The behavioural issues I have helped resolve include:

Please note that each dog is unique and has its own peculiarities.  Because of this the method of working with you and your dog, and the time it will take will depend on the particular problem, your ability to grasp the training method, and the severity of your dogs’ problem.

Communication and Misunderstandings?

There are copious studies which show that for most people, owning a dog can significantly improve our physical, emotional and mental health.  However, if your dog is behaving badly, you may experience everything from frustration, confusion, anger, pain, fear or danger.  Your dog, if his bad behaviour is not corrected could face being put into rescue or, in extreme cases, euthanized.

In most cases the dog is not bad usually both dog and owner are confused, frustrated and unhappy, they are just misunderstanding each other.  The owner has probably tried to ‘fix’ the problem but is still unable to communicate correctly with the dog and visa versa.

A wise man once said “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got”!  This is true of whatever you do in life. 

How Do You Resolve the Communication Issue?

My training is based around the dogs’ natural behaviour and reading its body language.  I believe that by giving clear communication, setting boundaries and also by showing consistent and effective leadership a dogs issues can be resolved. 

I prefer to meet the owner(s) and dog at home or at a location where issues occur.  After assessing what the owners require from their dog and observing the dogs’ behaviour I will put in place a corrective training plan.  Everything will be explained in detail ensuring that all members of the dogs’ family understand the corrective training and are on board with it.  Consistency and clear communication is key with any dog training or ownership, it reaps better and quicker rewards as it will be much less confusing for the dog and will also help build the dogs confidence.

Sometimes the issue denotes that training will have to take place at a secure location to minimise any danger to the public.  In such cases, for example dog to dog aggression, I will gradually socialise the dog with one or more of my own dogs.  When the handler is confident in the corrected behaviour of the dog and feels confident to go back to their regular walks I will accompany them and monitor their progress.  There is no definitive time scale for this training as I have said before every dog is unique and has to be treated as such.
Socialisation

Most dog owners take their puppy or dog to classes at one point in time.  They attend for a short period to socialise their puppy or to resolve some issues their dog has developed.  Unfortunately, dog classes may be too generic for some dogs.  They provide an artificial environment which, may not only fail to address the dogs (and owners!) specific needs, but can actually cause issues. 

I have come across owners whose dogs have developed issues after they have attended classes.  More often than not these dogs and owners were then blamed for these issues!  In some extreme cases they were even excluded from going to class again, leaving the owners with a dog with more issues than they originally went to class for.  Many classes are too crowded, dogs get bored and owners distracted, which lead to mishaps.

I therefore only train one-to-one where each session is tailored to you and your dogs’ specific needs.  I will provide you with the methods and understanding you need to resolve your dogs issue and the give you confidence to retrain your dog.  My aim is to make you and your dog a happy confident team.

If your dog has any issues that you would like to resolve or you would like to learn Heelwork to Music please email me on Jackie@k9training.me.uk or call me on 07980 555354.