Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions

19/10/2026

Is it Itchiness, Anxiety, or could it Both?

Is your dog licking their paws until they're sore? Or is your cat grooming themselves bald? There may be more to the story than you think.

Have you ever wondered why some pets lick, chew or scratch themselves over and over again, even when their skin is already sore?

Sometimes, the answer isn't just a skin problem.

Just like us, animals can experience stress, anxiety and frustration. For some pets, repetitive grooming or licking becomes a way of coping with these emotions. For others, underlying pain, skin disease or unusual sensory experiences may be driving the behaviour.

And sometimes, several of these factors are working together.

Take acral lick dermatitis, for example. This is a condition where persistent licking creates a painful, inflamed sore, commonly on a dog's lower leg. The original trigger might be pain, itchiness, anxiety or a combination of factors. Unfortunately, once the skin becomes inflamed or infected, the discomfort can fuel even more licking.

So, should we just tell them to stop licking?

Not quite!

The first step is to investigate potential medical causes. From there, we can consider the animal's emotional wellbeing, environment and behavioural patterns to develop a treatment plan that addresses the underlying problem, rather than just the visible sore.

At Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions, we look beyond the behaviour itself. We consider the whole animal, including their physical health, emotional state and individual circumstances.

Because helping a pet feel better means looking at both their body and their brain.

If your pet is struggling with repetitive licking, chewing, scratching or other concerning behaviours, you don't have to navigate it alone.

Let's work together to help your pet feel more comfortable, confident and content.

Contact Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions to discuss whether a veterinary behavioural consultation could help your pet.

01/10/2026

There is no justification for the use of shock collars. Ever.

I WILL NEVER STOP HONORING HIS VOICE

Jackson was a very handsome two year old Aussie that was purchased from a professional breeder.
He was a very shy, insecure, fearful pup that had no self confidence.
His family hired a trainer that thought it best to place a shock collar (“e-collar”) on him at the young age of 6 months old to help train Jackson.
Jackson’s family continued the use of the shock collar (“e-collar”) for obedience work as well for behaviors the family thought warranted getting a shock.
Jackson’s behavior started to decline as he became fearful and reactive toward family members, other dogs, bikers, runners, and strangers coming into the home.
Jackson’s behavior became more intense and more frequent the more he was shocked.
By the age of 2 years old,
Jackson had bitten 10 different people. Five of the bites were his own family members.
I was called by the family’s attorney who asked if I would evaluate Jackson and help determine if I felt he could be rehabilitated.
I agreed to try to help Jackson under the condition that I was given a full and honest account of the first two years of Jackson’s life.
When I met Jackson’s family, I asked them when the last time was that Jackson went 24 hours without being shocked.
The answer that came sent me to my knees.
They stated “Jackson has never gone 24 hours without getting shocked since the day he was first introduced to the collar.”
I asked them what they were shocking him for and they said “everything!”
I asked them to be more specific and this was their reply.
“If he doesn’t listen. If he refuses to obey. If he barks at the deer. If he jumps on us or anyone else. If he digs.”
I got the point and quickly interrupted with, “So…basically everything!”
The family then stated that they did not know if they could ever trust him again and were considering their options.
A few weeks passed and then I received a very disturbing text.
This was the text:
“I’m guessing that you have not come up with any re-homing options for Jackson. We have set his euthanasia appointment for today in our home at 1:00. Just wanted you to know.”
By the time I read that text it was 11:30. I called the family immediately and told them to call it off and that I would come get him.
They obliged and signed over Jackson’s ownership to me.
For a few days he seemed joyful, free of fear, and was enjoying his time with us and our pack.
But then the day came where I saw it. I saw the all too familiar pupil dilation.
The constant pain and fear Jackson suffered for so long and at such a young age caused his body to try to protect itself. He was suffering severe PTSD and was thrown into full blown panic attacks. Uncontrollable shaking, lunging, and barking.
He was so fearful of being shocked that it was as if he was neurologically unsound.

