. This can be particularly useful for dogs that are sensitive to environmental noises, storms, or suffer separation anxiety. It is also useful to help dogs, such as these pictured, switch off for bed time. Just like people, many dogs find classical music soothing and it can become a cue to relax, or even evoke feelings of calm and relaxation in the subconscious when used regularly. So give it a try; I'd love to hear how your pets respond!

09.01.2022 Emergency U-turns are such an important thing to teach all dogs. Here’s a great little step by step on how to teach it, pairing it with the cue let’s go.

09.01.2022 Some of you may have heard that we’re adding grooming to the business!! It’s true and we’re excited to start Thursday next week. We’ve still got some availability Thursday afternoon so please Contact Us if you’d like to book in. Online Bookings will be available soon and we’ll also be updating the website with more info - watch this space!

07.01.2022 After a long 10 months, this moth has finally emerged from its cocoon!! I found the caterpillar whilst walking back from childcare one day last year. Thinking Thea would love it and learn from it, like I did as a child, I bought it home and did some research. I got one of the plastic terrariums from the shop to house it in, and found out that it was a grapevine caterpillar. So I grabbed some bark chips and wood out of the garden for it to make its cocoon (as apparently they... go wandering when they’re about to make a cocoon) and rustled up some grapevine leaves for it to eat. Within a few days it had made a cocoon. And then we waited.... and waited... and waited.... I thought it’d emerge in Spring as according to my research that’s what I could expect. That came and went and I’d given up hope. Then today we saw that it had finally emerged!! If you look closely in the picture of its cocoon, you can see the hole it came out of. The whole family was so thrilled and admired its beauty, with Thea exclaiming how cute it was! We’ve now released it into the garden to live out its remaining weeks as a day-flying moth that feeds on nectar. Such a good experience for Thea. If your child is into this sort of thing, we have a range of terrariums and aquariums available at the shop to help make a little habitat for many different creatures.

07.01.2022 I had the privilege of working with gorgeous 8mo Furphy whilst I was on KI this week. We introduced a clicker as the cue for recall (if you listen carefully, you can hear it just before her name is called). During the training session, it greatly enhanced her response and improved her recall. I’ve used a whistle with similar success in other dogs too. I find some of these other noises that are reserved especially for recall and are distinctly different from environmental noi...ses can make a big difference to the quality of a dog’s recall. Often, our voice can get lost/desensitized in all the other chit chat that we do. It is also easier for a noise such as this to travel further distances. If you wish to use a new noise or cue to assist with recall, then do the new cue followed by the old cue, then reward. Over time, your dog will start to respond to the new cue and eventually you won’t need the old cue anymore.

07.01.2022 There’s so many great toys and feeding puzzles available for dogs (and cats) these days as well as many DIY ideas. Pop into our shop or browse online at https://animal-behaviour-coaching.square.site/s/shop to view our great range.

07.01.2022 Did you know that we can groom cats too?? Luckily for this cat, who had a run in with sump oil yesterday!! Grooming appointments can be booked by contacting us or online at https://square.site//animal-behaviour-coaching-groom-room-

06.01.2022 Emma’s off to Millicent and surrounds next week to offer Behaviour consultations and training services. Please contact us if you’d like further information and to make a booking.

06.01.2022 I think some of these activities are more important and relevant now with SA's strict lockdown than what it was when I first posted back in April. So I thought I'd share again to brighten your day and give you some ideas on how to keep your doggos (and kids) amused at home. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=569075617351912

06.01.2022 Happy Halloween for yesterday!

06.01.2022 NEW OPENING HOURS Monday-Wednesday CLOSED THURSDAY 10am-2:30pm FRIDAY 12pm-3pm... Grooming appointments available on both these days - book online at https://square.site//animal-behaviour-coaching-groom-room- or contact us. One-on-one dog training also available during these times; contact us to book. Veterinary Behaviour consults also available, but availability varies; contact us to book.

