KALMPETS

I went to countless trainers, and behaviourists before finding Dr Kate. She was the first that helped me to really understand my dog and come up with a realistic solution for my pup Walnut. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

I can’t rate Kalmpets highly enough! We tried many trainers, behaviourists and more to solve our dogs behaviour problems. Dr Kate explained why our dog was doing the behaviours and provided a realistic solution…. And it worked! Peace in our home has been restored and our dogs quality of life has never been better. My only wish is that we had found Kalmpets sooner.

Kalmpets have changed our lives. We saw Dr Kate on 2 occasions with my dog, for what I thought were 2 unrelated issues, but were in fact very closely related. On both occasions Dr Kate diagnosed him, explained clearly what was happening after listening to my descriptions, and talked about treatment options. A written summary was provided after the consult, and Dr Kate was available via phone and email for follow-up issues and questions. I am so grateful that we started our journey with Dr Kate. She is empathetic, knowledgeable, non-judgemental and incredibly caring. My dog is so lucky to have such a phenomenal team caring for him and helping him to live his best life.

Have reached out on numerous occasions about our dogs separation anxiety and not even a response back, absolute joke we have a pet that has massive anxiety and harms himself and not even a response, shame on you would never recommend

Kalmpets has helped me so much with my Border Collie puppy. There are group classes or one on one classes which every suits you. All the trainers have a vast knowledge and are so lovely. I have worked with Felicity in trick training and she is great! She is so good at recognising when my dog hasn't got something or can't understand and is able to change it up so he instantly get it. She has also offered so much in site into my dogs general behaviour and how to read it.
Overall an incredible place full of people who love dogs and want to bring out the best in everyone one. Well worth doing courses here if you have a puppy.

This review is based on the initial, 1 hour behaviourist consultation.

Was referred to Kalm Pets after several appointments with the same vet, as the vet hoped to avoid long term medication treatment, and believed that a behaviourist would give suitable, tailored behaviour modification training plan.

KALMPETS Behaviourist:

-No inspection of the environment
-Did not provide any other new or helpful information
-Waited 3 months for the appointment. In between that time, desperation was high and we sought an appointment with a different vet and ended up on Clomipramine (clomicalm). A long term medication.
-Professional failure: They did not bring their medical prescription book (In Australia the role "Animal Behaviourist" hold no necessary legal qualifications, whereas a "Veterinary Behaviourist” does). They are taking on probably more work then their work allows, making email and communication difficult.

The vet who referred us was going to put our dog onto the same medication that the behaviourist did.

The behaviourist did not read the veterinary notes (which are sent to them). I was having to repeat a lot of vital points. This was costly to our appointment time.

They said our dog has "not typical separation anxiety"- because our dog isn't by our side at all times.
- this discussion took up another 15 minutes. I have dealt with many dogs who have separation anxiety, all present it differently when the owners are home. Which you would assume a behaviourist would know this.
- I decided to show photos of the dog self harm due to escaping behaviours.

PLAN FROM THE BEHAVIOURIST:
- Medication: Swap from one SSRI medication to another SSRI (Clomipramine/Anafranil to Sertraline)
-Diet: We were told to change what we fed our dog: Swap from Royal Canin prescription diet to a raw diet- (recipe stated on report)
Method: Sprinkle the food around the backyard, and stuffed some in a kong.

All the above methods were all band aid solutions, the change of medication seemed as though they just wanted to make the appointment seem worthy.

The diet change= irrelevant and could have been saved for the 4 week check up, as the stress and behaviour of a dog with separation anxiety causing escaping dog cannot be solved with a raw diet. Especially one that does not eat when alone.

Food hunt/scatter= irrelevant. The dog had already been doing scatter hunts and long lasting chews/rotating toys etc daily since she was a puppy. (dog has 2 walks daily.morning and evening)

Would NOT recommend if you are treating issues such as separation anxiety, as this was our reasoning of seeing KALMPETS.

I believe KALMPETS might do a great doggy day care service, especially as doggy daycare is in such high demand. But their medical services are pointless and expensive.

- I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING THEIR BEHAVIOURAL SERVICES. See a good trainer, or even a dog that specialises in your breed. As behaviourist only need to “diagnose”.

Critical: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Responsiveness.