One night, Roger was petting him without using direct eye contact. When Roger’s hand went from rubbing his chest to petting his neck, Jackson snapped and got Roger pretty good on the hand.
A few mornings after that, Jackson tried to get between one of our foster dogs and one of our pack members while they were playing. Let’s just say, Jackson got the raw end of that the deal.
I knew his ear was hurt but I didn’t see blood and he would not let me get near it.
Thankfully he was getting a dental and x-rays that day so I waited to let them check it out under anesthesia. Thank god they were able to get his ear cleaned and stitched up without him knowing a thing. The vet needed to remove a few teeth and the x-rays showed nothing of significance.
I had to rule out all things that might be causing
Jackson pain or discomfort.
In the time we had Jackson, he would react fearfully when touching his neck or rear. He was fine if you would touch his chest or face. He would even give kisses on occasion.
I wanted to help Jackson if rehabilitation was at all possible. Not gonna lie, I had my doubts.
Jackson was doing very well with us for about a month. He was loving walks with our pack, the mental stimulation,
the outings in the car, and the structured calm consistent environment we provided.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the extent of the damage from the shock collar (“e-collar”) was revealed.
It was just like any other morning. I was feeding the dogs breakfast and Jackson was in the same crate he was always in during meal time.
I got to his crate, and went to open it. Before I was able to unlatch it, Jackson lunged so hard at the door to the crate that I fell back and dropped the contents of his bowl on the carpet.
His pupils were fixed and dilated. He was barking and growling with tremendous fervor that I could not get near him.
This went on for over 10 minutes. All I could think of to get him to calm down was to leave the room.
That did work until Roger or I would walk back in the room toward his crate, then the rage would start again with extreme intensity.
After several hours and a few more attempts it was clear that something had snapped inside his brain.
We called our vet who was already familiar with Jackson and his history.
He suggested giving him a tranquilizer to take the edge off so we could bring him in.
After their examination and observing the videos we shared, everyone came to the same conclusion. Jackson sustained too much exposure to being shocked. Jackson was at such a young age when he was first exposed to the shock collar, (“e-collar”) his still developing brain could not handle the impact.
It was determined that Jackson’s neurological state was forever changed. The responsible and humane thing to do was to give Jackson the peace and freedom he deserved.
I will never forget that day.
Once the drug was given, Jackson could finally relax. I was able to lay with him while we just looked into each other’s eyes. When it was time to administer the final injection, I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.
You know when you try to stifle a deep profound cry and your throat starts to ache……me too and it was awful. My heart broke in that moment for Jackson and his senseless suffering. 💔
To the irresponsible trainer who first introduced the shock collar (“e-collar”) to Jackson, and to the family who continued the use and abuse, “ I made a promise to Jackson as I was laying with him and watching him take his final breaths. I told him that I would never stop educating people about the dangers of shock collars (“e-collars”) and how sorry I was that he had to suffer due to their ignorance.”

Shock Collars (e-collars) are now banned in the following countries:

England: Banned shock collars in 2019.�France: The French Assemblée Nationale voted to ban electric pet collars in early 2023. �Germany: Banned shock collars in 2006.�Norway: Banned shock collars in 2018.�Sweden: Banned shock collars in 2020.�Wales: Banned shock collars in 2010.�Austria: Banned shock collars in 2019.
Denmark: Banned shock collars in 2019.�Finland: Banned shock collars in 2021.�Iceland: Banned shock collars in 2021.�Slovenia: Banned shock collars in 2023.
Quebec: Banned shock collars in Canada in 2014.�New South Wales, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory: Banned shock collars in Australia in 1995.

Take a good hard look at the articles and studies below to see why there is currently a massive wave of dog behavior professionals and advocates joining forces.
It’s time to shine a bright light on the use of archaic methods that cause dogs pain, fear, uncertainty, distrust, ptsd, and other psychological and neurological issues.

Written by-Deb Nabb

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Gandhi~

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202409/is-balanced-training-fair-to-dogs-or-is-it-a-cop-out

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14182632��

25/09/2026

❤️When We Work Together, Our Patients Benefit❤️

One of the things I value most about my work is the incredible network of people who help support my patients.

I am so grateful to the brilliant trainers, behaviourists, pain management professionals, groomers and dog walkers who recognise when a behaviour change might have a medical component and recommend my services to their clients.

As a veterinary behaviourist with further qualifications in veterinary behaviour and small animal internal medicine, I have a particular interest in identifying pain and other medical conditions that may be contributing to behavioural changes.

I am equally grateful to the wonderful veterinary teams who accept my referrals and recommendations for further investigation, diagnostics and treatment, and who are willing to work collaboratively with us to keep patients comfortable and support their behavioural care.

Cases like Lulu’s are a beautiful example of what can happen when everyone works together, shares information and keeps the patient at the centre of the conversation.

It really does take a team.

And I feel incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful professionals around me who are willing to listen, collaborate and advocate for the animals in their care.

The best outcomes happen when we work together. ❤️🐾

If you’re a trainer, behaviourist, groomer, dog walker or veterinary professional and you have a patient whose behaviour has changed, or where you suspect pain or another medical factor may be involved, I’d love to work alongside you.

Sometimes the first step is simply asking, “Could there be something medical going on?”

25/09/2026

"Is it medical, behavioural, or both?"

That's the difference with a veterinary behaviour consultation.

We assess your pet's health, pain, behaviour, environment and relationship with their humans (and other pets) to understand what is driving the problem.

Then we build a plan that may include medical treatment, behaviour modification, environmental changes, enrichment and practical coaching. All in the comfort of home.

Not just a prescription. A whole-animal and whole-family approach.

If your pet is struggling, and you're not sure if it is medical, behavioural or both- please reach out to us. Nothing makes us happier than helping pets thrive in all aspects of their lives.

When we understand the science and listen with compassion, we can truly change lives.

Synergy Veterinary Behaviour Solutions: Where Science Meets Compassion.

