A behaviour consult can help with:

•  Fear of people, dogs, situations
• Aggression towards people or dogs
• Separation related behaviours
• Compulsive behaviour

Dogs can develop extreme emotional responses, which we as owners may describe as a behaviour ‘problem’. A behaviour problem to one family might not be viewed as a problem in a different family. Still, I think we would all agree that aggression towards people and (in some situations) towards other dogs may cause concern. Separation anxiety and fear of sounds, places, and situations can be problematic, too, not just for our four-legged friends but also for us as owners not knowing what to do to help our dogs change their feelings. Fear is often the underlying emotion driving aggressive behaviour, but this is frequently misinterpreted as dominance. Behaviour problems can have an impact on dogs well being (psychological and physical). It can also affect the relationship you have with them and how others perceive them.

Our behaviour consultations are done on veterinary referral. This means that your dog’s vet needs to rule out any possible underlying medical reasons contributing to or even causing the behaviour problem. If your dog is insured, you may be covered in the policy for behaviour consults on veterinary referral. If your dogs vet rules out a medical reason for the behaviour problem, we can address the condition purely on a behavioural basis. On receipt of our signed vet referral form, we will arrange the initial behaviour consultation. The consultation involves the completion of a behaviour questionnaire before the appointment. In the first appointment, we will discuss the problem and identify any triggers causing your dog to behave this way. We will provide you with management strategies to help in the short term. The management advice will equip you with the skills to help reduce unwanted behaviour.

You will receive a written report incorporating the long term behaviour modification programme. This is an ongoing programme which you follow. A written summary is also provided to the referring veterinary surgeon. You will receive our full support throughout the implementation of the behaviour modification programme, and if necessary, we can arrange a follow-up appointment to review the programme.

What You Need To Know

People often ask how long will it take for their dog’s behaviour problem to be ‘fixed. It is impossible to put a deadline on this. Some behaviour problems may not resolve fully, and here at Have a Good Dog, we give you a realistic and honest opinion of what to expect. The success of behaviour modification is dependent on the amount of time and commitment you can put into helping change your dog’s behaviour and whether they are in the right environment for progress to be made. Behaviour modification can take weeks, months, sometimes years with ongoing maintenance.