Frequently Asked Questions about Behaviour Modification Programs
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.
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 services in Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Muskoka.
Is your virtual interactive program as effective as in-person?
We have an astonishing 98% success rates in our program. Yes, 98%. We believe it's not only the strength of our approach to shift dog behaviours holistically and in partnership with their humans, but also because we screen our clients carefully to ensure they understand their commitment to the program, meaning the time, energy and patience. The 2% are those that experience either live events which changes their priorities, or those who can't meet the requirements to build the momentum needed by the program.
The Virtual Interactive Program has been in place since early Summer 2019. Our success rate has not dropped. Our passion for ensuring we move you and your dog(s) into a new way of being is unique and energize by the love of what we do. We never give up on you or your dog as long as you remain committed, we do too.
How can you replace effectively a virtual visit with a hands-on visit?
Once you've completed your Behaviour Intake Form, we immediately begin planning scenarios that you can easily set up in your home for our first visit. This allows us to observe the dog in action. You may need an extra hand or a tripod for you phone so we can see the room and your dog. We will also ask you to show us around your home using your phone or laptop (no clean up needed ... really), so we understand your environment, entryways, dog(s) sleeping areas, etc.
It is really no different than if we were there with some minor work-arounds. Vets and Doctors offer examines to dogs and humans today over the internet. They've been doing this for years in the U.S. and Europe.
What payment methods do you accept?
We prefer E-Transfers. But we also 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, as noted above, we work closely with Veterinarian's, especially for serious issues that may require additional medical support.
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.
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.
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 services in Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Muskoka.
Is your virtual interactive program as effective as in-person?
We have an astonishing 98% success rates in our program. Yes, 98%. We believe it's not only the strength of our approach to shift dog behaviours holistically and in partnership with their humans, but also because we screen our clients carefully to ensure they understand their commitment to the program, meaning the time, energy and patience. The 2% are those that experience either live events which changes their priorities, or those who can't meet the requirements to build the momentum needed by the program.
The Virtual Interactive Program has been in place since early Summer 2019. Our success rate has not dropped. Our passion for ensuring we move you and your dog(s) into a new way of being is unique and energize by the love of what we do. We never give up on you or your dog as long as you remain committed, we do too.
How can you replace effectively a virtual visit with a hands-on visit?
Once you've completed your Behaviour Intake Form, we immediately begin planning scenarios that you can easily set up in your home for our first visit. This allows us to observe the dog in action. You may need an extra hand or a tripod for you phone so we can see the room and your dog. We will also ask you to show us around your home using your phone or laptop (no clean up needed ... really), so we understand your environment, entryways, dog(s) sleeping areas, etc.
It is really no different than if we were there with some minor work-arounds. Vets and Doctors offer examines to dogs and humans today over the internet. They've been doing this for years in the U.S. and Europe.
What payment methods do you accept?
We prefer E-Transfers. But we also 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, as noted above, we work closely with Veterinarian's, especially for serious issues that may require additional medical support.
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.
