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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About US
As a Dog Behaviorist, I help Pet Parents to understand why their Dog(s) behave the
way they do. And, after I get the Dog to understand the rules and behave properly,
I coach the Pet Parent(s) to interact appropriately with the Dog to elicit that behavior
If this approach is what Pet Parents wish to take, I'll be happy to work with them.
Pet Parents will continue to interact appropriate with the Pets until it becomes
the norm, i.e. the Pets know and comply with the rules and behave consistently
so that they will not misbehave or, put themselves or their Pet Parents at risk.
In this way, Pet Parents will develop a fun and loving relationship with their Pets.
Why ? because Pet Parents do not need the stress/frustrations of a misbehaved Pet.
What is Dog Behavior Improvement Coaching ?
It is a behavior modification training and coaching service
to help Pet Parents who have pet Dog(s) with behavioral issues.
The Dog is trained to behave appropriately, ending undesirable behaviors.
Pet Parents are coached to elicit desirable behaviors from their Dog.
How is this different from puppy/dog training ?
Dog training is usually about teaching a Dog to do certain things, like sit, come,
stay, heel, leave it, drop it, etc. While Dog Behavior Improvement Coaching will
include some effort to teach and train a Dog to behave more appropriately,
the focus is to teach Pet Parents to modify or stop certain undesirable Dog
behaviors, particularly those that are of concern to Pet Parents.
For clarity, this service is not about teaching a Dog to be a work dog
(e.g. for hunting, herding sheep, guarding), or to be a therapy or service dog.
Who uses Dog Behavior Improvement Coaching services ?
Proactive Pet Parents who prefer to raise their Dog(s) with proper behaviors/manners
from the start, instead of having to work on correcting their bad behaviors later on,
and
Pet Parents who are exasperated, embarrassed and/or stressed about their Dog's
behavior, have tried various ways but still haven't been successful in correcting and
changing them, and are now desperately determined to change or eliminate specific
undesirable behaviors of their Dog(s), including those that can put the safety of
their Dog(s), family members, neighbors, friends, etc. risk, and/or have become
liabilities to Pet Parents.
What is your training method ?
As a dog behaviorist, the training method is solely reward-based, i.e. no punishment.
There is no use of treats, meds, training gadgets, shock collars, harness, clickers, etc.
The training approach is more about coaching pet parents to interact appropriately
with their dog to communicate the parents' rules and (behavioral) expectations.
You won't need to buy training gadgets, equipment, collars, harnesses, treats, etc.
Where does the Coaching and Training take place ?
The Coaching / Training services are usually provided at your home.
There may be occasions when they will take place at public areas,
where there are other people and their dogs.
Will you provide Coaching and Training if I am not in your area ?
Our service is primarily provided to Pet Parents in the areas around the
Bellingham, WA area. Why ? Additional charges for travel
time can make it more expensive for some Pet Parents outside of this area.
Nevertheless, the Coach has helped several Pet Parents outside of this area.
Flexibility may be required in deciding where the Training / Coaching takes place.
How do I start getting Coaching services to fix my Dog's behavioral issues ?
1. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a free 30-minute Consultation.
Send us an email or call and leave a complete voice message with
some information about your Dog(s), e.g. name, age, size, breed, sex,
neutered/spayed, etc., your location and, the issues that concern you.
2. The Coach will meet with you and your Dog(s) at your home to review and
assess your issues with your Dog. The Coach will outline an Action Plan to
correct your Dog's behavior. The length of the Coaching Program depends
on the types and number of issues to be addressed.
3. If you agree to proceed, the Coach will start the Coaching Program right
after the Consultation. You will learn to understand why your Dog behaves
the way it does, what needs to be done to address the problems, and how to
fix them. The Coach will demonstrate some prescribed training routines and
exercises to change your Dog's behaviors. You will then be coached to
perform and practice these routines and exercises.
4. After the first Session in the Program, you will get an Program Plan by email.
The Plan will summarize the Coach's assessment (of your Dog's behaviors)
and the prescribed efforts required to fix your issues with the Dog.
5. You will schedule subsequent training/coaching meetings with the Coach
(e.g. 4 times each week) for the duration of the Program.
6. You will follow the Coach's recommendations and, perform and practice
the routines and exercises as prescribed.
What is the Dog Behavior Improvement Coaching "Program" ?
The Program is an intensive effort to fundamentally change the habits and behavior of
your Dog, as well as the Pet Parent's mindset and interaction techniques with the Dog.
The length of the Program depends on the type and number of issues to be addressed:
The GOLD Program is for 3 consecutive weeks
The SILVER Program is for 2 consecutive weeks
The BRONZE Program is for 4 consecutive weeks.
