• “I feel so much more relaxed with Monty. He is getting to be a dog that is a pleasure to own and to take for walks. I realise there is still quite a lot more work to do, but with your excellent help I feel it is achievable. Thank you so much for helping us, I can’t tell you what a difference it has made to my daily life”

Animal Behaviour

Animals learn through reward, and reinforcement. Sometimes man’s understanding of reward is not the same as an animal’s. When we ask an animal to live in a domestic environment it is easy to forget that they have very different instinctive needs from us, and these needs must be provided for in order for it to enjoy a content life.

Sometimes it is difficult to see the reinforcing factor in our animal’s behaviour, and it may be necessary to have the help of an Animal Behaviour Practitioner to help resolve or manage your animal’s problems.

Behaviour consultations:

Animal Behaviour Practitioners work only on referral from veterinary surgeons. It will be necessary for a vet to examine your animal before a consultation is arranged, to eliminate any possible medical causes for your dog’s behaviour. Your vet will need to fill out a vet referral form as confirmation of this examination.

Before a consultation is arranged you will be asked to complete a client behaviour questionnaire form, this will detail the background information about your pet. An appointment will then be arranged either at your home, or at the Behaviour Centre.

The first appointment will take approximately 2 hours, as details of your dog’s behaviour and training history are discussed. An assessment of your dog’s behaviour will be made, using the COAPE EMRA approach:

  • Emotion: assessing the emotion behind your dogs behaviour
  • Mood: assessing your dog's general mood level
  • Reinforcement: looking at what is reinforcing the behaviour
  • Assessment

A suitable behaviour modification programme will then be initiated.

After the consultation you and your referring veterinary surgeon will receive a written report, detailing our behaviour assessment, and recommendations.

Depending on the type and severity of the problem, follow-up sessions at the Behaviour Centre may be necessary. On-going telephone and/or email support will be provided.

Changing a well established behaviour takes time and commitment from owners; there are no magic wands, and no guarantees. However, with the necessary commitment to carry out the advised behaviour modification programme, positive results will be seen, resulting in a happier pet that is easier to live with.