7 STEPS TO AVOID CHOOSING THE WRONG DOG BEHAVIOURIST

Sparky Smith, MSST, ISCP.Dip.CANINE.PRAC., IAABC-CDBC, MCMA
Specializing in Aggression & Serious, Complex Dog Behaviour Therapy
House-Call Services, GTA
Muskoka Dog Education Centre, Huntsville
Online Across Canada
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When and Why to Hire a Behaviourist Video Below

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We sadly often meet people after they have spent 1000s of dollars to have their best friend's behaviour fixed by someone calling themselves a Behaviourist, only to have it not work over the long-term. Here, you go beyond training. You enter the world of indepth canine psychology, cognition and emotions of your best friend. We provide a proven program, highly successful in changing often dangerous cases of behaviour, all gently and compassionately. Once we are engaged, we developed shared goals, then invest time, energy and passion into teaching you to guide your friend to a new way to think, feel and behave.

Our success comes with knowledge of what it takes to fundamentally shift a dog's beliefs. We know that some people seeking the outcomes we offer in our program, will not be successful. Which is why we screen potential clients to ensure they understand what the program entails; time, compassion, patience and energy. We work together with you, understanding your lifestyle and who you are as a caregiver. We adapt the program to fit your world, but it can never be without your sacrifice of time and energy to help your dog see the world differently, responding in new ways.

The program works with the most serious cases of aggression, and dangerous behaviour, successfully rehabilitating the toughest, often written-off pets. We do it completely force-free. We also provide an alternative should you be unable to make an appointment with a Veterinarian Psychologist or Veterinarian Behaviourist. We are registered with the Complementary Medical Association as a Practitioner in Canine Psychology. We work closely with you and your Vet, using the most current science and extensive international resources to meet the needs of dogs with psychological disorders, requiring medication in addition to behaviour therapy. No pain of any kind is inflicted on the dog. The program simply change their lives and yours too. Read our testimonials here.

Our program now includes working with our team of qualified professional dog specialist who help demonstrate and reinforce specialized aspects of our program. They also provide dog behaviour program management coaching throughout the program.

First, the dog's behavioural challenges are understood and the root cause is investigated. Our interviews, analysis and diagnoses are outcomes of capturing details of their past, any traumatic events, reactions and triggers, your responses and more. We interview you & your family and observe your dog during this time
Second, I explain our current understanding of dogs, through evidence-based facts, and potential interconnections between what we know and the unwanted behaviours. This helps you make sense of what you have been living through and seeing in your dog.
Third, I review what we've collected on your dog's psychological, emotional, social, cognitive states; targeting where changes need to be made to reach our shared goals. We don't fix just one issue but several.
Fourth, a life strategy and behaviour modification plan is developed, delivering how we will achieve our shared goal and deepening the bond between you and your dog. Our team internally reviews all strategy & plans for your dog ensuring we are all fully engaged in your dog's action plan.
Fifth, myself and team members show you evidence-based resources, working closely with you one-on-one over two-months to guide, coach and direct the plan implementation.
Sixth, throughout the weeks, we regularly assess progress based on measurable outcomes and determine if we need to adapt our approach to meet our goals.
Seventh, at the end of our 8 weeks, we assess all that we have accomplished. We provide you with a 'Beyond the Program' report, which helps you sustain the course you've begun. Then we follow-up in a few months to see how things are going.

am Canine Psychologist, reg. with the CMA, and educated as a professionally-accredited Canine Behaviourist specializing in force-free, positive reinforcement, applied to psychology and emotions of canines. Also, I am uniquely qualified in changing complex animal behavior problems, accredited MSST (Master Strategic and Systems Thinking) by the University of San Diego. I am highly experienced, drawing from 30 years of successful behaviour rehabilitation. I lead the Canadian Centre of The International School for Canine Psychology & Behaviour (theISCP.com). I am accredited by the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants) Accredited Dog Behaviour Consultant.

We cover across Canada.

And online behaviour modification programs across Canada

We recommend at a minimum 9.5-hours/sessions over 2-months as a starting point for problems such as:

Attacking & Biting People
Attacking & Biting Other Dogs
Constant or near constant Barking
Dog to dog fear or hyper-excitement
Destructiveness of any kind
Multi-dog Family Aggression

For moderate or severe Separation Anxiety, the program is a minimum of 6-months with 19.5 hours allocated to the case.

The time to complete a behaviour modification plan is dependent on the dog's pace to learn - at a minimum it takes two months to sustainably shift a dog's mindset and behaviours and make it stick.

Frequently Asked Questions about Behaviour Training

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Toronto: 647-231-5326 | Muskoka: 705-788-7688

Accredited Behaviour Therapy