Behavioral issues? Reactivity, barking, chewing, fear, anxiety etc.

What to expect in hiring a behaviorist?

Hiring a behaviorist is not the same as hiring a trainer. I do not fix your problems for you. Instead, we are a team. Behavioral modification is a self-help process in which you and your dog learn together under my guidance.

Each package includes an initial 1 – 1.5 hour consultation and 3 x 1-hour follow-up sessions. These sessions may be in-person or by Zoom, depending upon the type of problem. 

Most behavioral issues take time to improve and often need further training sessions to significantly improve. Life with a reactive, fearful, or aggressive dog often requires a shift in approach and thinking in how you live with, manage, and help your dog throughout their life. Therefore, Packages are designed to kick-start your journey in a more successful direction and provide you with the tools to continue your journey together or provide a base for further professional help. We will discuss your progress and whether further sessions are beneficial or necessary during your last session. 

 

 

BEHAVIORAL consultations are available Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9.30 am or 4 pm for NEW clients.

Behavioral issues are considered on a case-by-case basis and include, but are not limited to, the following issues:

  • Exuberance and boundary issues: jumping, barking, pulling, digging, chewing, etc.
  • Reactivity/aggression: considered on a case-by-case basis (see below)
  • Anxieties: separation and general
  • Fears and phobias

 

Book Package

Behavioral Package A  –  3 Sessions

Exuberance, boundary issues: jumping, barking, pulling, digging, chewing, etc 

Total Cost – $675*

*May be paid in 4 installments over 6 weeks via AfterPay 

Mileage (@ 2023 IRS rate) will be added for each visit over 15 miles (round trip) from 84105 

Package includes:  

  • Initial 1 – 1.5-hour in-home consultation on the behavioral issue 
  • 2 x 1-hour follow-up sessions at 3-4 week intervals
  • Training pointers after consult and each training session
  • Report for your veterinarian (on your request)

Further 1-hour sessions are available: $150 per hour to continue training 

Please note a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. Unused sessions will expire 6 months after the evaluation. Unused sessions will not be refunded.

Behavioral Package B  –  4 Sessions

Reactivity, aggression, fears, anxiety, phobias, etc.

Total Cost – $875*

*May be paid in 4 installments over 6 weeks via AfterPay 

Mileage (@ 2023 IRS rate) will be added for each visit over 15 miles (round trip) from 84105 

Package includes:  

  • Initial 1 – 1.5-hour in-home consultation on the behavioral issue 
  • 3 x 1-hour follow-up sessions at 3-4 week intervals
  • Training pointers after consult and each training session
  • Report for your veterinarian (on your request)

Further 1-hour sessions are available: $150 per hour to continue training 

Please note a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. Unused sessions will expire 6 months after the evaluation. Unused sessions will not be refunded.

Am I the right professional for your dog’s reactivity/aggression issue?

Reactivity versus aggression?

Reactivity is an overreaction to stimuli and may include growling, barking, lunging, and difficulty to control (#1 – 5 on the ladder to aggression). Reactivity can lead to aggression if left unaddressed. 

Aggression is an escalation in reactivity, oftentimes when the dog is given no other behavioral choice. True aggression is defined as a hostile, injurious (biting) behavior aimed at a person or animal (# 6 – 9 on the ladder to aggression). If this occurred without provocation then the dog has a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack.

The ladder to aggression

  1. Becoming still or rigid
  2. Threatening: growling or barking
  3. Lunging, charging (no contact)
  4. Muzzle punching
  5. Showing teeth or air snapping
  7. Nipping or biting quickly (tears skin)
  8. Biting (bruises or puncture wounds)
  9. Rapid repeated biting
  10. Biting and shaking

 

 

Has your dog caused human injury?

If your dog has caused injury to a human using any of the biting styles described (# 6 – 9 on the ladder to aggression), then I may NOT be the professional for your dog.  After evaluating your case I may suggest another avenue of help, including one of the following trainers, consultants, or veterinarian behaviorists who see aggression cases: 

*** BEWARE THE FALLACY OF BEHAVIORAL CHANGE
There is no magic bullet or quick fixes to behavioral problems such as reactivity, barking, chewing, fear, or anxiety. There should be no given guarantees that a pet’s behavior is going to be ‘fixed’ or will match unrealistic expectations. Behavioral modification requires work, consistency, dedication, and effort from YOU. The longer your pet has rehearsed the negative behavior, or the older your pet is at the time you seek professional help, the longer your work and the modification journey is likely to take, but most behavior can usually be improved to some extent. Behavioral modification can take weeks (e.g., barking, leash-pulling, counter surfing, etc.), months (e.g., reactivity), or perhaps even years (e.g., fear and anxiety disorders) to see significant progress. Success rarely is a complete transformation. Rather, success is measured in the small incremental breakthroughs in a positive direction that you can have with your pet.