I come from an animal background, (dog boarding in my home for a very long time, whilst work at a pat supply store- training in products and animals is essential). In my review I am taking into account that all dogs are different, and each behaviour problem and cause varies. Prior to reading on, I would recommend seeing a good vet, one who may even specialise in your dog breed. It seems that all a behaviourist does is DIAGNOSE/ CONFIRM the medical condition that your pet has. If your vet is extremely sure of the dogs diagnosis/medical condition DO NOT BOTHER SEEING A BEHAVIOURIST.if you want help, go to your trusting vet, and go to a dog trainer.

This review is based on the initial, 1 hour consultation.

KALMPETS behaviourist was unfortunately a waste of time.

-No inspection of the environment
-Did not provide any other new or helpful information
-Professional failure: They did not bring their medical prescription book (thus I question the authenticity of their qualification- In Australia the role "Animal Behaviourist" hold no necessary legal qualifications, whereas a "Veterinary Behaviourist" does.)

These people claim to be "experts" yet the whole appointment involved the behaviourist, contradicting everything, and us going in the same circles. The behaviourist did not read the veterinary notes (which are sent to them). I was having to repeat a lot of vital points, these points would have been found on the vet notes if the behaviourist looked/had them. The behaviourist only went by the notes that was written by myself prior to the appointment via the online survey.

The behaviourist stated we should be trying to take more natural actions, and not medications. Bagging out the vets instructions and script for medication. Once again, I had to repeat the incidents that have occurred. 10 minutes later into our conversation and me deciding to show relevant photos, the behaviourist 'changed their tune' and then said we need to put her on heavy medication. I stated the dogs has only been on the new medication for 2 weeks (Anafranil) and have noticed a positive impact on our dogs stress levels when we are not home. The behaviourist swapped medication anyway.

They said our dog has "not typical separation anxiety"- because our dog isn't by our side at all times.
- this discussion took up another 15 minutes. I have dealt with many dogs who have separation anxiety, all present it differently when the owners are home. Which you would assume a behaviourist would know this.
_
OVERALL ADVICE FROM EXPERT:

Medication: Swap from one SSRI medication to another SSRI (Clomipramine/Anafranil to Sertraline)
Diet: We were told to change the way we fed our dog.
Ingredients: Swap from Royal Canin prescription diet to a raw diet- (recipe stated on report)
Method: Sprinkle the food around the backyard, and stuffed some in a kong (its wet food as well- cockroaches love it too).

All the above methods were all band aid solutions, the change of medication seemed as though they just wanted to make the appointment seem worthy.
The diet change= irrelevant and could have been saved for the 4 week check up, as the stress and behaviour of an escaping dog cannot be solved with a raw diet.

Food hunt/scatter= irrelevant. I stated we have been doing scatter hunts and long lasting chews/rotating toys etc since she was a puppy, there was no need to include it in the write up as it wont help my dogs behaviour.the whole appointment was like talking to a collogue at a pet supply store too be honest.
_
Would NOT recommend if you are treating issues such as separation anxiety, as this was our reasoning of seeing KALMPETS.

I believe KALMPETS might do a great doggy day care service, but their medical services are pointless and expensive.

- I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING THEIR BEHAVIOURAL SERVICES

If I could give less than 1 star I would. These people claim to be helpful and "experts" yet they wanted to medicate our boy after a 30min consult that didn't even see him in the environment of concern. We were told to just change the way we fed him, walk somewhere without things he will react to and distract from bad behaviour whilst the pain medication worked. He wasn't in pain, the meds did nothing. If anything he got worse. The follow up session 4 weeks later they told me that he was "beyond hope without anti-anxiety medication" after no further observations of his behaviour apart from that 15min spent on site with them. When I declined meds, asking instead to focus on behavioural training they told me that my not even 2 year old dog was "too old" to be helped in that way. They said to continue with their initial "recommendations" for the next 4 weeks and then they would follow up with me to see if I had "changed my mind". They never did follow up. But to be honest I am glad they didn't because after seeking help from a different behavioural trainer in June, one who listened and was committed to training not medication we have seen a massive improvement in our boy and I can safely say he was not beyond hope or too old for help.

DO NOT GO HERE!

