Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions

17/11/2025

⏳ Two Weeks Until Our December Break

Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions will be closing for our December break in just **two weeks**.

👉 Please check your pet’s medications now to make sure you have enough to last through our closure. If you need a refill, get in touch as soon as possible so we can organise this before the break.

Our veterinary nurse will continue home visits for patients needing regular injections.

Thank you for helping us keep your pets safe and supported—wishing you all a calm and joyful festive season ahead 🐾💚🎁

16/11/2025

There is what is "seen" and what is behind the "scene". The hour I spend in your home adds up to 2-4hrs in travel, prep and record keeping.

Still... I am honoured to have what I believe is the best job in the world!

What's there to be seen, and what goes on behind the scenes too.

09/11/2025

Meet Preston — a clever German Shepherd whose guardians came to us for help with his visitor aggression, delivery‑day panic, and reactivity around unfamiliar people and dogs. After focused, reward‑based training he nailed a sit‑and‑relax 1.5 m away from a dog in the neighbourhood — his former “arch enemy” — and then gave us this adorable head tilt at the end of the session (watch the video!). 🐶💙

What changed
- Home-based calm training sessions to build confidence
- Rewarded distance work and reliable disengagement cues and when offered.
- Disengagement strategies, movement and sniff breaks to reset his arousal
- Visual barriers and practical management so he could practise success safely
- Used the back of his car as a predictable “safe space” during sessions

Medical support
- We managed Preston’s pain alongside behaviour work to reduce his 0→100 reactivity — medical care was an important part of his progress

Huge thanks to his guardians
- Their commitment to training and to managing Preston’s medical needs has been outstanding — we couldn’t ask for better Synergy Vet family members!

Why it matters
Small, consistent wins reduce stress, keep everyone safe, and rebuild confidence — one calm sit at a time.

Want help like Preston’s?
Book a behaviour consult and we’ll design a step‑by‑step plan: medical check, tailored training and practical home management.
www.synergyvetbehaviour.com.au

08/11/2025

“I never thought I was going to be able to pat her, let alone snuggle with her.” — Meegan, Ellie’s guardian

Ellie came to us for help after a history of highly anxious and over‑excited: blocking doors, jumping and mouthing guests, snatching treats, chewing household items and even ingesting pebbles since puppyhood. Everyday sounds and sights made her fearful, and she struggled on leash.

What we did
- Performed a full assessment and obtained a range of medical and behavioural diagnoses
- Implemented consistent, reward‑based training (short mat sessions, calm greeting rehearsals)
- Changed management at home (enrichment feeding, barriers, safe exchanges)
- Focused on small, repeatable wins so progress was reliable and sustainable
- Used targeted medication based on her unique condition.

The result
- Ellie settles far faster and offers calm behaviours on cue
- Destructive mouthing and risky chewing stopped in the home
- She now communicates toileting needs calmly and is much easier to handle on walks
- Family life is calmer and Meegan can now cuddle her

Dr Jess saw Ellie today for her six‑monthly medical review and was delighted with the progress. After a brief burst of excitement, Ellie settled almost immediately, offered calm, desirable behaviours and even fell asleep at Dr Jess’s feet — a lovely sign of trust and confidence

If your dog is anxious, reactive or hard to settle, a behaviour vet can assess medical and behavioural contributors and give a clear, personalised plan to restore calm and confidence.

Book a behaviour consultation today: www.synergyvetbehaviour.com.au

05/11/2025

🎄 December Closure Notice 🎄

Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions will be taking a short break and will be closed for the month of December (closed 01-12-25 and re-opening 02-01-2026).

IMPORTANT: If your pet is on regular medication, please check now that you have enough to last through the holiday period. Our veterinary nurse will continue home visits for patients requiring scheduled medication injections.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you and your pets a peaceful and joyful festive season! 🐾

18/10/2025

All behaviour is a form of communication.

Your companion is not being "naughty" or "stubborn" or "a drama queen"- they are usually trying to communicate a need.

I wish horses would yelp like dogs do

16/10/2025

Five years ago, I almost walked away from veterinary medicine.

Like so many vets, I was burning out — caught in the “get-em-in, get-em-out” pace of 15-minute consultations that left little room for the depth of care and connection I wanted to give. I loved the animals, but I wasn’t thriving.

Finding my way into mobile veterinary behavioural medicine changed everything. It gave me the time and space to truly listen, to understand each pet as an individual, and to work alongside the humans who love them most.

Every day, I’m reminded what a privilege it is to be invited into your homes and trusted with your furry family members. Your dedication, compassion, and willingness to work together mean more to me than I can say.

