Time shared with your dog should be relaxing and fun. However, if your dog's behaviour is a problem your relationship can be put under a strain.  It may also impact on family, friends, neighbours or work.  It is likely to be making your dog unhappy too.  Behaviour counselling starts by exploring the reasons why  your dog's behaviour has become a problem.  This understanding is then used to develop a tailor made programme to improve life for you both.  For further information about how a behaviour modification programme can help or to arrange a consultation click on one of the links above or contact Stephanie as below for an informal chat.

Stephanie started her career in the animal care industry as a Veterinary Nurse in 1990 and has a first class honours degree in Veterinary Nursing.  She studied Applied Animal Behaviour at the University of Southampton between 2000 and 2004, graduating with top marks. 

She has been in practice as a Canine Behaviour Counsellor since 2005 and has been a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors since 2009. Her methods are therefore based on both sound scientific evidence and many years of practical experience.

Example case history - Monty

Monty first started to show problem behaviour when he was about 6 months old.  This started as puppy boundary testing, inappropriate direction of his natural GSD herding drives and fearful behaviour at the Vets.  His owner sought advice from a number of trainers, each of whom advised using a different form of punishment to try and deter his behaviour.  However, these only made him worse resulting in him becoming aggressive to passers-by and other dogs, and redirecting his frustration onto his owner when trying to restrain him.  Monty’s Vet then advised  a consultation with an APBC accredited counsellor.  After taking a thorough history it became clear that the advice given so far had only been to punish Monty for unwanted behaviour, without teaching Monty what we would like him to do instead.  Monty’s behaviour modification programme therefore primarily focussed on using a clicker to reward Monty for more desirable behaviour whilst gradually exposing him to his triggers.  His owner was sceptical at first but Monty’s progress soon changed this.