The dog has long been considered man’s best friend. They are loyal, loving companions who ask for nothing in return but food, shelter and affection.
With so many different breeds choosing the right one for you and your lifestyle can be daunting.
Most dogs were or still are bred for specific purposes, and the instincts to perform the job they were bred for are still apparent in most dogs today.
Understanding the focus and motivation of your chosen breed is a must if you are to live in harmony. Giving your dog the opportunity to use the skills they were born with will keep him fulfilled and minimise any behaviour problems that may occur if you suppress these skills.
Dog behaviour and social language is a complex subject that makes perfect sense to dogs, but doesn’t always make sense to us mere humans!
Whilst there are breed specific behaviours, every dog is an individual with his own personality and interpretation of situations. What makes one tick may well do nothing for another.
Whether you are looking to understand your dog, or resolve a behaviour problem, I approach every dog as the individual they are. An in depth analysis of your dogs personality, moods and motivations ensure that advice or treatment is tailored specifically for your dog.
Training should be a big part of any dog’s life. Everything you do from teaching boundaries to play is a form of training. Just as we continue to learn throughout our lives, so our dogs continue to learn. Teaching him how to understand, interpret and react to new situations is not only rewarding to him, it gives him the tools to behave appropriately and without undue anxiety or stress.
Entering into a formal training session with a trainer will ensure you train him using kind methods, in a relaxed and effective way. Training sessions are fun and enjoyable for both you and your dog, with progression to more complex training taken at your own pace.
Understanding your dogs behaviour and how to teach him will lead to a deeper bond between you and your dog.
I can help by offering the following training solutions.
The following training solutions are also offered by my colleague, Lynne Barber of OurWay Pet Behaviour.
Can’t understand why your dog insists on digging up your garden? Or why he has to rush to greet anything that moves, dragging you along with him? Why does he find chewing your table legs so rewarding?
Learning why your dog displays certain behaviour and what he is trying to achieve will help you understand him better.
Understanding him is rewarding for both of you, and will lead to a more fulfilling relationship.
You can learn to interpret your dog’s behaviours and understand the motivation behind them with my help. I can offer practical advice on the following;
We usually rely on our dogs for stable and loving companionship, greeting us when we’ve had a hard day, and sitting with us when we relax.
Unfortunately, some dogs have cause to behave in a very different manner to that which we have come to expect. This can result in destruction of the home, fearfulness, or aggression, to name a few of the typical behaviour problems we face with our dogs.
Clearly circumstances have changed from the dog’s point of view, resulting in these types of behaviour, which is extremely distressing for both owner and dog.
Often attempts to understand and change this behaviour lead to the behaviour getting worse, and the owner becoming less able to cope with it.
This is where I come in. It is my job to find out the reason for the expression of this behaviour, and how we can deal with it to return your unhappy, stressed dog back to a calm, well adjusted companion.
Working with you and your dog I will find a kind, safe and effective solution that fits in with your lifestyle.
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