Behaviour consultations
Sometimes a dog may display behaviours that go beyond a problem involving basic manners or obedience. On these occasions a Behavioural Consultation and training package may be required.
Some problems are just not suitable for treatment in a class environment. If your dog is fearful, reactive or aggressive towards other dogs then we need to work on helping that dog learn to cope with being around other dogs before placing them into a class. A dog that guards food or space would need a behavioural consultation at home in order to correctly diagnose and treat the problem.
Some problems are just not suitable for treatment in a class environment. If your dog is fearful, reactive or aggressive towards other dogs then we need to work on helping that dog learn to cope with being around other dogs before placing them into a class. A dog that guards food or space would need a behavioural consultation at home in order to correctly diagnose and treat the problem.
which behaviours can we address?
We can treat a range of behaviours including;
- Fearful Behaviours towards a range of things including people, other dogs, noises, or Traffic.
- Aggression/Reactivity to a variety of stimuli including people or dogs. Reactivity or aggression may involve barking, growling, lunging, snapping or biting.
- Resource Guarding, including the guarding of food, objects or space.
- Territorial Behaviours, including the guarding of the home in a problematic way.
- Separation Anxiety, which involves anxiety when separated from the owner or being anxious when left alone. This may involve destructive behaviour, barking or howling, or urinating of defecating in the house
- Handling Problems, including problems during grooming, veterinary treatment, nail clipping etc.
- Noise Sensitivity, including sensitivities to fireworks, thunder storms, gun shot etc.
- Chasing or predatory behaviour, this can involve a variety of stimuli including, cats, sheep, chickens, deer etc.
- Compulsive Behaviours, repetitive circling, spinning, pacing, snapping or hallucinations and much more.............
How to we Treat behavioural problems?
We assess, diagnose and treat dogs using the most up to date ideas, based on scientific evidence about how animals behave, think and learn. This avoids using complicated concepts such as dominance which are often very much misunderstood and used in error.
We work on changing behaviour by teaching the dog new appropriate and acceptable behaviours rather than punishing them for the ones that we do not want. This results in a much better relationship between you and your dog - and a much happier dog and owner!
We begin by assessing the problem behaviours that the dog is showing. We then develop a treatment plan, or Behavioural Modification Plan (BMP) in order to put into place training to teach the new behaviours and management techniques to keep the dog safe. We are interested in looking at why the dog is behaving in the way that it is, behaviours happen for a reason, and continue because the dog has learned that they work in some sense. We teach the dog alternative acceptable behaviours.
We work on changing behaviour by teaching the dog new appropriate and acceptable behaviours rather than punishing them for the ones that we do not want. This results in a much better relationship between you and your dog - and a much happier dog and owner!
We begin by assessing the problem behaviours that the dog is showing. We then develop a treatment plan, or Behavioural Modification Plan (BMP) in order to put into place training to teach the new behaviours and management techniques to keep the dog safe. We are interested in looking at why the dog is behaving in the way that it is, behaviours happen for a reason, and continue because the dog has learned that they work in some sense. We teach the dog alternative acceptable behaviours.
Where will the behavioural consultation take place?
The majority of Behavioural Consultations take place in the owners home if this is where the behavioural problems are occuring. Sometimes it may be more useful to assess the dog in a neutral location and we may ask you too attend a specific location such as our Puppy Plus Training Barn
Making an appointment
We are very happy to receive email or phone enquiries to discuss if your dog will benefit from a behavioural consultation and treatment plan.
You will be sent and will complete a questionnaire about your dog before the first session, and the behavioural consultations usually last for around a couple of hours. Follow-up sessions are usually one hour. Email and phone support is available throughout the treatment plan.
Before treatment can begin you will be asked to visit your vet to obtain a signed referral form. We ask for veterinary referral because just as in humans, physical conditions can cause behaviour changes and pain may be associated with aggression.
You will be sent and will complete a questionnaire about your dog before the first session, and the behavioural consultations usually last for around a couple of hours. Follow-up sessions are usually one hour. Email and phone support is available throughout the treatment plan.
Before treatment can begin you will be asked to visit your vet to obtain a signed referral form. We ask for veterinary referral because just as in humans, physical conditions can cause behaviour changes and pain may be associated with aggression.