Pet Parents must be fully committed for the entire duration of the Coaching Program.
A-la-Carte coaching and support services are available after completing the Program.
How is the Coaching Program conducted ?
The Coach will introduce and describe training routines for your Dog.
The Coach will train your Dog (incrementally) to behave appropriately.
Then the Coach will teach and coach the Pet Parents to perform each of
the routines and exercises to elicit the desired behavior(s) from the Dog.
The Pet Parents must diligently practice the prescribed routines and exercises
consistently throughout the Program and after. Pet Parents must also follow the
Coach's recommendations for practicing the routines and interacting with the Dog.
During the Program period, the Coach will observe the performance of Pet Parents
and provide feedback and corrections to help Pet Parents to achieve the desired
results. As needed, the Coach will also demonstrate and/or provide clarifications
and/or offer more effective interaction techniques as and when necessary.
Support services are available remotely as well (e.g. by phone, email, Skype),
so that Pet Parents would not have to wait until the next in-person visit by
the Coach to discuss/resolve any problem.
Why does the Coaching Program effort have to be this intense ?
The first challenge is to modify your Dog's behavior, possibly something
that has gone on for quite a while. So, the Dog needs to focus on
learning and practicing new routines repeatedly and intensely, and
not be given any opportunity to revert back to its previous conduct.
Secondly, and often this is more challenging, Pet Parents have to learn
and modify their mindset and habits in how they interact with their Dog.
Learning the principles of how to and why they need to do so, is easy.
Changing their habits, behaviors and mindset requires an earnest
period of fervent practice and coaching.
Otherwise, the Dog and Pet Parents will tend to revert back to their old ways.
An initial period of intense training and coaching will better ensure success.
What can I expect from participating in the Coaching Program ?
1. Your Dog will learn your rules and behave more appropriately
2. You will learn some tools to manage your Dog's behavior
3. You will be more confident in being able to handle other Dog issues
4. Your Dog will have less behavioral issues and you will have less stress
5. You will enjoy a better relationship with your Dog
What tools will I take away after completing the Program ?
You will:
better understand why Dogs behave the way they do
know how to correct/change your Dog's undesirable behavior
know how to interact with your Dog to get desired behaviors
How soon can I expect to see results ?
You may start to see improvements after completing a Session in a Program,
i.e. changes in your Dog's behavior, and/or your Dog showing a new behavior.
However, you must diligently practice the prescribed exercises and routines, and
be consistent in handling the Dog during the entire Program period and afterwards.
How long could it take for my Dog to modify its behavior ?
The time it takes can depend on a few factors, e.g.:
how long the Dog has been allowed to behave in those (undesirable) ways
how determined, hard-headed (slow) or stubborn the Dog is or has become
how consistently and persistently Pet Parents practice the routines to modify
the undesirable behavior, and not give in
how often the Dog has had opportunities to revert back to the undesirable
behavior, often because it has not been corrected on a timely basis
Even after the Dog has learned to behave, it may still test / break the rules.
Hence, Pet Parents should expect to have to remind/correct the Dog whenever it
exhibits its (old) undesirable behavior, even months after completing the Program.
Some Pet Parents may have to continue to remind/correct the Dog for a long time
What do I need to do, to be successful in this effort ?
Here's the KEYS to SUCCESS: You must:
be really be motivated to improve / change your Dog's behavior
be committed to participate and complete the Program (with no excuses)
follow the Coach's recommendations in handing and interacting with the Dog
practice the prescribed exercises consistently, diligently and repeatedly
put in the effort and time and, not sabotage your own endeavor.
Lasting results can be attained only when:
Everyone handling the Dog participates in the Coaching Program
so that there is consistency in dealing with the Dog by everyone
Pet Parents change their (old) mindset and interaction habits with the Dog
Pet Parents continue to use the tools they learn to address misbehaviors
Pet Parents know when to seek additional assistance/coaching
No one quits the Program.
What if some or all these KEYS to SUCCESS are not happening ?
It will just take longer to achieve the results, and the changes may not last
i.e. you and your Dog will more likely revert back to your previous behaviors.
What are the advantages to start working to improve / modify
my Dog's behavior sooner rather than later ?
Pet Parents can lower their stress about their Dog misbehaving sooner. The Dog can
stop learning to be more persistent in doing what it wants to do, sooner. It can
take less effort to modify bad behaviors before they become well-established habits.
We are eager to see results and succeed, however, we cannot always be
available or have time during the Program period. Yet, we don't want
to wait. What else can you do to help us make it happen ?
While you still need to invest in the time to achieve lasting results, we
can arrange to spend more time to practice the routines with the Dog on
your behalf, to supplement your efforts when you are not available.
