Dogs Behaving Badly? Training Sessions
The training sessions are based on one-to-one consultations
with you and your dog.
I come to your home and do a one-to-one consultation with you and your dog, the day and time for which we arrange during our initial phone contact. The session lasts about 2 hours, sometimes a little longer, during which we cover all of the issues you are having with your dog.
Before the session, we will have discussed your dog’s problem behaviour or needs over the phone. I spend the first part of the consultation talking with you about your dog, how he learns, the problem behaviours he is exhibiting, and why he exhibits these behaviours. All the while I observe and interact with your dog, before progressing on to the second phase of the consultation.
During this, I explain the training process, and start both you and your dog in basic obedience by teaching the dog some new skills, all of which help your dog learn how to focus on you. This is the basis for dealing with many behavioural problems: once your dog enjoys concentrating on you, you can establish a better relationship with your dog, and teach him to choose behaviours that are more acceptable for you.
If your dog is exhibiting more serious unwanted behaviour, such as aggression towards people or other dogs, or fearful behaviour, we address the intricacies of the specific issue, and discuss various options as to how to overcome the problem. We then work together with the dog to establish better patterns of behaviour, and how to make him more reliable, in any given situation.
I also specialise in puppy training sessions. A lot of problem behaviours can be avoided when you know how to bring up your puppy properly. We also address puppy issues such as toilet training, biting, chewing etc. Owners find these puppy training sessions very enjoyable and enlightening. So do I!
These one-to-one sessions are ideal for owners who can’t make it to classes, don’t have access to classes, or are dealing with a behavioural problem which cannot be addressed in a class situation. Some owners simply prefer the one-to-one approach in the comfort of their own home!
For puppy owners, the puppy sessions are a great opportunity to get your pup on the right track, socialising him and acclimatising him to life in a human world, whilst waiting for his vaccinations to finish!
Whatever it is, if it’s a dog behaviour issue, I can help you!
There is no limit to what can be covered during our session. Anything which negatively affects your relationship with your dog is a problem, no matter how trivial it might appear. Some of the more common topics dealt with include:
- Obedience training: sit, down, stay, send away, recall, heelwork
- Pulling on the lead
- Over-excitement, jumping-up
- Aggression: this may take many forms
- Fearfulness, nervousness, phobias
- Not coming back when called (Recall)
- Dogs and kids/babies
- Destructiveness: chewing, shredding, digging, toileting
- Separation Anxiety
- Antisocial behaviours
- Unusual and unwanted behaviours
- House training
- Puppy socialisation, training and development
- Modification of any other dog behavioural problems
Training methods have changed immensely in recent years. Happily, we now know that any dog can be taught many skills, using kind, reward-based techniques.
I consider it unnecessary and unethical to punish a dog, either physically or psychologically: there is simply no need. In any case, punishment doesn’t work, because our dogs do not interpret it the way we might think they do.
On the contrary, punishment can result in a cowed, frightened, even aggressive dog, or at best, a dog who is suspicious of his owner or other people. Worst of all, punishment produces a poor training environment and a dog who is not keen to learn anything new. Punishment doesn’t give a dog any alternatives: it may tell him what not to do, but it doesn’t tell him what he’s meant to be doing instead. It’s a terrible predicament to put any animal in.
Positive, reward-based training methods promote a great environment in which to learn, and results in a dog who just can’t wait to try out new stuff. It results in a happy, confident, trusting dog, and best of all, promotes a great relationship between dog and owner.
Training our dogs using kind, gentle methods requires dedication, patience, and time to put into the whole process, just like it does with children. But as our dog is part of our family, we owe it to him, ourselves, and those around us to be able to control him, yet enjoy a peaceful and harmonious relationship with him.
I use “hands-off” training techniques: rewards in the form of food, attention and play, administered at the right times, are central to these methods.
I also use Clicker Training, a wonderful training method used to teach and communicate effectively with dogs, horses, hens, even goldfish! Clicker training can be used to train any sentient being, and it adds a whole new dimension to how we understand and interact with our pets.
I spend a considerable portion of our session explaining how our dogs think and learn: as soon as the owner realises how their dog views the world, the problems they are experiencing can suddenly seem a lot easier to cope with, manage, and cure.
I also visit many owners who have just acquired a new pup: we spend some time during puppy sessions explaining how pups grow and develop psychologically, with the intention of preventing any major problems from arising in the first place as they grow up!
I can help to teach any dog of any age, all breeds, forms, shapes and sizes! Whilst we will achieve a considerable amount of learning and skills during our session, I am really there to guide the owner on how to proceed from here: many problems need to be dealt with over time, and I give you the knowledge and tools needed to get the results you are looking for.
Of course, I am always available for follow-up phone calls for any questions or clarifications. Every owner also receives a free follow-up written report about our session, the problems which apply to your dog, and how to go about managing and/or eliminating them.
On referral from your vet, customers with Allianz pet insurance policies can claim for behavioural sessions with me, a service which I’m delighted to be able to provide. Please contact me for more details if you can avail of this service.
- I cover Counties Louth, East Meath, North County Dublin, South Monaghan, and South Down. A basic rate applies to areas close to my base, increasing with distance.
- The Basic Rate includes a 2 hour in-home consultation, a post-consultation personalised report, and post-consultation phone support.
- *Basic Rate €90
Please note that this fee applies to clients within 10 miles by road of my home in Clogher Head.
It includes Castlebellingham, Collon, Dunleer, Drogheda north and south, Julianstown, Bettystown, Laytown.
- *Basic Rate €90
Please note that this fee applies to clients within 10 miles by road of my home in Clogher Head.
- Additional fees apply with increasing distance by road:
- *Basic rate of €90 + €10 travel expenses (Total €100) applies to Dromiskin, Blackrock (Co. Louth), Ardee, Slane, Duleek, Stamullen, Gormanston.
- *Basic Rate of €90 + €20 travel expenses (Total €110) applies to Dundalk, Navan, Ratoath, Ashbourne, Balbriggan, Skerries.
- *Basic Rate of €90 + €30 travel expenses (Total €120) applies to Newry, Carrickmacross, Kells, Trim, Rush, Lusk, Portrane, Swords.
- The above are the areas that I cover. In some cases I will cover further afield, rates for which will be agreed on booking our appointment.
- *Post-consultation personalised report: Included in Basic Rate
- *Follow-up Phone Support: Included in Basic Rate
- *Follow-up visits (generally only necessary in some cases): By arrangement.
On referral from your vet, customers with Allianz pet insurance policies can claim for behavioural sessions with me, a service which I’m delighted to be able to provide. Please contact me for more details if you can avail of this service.
