A typical consultation
Consultations are all by house visit to the home where the dog lives, to enable me to make a thorough assessment of the situation and an accurate diagnosis. The aim is to identify the underlying emotional state of the dog and the motivations for why it is showing the problem behaviour. Appointments last up to three hours and involve a thorough history taking, an in-depth discussion into why the dog has developed the problems and how a behavioural modification programme can be used to resolve the issues.
The behavioural modification programme will aim to alter your dog’s motivations and perceptions. This is all done through reward-based methods. Aversive techniques are never recommended and in fact can often be counter-productive.
The process includes a house visit, consultation (up to three hours), a full typed report and 6 months of email support. Many cases will require further face-to-face support to help with practical aspects and this can usually be done by a member of the rehabilitation team. For dogs on medication a veterinary follow-up may be required although sometimes video footage can be sufficient.
Behavioural modification is unfortunately a slow process and it is vital that clients realise this before making an appointment. In order to alter the animal’s behaviour a significant amount of time and effort will be required on behalf of the client and other household members. Some cases, particularly those involving compulsive disorders or serious anxiety issues, require medication. As a vet, I will be able to discuss this if necessary and can either prescribe the relevant medication or arrange for this to be dispensed by the client’s own veterinary surgery.
The behavioural consultation is theoretically based, with practical techniques introduced where appropriate. The aim is to identify the motivation to the dog’s behaviour, and address how to alter this. Therefore in many cases clients find that follow-up assistance with practical work is of great benefit to them. This is done by a specialist dog rehabilitation trainer.