Behavior Modification

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Some dogs and their owners need more help.  Behavior Modification is usually different from basic training in that it focuses on changing negative emotions driving the undesirable behavior.  Perhaps your dog barks, straining at the end of his leash when he sees other dogs or skateboards.  He destroys your blinds when people or dogs walk by, or chews the moldings around your windows and doors when he's home alone.  You cannot quite seem to get your dog housetrained. Your dog bit a vistor.  He growls at you when he's eating.  He growls at your husband when your husband tries to get into bed.  You acquired a new dog who is terrified of leashes, cars going by, strangers, beeping noises, being touched, or bigger dogs. Your dog gets carsick on every ride.  Your new dog won't go to the bathroom outside.  Your dog snaps at you you when you try to clip his nails.

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These are but some of the issues brought to dog behavior consultants.  There is a lot of information from Dr. Google, Reality TV, and well-meaning friends that can unfortunately dig you and your dog into a deeper hole, so to speak.  Some of these issues can be resolved fairly easily after some good detective work by a trainer.  Most, though, take time and dedication since we are changing a dog's emotional responses--literally changing their brains--for the longterm.  Some behavior, often aggression, can be greatly improved, but we do not consider it "fixed" or "cured." No trainer can honestly make guarantees about a dog's future behavior in the same way we cannot make guarantees about a human's future behavior.  I can help you identify the cause of the behavior, help you read your dog's body language, and teach you how to modify the behavior.  I take a holistic approach in understanding your dog's history, your lifestyle, and your dog's lifestyle to make sure I am correctly identifying the problem and designing a behavior modification plan tailored to be most successful for you and your dog.  Sometimes, with a mix of genetics, lost socialization opportunities, and a dog having practiced the behavior for years, we are swimming against a stronger tide.  It's rare that no improvement can be made, though!  Often, significant improvement is made in your life with your dog; neither of you has to worry so much and you both have more freedom!

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