Dog Behaviour/Training Articles

  

Behavioural Consultations

Many dogs' behavioural problems can be solved given the right information. Our aim is to provide you with the necessary behavioural and training articles to help you along your way. Please also take a look at our book reviews for some very good sources of information.

If your dog has a behavioural problem, then it is important that you contact your veterinary surgeon first to ensure that there is no medical reason for your dog's behaviour. If necessary, you can then be referred to a dog behaviourist.

If your dog has a minor behavioural problem and you would like some basic advice on how to deal with it, then please send us an email through our contact us page.

 

 

 

  

If your problem is a bit more serious, then we provide a behavioural advice service in Oxfordshire. You can rest assured that we will be here to answer your questions, provide support and help you and your dog along the way.

The initial consultation is £90 plus £5 per half hour travelling time to your home. Please allow up to 2 hours for the initial consultation. If you live in Oxfordshire and are interested in a behavioural consultation, then please fill in the form below, ensuring that you provide us with at least one telephone number and an email address. We will then do an initial general assessment before we discuss your particular case and contact you.

We undertake behavioural consultations under veterinary referral, so after our initial general assessment you will need to contact your veterinary surgeon and ask to be referred. We will discuss this procedure with you when we contact you about your particular case.
 
General Information
Name*: Tel Day*: Tel Eve*: Email*:
How did you hear about us?:
* Indicate required fields
Pet Information
Pet's Name: Date of Birth: Weight: Sex: Female Male
Neutered: Yes No   Age neutered: Any change after neutering?
Breed: Colour: Age obtained: Where obtained:
Briefly describe previous homes:   
Briefly describe medical history:
Purpose for obtaining your dog:
Describe your dog's personality:
  
  Other:    
The Home Environment
Type of food: How often fed:
When fed: Types of treats:
How often do you give treats? When do you give treats?
List all other pets (include species, breed, age and sex)   
How do the pets get along with each other?   
List family members living at home (include age of children) 
Briefly describe how the dog gets along with each member of the family 
Daily Activities and Routine
Type of exercise/play? How often do you walk your dog and for how long?
Where does the dog sleep at night?
Briefly describe the daily routine of the family: 
What type of training have you used?   Reward-based Assertive/Domineering Aversive/Mostly correction Other
Where was the dog trained?   Class Private Instructor At Home

What has the dog learned so far?

Sit Down Come Heel Sit-stay Down-stay Give/Drop Tricks

Describe training techniques utilised:

Who in the household has most control of the dog?
Who in the household has least control of the dog?
Does your dog have any problems with being hadled? (e.g. nail trimming, brushing, hugging, patting the head, being lifted, giving medication)
How often and for how long is your dog left on its own at home?
How does your dog react when being left alone, before you go and when you return home?
Punishment
Have you ever used any of the following forms of punishment? physical punishment noise punishment (shaker can/siren) ultrasonic water sprayer
verbal reprimands physical handling time-out booby-traps/repellants
What punishment is most effective?
Does any punishment makes the problem worse (please describe)
Has punishment ever led to threatening behaviour or aggresion? (Please describe) 
Does your dog respond differently to punishment from different members of the household? 
How does your dog react to the following?
Familiar dogs on property


Familiar dogs off property

New dogs on property

New dogs off property

Strangers outside property

Strangers arriving indoors

Car rides

Thunderstorms/Fireworks

Other loud noises (e.g. shouting)

Has your dog ever displayed any of the following? 
If so, then please explain any situation where your dog is aggressive, including people/animals targeted and what triggers the aggression:  
Principal Complaint
What is the primary problem?
What is the severity of the problem?


When did the problem begin?
What age was your dog when the problem started? How often does the problem occur?
What do you think caused the problem?
Describe the problem, beginning with the most recent incident.
What has been done so far to correct the problem?
What has been your dog's response?
State any other additional problems or comments:
Source: Landsberg et al (2003)

 That's it! You have now completed the form.
Please press the submit button and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
 

 

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