Each and every case is different. You may be experiencing one or more of the following common problems, or something completely different. You are not alone and help is at hand.
- Separation problems – including vocalisation, destructive behaviour, self-harm
- Fears and phobias – including noise, fireworks, vehicles, travelling, people
- Resource guarding – including bed, toys, food, territory
- Excessive vocalisation – including barking, whining, howling
- Lack of impulse control – including prey, other pets, people, food
- Aggression – including towards people, dogs or other animals
- Handling problems – including grooming, vet visits, strangers, children
- Marking and housetraining problems
- Problems in multi-animal households.
See the Canine Resources page for more information on common problems.
Any unwanted behaviour that has a significant impact on your life and on your dog’s life needs addressing. Increasing pressures on daily life have an impact on people and companion animals and sometimes, things just don’t work out as planned.
Together, we can work to help to get your life back on track.
Please go to How to Book A Consultation or read on for more details.
What Happens When You Make Contact
I will ask you a few questions about the problems that you are having so that I can prepare fully before we meet. If we agree to go ahead and book a consultation, I will send you written confirmation which I will ask you to acknowledge before the visit. A consultation costs £400.
What Happens At A Consultation
Every consultation that you book will consider your specific circumstances and your dog’s background. The initial consultation is always undertaken in your home with your dog present and any other animals that usually live in the house. Consultations take between one and one and a half hours. I will ask you to get a veterinary check before your initial consultation or shortly after the first visit to make sure that there are no clinical problems, and I will send a copy of the report to your vet. It will help if you can record any unwanted behaviour as a photograph or video to help you to explain the problem as it is often not possible to witness it during the consultation. I am happy to work in conjunction with your vet as required.
You will be given immediate advice where necessary to enable you to manage the situation so that you can do your best to prevent yourself, your dog or any other animal or person from coming to harm.
I will write a report as soon as possible after the consultation which will incorporate the information that you have given and include an assessment and a plan of action. I will tailor the action plan to suit your lifestyle and only provide, kind, ethical suggestions that are designed to be manageable.
What To Expect
Please be aware that correcting behavioural problems rarely consists of providing instant, simple solutions. Often behaviour has built up over a long period of time and it may take a similar amount of time to eliminate. You will need to follow the plan closely and diligently and the plan may need to be amended, depending on how your dog reacts and depending on external circumstances. Each dog is unique. Each problem is unique. Changes may occur quite quickly but they will take some time and effort to embed as a new pattern of behaviour for both you and your dog.
Not all problems can be eliminated completely but most can be improved. I will give you an honest, professional opinion, in conjunction with your vet where necessary, as to the likely outcome and support you in making necessary decisions.
Once you have agreed to the report and plan, I will provide support via e-mail and telephone (09.00hrs – 17.00 hours only) for up to 3 months. I endeavour to answer queries as soon as possible, but please be aware that this is not an “on-call” service. Additional face to face consultations may be booked and will be charged at an hourly rate of £100 (£200 per hour outside of the M25) plus travel time and costs where applicable. Of course you are welcome to keep in touch to let me know how you are progressing thereafter.
If your dog is covered by insurance, please check to see if fees are fully or partly included in your policy before your consultation as you may be able to make a claim.
Please note that I do not undertake consultations solely over the telephone or via a video link.