Clients (and patients) like you make this work deeply rewarding — you’re the reason I wake up excited to start each new day, even the long ones.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting me to do what I love. 💛

16/10/2025

🩺 **One consultation, many answers—why thorough and fear-free exams matter** 🐾

We saw Doc (short for Doctor Feelgood), a senior cattle dog X, for a consultation. His guardian, Dan, had noticed some changes at home in his interactions and behaviour.

Through a gentle, fear-free examination, we identified not only spinal discomfort and neurological changes, but also age-related muscle loss, a jaw lump, and early signs of vision and heart changes. These findings weren’t obvious at first glance—and some only became clear through careful observation in a low stress environment and discussion of Doc’s behaviour at home.

Veterinary care isn’t just about treating what’s visible. It’s about listening, looking closely, and creating a calm space where pets feel safe enough to show us what’s really going on. Often, the most telling signs appear outside the clinic—in the way pets move, rest, eat, or interact with their families.

Doc now has a tailored care plan that supports his comfort, mobility, and overall wellbeing. His guardian Dan
left with clarity, confidence, and tools to monitor his progress at home.

If your pet is showing behavioural changes or slowing down—don’t underestimate what a thorough, fear-free consultation can reveal.

📅 Book your pet’s behaviour consultation today.
📍Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions
📞 0493 520 393
💻 https://synergyvetbehaviour.com.au/

10/10/2025

✨ Patient Spotlight: Toby & Randy ✨

I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me when clients send updates—and these two gorgeous boys have absolutely stolen my heart 💛

Toby and Randy came to see us with a few behavioural concerns, including separation related distress, anxiety and noise sensitivity but thanks to the incredible dedication, patience, and love from their guardians Lisa and Ethan, they’ve come leaps and bounds. Watching their progress has been nothing short of inspiring.

From mat training wins to emotional resilience and everything in between, these boys are thriving—and just LOOK at those faces 😍

To all my clients who send updates, photos, and stories: thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your trust means the world, and seeing your pets grow and flourish is the best part of my job.

04/09/2025

Thank You Thursday

🐾🐾🐾 We’re so fortunate to work with incredible pet guardians like Leigh! Your kind words and 5-star review mean the world. Helping animals thrive through behavioural care is our passion, and your feedback reminds us why we do what we do every day. Thank you for trusting us with🐾 We’re so fortunate to work with incredible pet guardians like Leigh! Your kind words and 5-star review mean the world. Helping animals thrive through behavioural care is our passion, and your feedback reminds us why we do what we do every day. Thank you for trusting us with your furry family member! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

02/09/2025

A great article on the oft mis-named "Littermate syndrome".

Myth busters #10: It's easier to raise two puppies than one.

Raising one puppy can be time-consuming. Teaching social skills, housetraining, socialization, management, and training is challenging enough with just one puppy - imagine doing all of this with two. When working with two puppies, it is difficult to ensure that each puppy has their own unique experiences independent of the other.

Littermate syndrome, a concept used by some pet professionals, is not recognized by veterinary behaviorists or other leading experts in the field. Instead, the behaviors associated with this "syndrome" are more likely related to the challenges of raising two puppies together. For more information, read the CattleDog Publishing® article in the comments below.

17/07/2025

Beautiful miss Suki! I'm so proud to have played a part in the care of this sweet little lady, along with the spectacular team at BVSC The Animal Hospital and Dayboro Village Vets .
I am most grateful for her guardians Sophie & Joe who are incredibly committed to the care of all their beautiful pets.

Super stunning Suki, a 15 year old cat, was referred to BVSC by Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions and Dayboro Village Vets after her family noticed she was weak and struggling to hold her head up. It turns out, Suki had a serious potassium imbalance that was affecting her muscles – a condition called hypokalemic polymyopathy. Potassium is super important for muscle strength, and without enough, Suki was feeling very unwell.
An ultrasound revealed the cause: a large mass on her left adrenal gland, which was likely producing too much of a hormone called aldosterone. This can lead to high blood pressure, low potassium, and damage to organs – a condition known as primary hyperaldosteronism.
Before any surgery, Suki had to be stabilised with special medications to bring her blood pressure down and correct her potassium levels. Thankfully, she responded really well and was soon ready for her big operation.
Suki’s surgery was no small feat. BVSC’s specialist Dr Marvin Kung teamed up with specialist anaesthetist Dr Kieren Maddern to carefully remove the mass. It was tricky because the blood vessels near her kidney were wrapped around the tumour, but with steady hands and expert care, they successfully removed it without harming her kidney.
Suki spent a week recovering in hospital and is now resting comfortably at home. The best news? Her latest blood tests show that her kidney and potassium levels are completely back to normal.
We’re so proud of Suki and her amazing team of vets who gave her a new lease on life.