There is hope for dogs with behavior problems.
You are not alone. Depending on where you look, 40-80+ percent of pet owners report pet behavior problems.
Aggression and anxiety are often the most severe, but rough play, destructiveness, pulling on the leash, reactivity, noise-phobias, and the inability to become housebroken are also very common and frustrating problems. Many pet owners will give up their pets, by sending them to a shelter or euthanizing them, because they are unaware behavior training and coaching can help. Guidance from a qualifed pet behavior professional can keep families happy and pets at home where they belong, |
Timing MattersPlease don't wait. Unacceptable behavior is not a phase. Over-the-counter "remedies" are often untested, ineffective, expensive, and teach nothing. Pain, punishment, and fear-based consequences for "bad behavior" often make behavior worse. Allowing a pet to rehearse undesirable behaviors makes behavior modification much more challenging.
Asking for professional help early is less distressful, less expensive, and will more quickly help you have the relationship with your dog that you envisioned having when you first brought your pet home. |
Start with a Consultation
Through an initial consultation, we will determine if we can build a positive, pain-free behavior modification plan that meets your needs.
If during our initial consultation, I determine your dog's behavioral challenge is beyond the scope of my skillset (which is always growing), I will direct you to helpful resources so you have clear direction and hope after we talk. If you are a Rescue Group or Shelter: email me for more information about how the pet owners or the fosters you refer to me can access DISCOUNTED consultations. |
Dogs Are Family.
Dogs are family. I treat all dogs like I would my own, with the respect and compassion they deserve. I use a "least intrusive, minimally aversive" (LIMA) approach to training. By teaching and reinforcing the behaviors that are desired, our dogs will not require fear-based and/or painful corrections. The LIMA approach does not justify the use of punishment in place of effective educational instruction. Positive reinforcement always come first. We train and reinforce what we want our dog to do. Pain-free methods to manage unwanted behavior are acceptable. Highly aversive tools, such as shock collars (or e-collars), choke collars, or prong collars are not used in my work when positive reinforcement interventions or other less aversive management tools are available and effective.
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