Dog Behaviour Matters!
Dog training is essential for all dogs, from the loveable excited playful puppy, the dog we fall in love with at the dog rescue centre, to the companion who joined our family a little unexpectedly, one thing is for sure, to fulfil their needs health and well being calm assertive leadership and occasional corrective training will be an ongoing requirement throughout their lives.
Few of us would like to admit to owning a dog with behavioural issues. However, the fact is that difficult dogs are very common. The unwanted behaviour may range from jumping up, leash issues like not walking correctly, pulling, or when off leash not coming back when called, chasing or barking at traffic, cyclists, other dogs, to growling at visitors or members of the family, dominance, anxiety, aggression or destructiveness. It is important to recognize any unwanted behaviour and deal with it quickly.
Unwanted behaviour will not go away just because the owner ignores it.
Usually it will only get worse, progressing to a far more serious level if not corrected.
So many times owners tell me they have tried unsuccessfully to deal with the unwanted behaviour, unsure of the cause or treatment for the unwanted behaviour, they have asked advice from other dog owners, friends or family. Sometimes their advice may help, but sadly it may also be wrong and inappropriate actually compounding the problems.
So in the more severe cases by the time the Dog Behaviourist is called in the owners can feel frustrated, disappointed, the once loving, happy, proud relationship they had with their dog, has possibly reached an all time low. Equally for the dogs they can be confused, anxious, fearful, even aggressive, certainly far from the balanced happy followers we want them to be.
Based in the West Midlands I travel all over the area, and beyond, visiting owners and their dogs in their own homes to advise on how to treat the various issues or problems.
I respect your dog as an individual, and as such he or she should not be labelled by breed. I make no preconceived diagnosis before the consultation, which is why I always insist on meeting the owners and dogs in their own home, watching the interaction, listening to the owners experiences and concerns. Only then can I give a professional diagnosis, and explain the cause of the behaviour, detail the treatment / training required.
Most training seeks to teach dogs how to obey commands, but this has little to do with dog psychology or understanding how to fulfil the needs of your dog.
Therefore my techniques as a Behaviourist /Psychologist are different because they are about your dog and his or her individual relationship with you and your family. The relevant behavioural issues, treatment and training, restoring balance, and providing the knowledge for the owners to demonstrate their calm and assertive leadership.
I believe in Positive Reinforcement Training, therefore my treatment involves no pain or punishment for the dog. I always adopt a respectful, compassionate and non violent approach to dog training.
Behaviour and Rehabilitation therapy is based on sound psychological principles that are effective in most cases.
So if your dog is no longer proving a pleasure give me a call – I listen, I help – and together we can achieve a much happier, calm well balanced dog.
