Dog Behaviour Problems
Dog behaviour problems are very different from dog training problems. Dog training problems relate to obedience training and are often caused by ineffective communication between humans and canines, or simply not understanding how dogs learn. Dog behaviour problems are detached from whether you have an obedient dog or not. Your dog might walk to heel, sit, stay, etc., but still suffer from fear aggression.
Behaviour problems need special attention, and a kind, effective, patient, and consistent approach. Clicker training can be applied to take your dog through a program of systematic desensitisation and counter conditioning.
Clicker training can help you resolve these dog behaviour problems:
- Fear aggression
- Inappropriate urination
- Inappropriate defecation
- Shyness
- Phobias
- Obsessions
- Excessive barking
- Fear of loud noises
- Separation anxiety
Consultations
I offer one-2-one in-home consultations and counselling for dog behaviour problems. Before I will undertake a consultation you will need to take your dog to your veterinary clinic so that your vet can rule out any possible medical or physical condition attributing to your dogs behaviour problem. You will also need a signed and stamped vet referral form. You can download this form and take it to your vet.
The initial consultation is 3 hours, and it is important to have the whole family present, including other pets living in the same home.
What happens at a consultation?
Prior to the consultation I will email you a simple questionnaire so that I can gather information about your dogs daily life, diet, as well as the nature of your dogs behaviour problem.
During the consultation further information will be sought and I will also carefully observe your dogs interaction within the family group.
If your dogs behaviour problem manifests when away from the home environment, then I will ask that you take your dog out as you would normally and I will accompany you to observe his/her behaviour as it occurs.
Where aggression is the problem appropriate measures for safety and management will be applied before your dog is taken outside.
Toward the end of the consultation I will share my findings with you and clearly talk through how you should proceed with a program of behaviour modification, by applying the kind method of systematic desensitisation and counter conditioning. I will show you how to use clicker training effectively to achieve this goal.
After the consultation, I will email you a behaviour modification report along with an easy to follow step-by-step training guide. Depending on the nature and severity of your dogs behaviour problem I may suggest a follow up consultation for further assessment and hands on help with training.
Full ongoing support is provided via phone, e-mail, and Skype.