Behavioural help for dogs and cats
Our dogs and cats are often central to family life, so when behaviour problems arise this can have an impact on the whole family, causing stress, frustration, tension and even fear.
While the way we treat and train our animals will of course influence their behaviour, it's unhelpful for pet owners to be made to feel that they have somehow "caused" their dog or cat to have behavioural problems, as there are many reasons for the development of behaviour problems.
I'm here to help you to understand your pet's behaviour and to help you to use modern, science-based methods to change behaviour for the better!
WHY CHOOSE ME?
* I am a fully qualified and accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist and hold full membership of the top behaviour organisations (APBC and FABC) in the UK, which means that my knowledge and skills have been independently assessed and evaluated, and that I'm bound by Codes of Practice that ensure I use science-based, force-free methods in all my work.
* You may be able to claim on your pet insurance for my fee (please contact your insurer to check that they will cover this).
* I carry out a detailed consultation in order to accurately diagnose the underlying causes of the behaviour.
* Using proven behaviour modification techniques, I work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your pet and your family, that addresses the causes rather than the symptoms; the behaviour then improves as a result.
* I treat behaviour problems using reward-based methods; I do not use any form of punishment as it may cause the animal anxiety or fear, which inhibit learning and disrupt therapy, and it can exacerbate the problem - in aggression cases punishment is highly dangerous.
* I offer ongoing support for six months.
*I will liaise with your vet if medication is recommended to support your pet while we work to address the behaviour problems.
Behaviour consultations are usually face to face: home visits are offered for clients within all IP postcodes, CO11, CO6 and CO10.
For some dog cases, consultations can take place outdoors in my secure field near Stowmarket, this session is most appropriate for dog-dog issues. This involves being outside and for the first consultation means being fairly sedentary for up to 2 hours, and the weather may not be very kind, so this option may not suit all dogs (and owners!). This option is not appropriate for dogs that display aggressive behaviour towards unfamiliar people away from the home.
Video consultations are an option where home visits are not possible or in certain cases where a visitor may interfere with behaviour or cause stress. Video consultations use a platform such as Skype or Zoom so we speak face to face. This can be a very effective approach for many cases.
I usually offer consultations on weekdays (Monday to Friday) between 10.00 and 3.00.
If you are outside my service area, please visit www.abtc.org.uk where you can search the registers for other Clinical Animal Behaviourists who may be able to help you; or contact me and I will try to direct you to somebody who can help.
How do I arrange a Behaviour Consultation?
1. First, have your pet checked by your vet. This is very important, because behaviour change can be a symptom of pain or another underlying medical condition. It is essential that your pet is seen by a vet to rule out medical causes before you begin behavioural modification, and I will not be able to carry out your behaviour consultation without a signed referral from the vet.
Ask the vet to complete my referral form (which can be downloaded here), and to email it to me along with your pet's medical history (alternatively these can be printed and you can pass them to me at your behavioural consultation).
2. Make contact with me via email in the first instance. Let me know a little about your pet's behaviour, and your location. I will advise on the most appropriate approach for us to take, and what this will cost, and I will let you know how to book the first session.
3. If your pet is insured for Vet Fees, my fee may be covered. Please check your policy: many insurers cover costs of referral to a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) or member of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.
If you will be claiming, please be aware that I don't offer direct claims - you will need to pay me in full and then claim back from your insurers, but to speed up the process, let me know so that I can provide you with a receipt and evidence of my membership.
View full Terms
and Conditions here
What happens during the consultation?
The behaviour consultation takes place either in person or via video as agreed between us.
The first behavioural consultation lasts around 2 hours. I'll take a complete history of the pet and the problem and make a diagnosis. If the consultation takes place in my field, the consultation will include some direct assessment of your dog's reaction to other dogs. I will talk you through the treatment plan, demonstrating methods where necessary (using my own dogs if we are working via video).
Following the consultation I'll provide a written report to you (and send a copy to your vet), summarising our discussions and confirming the step-by-step treatment programme.
Please don't expect a magic wand or a quick fix!
Behaviour problems are complex and it is essential to address the underlying emotional issues, rather than merely treating the symptoms, otherwise the pet is likely to exhibit more problems in the future. There will be work involved for you, but we will discuss how to fit this in around your other commitments and routines. While I will leave you with some starting points at the end of the first consultation, and there may be improvements in some areas fairly quickly, be prepared for the full treatment plan to take weeks or months to complete.
Follow up
In most cases your fee will include at least one follow-up session, either in-person or via video call, and may also include some practical training sessions in my field. All this will be outlined prior to you booking your package.
We will arrange dates for follow-up sessions as we go along. The typical interval is 2-6 weeks, depending on how new the exercises are to you and your dog.
In these sessions we will review your pet's progress, and if appropriate I'll help you get started on the next stages of your behaviour programme.
Follow-up sessions last approximately one hour.
After you have completed your "package", additional sessions can be arranged at any point if you feel they would be helpful. These are subject to a supplementary fee (including travel expenses if applicable).
As part of our agreement, I ask you to keep in contact with regular progress updates, and to contact me as soon as possible if you encounter problems, so that we can monitor your progress and make adaptations to the plan as needed, in a timely manner. Outcomes are greatly improved when clients provide regular updates.
Your fee includes ongoing support via telephone or email support for up to six months after initial consultation.
How much does Behaviour Counselling cost?
A behaviour consultation and follow-up support package costs £375-£735 depending on the type and number of sessions included.
I offer different packages based on the type of behaviour problem, and the packages are carefully constructed so that they offer enough support to optimise outcomes while remaining affordable to you.
The fee includes:
* the initial consultation
* demonstration of handling, management and training techniques
* written report(s)
* any necessary communication with your vet (for example regarding further investigation of potential medical problems or prescribing of medication to assist the treatment programme)
* follow-up sessions and/or training sessions as detailed on booking
* follow-up telephone / email support for 6 months
* travel expenses for home visits
You will pay a £100 deposit on booking to secure your appointment, and the rest of the fee is payable on the date of the first consultation.
For details about the best behavioural package for your dog or cat, and fees, please email me in the first instance. To avoid my replies being caught in your spam/ junk filter, please add my email address lucy@petbehaviourhelp.co.uk to your contacts / favourites.
View full Terms
and Conditions here
EMERGENCY VIDEO CONSULTATION
If you have an urgent issue with behaviour where your safety or the welfare of your animal is at risk, and I'm not able to see you within the next couple of weeks, I can offer a "behavioural first aid" management and safety video consultation.
Please note that this will only offer short term management advice: it is not possible to address complex behaviour problems in such a short session, and you must have already booked a full behaviour consultation with me in order to access this emergency service.
Please email me in the first instance for more information about how to arrange this.
Can I phone or email for some quick advice?
Because behaviour is complex, there is not really any such thing as a "quick fix". I don't offer advice for behaviour problems (except emergency safety advice) over the telephone or email, as a full discussion of the problem and its development is needed before I can accurately assess the cause, and it's important that any training or exercises are fully explained and demonstrated to you.
Of course you can email or phone me at no cost to find out more about arranging a full consultation.
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