Dog
Behaviour Problems
1. Get your dog checked by your vet and arrange a vet referral if your vet hasn't yet done this. Pain and illness affect our dogs' emotional lives and so understanding your pet's health helps me understand them better. In some cases very stressed and anxious dogs benefit from medication that only your vet can prescribe. Your vet will need to refer you and your dog to me and forward their medical history via the vet referral form. In may cases the vets I work with regularly will have already done this by the time we first speak. Once I have your vet referral form I will call you for a 15 minute discovery call to learn how I can help you and your dog.
​
2. Give me some extra detail on your dog's behaviour. Please complete this behavioural questionnaire and send me some video of your dog’s behaviour as directed in the questionnaire wherever possible. It will take you around 20 minutes to do so and will help me get a clearer picture of your dog’s life and problems. Once you have submitted your questionnaire you will then be asked for payment for your initial consultation package.
​
3. We meet! This will either be in person or virtually in a Zoom meeting. You can choose from having your initial consultation on Zoom and your follow-up visit in-person, or vice-versa. You can also have both the initial consultation and the follow-up session on Zoom or in-person. In-person visits are at your home.
​
4. You receive your behaviour report, action plan and additional informational material, then you have your follow-up session before we move on to regular communication on our agreed behaviour support plan and keep you moving forward.
I help dog owners with a wide variety of behaviour issues in their pets through careful diagnosis of each problem and application of humane, evidence-based behaviour modification protocols using the Least Invasive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach. I emphasise comfortable, positive interaction with your dog by enhancing our understanding of their communication gestures. I also advocate progressive, reward-based training in helping your pet gain confidence in performing the behaviour we want. Problems frequently seen include:
​
-
Aggressive behaviour towards the family, strangers, and/or other dogs
-
Separation related behaviour such as destructiveness, vocalising or depression
-
​Noise fears and phobias, and other anxieties
-
Reactivity on the lead, livestock worrying, recall problems, problems with house training, unwanted attention seeking behaviour, raiding the bins… this is not an exhaustive list!
​​
Some behavioural issues are complex, requiring detailed behavioural investigation and follow-up support. Others need the same level of exploration, but the outcome may be a simpler behaviour plan which is easier to execute. Some cases of unwanted behaviour are more easily assessed and corrected though careful re-education of the dog over a series of training sessions.
Speaking with me first will help us work out what is best for you.
