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Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you provide any guarantees that the Behaviour will change?
Once we build a strategy and a plan, we give you a walk-through to explain it in detail. However, you will need to spend time and energy to implement the plan, and provide feedback to us to tweak the plan to deliver the outcomes. As much of this is outside our control, it is not feasible to guarantee results.
What is the difference between Dog Training and a Dog Behaviour Program?
Dog training teaches the dog simple commands like Sit, Heel, Down, etc.. It focuses on commands or cues to shape the way the dog interacts with people, places and things. A behavioural modification program examines the emotions, cognition, feelings and mood of the dog to understand the unwanted actions and then develops a strategy to shift the emotional responses of the dog. After the plan is created, training for you and your dog is next, teaching you how to guide your dog to new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. This method is extremely successful because it develops and deepens a life-time bond between you and your dog to manage the dog's emotions through life's normal upheavals. The difference between a dog trainer and an accredited canine behaviourist is like the difference between a school teacher and a therapist. Both support the healthy maturation of a young being, and both will teach and transfer knowledge to support a healthy mind and body, and yet the approach and outcomes are sometimes quite different.
Are you a Veterinarian Behaviourist?
No. I am recognized by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA) as a Practitioner in Canine Psychology. Still it can be confusing. A Veterinarian Behaviourist or Veterinarian Psychiatrist has significantly more medical training and must have graduated from a Veterinary College. There is a Veterinarian Behaviourist in Thornhill who can be found here. In most cases, a Veterinarian health check is recommended as many behaviours can originate with a change in health, or a reaction to medication, or allergies. All of which should be managed by a healthcare professional.
A potential alternative, should you not be able to see a Veterinarian Behaviourist, would be working in partnership with an accredited canine behaviourist and your regular Vet. In addition to the CMA membership, I am accredited by the International School of Canine Psychology & Behaviour and my thesis on Canine Behaviour Change is published on their website for students, graduates and associates, in 52 countries. I am also recognized by the Pet Professional Guild as a force-free and positive reinforcement trainer. I have advanced education in Strategic & Systems Thinking, and over 30 years applying current neuroscience, psychology & change management to human beings.
In all of our 2-months programs, I develop a well-researched and cited case report, with action plan, for your Vet or Health Professional. It outlines a thorough treatment plan. The treatment plan suggests links between behaviour and potential medical issues that should be ruled out by your Vet. In the rare case where we believe medication is required to support the behaviour action plan, we can speak directly to the Vet at your behest, to discuss the issues.
The International School of Psychology & Behaviour (theISCP.com) provides a network of world-class Vets, Behaviourists and Dog Welfare Organizations in which expert second-opinions can be sought, helpful to deepen our conversations with your medical professionals. Our reports provided to Veterinarians have been highly commended for the thoroughness of research in line with current scientific findings.
A potential alternative, should you not be able to see a Veterinarian Behaviourist, would be working in partnership with an accredited canine behaviourist and your regular Vet. In addition to the CMA membership, I am accredited by the International School of Canine Psychology & Behaviour and my thesis on Canine Behaviour Change is published on their website for students, graduates and associates, in 52 countries. I am also recognized by the Pet Professional Guild as a force-free and positive reinforcement trainer. I have advanced education in Strategic & Systems Thinking, and over 30 years applying current neuroscience, psychology & change management to human beings.
In all of our 2-months programs, I develop a well-researched and cited case report, with action plan, for your Vet or Health Professional. It outlines a thorough treatment plan. The treatment plan suggests links between behaviour and potential medical issues that should be ruled out by your Vet. In the rare case where we believe medication is required to support the behaviour action plan, we can speak directly to the Vet at your behest, to discuss the issues.
The International School of Psychology & Behaviour (theISCP.com) provides a network of world-class Vets, Behaviourists and Dog Welfare Organizations in which expert second-opinions can be sought, helpful to deepen our conversations with your medical professionals. Our reports provided to Veterinarians have been highly commended for the thoroughness of research in line with current scientific findings.
We live far away from you, can you still help?
The great thing about technology is that we can visually see and hear each other over the internet. Yes, we are happy to consult via Skype or Facetime. Just let us know if you would like another method. Read here about our Online Behaviour Therapy Program
We do in-person, face-to-face service in both Toronto and Muskoka.
We do in-person, face-to-face service in both Toronto and Muskoka.
What payment methods do you accept?
We take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Debit or Paypal. We require payment in advance of any bookings to secure our services.
Would you work with our Veterinarian?
Yes, we work closely with your Veterinarian for serious issues that may require additional medical support. This is always a joint decision between the two of us.
Why do we have to pay up front?
With our strong reputation for integrity, many satisfied clients and a continuously growing client roster, it is clear our programs are not built on a 'once and done' model, that rarely lasts. We developed our highly effective 2-month program model to gain the strongest commitment of time and energy from you, and provide enough time to build momentum and create lasting change in your dog. We don't accept clients who sound unsure on their ability to do the homework, taking at least an hour more a day then what you are doing today.
By paying up front you rid yourself of any temptation to say, 'no I don't have time' in the middle of the program when we have real momentum happening, or if we've hit an unexpected setback we have to navigate through. You will, by our nature as humans, protect your investment, allowing us to fully engage during our time together. During the program, should the unexpected occur, we figure out issues and barriers with some degree of flexibility.
If you don't want to commit fully to the program - no worries - it is likely this program isn't for you - and we recognize, respectfully, not everyone is able to do the work needed to modify their dog's behaviour for life.
By paying up front you rid yourself of any temptation to say, 'no I don't have time' in the middle of the program when we have real momentum happening, or if we've hit an unexpected setback we have to navigate through. You will, by our nature as humans, protect your investment, allowing us to fully engage during our time together. During the program, should the unexpected occur, we figure out issues and barriers with some degree of flexibility.
If you don't want to commit fully to the program - no worries - it is likely this program isn't for you - and we recognize, respectfully, not everyone is able to do the work needed to modify their dog's behaviour for life.
