How do I choose a professional to help me with my dog's behavior problem?

Who you choose will depend on your needs. If you need basic training you will have many professionals to choose from.

If you have an aggression or anxiety problem, you will want to consult an animal behaviorist or a very experienced and educated dog trainer to help you understand:

• The underlying motivation behind the behavior and

• An effective treatment program that uses humane techniques rooted in science

Use caution when finding a professional. There are no licensing requirements for dog trainers or behaviorists which means there is no governing body to ensure your dog is receiving appropriate ethical care.

The terms used to describe these individuals (behaviorists) are often misused. Correct usage includes "Animal Behaviorist" when one has an upper level degree (MS or PhD) in an animal behavior related field or is a veterinary behaviorist. It is acceptable for professionals without a graduate degree to use the title "Animal Behavior Counselor".

Guidelines for choosing a professional:

1. Choose someone that uses reward-based training. This means using methods that allow the animals to work for things that motivate them rather than techniques that focus on using fear, force, or pain.

2. Avoid trainers who advocate physical methods or shock that can harm your pet such as hanging dogs by their collars or manipulating your dog with hands, feet or other objects.

3. Choose someone who understands learning theory and is able to teach using common language. You should feel comfortable with all techniques and ask why each method is being used, what are the pros and cons, and how to handle any setbacks of that method.

4. All trainers should accrue continuing education. There are a numerous options available and it is important to stay current as the field continues to progress.

5. The trainer should be able to modify every exercise to meet your needs. Having respect for your experience and your knowledge about your own dog is key to creating a plan that will work for everyone.

6. Observe a class or lecture before hiring them. Beware if they refuse. If they don't have a class or lecture, do not pay for a training package until after the initial consultation.

7. A training professional should want to work with your veterinarian or other professionals, especially for severe behavior like aggression or anxieties. Behavior change is often one of the first signs that there is an underlying medical problem.

Hiring help will have a major impact on you and your dog. Ensuring the techniques used and the personality style is a good match for you will result in better compliance and success.

For more severe problems that have been ongoing, expect that it will take several sessions over a couple of months to make life long behavior change. The cost for each session varies based on the professionals experience, education and the problem that you have, but expect to pay between $100-250 per session.

Online resources to aid in your search for a local behavior professional:

Association of Pet Dog Trainers: look for those with "Professional Memberships"

http://www.apdt.com

Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist on Animal Behavior Society website:

http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior/caab-directory

 

Heather Mohan-Gibbons is an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. She has a Master of Science degree, is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and Registered Veterinary Technician, making her uniquely qualified to handle a variety of species and behavior problems. Her business is Collected Wisdom Animal Behavior. To learn more about Heather, visit Collected Wisdom Animal Behavior online: http://cwanimalbehavior.com

If you have a question an upcoming column from Heather This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

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