If any of
the above apply to your dog, I can help you to have a happy relationship
with your canine friend.
How Does Canine Psychology Work - As Opposed to Training
Classes?
A behaviouist will often suggest normal training classes
as well as the more in depth, individual work.
Unlike
trainers who, due to class sizes, can normally apply
only one chosen technique to every dog they train
regardless of breed or type or problem, canine psychologists have a vast
repertoire of behavioural and training techniques at their disposal and will
use a combination of both in order to solve the problems you are
experiencing. Behaviourists tend to work one-on-one
rather than with large classes.
The most effective method of assessing any dog is within its home
environment.
A good canine psychologist can interpret every move, every action and body
language indicator to rapidly build up a profile of the dog through
observation of the interaction between the dog and the people and
circumstances which surround it.
Only by building a complete and thorough picture can the psychologist begin
to analyse all the factors and understand why the dog behaves the way he
does.
The canine psychologist is there to support the owner and work with them,
often in conjunction with their own veterinary surgeon, to solve the problem
using methods most appropriate to the individual needs of the dog and its
owner.
In this way,
coupled with the application of basic training techniques, complex problems
can normally be solved in two or three sessions.
Typical Approach
Using my methods, I almost never have to see a dog more
than three times. The first visit is invariably the most time consuming is
to undertake the assessment of the dog and generally takes between two and three
hours.
Following on from that, I normally compile a client
report outlining the problems and the behaviour modification program,
a copy of which being sent
to to their vet, with the clients permission. It
is important when dealing with canine problems to rule out any health problems
which may be adversely affecting the dogs behaviour, think how grumpy you feel when you have really bad toothache for example. It is for
that reason that canine psychologists aim to work as closely as possible with
veterinary surgeons.
The second visit I spend time working with the client and the dog
to ensure that they are applying the programme to its best possible advantage.
Occasionally, depending on individual responses, the programme may need to be
adjusted.
A third visit is normally undertaken about three weeks after the
first visit to review progress. Normally at this point the problem is entirely
solved, or well on the way to being so.
Invariably you do gain a reputation for particular types of work,
and locally I am probably best known for my success rate with large breed
aggressives. When undertaking this type of work obviously safety is of
paramount importance, and as a consequence it is not an area that every canine
psychologist is comfortable working in. However whether you are working with a
corgi that barks incessantly in the car or an Akita which is a habitual
biter, the fundamental principles are the same.
Click here for more
detailed information on how it works
Why Does My Dog Act The Way He Does?
It is important to
understand that behavioural problems can develop for a huge variety of
reasons, genetic predisposition, diet or health being just a few. Often the
source of the problem can be traced back to an incident in the dog's past
which may have appeared so minor at the time that you have forgotten it
occurred, or all too frequently in the case of rescue dogs particularly, you
are unaware of entirely.
Many owners have neither the expertise or time to solve these problems,
however using a tried and tested multi-faceted approach we can work
together my expertise, knowledge and experience, your time and patience.
My Last Dog Didn’t Act This Way!
Just as people are individuals, two dogs may exhibit the same behavioural
traits whilst the motivations behind those behaviours may be entirely
different.
Why Didn’t Training Classes Work?
Only by understanding the reason for the behaviour can the psychologist
build an individual program of behavioural modification which is entirely
personal to the dog and its circumstances.
The program can then be applied by the owner, with the help and guidance of
the psychologist to cure the problem.
Why I Do What I Do
Basically
because I love dogs, I always have and I always will. They have been a
major part of my life since early childhood, and I honestly believe my life
is the better for it. If I can successfully help others to overcome
the problems that make life less than perfect for both themselves and their
dogs then I believe I have been blessed.
01875 853627 
