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

 

Each package includes an initial 1 – 1.5 hour consultation and 3 x 1-hour follow-up sessions. Many behavioral issues however require further consultations to modify or resolve. We will discuss your progress and whether further sessions are beneficial or necessary during your last session. Existing clients can then purchase individual 1-hour sessions at a reduced cost for the evaluated dog. 

 

 

BEHAVIORAL consultations are available Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 am or 4 pm for NEW clients.

Behavioral issues I see 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: 

In-home consultation & training sessions

Total Cost – $875*

*May be paid in 4 installments at each session

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

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

Please note follow-up sessions with a cancellation of less than 24 hours notice will be forfeited. Unused sessions will expire 4 months after the initial evaluation

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 hostile, injurious (biting) behavior aimed at a person or animal without provocation (# 6 – 9 on the ladder to aggression). The dog has a known 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 injury?

If your dog has caused injury to a human or domestic animal using any of the biting styles described (# 6 – 9 on the ladder to aggression), then I may NOT the professional for your dog.  After evaluating your case I may suggest anther 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.