Studies indicate that up to 90% of all dog owners report some behavioral problems with their pet, with an average of 4.7 problems per dog. Of animals taken to shelters, between 50% to 70% are euthanized because of behavioral problems, mainly because of biting.

 

Pet owners have a great need for information and are interested in getting answers to the problems that they face. Many dog problems are left untreated. YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR DOG ANY FAVORS BY LEAVING THEM IN A MISERABLE STATE! It is immoral to let your dog suffer behavioral problems that can be fixed or managed through proper behavioral modification techniques. It is also immoral to give a dog away to a shelter instead of taking personal responsibility to attempt to fix these problems by hiring a professional dog behaviorist.

 

Behavior Modification refers to the assessment, evaluation and alteration of a dog’s behavior. Properly applied, Behavior Modification is focused on promoting sociable behaviors, and reducing maladaptive or anti-social behaviors, in a dog or group of dogs. MOST DOG TRAINING BOOKS ARE OUT OF DATE and you can't rely on them to help you with behavioral problems. Unfortunately, most dog trainers have ONLY read these types of books and rely on these outdated solutions for your dog. These outdated methods will harm your dog, and usually won't fix the problem. For example, one prominent, top selling dog training book recommends hanging a dog with a leash until it passes out, if the dog acts aggressively. This is not only wrong, it is abusive and it won't solve the problem. Another book recommends throwing things at your dog to get it off the couch. That kind of thing will just make your dog afraid of you. Yes, it might get them off the couch, but it will also cause many other behavioral problems. 

 

Many times, new customers expect that I am going to use corrections to solve their pet's behavior problems... and they are surprised when I come up with other solutions. I have actually had a couple of customers that were so angry with their dogs, that they were then angry at me when I didn't come in and start correcting the living daylights out of their dogs! I have to explain to them that not all dog behavior is a result of disobedience or dominance, and that not all solutions revolve around submission and avoidance. Sometimes the dogs are worried or overly excited, or are doing the behaviors for other reasons, and in those instances, it would be unfair, and even abusive, to correct the dogs. I also have to explain why their corrections, which they were using before they hired me, have been backfiring and have to stop. When your dog needs behavioral modification, you need an experienced and knowledgeable Behaviorist. Most of the dog training books are WRONG, and you can't rely on them to fix your dogs behavioral problems.

 

Many of the methods I use to treat various behavioral problems can also be applied to puppies prevent behavioral problems once they become adults. In other words, if you start out right with your puppy, you can oftentimes prevent serious behavioral problems when your dog becomes an adult. Also, you can do yourself a big favor by getting expert advice on picking the right breed and dog for your home... some behavioral problems are genetic, and you can save yourself a lot of heartache if you get a dog with a good temperament.

 

Behavior modification is typically required to deal with various problems such as Aggression, Anxiety, Barking, Begging, Chasing, Car Behavior, Car Sickness, Chewing, Digging, Fighting, Dominance, Fear & Phobias, Jumping on Furniture & People, Leash Fighting, Puppy Training, Mounting, Potty Training, Running Away, Separation Anxiety, Shyness, Strange Behaviors, and Submissive Urination.

 

Any dog trainer that also offers behavioral modification sessions must be well versed in a wide variety of behavioral modification theories and techniques, and experienced in using a wide variety of dog training methods on a wide variety of dogs and in a wide variety of situations. They must also be a good with dogs and people. Sometimes, you can find someone that is good with animals, but not with people. You can also find trainers that are good with people, but not with animals. To be an effective behaviorist, you need to excel in working with dogs and people. Many times, I am counseling people, not working with their pets... the problems stem from what the owner is doing, not what the dog is doing. Behavioral modification involves working with many different theories about how problems develop and are maintained. It takes many years, and a lot of effort, to learn the theories and how to apply them in real life situations.

 

Evaluation of a behavioral problem is most effective if the behaviorist has a very good comparative understanding animal behavior, including, but not limited to that of wild and domestic canines, such as wolves, jackals, coyotes, foxes, African wild dogs, and domestic dogs (including a wide variety of breeds). Then, the practitioner needs a good understanding of the theories of animal and human behavior, since most dog problems are a result of the relationship between the owner and the dog. It is important to be able to understand how to apply behavioral theories such as classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and instrumental conditioning. It also helps to understand other behavioral theories to help customers with the emotional difficulties they are experiencing with their pets. From there, a good behaviorist knows how to identify, define and assess behavior. Finally, a behavioral modification program needs to be implemented. A good Behaviorist can present a plan in a way that the customer can absorb and manage without being a dog expert.

 

As a dog behaviorist, I work with a wide variety of behavior problems and issues. I find this work to be the most interesting part of what I do. I enjoy working with these types of situations, especially for the mental challenge of figuring out what went wrong, what is now going on, and then coming up with a solution that works. I obtain a great deal of personal fulfillment and satisfaction when I am able to help a frustrated owner save a difficult dog. I believe this kind of work is so important that I will sometimes offer my services for free to rescue organizations.

 

Most dog trainers are not qualified to give behavioral advice. When your dog needs behavioral modification, you need an experienced dog behaviorist.