Looking for qualified behavioural help for your dog?

Behavioural problems in dogs arise for many different reasons, and many different factors may be involved. Gaining a good understanding of the impact of these factor,s and why they cause your dog to behave in certain ways is crucial to successful long-term behavioural change. Merely trying to stop an undesirable behaviour by trying to coerce your dog into suppressing it is unlikely to be successful in the long-term, and may actually worsen many behavioural problems and cause an eventual escalation of issues especially aggression.

Behavioural problems cannot usually be addressed by attending a class, or by having a one to one training session with a dog trainer and in most cases, by the time a behavioural problem has developed, the dog will not "get used to" whatever it is that concerns them or "grow out of" the problem. In fact, the reverse is usually true. The more often the dog is put in the problematic situation, the worse the problem tends to get and the harder it will become to change, so acting sooner rather than later is always wise. Dog trainers have a valuable role to play helping dog owners to train their dogs and can often spot and even turn round the very early signs of behaviour problems in a puppy or young dog, but dog trainers are not trained to deal with behavioural problems - as the role of behaviourist and dog trainer are quite different (although quite a few behaviourists also offer training).

The behavioural consultation process addresses behavioural issues and problems - things which would not be taught and covered in a normal training class - including any type or form of aggression or inappropriate behaviours towards people or other animals, fears and phobias, such as fear of fireworks and other loud noises, house-training problems in adult dogs, separation problems and stereotypical (obsessive) behaviours. Inevitably the majority of behavioural referrals involve aggression in some way, whether it is directed towards people, other dogs or other animals, and Helen is experienced in all types of behavioural problems in dogs, and is knowledgeable on most breeds. When aggression is involved, it is very unlikely that an owner - even a well-informed one - can resolve the problem without professional help and attempted treatment of behavioural problems by unqualified, unregulated practitioners (who often use outdated, unproven methods) can easily make behavioural problems worse or result in new behavioural problems emerging. Helen is able to help owners with all types of behaviour problems and almost all breeds. However, she does not take on cases involving German/Dutch/Belgian Shepherd dogs (as there is another local behaviourist who specialises in these breeds) and is not able to take cases involving banned breeds or crosses (for insurance purposes).

The APBC and ABTC requires that treatment of behavioural problems requires referral from a veterinary surgeon. This is routine procedure, but an essential one to ensure obvious physical causes are ruled out and that the veterinary surgeon is kept informed of all behavioural problems and treatment regimes. Referral can made on paper (via a short referral form which is completed by the vet). However, vets may also refer to me verbally or by email. Don't worry if you have not discussed the problem with your vet, or have not yet obtained a referral - this can easily be arranged after you make contact.

Currently, the main consultation is usually done over Zoom (covering diagnosis and development of the behaviour modification plan), with a subsequent optional in-person session in your home available if requested (to help put this into practice). For those who feel unable to do any form of video calling, the entire consultation can be done in the home although this is significantly more expensive (and absolutely not necessary for an accurate diagnosis, or development of and delivery of the training plan). Since the pandemic, experience has shown behaviourists that zoom consultatations, when combined with videos, are at least as effective - if not more so - than an in-person appointment. Remember that you can always have a subsequent home visit (after the main zoom session) to help you put what you have learned into practice.

Sceptical about Zoom consults?

Since the start of the pandemic most behaviourists have moved to Zoom consultations for obvious reasons, and many of us will be continuing this post-pandemic. Different behaviourists work in slightly different ways but many including Helen still offer a limited in-home visit service. In Helen's case, the main consultation is usually via Zoom (although apurely in-person consultations are still available for those not able to use Zoom/video calling), which covers everything an in-home consultation used to. Helen also offers a short in-home follow-up session following the Zoom session, if requested. The pandemic has shown clients and behaviourists alike that, in most cases, Zoom consultations are as good as or even often preferable to purely in-home visits for the following reasons:

Zoom consultations are cheaper, as time and expense of travel need not be factored in, nor does the cost of time lost due to traffic jams or trying to find addresses.
Zoom consultations are much safer - not just in terms of Covid, but also in cases involving aggression towards visitors.
Zoom consultations with video clips sent in advance allow the behaviourist to see your dog's behaviour in more different situations, and much more naturally than an in-person visit, during which we often only see the dog inside your home.
Zoom means behaviourists are not limited only to clients in their own geographical area.
Almost everything that can be done in person can also be done over zoom - demonstratrations (often better, as a demo can be setup and pre-recorded if needed), explanations, coaching on technique, etc.
Follow-up sessions are cheaper and easier, as the client can have as many short zoom calls as they wish, with no real minimum time needed (as there is no travel).
Both dogs and owners tend to behave more naturally when the behaviourist is not present.
Clients can have a recording of the entire consultation for future reference (as well as their written report) if they request this.
Zoom sessions do not need to be cancelled in the event of another lockdown!

For details on how to arrange a consultation and what the fees are, please see Consultation Guidelines on the Bookings and Downloads page

Dog Training Classes and Puppy Parties near the following areas: Blandford Forum, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Poole, Mere, Yeovil, Sherborne