Dog Behavioural Consultation Perth
Helping Perth Dog Owners Understand Problem Behaviour
One Session. A Clear Plan. Real Results
Barking at strangers, lunging on the lead, snapping at other dogs, refusing to settle — these are not personality flaws. They are signals. Your dog is communicating that something in their world feels unsafe, unpredictable, or overwhelming. Understanding what is driving the behaviour is the first step to changing it.
- In-home behavioural consultations in Perth — Dave comes to you
- Tackles aggression, reactivity, anxiety, fear and separation issues
- APDT accredited — one session is often enough to get a clear plan in place
In Perth, living with a dog who struggles with aggression, reactivity, anxiety, or fear can be challenging and emotionally draining, but with tailored behaviour consultations from an APDT-accredited specialist, there is a clear pathway to improvement. Each consultation is personalised to address the unique factors behind your dog’s behaviour, using evidence-based, force-free methods, and there are no lock-in contracts—just the help you need, when you need it. Enquire today to take a positive step towards your dog’s happier, more balanced life.
What Is Your Dog Struggling With?
A two-minute form is all it takes — Dave will take it from there
What Actually Happens in a Dog Behavioural Consultation?
A behavioural consultation is a focused, one-on-one session designed to get to the root of why your dog is behaving the way they are. Rather than teaching commands, it is about understanding your dog’s triggers, history, and emotional state — and building a practical plan around what you find.
Dave comes to you. Seeing your dog in their own environment gives a far more accurate picture of what is actually happening than any classroom setting could. Most behavioural issues — reactivity, aggression, anxiety, separation distress — are deeply connected to the dog’s everyday surroundings and routine.
Most owners leave the first session with a clear understanding of what is driving the behaviour and exactly what to do about it. You will not be handed a generic plan — everything is specific to your dog, your home, and your situation.
Key Benefits of a Behavioural Consultation for Perth Dog Owners
Walks Without Anxiety
Daily outings become more enjoyable when you no longer have to anticipate unpredictable behaviour from your dog. The guidance from a behavioural consultant allows you to walk confidently, knowing you have tools and strategies in place to effectively manage common triggers.
Easier Greetings With Visitors
Hosting friends and family becomes far less stressful when your dog understands how to behave around new people. After a consultation, you can welcome guests without the usual worry of jumping, barking, or anxious behaviours disrupting your home.
Restored Calm in the Home
A smoother, more peaceful household environment is possible with clear boundaries and positive routines tailored to your dog’s needs. As a result, family interactions with your pet become more relaxed and enjoyable, reducing tension and misunderstandings.
Local Expertise Tailored to Perth Homes
In-home consultations specifically address the unique challenges and environments found across Perth. The behaviourist can observe your dog where issues actually occur, ensuring solutions are relevant and easily integrated into your existing routine, making daily life noticeably easier.
A Behavioural Consultation That Actually Makes a Difference in Perth
A behavioural consultation is not just for dogs that have bitten someone or caused serious harm — it is for any dog whose behaviour is making daily life harder than it needs to be. Here is why it matters:
- Clarity — Understanding why your dog behaves the way they do changes everything. Guesswork is replaced with a clear, practical plan.
- Safety — Reactive and aggressive behaviour left unaddressed tends to escalate. Early intervention keeps everyone safer.
- Less walking on eggshells — Knowing how to read your dog and respond correctly reduces the daily stress of managing unpredictable behaviour.
- A calmer home — Separation anxiety, destructive behaviour, and incessant barking affect the whole household. Addressing the root cause brings relief for everyone.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Behavioural Consultation
A consultation gives you the roadmap — what you do with it at home determines how fast things change.
Be Honest About What You Are Seeing
The more accurate the picture Dave gets during the session, the more targeted the plan will be. Do not downplay the behaviour or make excuses for it — describe exactly what happens, when, and how often.
Involve Everyone in the Household
If one person applies the new approach and another does not, the dog gets mixed signals and progress stalls. Everyone who interacts with the dog needs to be on the same page.
Follow the Plan Consistently
Behavioural change does not happen overnight but it does happen faster than most owners expect when the plan is followed consistently. Small daily actions compound quickly.