For example, we can do the daily walks and repeat training exercises
for you when you are not available, away for the day, or for a few days.
And we will do Coaching sessions when you are available or after your return.
It is critical that you know how to elicit the appropriate behaviors from
the Dog. Why ? It is of no benefit to you if the Dog only behaves
for us, but doesn't behave appropriately for you.
What are A-la-Carte Coaching Services ?
A-la-Carte means you can request and pay for one or more of these
coaching/training services as remedial efforts, as and when you need it:
a coaching/training SESSION (lasting about one hour)
a WALK to practice certain routines (lasting about 45 minutes)
a CONSULTATION (remotely or in-person) to answer questions,
get advice, clarifications, suggestions, etc. (about 20 minutes).
Using A-la-Carte Coaching services is a viable option when you only have minor
issues and concerns with your Dog, or you just need some counseling/assistance.
A-la-Carte Coaching services are also available to Pet Parents (after completing a
Program), to get on-going and follow-up coaching services and assistance.
Regularly scheduled follow-up coaching services (after completing a Program)
can be available by subscribing to the BRONZE Program. It provides
a SESSION plus a WALK each week for 4 consecutive weeks.
When do I pay you for your services ?
For A-la-Carte services, payment is due at the end of each Session, Walk or
Consultation. For a rehab Program, payment is due at the start of the Program
Do you also provide Puppy Training ?
Not usually. But we can provide refresher Puppy Training if your Puppy has
behavioral issues that previous Puppy Training has not addressed adequately.
Can you help/coach me to do the right things to bring a new Puppy home ?
Yes ! It should even start with choosing the right Puppy for your family.
Then, it will be about preparing yourself and your home for a new Puppy.
And going through the process of picking up the Puppy, introducing it properly
to your home, and familiarizing the Puppy with the basic routines,
e.g. potty, feeding, walking, etc.
Can you train more than one dog at at time ?
Yes. This usually happens when Pet Parents have issues with more than one Dog in the
household not behaving properly, e.g. with each other and/or with other dogs / people.
Usually, one dog is trained first to behave appropriately before the next is trained.
My dog is much older. Can you still help me to improve its behavior ?
Yes. This Coaching service can improve the behaviors of Dogs of any age.
Dogs that have been allowed to behave badly for a long time may require
more time and effort to modify their behaviors and make them last. Some
Dogs may simply require continued and persistent reminders to behave.
When should my Puppy get Dog Behavioral Improvement training ?
Puppy Training can start as early as 3 months old. Generally, Puppy Training
should start earlier for the more active, spirited, energetic and intelligent breeds.
As well, more dominant or aggressive puppies should start Puppy Training earlier
than the less dominant and more docile puppies. If your Puppy has completed
Puppy Training and has developed undesirable behaviors, the sooner you start
the Dog Behavioral Improvement Coaching Program, the quicker issues can
be remedied. When Pet Parents neglect to follow-up quickly to address their
Puppy's undesirable behaviors, it will just take a longer to correct them later.
Do you do group training for Pet Parents in the neighborhood/community ?
Yes. Contact us to schedule Dog Behavior Improvement Training seminars
and workshops in your neighborhood and community centers.
The seminar and workshop are of most interest to Pet Parents who
are stressed by their Dog's behavior and really need help to correct them.
The Seminar will review the fundamentals of dog behavior,
how to identify the causes of the problems, and what it would
take to effectively eliminate those problem behaviors.
The Workshop will address selected issues and how they can be fixed.
What dog issues/problems are harder to resolve ?
1. Aggressive dogs that bite, from fear or dominance or to protect their Parents
2. Dogs that have not had any prior (puppy/basic) training, dogs that have
not been adequately/properly socialized and/or dogs that have been
allowed to misbehave, and/or be dominant for a long time
3. Dogs with separation anxiety or severe phobia's
What kind of problems/issues will you not want to work on, to fix ?
Dogs that have physiological, medical, mental, neurotic, psychotic disorders or
bio-chemical imbalances that cause them to behave in undesirable ways.
As well, dogs that will and/or have been allowed to viciously attack and bite
other dogs (or people) due to being trained to that way, or from fear or dominance.
How do you know when Pet Parents will have a harder time and/or it will
take more time and effort for them to resolve their Dog's behavioral issues ?
When Pet Parents are:
not able to commit to the Program or put in the effort to practice the routines/exercises
not diligently following the Coach's training approach, prescriptions or recommendations
not consistent/persistent, allowing/enabling the Dog to learn how to continue misbehaving
unable to alter their mindset and how to interact appropriately with the Dog
distracted by other (more) important problems/issues that they have to deal with first.
Send us an email to ask more questions ….
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