05.01.2022 And this is why it’s so important to communicate clearly with our pets

04.01.2022 LOOK FOR THE LOOK AWAY. A head turn, or "look away" can be an important signal to help you detect when your dog is uncomfortable, or help your dog communicate ...with other dogs. It's subtle, it's simple, and it says a lot. NON-THREATENING INTENT: You know that moment when you're walking through the grocery store, you turn down an aisle and come face-to-face with another shopper? What do you do? Do you: A) Lock eyes with the stranger, staring intently at them while you pass by? B) Give them a big, friendly smile and engage them in a delightful conversation about the weather? C) Turn and look at the rows of canned vegetables to your right? If your answer was "A," please see the school counselor after class. However, most of you probably answered "C." You might give a small smile (a "submissive grin" if you will...), then avert your gaze, scanning the garbanzo beans as you pass. This is a look away. You are communicating that you are not a threat and that you're not interested in engaging with that person. You're very busy with lots of decisions to make about garbanzo beans. DISENGAGEMENT: Uh-oh. You're not in the store, you're at the office. And who is around the corner, but the drama queen of the office who is just DYING to tell you about her fight with her boyfriend. As she launches into her story, you glance at your watch (do people wear watches anymore?), your phone, the papers in your arms, anything to communicate that you are really busy and need to go. I've heard people say that their dog "blows them off" when they are giving their dog a cue. If the dog knows the cue and has a long history of that behavior being rewarding, there is no reason for a dog to not comply. Most of the time, the "blow off" is in the form of a look away. Example: A client had been telling her dog to sit, and followed the cue by pressing on the dog's hindquarters. The dog then associated "Sit" with "push on my rear," which made him uncomfortable (and, we found out later, caused him pain). So, each time she said "Sit," the dog would look away. He was trying to disengage from an interaction that made him uncomfortable. AVOIDANCE: Same co-worker, but now you immediately look at a stack of paperwork before she can even engage you, communicating that you are clearly too busy to be disturbed. Now, you want your dog to meet your friend's newly adopted adolescent retriever, who is bouncing, straining, and choking at the end of the leash in her excitement. Your dog appears not to see the dog at all, looking far off in the distance. Your dog is communicating his wish to avoid that dog's rude behavior, much as you would try to avoid the "friendly" drunkard who keeps asking you to high-five everything he says. Here's why it's so important: if this signal is ignored, your dog may feel the need to escalate to more obvious signals, like growling, snarling, or snapping. Dogs use the look away to communicate different things, depending on the situation. But, it is usually a sign that your dog is feeling the need to communicate that they are not a threat or that they would rather not engage. Either way, it's always worth noting. Just the other day, I was at a client's house, petting one dog when her sister started to approach. The first dog turned and stared at her sister, who immediately did a very obvious head turn, avoiding eye contact. It was actually the sister's head turn that told me something was going on between the two dogs. The communication was very clear. "The Treat Lady is mine. Don't even think about coming over." To which her sister responded, "Hey, that's cool. I wouldn't even think about it. You can have all the treats you want, I'm just over here minding my own business." Had the sister not looked away, it could have resulted in a fight. Had I insisted the sister approach, it could have resulted in a fight. It was a classic resource guarding scenario that was diffused with a simple turn of the head. (No, I didn't let it go unnoticed. But I'll have to address resource guarding in another post). I'll post a video in the first comment of this thread that is an incredible example of how the look away prevents a fight AND gets the encroaching dog what it wants. Sometimes, dogs seem like their attention is all over the place. But their behavior might not be as random as it appears. Watch carefully! Want to learn more? https://www.4pawsuniversity.com/dogbehaviorwebinars

04.01.2022 SHOPFRONT OPENING HOURS Monday 12pm-5pm Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday 12-2pm Thursday 10am-5pm... Friday 12-2pm The shop may also be open on Wednesday and Friday at other times around consulting. If there is a consult in progress, the shop will be closed to customers so the front door will be locked with the "Consult in Progress" sign displaying the time the shop will be open again - see below picture. The "OPEN" sandwich board sign may still be displayed. Please contact us on 8755 1732 if you would like to arrange a time to shop outside of these hours and we will try to be as accommodating as possible. Remember, you can shop online at any time by visiting https://animal-behaviour-coaching.square.site/s/shop

02.01.2022 Hahaha so true!

01.01.2022 OPENING HOURS THIS WEEK Monday 12pm-4pm Wednesday 9:30am-2pm Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm

01.01.2022 Wow, now that’s talent and determination!

01.01.2022 If anyone needs anything from the shop delivered to Bordertown Vet Clinic, I’ll be coming across Tuesday morning next week (9th Feb). Please either contact us with your order, or order online (select in-store pickup at checkout and write a note to say Bordertown delivery). https://animal-behaviour-coaching.square.site/s/shop