Behaviour consultations for dogs with behaviour problems

Clinical behaviour consultations for pet dogs are delivered through our partnered clinical behaviour service, Future Proof Training Academy (FPTA), on veterinary referral only.

A behaviour consultation is appropriate when a dog is experiencing moderate to severe behaviour concerns that are impacting safety, welfare or quality of life. These cases often involve underlying emotional states such as fear, anxiety, frustration or over-arousal, and require a structured, evidence-based approach.

When is a behaviour consultation recommended?

A behaviour consult may be recommended if your dog is showing:

Fear, anxiety or panic in everyday situations
Reactivity towards people, dogs or other animals
Aggression (growling, snapping, biting, lunging)
Separation-related behaviours (distress when left alone)
Noise or movement sensitivities and phobias
Compulsive, repetitive or stereotypic behaviours
Chronic over-arousal, inability to settle, or significant changes in behaviour

If you’re unsure whether a behaviour consultation is appropriate, your veterinarian can help you decide and, if needed, provide a referral.

How our behaviour consultation process works

Clinical behaviour cases are managed through Future Proof Training Academy in close collaboration with referring veterinarians and, where needed, AABA Consultants.

1 / Veterinary referral

Your primary veterinarian completes a behaviour referral and provides a full medical history. This ensures any underlying medical conditions are considered before or alongside behaviour treatment.

2 / Triage and booking through FPTA

The FPTA team reviews the referral, clarifies any immediate risk or welfare concerns, and books an appropriate behaviour consultation (in-home or at-clinic, depending on the case).

3 / Comprehensive behaviour consultation

During the consult, the clinician will:

Take a detailed behavioural history
Observe your dog in relevant environments (home/clinic/other)
Assess triggers, patterns and underlying emotional states
Develop an individualised behaviour modification and management plan

4 / Behaviour plan & follow-up

You’ll receive a written behaviour plan outlining management strategies, training exercises and safety recommendations. Follow-up support and review sessions are available to help you implement the plan over time.

5 / Collaboration and oversight

AABA Consultants provides behaviour science input, assessment frameworks and support for complex or high-risk cases, as well as data, statistics and reporting where required.

Information for pet owners

If you’re a pet owner seeking help with your dog’s behaviour:

Book an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss your concerns.
If a behaviour consultation is appropriate, your vet can refer to Future Proof Training Academy using the behaviour referral pathway.
Once the referral is received, the FPTA team will contact you to discuss the case, explain the process and arrange a booking.

You’re welcome to mention that your vet can refer to FPTA in collaboration with AABA Consultants for behaviour assessment and planning.

Information for veterinarians

Not sure if your case fits?

If you are a veterinarian wishing to refer a case:

Please complete a behaviour referral including:
- presenting complaint and duration
- relevant medical history and current medications
- any diagnostics performed or planned
- current safety or risk concerns (to people, animals or the dog)
Referrals should be sent to Future Proof Training Academy (FPTA) via the agreed referral pathway or contact details provided to your clinic.
Where appropriate, AABA Consultants can assist with:
- case formulation and behaviour assessment frameworks
- complex or high-risk behaviour cases
- data analysis, reporting and outcome monitoring across groups of cases

If you require clarification before referring, you can contact us to discuss suitability and options.

Referral form

If you’re uncertain whether a behaviour consultation, training referral or a different type of assessment is most appropriate, we’re happy to provide guidance.

Pet owners: start by speaking with your veterinarian.
Professionals (vets, shelters, councils, legal): you can email us with a brief outline of the case and the question you’re trying to answer (e.g. risk, prognosis, treatment planning, legal context).

Email: aabaconsultants@gmail.com

We’ll review the information and suggest the most suitable next step, whether that’s a clinical behaviour consultation via FPTA, a behaviour/temperament assessment through AABA, or another option.