We provide assistance to individuals and their pets dealing with various behaviour, training and management issues. Our services cover all aspects of animal ownership, from helping choose the right pet for your lifestyle and learning how to communicate effectively and set clear realistic expectations to training and managing complex behaviour disorders, managing medical treatments and caring for the geriatric pet. In addition to training and behaviour solutions we also provide training and management plans for exotic pets and multi-species households.

Consider our services if any of the following situations apply to you:

• You have never owned a pet before and want to set yourself and your pet up for success.
• Your pet is demonstrating problematic or undesirable behaviour.
• Your pet's behaviour is causing stress for you or your family.
• You find yourself confused, upset, frustrated, or concerned about your pet's behaviour.
• You’re seeking advice and support in changing your pet's behaviour.
• Your pet encounters difficulties in everyday activities like going for walks, traveling in the car, visiting new places, interacting with people or other animals, or being left home alone.
• Your pet is not making progress despite training efforts to address undesirable behaviour.
• You suspect your pet may be experiencing anxiety or a behaviour disorder.
• Your vet or trainer has referred or recommended our services to you.

A pet behaviour consultation typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes and occurs following the completion of an extensive questionnaire by the pet caregiver.

After reviewing the detailed questionnaire prior to your consultation, your behaviourist will go through each of your concerns, explaining why the behaviours are occurring and how we plan to fix these issues, answering any questions you have along the way. Your behaviourist will look at all aspects of your animal's care and management including home environment, physical and mental health, diet and nutrition and communication style.

After your appointment your behaviourist will write a report and a management plan for you and your pet. We recommend booking your follow up consultation for 1 month from your initial consultation to review your progress and address any roadblocks you may have encountered.

Please note: Consultations are only conducted in English.

Click the "Book Now" button on any page of this website and sign in or create an account. Creating an account allows you to securely access your pet's questionnaires and launch the virtual consultations.

After you enter your contact details, you can choose the type of consultation you need, and then choose an available date and time. You will be asked to make payment at the time of booking.

Finally, you will be able to access the pet questionnaire. You may fill this out at the time of booking or anytime up to 48 hours before your consultation. Please allow up to 45 minutes to complete the extensive questionnaire, and be sure to fill out as much information as you can to get the most out of your consultation.

The questionnaire's completion allows the behaviourist to adequately prepare for the consultation, acquiring extensive details about the animal's behavioural history. This ensures that the consultation time is maximally utilised and aids the behaviourist in gaining deeper insights into the root of the problem.

The questionnaire delves into all aspects of the animal's life, making it a crucial component of the consultation. It serves as a foundation for creating an accurate modification plan. Pet caregivers, especially those who have recently adopted rescue animals, are encouraged to provide as much known detail as possible about the animal's early life for a comprehensive assessment.

The frequency of our services depends on your pet's specific requirements and your objectives. Engaging in behaviour intervention for pets entails financial, emotional, and time commitments.

The frequency of these consultations is determined by factors such as the pet's diagnosis, the severity of their behaviour issues, and their response or stabilisation with treatment.

Typically, it is customary for a pet to undergo a follow-up revisit consultation within 1 to 3 months of their initial appointment. If your pet is progressing well, the frequency of consultations may then decrease to as needed.

No I am not a Veterinarian or Veterinary Behaviourist- I do not diagnose medical or behavioural conditions or prescribe any medications.

If required, you will be referred on to a Veterinarian or Veterinary Behaviourist for any medical diagnosis and prescribed veterinary treatments.

The classification of an exotic pet can vary depending on the context, generally encompassing any animal other than a typical domesticated one. Definitions may differ among various entities such as companies, individuals, state governments, and associations.

For our purpose and consultations Riverness defines exotic pets as any animal beyond the scope of domestic dogs, cats, or typical pocket pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice.

Given the diversity of laws and regulations across countries and states concerning exotic pet ownership, each jurisdiction may have its own distinct definition. Consequently, certain types of exotic pets may be prohibited in some regions while permitted in others. Many countries enforce restrictions on exotic pets deemed invasive or hazardous to the environment or public safety, while others may have additional reasons for prohibiting specific species, such as protection of endangered wildlife.

Riverness Animal Consulting operates solely as an informative and educational platform. We do not endorse the ownership of exotic animals, particularly wildlife, as pets, nor do we engage in facilitating the sale of any animals or animal products.

To ensure compliance with local regulations, it's advisable to thoroughly research your state laws before obtaining a pet, and consider potential future relocations. If you are not sure if you can provide adequately for an animal and would like to discuss it before committing to pet ownership, please book a quick 30 minute consultation.

Payment is taken at the time of booking after which you will be asked to complete an extensive questionnaire. You can pay with your credit or debit card, and all payments are fully secured and PCI compliant. All payments are collected in Australian dollars (AUD) and the $ symbol anywhere on our website denotes Australian dollars. Your card issuer may convert from AUD into another currency at a rate that is determined by the card issuer, but we provide a tool to get an estimate of the currency conversion on the booking page.

Once an appointment has been made payments are non-refundable.

If you cancel your appointment or change your mind refunds are not provided. You can however reschedule your appointment free of charge in our booking system if more than 48 hours notice is given. Within 48 hours of your appointment start time, rescheduling is not permitted and refunds are not provided.

You can reschedule your appointment time free of charge in the booking system up to 48 hours of your appointment start time. Within 48 hours of your appointment start time, rescheduling is not permitted and refunds are not provided.

As we are based in Western Australia, consulting hours are between 8am - 6pm UTC+8 Monday - Saturday.

Please refer to our booking system for available appointment times in your time zone.

The effectiveness of virtual pet behaviour consults compared to in-person consults can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the nature of the pet's behaviour issues. Both approaches have their advantages and limitations. Reasons why virtual pet behaviour consults are considered more effective:

• Reduced Stress for the Pet: Most pets find it less stressful to be in their familiar environment during a virtual consult rather than traveling to an unfamiliar location for an in-person session or having a stranger come to their home. This can contribute to a more accurate assessment of the pet's behaviour.
• Observing Natural Behaviour: Virtual consultations allow behaviourists to observe the pet in its natural environment, providing insights into behaviours that may not manifest in a clinical setting. This can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the pet's behaviour.
• Convenience for Pet Owners: Virtual consults offer greater convenience for pet owners, eliminating the need for travel and allowing them to participate from the comfort of their homes. This convenience often encourages better compliance with treatment plans and follow-up recommendations.
• Global Access to Experts: Virtual consultations provide the opportunity for pet owners to connect with behaviour experts who may not be geographically accessible. This expands the pool of available expertise and allows for a broader range of opinions and recommendations.
• Technological Tools: Virtual consultations can leverage technology, such as video calls and screen sharing, to enhance the communication between the pet owner and the behaviourist. This can facilitate better visual assessment and the sharing of relevant information.
• More Frequent Check-Ins: Virtual consultations can be conducted more frequently and with shorter notice, allowing for more regular check-ins and adjustments to treatment plans as needed. This can be particularly beneficial in cases where ongoing monitoring is crucial.

While a number of clients come from dog trainers or other animal professionals you are able to make an appointment without a referral.

If you have been referred by your veterinarian or another professional please check the veterinary referral box in the questionnaire so they can complete the required forms.

Yes, we can send your regular vets copies of your reports and treatment plans. This ensures we can all work together as a team to provide you and your pet with the best care and support.