What is a pet behaviour counsellor?
For most of us, owning a dog can be an enjoyable experience for the whole family.  However, there are times when some aspect of their behaviour may become inappropriate and difficult to control.  Living with this behaviour problem can be stressful and restrictive

A pet behaviour counsellor will work with you and the whole family to assess the particular behaviour problem, discuss and help you to understand why your dog may be doing what he is does and support you with advice and training programme to modify the behaviour.

What sort of problems can a pet behaviour counsellor help you with?
The types of problems that may be dealt with, in a consultation are:

1. Owning a 'new puppy' consultation
2. Housetraining problems
3. Recall & chase issues
4. Excessive barking
5. Destructiveness & chewing
6. Separation Issues
7. Nervous behaviour, fear and anxiety
8. Attention seeking behaviours
9. Inappropriate social behaviour, such as jumping up
10. Aggression (to people and/or other animals)

What does a pet behaviour consultation involve?
In order to understand why your dog behaves in a certain way, it is important to discuss the problem with a pet behaviour counsellor.  A consultation is generally held in at the owner’s home and it is beneficial, where possible for the whole family to be present.

A consultation:

1. Involves taking a full and detailed history of your dog and the specific behaviour problem. 
2. Observing where applicable the specific behaviour problem, in the environment it occurs (this may involve walking to your local park or travelling in the car etc, dependent on the specific problem)
3. The pet behaviour counsellor will then explain to the owner what the problem may be and the underlying cause and motivation for their dog’s behaviour.  By helping the owner to understand how dogs learn in general and relate this to their own dog, allows the owner to feel more confidant in recognising behaviour issues and provide them with the skills to deal and manage situations more effectively.
4. Formulate a behaviour modification programme and discuss each element to the training and where appropriate, the pet behaviour counsellor will demonstrate required handling skills.
5. A consultation will generally last between one to two hours.

What happens after the consultation?
After the consultation, a comprehensive and detailed written report will be sent out (via email or post).  The behaviour report provides a summary of the behaviour problem and details the exercises and training techniques to follow, in order to modify your dog’s behaviour.  The behaviour consultation report can take the pet behaviour counsellor in excess of two hours to write and the cost of this is included in your initial consultation fee.  A copy of the report will be sent to your Vet (unless you request otherwise)

In many circumstances, only one personal behaviour consultation may be necessary and progress can be reviewed by follow up telephone calls and emails.  We encourage owners to keep in regular contact and to inform us immediately if they have any questions or feel that there has been a change in their dog’s behaviour.

For some owners, they prefer to have continued support, either through further consultation visits, one to one training or by attending our training classes.  Please refer to our home page to see a list of other services that we provide.

How to arrange a consultation?

1. Contact Bark2School, either by telephoning 07784 385323 or emailing us at info@bark2school.co.uk
2. Before a consultation visit can be organised, it is important that we receive a vet referral.  This is to ensure that there is no medical reason that may be influencing your dog’s behaviour.
3. Prior to the consultation, a questionnaire will be sent out to you to fill in and return.  This questionnaire provides us with the general background to your dog, your family and the specific behaviour problem.