If I could give less than 1 star I would. These people claim to be helpful and "experts" yet they wanted to medicate our boy after a 30min consult that didn't even see him in the environment of concern. We were told to just change the way we fed him, walk somewhere without things he will react to and distract from bad behaviour whilst the pain medication worked. He wasn't in pain, the meds did nothing. If anything he got worse. The follow up session 4 weeks later they told me that he was "beyond hope without anti-anxiety medication" after no further observations of his behaviour apart from that 15min spent on site with them. When I declined meds, asking instead to focus on behavioural training they told me that my not even 2 year old dog was "too old" to be helped in that way. They said to continue with their initial "recommendations" for the next 4 weeks and then they would follow up with me to see if I had "changed my mind". They never did follow up. But to be honest I am glad they didn't because after seeking help from a different behavioural trainer in June, one who listened and was committed to training not medication we have seen a massive improvement in our boy and I can safely say he was not beyond hope or too old for help.

DO NOT GO HERE!

Professional, experienced and educated in pet behaviors. Dr Kate has stepped out of the boundaries of regular vet practices and offers her educated and well researched view not the pet food companies on nutrition and pet behavior problems which is refreshing and needed.
Perth is very lucky to have this facility for our pets that need a bit of extra help.

We did the first class of recall training today. Great facility, small group. My Vizsla loved the salmon treats that we could use as a ‘high’ value reward. I had a look into the doggy day care area and can see why the dogs love it.

On entering Kalm Pets you feel as though you puppy is going to have a great day at daycare. That’s where it stops. I dropped my puppy off for a trial day of day care. Yes, my puppy has some slight separation anxiety, however considering Kalm Pets label themselves as behavioural specialists you’d think my pup would last longer than 27 minutes. Seemingly no effort was put in to calm her and you’d think they would allow a longer time for an anxious pup to settle in, or try a few different strategies. I’d say that they only want small, quiet dogs to look after and “train”.

Kalmpets has helped me so much with my Border Collie puppy. There are group classes or one on one classes which every suits you. All the trainers have a vast knowledge and are so lovely. I have worked with Felicity in trick training and she is great! She is so good at recognising when my dog hasn't got something or can't understand and is able to change it up so he instantly get it. She has also offered so much in site into my dogs general behaviour and how to read it.
Overall an incredible place full of people who love dogs and want to bring out the best in everyone one. Well worth doing courses here if you have a puppy.

Love, love, love this centre! My dogs are enrolled in a few different training classes, the courses are inline with previous training with RSPCA, so I can build upon the foundations my puppers already have - I have worked with two trainers now and they are both cool, calm and collected trainers with obvious knowledge and are very adaptable to ensure you and your dog get what you want or need from the lessons. The facility is new and made just for the purpose, and is inside, which is perfect as weather doesn't hamper progress - really five stars!

We take our 5 month old Malamute Neo here for the full day treatment while we both work, and he’s treated like an absolute king by the staff at Kalmpets. Nothing is too much for them and we think Neo enjoys his day there too. Can’t ask for much more than that

Good vets and behaviour consultant. But only if your dog doesn't need one on one training. Then you are left on your own to sort.

Tracy has really help us with our anxious and reactive dog. We had tried a few trainers before but none were able to help.

Amazing place. Force free trainers that take into account all the requirements that need to be met to help your fur baby. I'd almost lost hope before here. Our boy is almost a different dog.

We have a very problematic dog suffering separation anxiety. After trying some things at home, and with the advice of our vet, we went to calmpets. We gave them a very thorough description of behaviour and triggers etc. After the first consult (more than $300) all we had was some tips on obidience training, and a prescription for drugs. After the following up appointment ($170?), we had more obidience tips and some very questionable advice on dog psychology.

I should add that a big chunk of our first appointment was repeating to the clinician the info from our referral, which seemed like a waste of time.

Calmpets failed to address the key issue, and despite their internet referral system requesting lots of detail, it didn't seem like they read it. We could have got the same advice from our vet, for a third of the cost.

We are now looking for a behaviouralist who will ask to come see the dog and behaviour, so we can get relevant taylored advice (would have been reasonable for calmpets to do this given how much money we paid).

I'd advise you do the same if you have a problem dog.

Love this place. As someone with a reactive and fearful dog, having their support and encouragement is amazing