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Private Dog Training / Behavior CounselingTwin Cities Dog Behavior ConsultantIt seems that we all have a “Lassie movie” running through our heads when we choose to adopt a canine companion into our home. By this I mean that we have a vision of how we see ourselves interacting and living with our new four-footed friend. We see ourselves coming home to a dog that is always happy to see us and greets us calmly. We see playing games of fetch, taking relaxing walks, and just hanging out on lazy days. We see joy, trust, harmony, and unconditional love. Nobody adopts a dog with the thought that they will not be happy with their new companion. We all venture into this union with the best of intentions and the greatest of expectations. Unfortunately, this movie, vision, or dream often ends in tragedy. Hope and expectations are shattered as a dog becomes unruly, destructive, disobedient, fearful, or even aggressive due to the lack of understanding and communication between dog and owner. It is a sad reality that only 30% of dogs remain in their original home for the duration of their lives. When surveyed, 97% of dog owners stated that they would change some aspect of their dog’s behavior if they thought it possible. Most staggering of all is the fact that more dogs die (i.e., are euthanized) due to problem behavior than all other causes (illness, injury, old age, etc.) combined. The truth is that most dog behavior problems like fear, aggression, destruction, unruliness or disobedience are not due to bad breeding or genetics. Rather, most bad behavior concerns are learned as a result of experience, and can be successfully retrained through proper assessment and a structured training program. Many factors can contribute to problematic behaviors:
It is not only what we teach, but, just as important, how we teach that renders the end results. Dog Behavior Consultations in Your HomeWhen working with pet owners, each client and case is met with individualized attention and concern. Consultations are conducted at the client's home, as I feel this allows for a greater opportunity for a thorough assessment of the concerning behavior(s) and the contributing factors. Each case is met with a comprehensive assessment and is then guided through a detailed, individualized retraining program. Emphasis is first placed on educating the pet owner in a better understanding of the behavior problem, and better teaching and management skills. I then take these skills and teach you how to successfully apply them to your dog’s retraining program. Equal emphasis is placed upon empowering both the owner and the dog with the skills and tools that they need to succeed. Clients are given continual and unlimited support as they progress through a retraining program. This is done through phone and/or e-mail conversations, as well as follow-up training or consultations as needed. I also encourage you to enroll in dog obedience classes in order to continue building trust and good behavior. Please contact me to discuss your dog’s specific behavior needs. |
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