DOG BEHAVIOUR ISSUES

Do you wake up at the crack of dawn to avoid feeling judged by others when walking your dog?

Are you on edge about the neighbours complaining when you have to leave your dog home alone?

Is your home no longer a safe haven because your dog just can’t relax around people, pets or noises?

Whatever the problem, life has become stressful and far from the life you’d expected.

You know your dog may always be different but still wish you could get through to them – that they just didn’t seem so stubborn or nervous all of the time.

You’ve probably tried lots of things to help them already. But the problem’s just getting worse.

Without the right help, things are unlikely to get any better. The more your dog practises the behaviour, the more of a habit it’s going to become. And the more stressed everyone, including your dog, is going to feel.

I know because I have been there

My Shar Pei Winston was highly reactive to dogs on walks, growled at visitors, bolted when he heard loud noises and chased anything that moved fast. I felt embarrassed to walk him and anxious everyday.

Understanding why he was behaving in that way and changing his emotions helped us go from daily incidents to weekly ones, monthly ones and then barely anything at all.

The people and dogs I help are also loving life once again…

So happy on walks

Lauren has been amazing at helping me to help my dog overcome some dog reactivity problems. She has such a gentle and kind approach with loads of knowledge and techniques that she uses to make training fun and positive.

Chip is now able to cope really well with other dogs and is so happy on walks. Without a doubt, I would recommend Lauren.

- Philippa

Valuable support

Winnie’s World has been amazing at helping us with our dog who became reactive and started having a bad fear response to noises.

Lauren suggested we should get him checked for pain alongside working on his behaviour. It turned out he has elbow dysplasia.

Managing this alongside working through the behavioural plan is giving us some great results. We are so pleased with his progress so far.

- Hannah

So how does the dog behaviour package work?

Book a free 30-minute call below to learn more about how I can help you and your dog.

Ask your vet to sign this referral form. As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and due to the link between medical conditions and behavioural problems, I am required to work on veterinary referral.

Sign up for an 8-week in-person or online coaching package to receive:
- An in-depth consultation to find out what is driving your dog’s behaviour and be shown the first steps to put in place to make a change
- An easy-to-follow plan tailored to your dog and lifestyle in whichever format you prefer (video, audio or written)
- Unlimited WhatsApp support to help you stay on the right track and get any questions answered. Plus, you can send me videos of your training on a daily basis
- A follow-up session to help you progress even further
- Ongoing collaboration with your vet and other professionals such as dog walkers where needed

At the end of the initial package, you may feel able to continue by yourself. But as there are no quick fixes, plenty of people need a little more support to achieve their goals and sign up for another month or two.

Behaviour packages may be covered by your pet insurance policy

FAQs

How do I know if I need a dog behaviourist or a trainer?

Dog trainers teach basic life skills and tricks to dogs who don’t yet have these skills whereas behaviourists deal with more complex issues that are likely caused by an underlying emotion like fear or frustration. Things like walking nicely on the lead and recall generally require a trainer. Reactivity, separation anxiety, aggression, resource guarding and anything involving fear or anxiety would require a behaviourist who will have a higher level of knowledge and understanding.

It can be tricky to tell whether something is a training or behavioural issue. But that’s why I offer a free 30-minute call which allows us to discuss what’s going on and determine which route to take. Luckily, I offer both so can help you either way!

I’ve also written an entire blog on the difference between trainers and behaviourists if you need more information. Head here to read it.

Why do you need a referral from my vet?

As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and full member of the APBC, I can only take on behavioural cases that have been referred by a vet. This is because there is a known link between medical conditions and behavioural symptoms in animals. Behaviourists need to therefore work closely with vets to ensure medical issues have been ruled out or, if any exist, that they are being appropriately treated.

Without taking this hugely important step, a behaviourist may misdiagnose a behavioural problem and give advice that may result in little to no progress or potentially make a problem worse. So it’s in everyone’s best interest, particularly yours and your dog’s, for your vet and behaviourist to collaborate.

Veterinary referral sounds like a headache but it’s very simple. If you decide you’d like to work with me after your free call, all your vet will need to do is fill in my referral form and send over your dog’s medical history.

Once we’ve had our initial consultation, I will send a report to you and your vet with my recommendations and keep them in the loop with our progress or any issues we experience that may require their input.

For more information on why behaviourists require veterinary referral, please read this blog. If your vet requires more information, please direct them here.

Will you fix my dog's behavioural issues?

Our dogs are living beings and not robots with an on and off switch. Behaviour is also complex, influenced by everything from genetics and health to previous experiences. How much you and your dog progress can also be affected by things like how much time you can put into the process, how consistent you are with any advice, what your household and lifestyle is like, your dog’s temperament, and how quickly they are able to learn new things.

Due to this complexity, I cannot offer any guarantees. What I can guarantee is that I will give you my full knowledge and support to help you make a positive change and work towards your goals. But it’s important to understand that some behaviours can only be improved, rather than “fixed”. It also takes time to modify dogs’ behaviour in a kind and ethical way just as it takes time to create new habits in ourselves! There are no quick fixes if we want to create long-term change.

Do I work with you in person or online?

You can decide! If you’re based in Kent (and select surrounding areas), I am able to see you in person.

In-person packages include up to 15 miles of travel from the ME14 area. Further travel will cost an extra £1 per mile.

I also offer cheaper online packages which are suitable for anyone, no matter where they live or what the issue is.

Virtual sessions are just as effective as in-person ones as I can coach you through the process in exactly the same way and you can take me out on walks using your phone if your dog’s behavioural issue occurs outside of the house. In fact, sometimes they’re more effective as some dogs become reliant on having the behaviourist around to feel better whereas I want you and your dog to be able to progress without me there!

Online sessions are often better for dogs who are worried by strangers in their home or aggressive towards them. The first step to changing behaviour is to reduce your dog’s rehearsal of it so I don’t need to see the issue to understand it.

How much do your dog behaviour packages cost?

The first package is the most expensive due to the initial consultation and reports. After that, you have the option of a cheaper support or coaching package. Book a free 30-minute call with me above or get in touch via WhatsApp on 07786510926 to receive a full quote for your dog.

If you have pet insurance that covers behaviour, you may be able to claim on your insurance.

How many months do I need to sign up for?

This depends on how much support you want and the issues your dog is experiencing. More complex issues or numerous problems may require more in-depth support to achieve the best results. The initial package lasts for 8 weeks. I tend to recommend a minimum of 3 months total for behaviour cases.

Book in a free 30-minute call with me above or get in touch via WhatsApp on 07786510926 to discuss the best option for you and your dog.