Mobile Behaviour Veterinarian Servicing Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast. Other regions by request.

www.synergyvetbehaviour.com.au
073077 5022

25/09/2026

Your dog isn't always being difficult. Sometimes they're hurting.

Meet Jett, a gorgeous 4-year-old Koolie who we visited for hypervigilance, barking at neighbourhood noises and activities, difficulty focusing, distractibility and frustration.

During Jett's initial consultation, Dr Jess identified two important medical concerns that could be contributing to his behaviour:

🦴 A painful, swollen right knee, likely associated with a previous partial ligament tear.

👂 Chronic inflammation in his ears.

These medical problems were important pieces of Jett's behavioural puzzle.

Pain can lower a dog's threshold for reacting. When a dog is uncomfortable, they may have less patience, become more easily frustrated and react more strongly to things they would normally be able to cope with.

And when the ears are chronically inflamed, sounds can become more uncomfortable or intrusive, potentially contributing to increased noise sensitivity and hypervigilance.

So Jett's treatment wasn't simply about training.

We addressed his pain and ear inflammation, alongside environmental changes and behavioural modification. The combination has made a wonderful difference.

We saw Jett for his first progress visit today, and he was such a polite boy!

He was offering beautiful, calm and focused sits, something that is much easier when your knee doesn't hurt anymore!

This is why medical assessment is such an important part of veterinary behaviour medicine.

Dr Jess has advanced veterinary training and qualifications in both veterinary behaviour and small animal internal medicine.

Both areas require a detailed understanding of pain identification, underlying medical disease and how physical health can influence behaviour.

As a mobile veterinary behaviour service, we also have the unique advantage of assessing patients in their own homes and everyday environments.

We can spend much more time observing how they move, rest, interact with their family and respond to the sights, sounds and activities around them.

And because they are in a familiar environment, many patients are significantly more relaxed than they would be in a veterinary hospital. This allows us to observe their natural behaviour and movement without as much of the muscle tension, fear and stress that can make subtle signs of pain more difficult to recognise.

So if your dog's behaviour has changed, they have become more reactive, less tolerant, easily frustrated or unusually sensitive to sounds...

Don't just ask, “How do I change this behaviour?”

Also ask:

“Could my dog be in pain?”

Sometimes, helping the body feel better is an important part of helping the behaviour improve too.

And Jett is a lovely example of just how much of a difference that can make. ❤️

17/09/2026

16/09/2026

When your dog, like my little mini schnoodle Cooper, struggles with barrier frustration and has difficulty observing without reacting, the first step is to calmly observe the world.
I call it World Watching.
No pressure.
No expectations.
No goals.
Just watching the world go by from a comfortable location...like riding sh***un in the Synergy Vet work van.

05/09/2026

Sniff out the good stuff 🐾👃!

That's what Cooper (Dr Jess' rescue pup) is all about in this photo!

Dogs don't see the world like we do... they're all about that sniff life.
Their superpower sense of smell is like having a built-in detective kit - who's been there, when, and what's for lunch? 🤔

It's not just about the sights, it's about the stinks! 😂

That's why sniffaris (slow and sniffy walks) are the best. They're like doggy therapy sessions, minus the couch and awkward small talk.

Reduces stress and anxiety? ✅Check!
Encourages calm vibes? ✅You bet!
Builds confidence? ✅Woof!

So next time, ditch the speed walking and let your pup take the lead... or should I say, the sniff? 😉

For help on getting your pet to stress-less, reach out to us! We constantly smell like treats, so your pet is sure to approve!

3077 5022
synergyvetbehaviour.com.au

03/09/2026

Meet Cooper 🐾 a shining example of transformation! 🌟

His journey from anxiety and fear-based behaviou

rs to calm confidence is truly remarkable. When Cooper first came to us, he struggled to cope with everyday situations. But with our expert guidance, he's blossomed into a more relaxed, engaged, and responsive companion.

🐾 His recent consult was a breakthrough - he navigated our space with ease, responding beautifully to cues. It's a testament to the power of positive change!

💪 Sometimes, success is simply feeling calm and in control 💛.

As a mobile behaviour veterinarian servicing Brisbane and surrounds, we're dedicated to empowering pets and their owners to thrive.

3077 5022 | www.synergyvetbehaviour.com.au

03/09/2026

This is Rusty 🐾🤍

And he’s been quietly making some really lovely progress.

Rusty came to us with a combination of medical and behavioural concerns, including discomfort, ongoing skin irritation, and some boisterous, attention-seeking behaviours.

Since starting treatment and supportive care, we’ve seen some meaningful changes!
🐾 More settled, less boisterous behaviour
🐾 Improved skin and ear health
🐾 Overall bright, comfortable demeanour
🐾 Stable health with reassuring test results

Even during his recent check, Rusty was bright, relaxed, and handling his care beautifully, a reflection of how well he’s feeling overall 

Because when dogs start to feel better…
everything else begins to follow 💛