Track What Changes
Keep a simple note of what triggers the behaviour, how your dog responds, and what is improving. Patterns become clearer over time and adjustments are easier to make.
Things to Consider Before Booking a Dog Behavioural Consultation
Not all behavioural consultations are the same. Before you book, here are the questions worth asking.
Is the Behaviour Actually a Training Problem or Something Deeper?
Some dogs pull on the lead because they have never been taught not to. Others react because they are genuinely anxious or fearful. Knowing the difference determines whether you need obedience training, a behavioural consultation, or both. If the behaviour feels emotionally driven — shutting down, snapping unpredictably, extreme reactivity — a consultation is the right starting point.
Does the Consultant Come to You?
Behaviour is highly context-dependent. A dog that seems fine at a training venue may fall apart at home or on the street. An in-home consultation gives a far more accurate picture of what is actually happening and why. Dave comes to you — that is not a convenience, it is a better way to assess the problem.
What Approach Does the Consultant Use?
Avoid anyone who relies on dominance theory, alpha rolls, or aversive tools to suppress behaviour. These methods mask the symptom without addressing the cause and often make anxiety-based behaviour significantly worse. Every consultation at Agile Dogs is grounded in modern animal behaviour science and positive, evidence-based methods.
How Long Has the Problem Been Going On?
The longer a behaviour has been reinforced — even unintentionally — the more patient and consistent the approach needs to be. Be upfront about the history. It helps Dave build a plan that is realistic and achievable rather than one that sets unrealistic expectations.
Are You Prepared to Change Your Own Behaviour Too?
Behavioural consultations are as much about the owner as they are about the dog. The way you respond to your dog’s behaviour — before, during, and after an incident — plays a significant role in whether things improve. The consultation will give you the tools. Using them consistently is what makes the difference.
Working through your dog’s behaviour issues takes patience and consistency — on the mornings it feels like slow progress, a freshly roasted coffee helps. Queen Bee Coffee delivers straight to your door so your morning routine stays intact.
The process of understanding and rehabilitating a reactive or anxious dog can be emotionally draining for owners too. If the stress of managing difficult behaviour has been taking a toll on your body as well as your mind, Nook Chiropractic are worth visiting — because looking after yourself is part of looking after your dog.
Why book consultation with us
Dave has been assessing and rehabilitating dog behaviour professionally since 2007 and is APDT accredited, bringing over a decade of experience with dogs of all breeds and temperaments across Perth. One clear advantage of his behavioural consultations is the focus on in-home assessments. By observing your dog in its own environment, Dave can identify specific triggers and behavioural patterns that may not be apparent in unfamiliar settings, allowing for targeted, realistic strategies that are immediately applicable to your daily routine.
Another distinguishing factor is the flexibility offered through no lock-in packages. Each behavioural consultation Perth is tailored to your needs, without requiring long-term contracts or unnecessary commitments. This approach ensures that you only pay for the support you actually need, providing clarity and control over your training journey.
For those outside of Perth or seeking greater convenience, Zoom consultations are available nationally. This option allows dog owners anywhere in Australia to access expert behavioural advice and practical solutions without travel or disruption to their schedule. Remote sessions still provide personalised guidance, ensuring your dog’s unique challenges are addressed effectively.
Most clients walk away from their first session with a clear, actionable plan. Dave’s thorough assessment and tailored recommendations mean you can quickly implement changes and see progress, reducing uncertainty and giving you confidence in your ongoing training efforts.
















In-home behavioural consultations are available across Perth and surrounding Perth suburbs.
Problem behaviour rarely resolves on its own — but it does respond to the right approach. In-home consultations in Perth are tailored entirely to your dog’s history, triggers, and temperament. No lock-in packages, no generic plans — just a focused session and a clear path forward. Zoom consultations are also available for owners outside the Perth metro area.
Saturday Group Sessions $30
Our group sessions ensure that each dog receives the attention it deserves. We hold group classes every Saturday at Claremont Park, where you can attend flexibly, with no lock-in commitment. These sessions focus on safe socialisation, fostering good obedience, and promoting desirable behaviours among puppies, adult dogs, and owners. We welcome all breeds and skill levels. For more information, or to secure your spot, please contact us directly to discuss your training options.
