FAQ

What species does Dr. Wilson treat?

Dr. Wilson specializes in dog and cat behaviour problems.

What types of cat behaviours does Dr. Wilson treat?

Dr. Wilson treats a wide range of feline behaviour concerns, including:

Aggression towards people and/or animals

Inter-cat aggression

Generalized anxiety

Inappropriate elimination

Excessive vocalization

Fearfulness or hiding

Eating or chewing non-food objects

Fear of loud noises, including thunderstorms and fireworks

Travel-related problems, including car sickness

Repetitive behaviours, including light chasing, tail chasing, fly snapping, and excessive licking

Fear or distress during veterinary or grooming visits

Age-related behaviour changes, including emerging behaviours during adolescence and cognitive dysfunction

Self-injury

Hyperactivity

And more…

What types of dog behaviours does Dr. Wilson treat?

Dr. Wilson treats a wide range of canine behaviour concerns, including:

Aggression towards people and/or animals

Generalized anxiety

Separation anxiety

Destructive behaviours

Fearfulness, hiding, or anti-social behaviour

Urine marking and inappropriate elimination

Eating dirt, mulch, leaves, grass, or other non-food items

Frequent soft stools, gassiness, reflux, or appetite changes that may be related to behaviour concerns

Fear of loud noises, including thunderstorms and fireworks

Travel-related problems, including car sickness

Repetitive behaviours, including light chasing, tail chasing, fly snapping, and excessive licking

Fear or distress during veterinary or grooming visits

Age-related behaviour changes, including emerging behaviours during adolescence and cognitive dysfunction

Self-injury

Hyperactivity

Excessive barking or vocalizing

Mouthing or nipping

And more…

How can I schedule an appointment?

All appointments can be scheduled online.

After booking your appointment, please complete the appropriate behaviour questionnaire — feline or canine — at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.

What if my appointment involves conflict between two pets?

For inter-cat or inter-dog aggression cases, only one animal attends the initial consultation. This is usually the “aggressor,” or the pet showing the behaviour of greatest concern.

The prepaid 8-week recheck included in the initial consultation package is used for the second animal. You do not need to wait 8 weeks for that second appointment. This structure allows Dr. Wilson to assess both animals while helping clients avoid paying for two full initial consultation packages.

If additional regular rechecks are needed after the 3-month support period, regular recheck fees apply.

What is the cost of a consultation?

Please see the booking page for all appointment costs.

Why do you require a questionnaire for every patient prior to an appointment?

The questionnaire allows Dr. Wilson to review your individual situation before the visit. This gives us extra time to monitor your pet’s behaviour during the appointment and focus on your specific concerns.

What is the consultation process?

Clients complete a questionnaire at least 48 hours before the consultation. This provides the background information needed to make appropriate recommendations that will work for an individual client and their pet(s).

During the consultation, videos or pictures you would like to discuss can be helpful. Please do not set up your pet for any concerning behaviour for the sole purpose of obtaining video footage for the consultation. A verbal description is more than adequate.

Please ask your veterinarian to send along any recent veterinary medical records.

In partnership, a comprehensive treatment plan will be developed to guide you.

The initial package includes a 1–1.5 hour initial consultation with Dr. Wilson, a check-in over the phone 2–3 weeks later, a prepaid recheck appointment with Dr. Wilson 8–9 weeks after the initial consult, and ongoing support for 3 months after the initial consultation.

The prepaid 8-week recheck has to be booked and completed within the 3-month support period. If the prepaid recheck is not completed within that 3-month period, or if additional support or regular rechecks are needed after that time, regular recheck fees apply.

To help ensure timely follow-up, clients are encouraged to book the prepaid 8-week recheck online when scheduling the 2–3 week phone check-in.

All pets are required to be appropriately contained and under your control during the appointment. Dogs must be on a fixed-length leash, and cats must be in a carrier. You are welcome to bring any of your pet's favorite treats or comfort items.

Payment will be collected after the appointment at reception. After the appointment, we will send you and your veterinary clinic a behaviour report.

All in person meetings with Dr. Wilson will be at the AVSEVC location: 2220 Walkley Road. Please email Dr. Wilson if you have any questions: colleenwilsonbehaviourvet@gmail.com

Do you ever prescribe medication?

In some cases, behaviour modification will be supplemented with natural supplements and/or medications.

How do I ensure that my goals have a reasonable chance of success?

During your consult, Dr. Wilson will assess your pet to determine their needs and discuss typical outcomes.

What are Dr. Wilson’s qualifications?

Dr. Wilson has over 20 years of experience as a veterinarian and has been focusing on behaviour since 2010. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

As per the ACVB: “Veterinary Behaviorists are licensed veterinarians who have graduated from a recognized college of veterinary medicine and completed at least one year of internship or primary care practice. They have also undergone additional behavior-specific training, which includes at least 3 years of case supervision by an established Diplomate, conducting original behaviour research that earns publication in a peer-reviewed journal, authoring 3 formal case reports that are approved by a review committee of Diplomates, and passing a rigorous 2-day Board Examination.”

For more information, visit: www.dacvb.org/

Dr. Wilson is also Elite Fear Free Certified and a member of the Fear Free Speakers Bureau. For more information, visit: fearfreepets.com/about/what-is-fear-free/