Behaviour Consultations

 

Living with a dog with behaviour struggles can be really difficult, not to mention isolating.  We are here to provide you with the information, training and support you need to finally get the behaviour transformation you have always dreamed of.

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Being a behaviour veterinarian gives me a special combination of skills which allows me to approach behaviour struggles with a holistic approach - taking both behavioural health and general health into consideration.

 

All of my behaviour consultations are completed remotely via zoom.  For some owners this can be difficult to understand how we can succeed in behaviour modification when it isn’t in person.  If this thought has crossed your mind I want you to rest assured that remote consultations are no less successful than in-person consultations.  I have successfully worked with behaviour struggles including - separation related behaviours, over-excitement, reactivity of all kinds, multi-dog household struggles, redirected aggression, the list goes on.

 

I take your descriptions of their struggles, and sometimes videos, as well as a detailed history to get a thorough picture of how and why your dog is having their particular behaviour struggle.  I don’t need to have them put into stressful, emotional, scary or even dangerous situations just so I can have an understanding of what we need to focus on.

 

The initial consultation is generally 1.5-2 hours long. Prior to this consultation I will have read through your dog’s clinical history from your vet as health plays a very important role in behaviour and we can’t ignore one and expect success in the other.  During the consultation I will go through a questionnaire to get as much information as possible about the struggle/s they are having.  The second half of the consultation I will go through the initial stage of the transformation plan.

 

My methods are all positive reinforcement with a strong focus on games-based training.  Games-based training is a really fun way to teach your dog the skills they need to grow while having fun doing it.  Following the consultation you will be sent the zoom recording to download and watch back as you need.  You will also get a summary of your transformation plan along with any support materials you need - videos and PDFs.

 

You will also have access to me Monday-Friday 9am-5pm for 6 weeks following each session via email or WhatsApp to ask questions, send videos, troubleshoot things that pop up.  

 

Follow-up sessions are 30-60 minutes long and you will receive the zoom recording and any support materials you need, as well as access to me for a further 6 weeks. 

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Initial consultations are £333 and follow-up sessions £155.

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Mindful Beginnings

 

Getting a new puppy, or adopting a new dog is an exciting time, but it can also be a little daunting!  If you’re anything like me, you want to make sure you are doing the best you can for your new addition but knowing where to find the answers can be tricky.  So, I decided to make this journey a little easier for you.

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Mindful Beginnings is a 6-week course that will set you, and your new canine companion, up to have a rewarding relationship for the rest of their lives.  But a rewarding relationship is so much more than training your dog to sit on command!

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The 6-week course includes a private 1-hour training session via Zoom each week where we will cover the basics in training (sit, stay, down, etc.) but, because it is a private session, we can tailor it to you and your dog.  If your dog takes a little longer with certain skills, we can slow down and take our time until they grasp it.  If they are picking up skills quickly, we have the opportunity to do additional training depending on what behaviours you would like to work on with your dog, or if you are having any behaviour concerns, we can also work on these.  This is something you just won’t get in a normal group puppy training class.

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Traditional training classes can have too many puppies/dogs, which can be really daunting for those who are less confident.  This can result in our dogs becoming fearful of other dogs, noises and situations, which is the complete opposite to what you are trying to achieve!  Some puppy classes also include 'free play time' which if not supervised vigilantly, can result in negative interactions and ongoing fear of dogs as a result.  A single bad interaction has more of an effect on your dog than 100 positive ones!

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Alongside basic training behaviours, I will also show you how to perform a basic husbandry check on your dog.  As a vet, I see a lot of dogs who don’t like having their health check done, so we will spend time going through a basic husbandry check.  This is a great skill to have as an owner as it will help you be comfortable with what is ‘normal’ for your dog and be able to notice changes that could indicate illness much sooner.  It will also make visits to the vets less stressful for your dog as they will be used to having their ears, teeth, feet etc checked. 

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Games, games and more games!  You heard me right, games make up a big part of our training sessions.  While this might sound a little unconventional, these will help your puppy develop into a confident and optimistic puppy, it will help with their recall, loose lead walking and as well as the super important, household manners!

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In addition to these private training sessions, you will also have access to me for the full 6-weeks, not just during your 1-hour weekly session, to ask any questions you may have.  Is toilet training not working?  Are they crying in their crate?  Were they sitting on command and now they aren’t?  Will they listen to your partner but not to you?  Or are you struggling introducing your new addition to your existing furry members of the family?  You won’t have to wait until the following week’s training session to ask because you can simply ask me as these struggles occur!  Why have I included this?  It’s quite simple.  I know new pet owners have endless questions – this is completely normal, and I would rather you ask me than looking for your own answers on the internet.  Don’t get me wrong, there are some good resources on the internet, but there are also some not so good ones – but how are you to know which is which?

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My focus is on helping you to become the best owner you can be.  I only use positive training methods which is really important for your relationship with your dog.  I also dedicate time to help you understand the ‘why’ behind the different techniques and methods, the games, and any behaviours they might be displaying.  I can’t teach you to ‘speak dog’ but I will do my very best to ensure you have a good understanding of the ‘hows’ and the ‘whys’.

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Whether you are getting a new puppy or a dog of any age, whether you are a first-time dog owner or have had dogs your entire life, this course is a great way to get your new relationship off to an amazing start!

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