Behavioural Consultations
Dogs are wonderful, intelligent animals, when raised correctly and conditioned to live with you, they truly are man's best friend but when things go wrong, the results can lead to dreadful suffering for the dog and terrible stress for the owner.
A Mans Best Friend
Teaching an old dog new tricks
The list is endless of what an owner will tolerate from their dog and still be totally devoted to looking after and loving their pet.
When Gaynor asks why they accept this from their dog, she always gets the same answer; it is because apart from that behaviour the dog is so loving and a wonderful pet.
Many owners feel they have let the dog down, after trying umpteen different things that they have read about or seen on the television or the internet, they then conclude that it must be them but they don't know what to do about it.
Behavioural problems are an indication that the relationship you have with your dog is off balance.
This problem will not get better on its own.
Your first step should be to get professional help, seeking help while the problem is still in the early stages can save you from much heartache and worry.
Behavioural Consultations
Dogs are not born knowing how to behave, but dogs do have a far greater ability to change than people and with help from a professional behaviourist, that can give you a specialist behaviour modification programme and improve your knowledge and skills, you can create a healthy well balanced relationship with your dog.
The Canine and Feline Behaviour Association of which Gaynor Probert is a canine behaviour practitioner, is approved by most pet insurance companies.
Consultations with Gaynor can be held at A1K9 Behaviour and Training Academy or at your home, except for aggression: an aggression consultation is always held at A1K9, because it is too dangerous to do at home.
It's not always about a problem, either: plenty of owners come to prepare a dog for a new baby, or for help with separation anxiety, a fear of noise and fireworks, or car anxiety. Whatever's brought you here, get in touch and Gaynor will talk it through with you.
What to Expect
Firstly Gaynor will have a chat about the problems you are having with your dog and what has led you to this point, so that she can gather the relevant information needed to formulate an accurate picture to assist her with her diagnoses of the behavioural problem.
Then Gaynor will test your dog for their behavioural responses, using our dogs as stooge dogs if necessary, or do whatever tests are relevant to your dog's behavioural problem, to enable her to observe your dog's behaviour to aid her in her diagnosis.
Gaynor will then work with your dog to evaluate what is the best way to rehabilitate him/her.
She will then explain what the problem is and what she believes is the most probable cause.
Once this is established, she will then show you the techniques and skills required to use whatever equipment she thinks would be best used to rehabilitate your dog.
Vet Referrals Optional
You don't need a referral to see Gaynor. If you'd like to claim the consultation on your pet insurance, ask your vet for one first.
We all know stories of a dog's extraordinary devotion to their owner, but I know of lots of stories of owners' extraordinary devotion to their dogs
- Owners that have their flooring torn up, have their furniture chewed, have their cupboards opened and the contents torn up and strewn around.
- Owners that suffer their dogs' excessive boisterous behaviour.
- Owners that get up at 5.00am or stay up till after midnight to walk their dog when no one is around because they can't control their dog.
- Owners that cannot sit on their own settee while the dog is there because the dog will growl and bite them.
- Owners whose dogs jump up on everybody and everything.
- Owners who cannot go out without their dogs for fear of what they might do when left alone.
Ali the Rotti
Dear Gaynor,
Once again we would like to express our thanks to you for your visit to us and Ali William on November 14th and for the wonderful, detailed, thoughtful and comprehensive report that you have written and sent to us and to Ali's Veterinary Practice.
It was a real pleasure to meet and spend the afternoon with you: an afternoon that has changed our daily lives dramatically for the better and which has resulted in peaceful pleasurable lives for Harry, myself and Ali.
Ali is a beautiful, intelligent, loving character with a marvellous temperament as you know. Now it is just up to us to persevere with your advice and training that has worked miracles from day one: we just have to "keep up the good work".
Ali had this year become most boisterous, destructive of our belongings and furniture and was acting like a very spoiled and naughty boy and that situation was unsustainable and we were nearly at the end of our tether.
You came into our home and transformed our lives and that of Ali's and we really cannot thank you enough.
We now have a contented boy who is learning everything very quickly and our time with him is now all pleasurable and it is marvellous to see how his behaviour has changed him into being relaxed, obedient and content.
We all hope to see you again in the near future. Many, many thanks.
Kindest Regards,
Harry, David and Ali William
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: We've tried other trainers and nothing has worked, and it's getting worse. Is it too late?
Many owners feel they have let their dog down after trying umpteen different things they've read about or seen on television, and conclude that the problem must be them. A behavioural problem is a sign that the relationship between you and your dog is out of balance, and it will not get better on its own: seeking help while it is still in the early stages saves a great deal of heartache and worry. Gaynor works with all breeds of dogs and will deal with any dog no matter how serious the problem, and dogs have a far greater ability to change than people do.
Q2: My two dogs fight each other. Do both come to the consultation?
Yes, both dogs need to come: it sometimes takes a little longer to work with two, but that's fine. There's no extra charge for the second dog, and they don't need to book separately.
Q3: What should we do while we wait for the consultation?
Above all, don't get into a confrontation with your dog: for example, forcing something back out of its mouth. If there's a problem, wait for Gaynor to see you and show you how to handle it safely, rather than trying to sort it yourself in the meantime. Consultations are normally booked about a week ahead, so it shouldn't be a long wait.
Q4: Do I need a referral from my vet for a behavioural consultation?
No. You can come straight to Gaynor without a referral. A vet referral is only needed if you want to claim the consultation on your pet insurance: that route involves a longer consultation and a full written report, and costs more up front before your insurer reimburses you. Gaynor is a canine behaviour practitioner with the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association, which is approved by most pet insurance companies.
Q5: Can you help with a new baby, separation anxiety, fireworks or the car?
Yes, preparing a dog for a new baby, separation anxiety, noise and firework fear, and car anxiety are all behaviour work Gaynor takes on. If you're expecting, it's best to get in touch about two months ahead of the due date. For the others, ring for a chat about exactly what's happening and she'll advise the best way in.