Why? Why not? Let me clear that up
You may have a few questions that I'll be happy to answer.
Before I do, let me invite you to read through the following.
1. I have had dogs all my life, I know the drill.
So you have experience and that is great! Still, let me break it to you: some of the general knowledge may be either outdated or simply false and lacking important information. Behavioural science evolved a lot in the past two decades, meaning there is a need to be updated on canine wellbeing. As dog parents, we also can make mistakes without realising it, unintentionally, so professional guidance & support is definitely beneficial.
2. My dog is fine, I do not think I need this.
Even better! Behavioural rehabilitation can sometimes be a little long. So if you dog is fine, now is a great time to ensure your knowledge on general dog's needs is up to date, review your daily routine and habits, so we minimise the chances of behavioural issues in the future. Prevention is the key!
3. How do I know I can trust you?
You do not know that yet, and it is an crucial question. Choosing the right person is equally important as the knowledge they will bring. We will share a lot together, so you want to ensure that it clicks, it absolutely makes sense. Which is why I offer a 15-minute free discovery call so you can ask all the questions you need and get to know me.
4. I do not have time for this.
I understand perfectly. We all are differently busy and need to decide how we want to spend the 24 hours that are given to us every day. Having a dog that feels balanced and happy is not luxury: this also prevents issues such as destruction, excessive barking or anxiety. All of which can be time consuming when the time has come to resolve a behavioural issue. So take the time for your dog now, you will avoid complications later.
5. My partner does not agree on seeing a professional.
This is a crucial aspect. If you are a couple or a family, it is important to take the decision to consult together. All rules that you will have in place for your dog in your household should be agreed upon by everyone, that's the best way to make it work. If you saw a professional before and things did not work out, I'll be happy to discuss this point with you.
6. That sounds expensive.
That's how it may sound, I understand that. The plan here is to give you the keys to handle the vast majority of situations with your dog. But there should not be countless sessions, only what we need to make it work. The pricing will be based on the case and how many sessions we need and includes - aside from the session itself - knowledge, experience, reports, Whatsapp support, time travel & fuel and a complete personalised plan as each dog is different.
7. How long is this going to take?
That's a case by case question, but let me tell you it's going to depend heavily on you. We will have sessions, you will be given easy and fun exercises in the meantime. The more committed you are, the faster it will go. But first and foremost, the one who is going to decide is your dog: we want to respect their pace of learning, and focus on progress over perfection.
8. There are plenty of free tutorials on Youtube.
Absolutely, plenty of great ones. You can find as many solutions to any question as you'd like. But which one applies to your dog and how to apply a tutorial to your personal life and experience is a different story. Contacting a pro is your safest bet if you want a personalised plan and ensure not to make mistakes or make a situation worse than it is.
9. I do not own a car and cannot come and see you.
Taken care of. As a behaviourist, I will not give you a straight answer to a problem. I will need to understand the triggers and underlying causes of any given behaviour. Which is why it is a lot more useful to work from the comfort of your own home, so I'll drive up to see you on our sessions.
10. I do not want endless exercises to do on my own.
Your dog should display the desired behaviour with and without the presence of a trainer. The plan is to give you the keys to be independent and be able to handle most situations. So you will be given tips, advice, we will discuss small adjustments of your environment to help your dog thrive. Rest assured I will always do my best not to disrupt your habits too much, so the transition feels smooth and easy.
11. I believe my dog is too old to change.
A dog is never too old to adopt new habits. Even though it is true it sometimes take longer to change for certain older dogs, the key is to make it fun so everyone enjoys it. And what's entertaining is likely to work, simple as that.
12. Seeing a behaviourist is going to make me feel like a bad parent.
That's a genuine concern for many. Rest assured that you are certainly not judged. Life did not come with instructions, neither did dogs. It takes responsibility and courage to contact a behaviourist so this should be admired. You are doing this for yourself and your dog, congratulations!