Canine Behaviour Consultation
Canine Behaviour Consultation
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Reactivity, anxiety, aggression, resource guarding, separation-related problems or behaviours that simply don't seem to respond to training can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming to live with.
A Behaviour Consultation looks beyond the behaviour you're seeing to understand why it is happening, what may be maintaining it and what we can realistically change.
I'll work with you, your dog and your family to put practical strategies in place straight away, followed by a detailed, individual Behaviour Plan to guide you through the longer-term work
Looking at the whole dog
Looking at the whole dog
Behaviour rarely has one simple cause.
I take a holistic approach, using a functional analysis to look at the different factors that may be contributing to your dog's behaviour, including:
Genetics • Previous learning and experiences • Environment • Physical health and comfort • Motivation • Communication • Relationships within the family
Rather than simply trying to stop a behaviour, I want to understand what purpose that behaviour is serving for your dog.
This is particularly important when you've already tried training or different techniques without success. Sometimes we need to stop concentrating on the behaviour itself and look at what's driving it.
What can a Behaviour Consultation help with?
What can a Behaviour Consultation help with?
Behaviour Consultations are suitable for more complex or established behavioural problems, including:
Reactivity • Aggression • Resource guarding • Separation-related distress • Fear and anxiety • Handling sensitivity • Noise sensitivity • Fear of travelling • Reactivity around children or other dogs • Significant changes in behaviour
If you're unsure whether you need a Behaviour Consultation or a one-to-one Training Session, get in touch and I'll point you in the right direction.
What happens?
What happens?
Before we meet: Once you've booked, I'll send you a detailed online assessment form. I'll ask about your dog's history, health, routine, environment, previous experiences and the behaviour you're concerned about. This begins the assessment process before I arrive and means we can use our time together much more effectively.
The consultation: I'll meet you and your dog, usually at home where I can observe them in their normal environment. Behaviour consultations are deliberately not squeezed into a one-hour appointment. Depending on the dog and the complexity of the problem, we may spend a few hours together. We'll talk through what has been happening, look at the circumstances surrounding the behaviour and begin identifying the factors contributing to it. Most importantly, you won't be left waiting for your report before you know what to do. During the consultation we'll start putting practical management and training strategies in place, so you have clear steps to begin working on straight away.
Your individual Behavioural Plan: After the consultation, I'll bring everything together into a detailed Behavioural Plan written specifically for your dog and your family. This isn't a generic information sheet or a list of training exercises. Your report will explain what I believe is contributing to the behaviour, what our priorities are and the practical changes and exercises I'd like you to work through. The aim is for you to understand your dog's behaviour as well as how to change it.
A plan you can actually use
A plan you can actually use
Behaviour reports can contain a lot of information. I don't want yours to be something you read once and then put in a drawer.
Your Behaviour Plan is designed to be practical and easy to follow, with clear priorities so you know what to do first, what you're working towards and why. Where appropriate, I'll also provide Family Dogs training guides for individual exercises and techniques included in your plan.
And because behaviour change doesn't happen in one afternoon, I'm available afterwards for follow-up support via WhatsApp or phone while you put the plan into practice.
The whole family matters
The whole family matters
Your dog's behaviour doesn't happen in isolation. It affects the people they live with, and the way everyone responds can influence what happens next.
That's why I'll look at what is realistic for your household, rather than giving you a programme that only works on paper.
Children can be involved where appropriate, and I'll help everyone understand what the dog is communicating, what they should do and how we can make interactions safer and easier for both the dog and the family.
What does a Behaviour Consultation cost?
What does a Behaviour Consultation cost?
The complete Behaviour Consultation is £250.
This includes: Pre-consultation assessment • In-depth consultation with you and your dog • Functional analysis of the behaviour • Immediate management and training strategies • Individual written Behaviour Plan • Family Dogs training resources where appropriate • Follow-up support
A deposit is taken when booking, with the remaining balance invoiced when your Behaviour Plan is delivered.
About Family Dogs
About Family Dogs
I'm Lizzie, a qualified Canine Behaviourist and dog trainer based in Lower Shiplake, near Henley-on-Thames, working with dogs and their families across Henley and the surrounding area.
My approach is force-free, reward-based and grounded in behavioural science. Rather than concentrating solely on stopping unwanted behaviour, I want to help families understand what their dog is communicating and find practical ways to improve life for everyone.
I'm fully insured and DBS checked and hold an Advanced Canine Behavioural Science Diploma. I'm also a member of the Guild of Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
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