How to find the right dog behaviourist.
A warm welcome and allow me to start by introducing myself.
My name is Nick Jones and I run my own full time behaviour practice called 'Alpha Dog Behaviour' here in Worcestershire. I cover the surrounding counties and anything up to a 200-mile radius when asked.As a behaviourist my work tends to focus on a handful of common areas of problem behaviour. Dog to dog aggression is the most common area I am called upon to resolve, followed by aggression to people and then other just as important areas such as separation anxiety, serious lack of recall, excessive behaviour or over exuberance, nervous behaviours and phobias. The list is rather long!
My approach is balanced and free from aggressive methods or attitudes. I work very closely with the owners to find a calm way forward leaving the dog relaxed and happy whilst giving control back to the owner. My area of work has seen a popularity explosion in the last few years due to programmes on TV, so we now see a larger number of self-styled 'Dog Whisperers' or 'Dog Listeners' and other quirky titles and so on. It's not easy for a prospective client to establish the best way forward given the conflicts of advice and approaches available online at present.
To be fair I feel I should point out that there is no single way to train or resolve problem behaviour. Different strokes for different folks I think the saying is. We live in a slightly PC era whereby some people even feel it's wrong to say 'No' to our dogs, and that everything has to be done via positive reinforcement. PR is great and I always aim to offer that where and when appropriate. Some dogs however positively respond to a short harmless interruption and we can move on to more relaxed scenery without a problem. A number of my lovely clients have difficulty with their dogs because they lack the ability and timing to say 'No' in a way the dog understands and can relate to. They may also lack the awareness of desirable behaviour, and fail to mark that also. So it's about balance. A balanced approach cannot be over-emphasised. This allows the dog to channel its behaviour in a way that makes life enjoyable together - they all want to please us in my experience. The removal of stress is a key component in my work also, so finding and addressing the stressors is key to being able to move forwards. You may know yourself how undue stress in your life can hamper your day or even life; well it's no different for your dog.
My approach is based on common sense, calm thinking and of course years of experience help no end. Every trainer has an individual approach, and as a prospective buyer looking online and making enquiries it is essential that you find a person you can relate to and trust, as your practitioner can have an immense positive (and sadly sometimes negative) impact on you and your dog and its behaviour.
This brings to mind a recent email I received as follows:
"We have spent a lot of money on training classes, (which I have no problem with) also we consulted a person, advertising himself as a "dog whisperer" I think he had watched Cesar Milan and styled himself on him, sadly, he did not have the same energy flow and was rather an expensive brute!"
Prospective clients, please be sure to thoroughly research anybody you are considering coming to your home. Yes, we all started somewhere as behaviour practitioners, we all had our first job(s). Mine was unforgettable- a Bassett called Elvis.
With the advent of programmes such as Cesar and Stillwell and Dog Borstal it has increased exposure and interest greatly. This is no bad thing, but some practitioners take these programmes as their training courses, model themselves on this image and go out dealing with at times serious and deep rooted behaviours whilst lacking experience and knowledge.
Call these people and seek their testimonials. Ask awkward questions, such as how long will the visits last, what equipment might be used (or not used). What training has the practitioner had, how they might deal with the behaviour you describe and anything else you can think of. Ask what associations support them and their work. I am a full member to the CFBA for example, and this membership requires a series of stringent criteria to be met before acceptance. I am now moving on to a Masters degree in dog behaviour to help meet further requirements that are likely to be required for future practice in the UK.For the record, I welcome any amount of awkward questions you like to ask, can furnish you with many testimonials, and am willing to pre meet with you if distance is acceptable. Allowing somebody into your home and handle your dog is an intimate experience, and trust in your trainer should be high on your shopping list.
The reason this subject is close to my heart is that I speak to many a person who has already asked others to their home, paid good money and seen very little results if any and no on going support. I work just as much in the owner's interests as I do the dogs. I want to see both parties happy and relaxed and enjoying the relationship. Dog ownership is meant to be enjoyable after all!
Another frustrating aspect I often hear of is that the behaviourist or trainer didn't do anything of a practical nature with the dog or owner, they just 'talked dog' for two hours drinking the owner's tea, and not recreating the problem behaviour you originally described in or out of the home. This suggests to me they are either out of their depth or lazy, and would be better off sticking to small easy class-based training.
So hopefully this has opened your eyes to the potential pit falls of seeking that certain 'somebody' to help you with your loved dog. I offer these thoughts more in the spirit of guidance than self-promotion or to knock others. I know of many sound behaviourists and trainers that do great work with high levels of dedication and commitment.
I do consider myself to be one of those (but of course!) and you can contact me as per the footer of this article. In the mean time you could look at members to various UK organisations such as:
www.cfba.co.uk
www.apbc.org.uk/
www.godt.org.uk/
www.paact.co.uk
www.apdt.co.uk
www.ukrcb.org
I am a full member to the CFBA, but respect the fact that there are other members to other organisations within the UK as listed above.
Try to remember that it is the practitioner and not the group they belong to that remains the most important factor when choosing a trainer or behaviourist for you and your dog. You can only establish the right person by making a good number of phone calls to weigh up the various pros and cons. Price can vary a great deal, so remain open minded in this respect.
Please note that the first two on my list will allow you to claim on your vet insurance policy when working with a full member, and when your policy covers behavioural work. A vet referral will be required in most cases.
Should you wish to contact me directly free from obligation, I encourage that by the various mediums I use as below.
Nick Jones MCFBADog Behaviourist and trainer.
Alpha Dog Behaviour.
Office: 01299 404356
Mobile: 0775 909 3394
Fully Insured
Vet recommended
Full Member of www.cfba.co.uk
Master Dog Trainer www.godt.org.uk
Follow me on these social sites:
www.twitter.com/ukdogtrainer
www.alphadogbehaviour.blogspot.com/
www.youtube.com/user/AlphaDogBehaviour