Enjoy the drive and experience the fun
Sunday Group Sessions
$30
Every Sunday morning, we offer group classes at Nicholson Reserve, Yangebup Reserve to ensure personalised attention for every dog. These sessions are designed to encourage safe socialisation, improve obedience, and reinforce positive behaviours. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, all breeds and skill levels are welcome. Reach out to us today to discuss your training needs and reserve your place.
1:1 Private Sessions $275.00
For those who prefer more personalised attention, we offer in-home, private 1:1 obedience sessions and come to you in Perth. Whether you are unable to attend group classes or wish to progress faster, these tailored sessions allow us to focus on your dog’s specific needs. For clients outside the Perth metro area, or those with busy schedules, we also offer convenient online Zoom sessions. Our accredited trainers will guide you through each level of obedience training to help you and your dog succeed.
Not sure if a behavioural consultation is the right fit? Browse our dog training classes in Perth to see if a group obedience class might be a better starting point for your dog.
If your dog needs more than behaviour support, our dog obedience training in Perth covers the foundational skills that make everyday life with your dog easier.
Where to Take Your Dog for a Walk and Reset in Perth
Perth, located in Western Australia, is renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and beautiful natural surroundings. Among its many attractions are the numerous parks and walking spots that make it ideal for dog owners. Some popular local parks and walking areas include:
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- Hyde Park
- Lake Monger Reserve
These parks offer expansive spaces and picturesque trails for both residents and visitors to enjoy with their canine companions. Agile Dogs often carries out in-home behavioural consultations and follow-up sessions in and around Perth, including walks in local parks to assess reactive behaviour in real environments. This combination of green spaces and professional support makes Perth an excellent environment for pet owners dedicated to their dogs’ wellbeing.
What our Perth clients are saying
Many pet owners in our local community have experienced positive changes in their dogs’ behaviour after seeking our consultation services, as reflected in the reviews below.
Posted on Karen DansonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dave came around for a one on one session with our new rescue dog Mikey. Dave is so knowledgeable about dog behaviours and training methods. He educated me on why Mikey was reacting the way he was and what I needed to do to be a good leader for him. It all made such perfect sense. I also appreciated that Dave made sure I was realistic about my expectations for Mikey. I only wish I had found Dave from the very beginning of our journey with Mikey. I feel so much more aligned and comfortable with Dave’s training approach and look forward to continuing our journey with Agile Dog Training.Posted on Elouise MartinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Have only been to two classes and we/ our dog loves it! 10/10!Posted on Keith MitchellTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dave provided an excellent private session for our new pup which was incredibly informative and we’ve already seen great results in just a few days.Posted on kylie rofeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing dog training. Kind people who helped so much with my reactive dog. Couldn’t recommend them more for both 1 on 1 classes and group classes.Posted on Alex VoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently attended our first class at Agile Dogs and we were really impressed! The class ran seamlessly with over a dozen pups. The trainer was very knowledgeable and approachable. Not only did he provide practical advice, but also demonstrated the techniques with such ease, making it easy for us to follow and apply with our pup Really glad we found Agile Dogs and will definitely be back for future classes. Highly recommend!Posted on ray knightTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We engaged Dave for a home visit to help us with our 3 year old Labrador. Dave gave us practical advice and demonstrated some effective strategies to assist with lead walking and excessive barking. We have seen a dramatic improvement in how we manage our dog’s behaviour. Would highly recommend his services.Posted on Rashel B.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing training session with Dave today. The class was organised and structured, his instruction was precise and clear being really easy to follow. Our puppy loved every minute of the class, and is now totally exhausted. Thanks Dave. We are already looking forward to next week!!Posted on Leah MoncrieffTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend this dog training! We have a three year old Kelpie cross who is reactive to other dogs when on the lead. We’ve had one session of one-on-one training and attended one group session and can see a difference already. Thanks Dave!Posted on Lydia FattoreTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Definitely recommend Agile Dogs to any new puppy owner! David is so knowledgeable, and for the short time that I was able to be at the private session with my partner, I learned so many new techniques to put into practise. He provided the support and knowledge we need to get through the roller coaster puppy phase. 5/5!
