Behavior Consult

$150/hr

"Caution is urged in using punishment to suppress normal or abnormal fearful responses to stimuli. Across a wide variety of species such use of punishment usually  intensifies fear (Harlow & Harlow, 1971 [monkeys]; Hess,1973 [chicks]; Stanley & Elliott, 1962 [dogs])" - clinical behavioral medicine for small animal/page 237/Dr. Karen Overall

 

"Give a man a hammer and everything becomes a nail?" "Give someone an aversive technique and everything becomes an unmanageable last-resort emergency." from the book Aggressive Behavior in Dogs by James O'Heare

 

Daphne works will all emotionally motivated behaviors such as aggression, separation anxiety, and fear. Better understand your dog, learn safety management techniques, as well as how to change your dog's behavior using positive methods. 

The purpose of the consult is to gather detailed information and assess the underlying cause of your dog's behavior. She will come to your home. Traveling fees apply.  At the end of the consult  she will suggest a number of training sessions based on the problem behavior, your dog's current level of training and your goals.

 

She can help you with:

• Fears

• Phobias

• Anxiety

• Compulsive Disorders

• Dog Aggression

• Aggression towards people

• Destructive behaviors

• Excessive Barking

• Handling concerns

• Resource Guarding

• **bite cases ** - may refer you to a certified behaviorist  depending on the case

• Behavior problems resulting from harsh training methods

• Separation Anxiety

• Noise sensitivities/phobias

 

There are no fixes or cures for behavioral disorders or deficits.

Anyone who tells you that they can "fix" or "cure" and "guarantee" the dog will never bite or stop the targeted behavior is a fraud unless they are suggesting brain surgery or euthanasia.

The behavior consult will give you information about why your dog is behaving in certain ways dependent on antecedents  thru observations and a behavior history.  A functional assessment interview will lead to setting a behavior change program. Testing might be a behavioral test or a request to have your vet do a full medical exam and other medical tests to help rule out causation for behaviors. At the end of the consult, you will receive immediate management solutions and behavior suggestions to help give relief until you seek and participate in a behavior change program/coaching sessions.   

A behavior change program  is a separate service. It is up to you to decide if you want to seek the additional assistance, to commit to improving your dog's quality of life and to help your family thru a difficult period. A behavior change program  involves specific training exercises based on your unique situation. Desensitization and counter-conditioning methods are used.

Please fill out the Canine Behavior History  and mail it back to the address indicated. When I receive the questionnaire I will call you to set up an appointment.