OUR PROCESS
The Perth Dog Training Process
Initial Consultation
Preliminary Assessment
Problem Solving
Training Recommendation
Explore All Our Dog Training Services in Perth
- Dog Obedience Training — group classes and one-on-one sessions for all breeds and ages
- Dog Behavioural Consultations — in-home assessments that get to the root of problem behaviour
- Reactive Dog Training — trigger-specific training for dogs that lunge, bark, or snap
- Puppy Training — setting your puppy up with the right foundations from the start
- Complex Skills and Clicker Training — advanced tricks and skills for dogs ready to go beyond obedience
What a Behavioural Consultation Actually Involves
Living with a dog whose behaviour you do not understand is exhausting. A 1:1 behavioural consultation cuts through the guesswork — Dave assesses your dog in your home or via Zoom, works through the history, identifies what is driving the behaviour, and puts a practical plan in place.
How Many Sessions Does It Take?
Most behavioural issues are addressed in 1 or 2 sessions. Complex cases — particularly aggression — may require more. Where appropriate, Dave will recommend transitioning into group obedience classes once your dog is ready. No lock-in packages — you only continue if and when it makes sense for your dog.
Get a Clear Plan for Your Dog's Behaviour
Book a Session
Dog Behavioural Consultation Bookings Now Open in Perth
Explore how a professional consultation can help your dog thrive in Perth. Bookings for personalised sessions are currently available, and there are no lock-in packages required. Connect with an experienced consultant who understands your needs and is happy to discuss options at your pace.
Book a consultation today
0448 153 316
Dog Behavioral Consultation Service FAQs Perth
How does an in-home dog behavioural consultation in Perth work?
I come to your home to observe your dog’s behaviour where it happens. This lets me see your dog’s environment and daily routines, which is key to understanding what’s going on. During the consultation, I’ll listen to your concerns, assess your dog, and ask some questions. Together, we create a step-by-step plan tailored to your dog’s needs. Most owners walk away from the first session with a clear, practical strategy to start seeing changes. There’s no need to commit to multiple sessions up front or buy a package.
Can you help with dog aggression or reactivity problems?
Yes, aggression and reactivity are common issues I work with. I use positive reinforcement and force-free methods to address the underlying causes safely. We’ll look at your dog’s triggers and figure out which management tools and training exercises suit your situation. As an APDT-accredited trainer, I stay updated on best practices for safety and welfare. Solutions are based on your unique case, so your dog gets the right support.
My dog barks non-stop when I leave. Can this be fixed?
Excessive barking when left alone is usually a sign of separation stress. I’ll assess why your dog is barking, whether it’s anxiety, boredom, or something else. In a dog behavioural consultation Perth owners find effective, we focus on teaching your dog to feel calmer and more confident alone. You’ll learn how to desensitise your dog to departures and routines that help prevent barking. Follow-ups are available if you need extra support as you put changes in place.
Do you offer online dog behaviour consultations?
Yes, Zoom consultations are available no matter where you live in Australia. For many cases, especially anxiety or training advice, video consults work very well. I can watch you interact with your dog in real time and give immediate feedback, just like an in-home session. Detailed notes and email follow-up are included to keep you on track.
Is my dog too old to benefit from a behavioural consultation?
Dogs of any age can learn new behaviours and improve problem habits. I’ve worked with puppies and seniors, and while older dogs might take a little longer to change, they’re absolutely capable of learning better ways to cope. The key is finding what motivates your dog and making steps small and achievable.
Will my dog’s behaviour improve after one session?
Many owners are surprised how much changes after the first consultation. You’ll walk away with a tailored plan and practical exercises specific to your dog’s behaviour. While some issues take time, you’ll know exactly what to work on from day one, and I’m happy to schedule extra support as needed. There’s no requirement to commit to a series of sessions.
Do you work with all dog breeds and behaviour types?
Absolutely, I work with all breeds—small or large, working breeds, toy breeds, rescues, and everything in between. Every dog is an individual, and the process is adjusted according to breed traits, history, and your home environment. Behavioural consultation is effective for a wide range of issues from anxiety to aggression, regardless of breed.