I have recently received some questions about private, one-on-one dog training and behaviour consultations. The enquiry was: what do I actually do in a private consultation, and do I train the dog for the whole time?
They are excellent questions because they give me an opportunity to clarify exactly what private, one-on-one consultations are for and what I actually do during them.
Firstly, let’s talk about why you might need a private, one-on-one dog training or behaviour consultation. Then we will discuss what I actually do during these consultations.
WHEN WOULD YOU NEED A PRIVATE DOG TRAINING OR BEHAVIOUR CONSULTATION?
You would need a private consultation if your dog has problem behaviours or behaviour problems—they are two different things—which require the individual attention, knowledge and experience of a dog trainer or behaviour consultant.
Usually, these issues are not addressed in a class environment, or you may have attended a class and need more individual help.
Classes are fantastic and I encourage people to attend them, but you cannot always receive individual help from the instructor because there are other people in the class. Classes also follow a format, so while you may have a problem with your dog pulling on the lead, the instructor cannot dedicate a full hour of the class to working with only you and your dog.
Loose-lead walking may be covered during one of the classes, but the lesson usually provides standard instructions. If you and your dog follow these instructions and your dog is still pulling, a private, one-on-one consultation may be beneficial.
During a private consultation, the consultant or trainer gives their undivided time, attention and expertise to you and your dog so they can address the specific problems you are experiencing.
WHAT ISSUES WOULD YOU NEED A PRIVATE DOG TRAINING OR BEHAVIOUR CONSULTATION FOR?
The list is endless. It could be anything from teaching your dog the basics, such as sit, down, stay and stand, to addressing more complex behaviour.
Your dog may be lunging or barking at other dogs, frightened of certain things or people, having difficulty being left home alone, pulling on the lead, jumping on people or not coming when called.
It can be anything you need help with.
As Susan Friedman, a psychology professor at Utah State University, always says: “Behaviour is the study of one.”
What does this mean?
It means that your dog is an individual and your dog’s behaviour is individual. To address an issue your dog is experiencing, you need to consider the individual dog.
WHAT DO I ACTUALLY DO DURING THESE PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS?
Most people think that I train their dog.
This is not the case.
I do not train your dog.
I train you to train your dog.
In most cases, I begin by asking lots of questions and taking a history of your dog.
Why would I do that?
It helps me obtain the information needed to determine the cause of the behaviour and how we can help your dog.
I will also educate the owner about the issues their dog is experiencing. We may talk about the behaviour their dog is displaying, why it is happening and what the dog is getting from it.
In almost all cases, the owner has been misinformed, either through their own research online or by family and friends who have given them incorrect advice. During the consultation, we help owners access the right information so they can move forward and help their dog.
Lastly—and most importantly—the private consultation allows me to understand the owner’s expectations of their dog and their dog’s behaviour.
In many cases, the expectations owners have of their dogs are unrealistic. They want their dog not to display normal behaviours such as barking, digging, pulling on the lead or being energetic. These are all natural and normal behaviours for dogs.
Some people want their dog to be comfortable being left in the backyard for eight or ten hours—or, in some cases, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We talk about what dogs need. In the wild, they would live with their family and would rarely be separated for long. Dogs are social creatures and often do not cope well with isolation or being left alone for extended periods.
WHY DOES DOG TRAINING OR BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION FAIL?
The biggest reason dog training and behaviour modification fails is not the dog.
It is often because the owner cannot or will not invest the time and effort required to train the dog. The owner may also lack the skills needed to train the dog effectively.
People sometimes expect that I will have a magic wand and fix their dog when they come to see me. I wish I had that magic wand!
The reality is that owners have to put in the work. Owners need to train their dogs regularly to establish or change a behaviour.
Some owners don’t want to walk, play with or train their dog. They may not want to provide mental activity, allow their dog inside the house or make their dog part of the family.
They want their dog to stop pulling, but they don’t have the time or desire to put in the effort required to teach the dog to walk calmly on the lead.
During our consultations, I talk with owners about readjusting their expectations and realistically considering what they need to change about their own behaviour to change their dog’s behaviour.
This is the key.
Can the owner change their expectations and behaviour? Can they realign their expectations and invest the necessary time and effort over an extended period to change their dog’s behaviour?
That is, of course, why they came to see me in the first place.
Yes, we also do some hands-on training and behaviour modification with the dog so you can implement the training when you return home.
IS ONE CONSULTATION ALL I NEED TO FIX MY DOG?
Sometimes, one consultation may be all you need.
Realistically, if you are serious about helping your dog, you will probably need several consultations.
Changing your own behaviour takes time. You have to form new habits, and it has been said that it takes an average of more than two months—or approximately 66 days—for a new behaviour to become automatic.
Once the new behaviour becomes a habit, it takes further time to develop it and make progress.
You will be most effective in helping your dog if you attend several sessions. It is similar to seeing a psychologist for human behavioural issues. A psychologist does not book you in for one session and magically fix everything. People sometimes see psychologists for many years.
Some people attend three sessions, others attend five, and some see me for many sessions.
Having several sessions is useful because you may be more motivated to complete the work between consultations when you know you will return and discuss how you progressed.
Of course, you are responsible for your own behaviour. I cannot do the work for you, but returning for another consultation helps keep you accountable.
I am also there as your coach, teacher and mentor, helping you change your own behaviour so you can change your dog’s behaviour.
This is the most successful way to help your dog.
There may be situations where only one consultation is needed, but that is usually the exception.
THE COST OF A PRIVATE CONSULTATION
Of course, everyone wants to know the cost of a private consultation.
A private consultation naturally costs more than attending a class. However, investing in educating yourself about dogs and dog behaviour now can save you a lot of money in the future.
For serious issues, it may also save you the heartache of having to rehome or potentially euthanise your dog because help was not sought early enough.
WHY DO I DO IT?
I am here because I care about you and your dog.
This is why I do this work.
This is why I chose to do this work.
I want you to have a wonderful, respectful, fun, loving and caring relationship with your dog.
I want your dog to have a high quality of life, have their needs met and be happy. If I can help you achieve that with your dog, it would be an honour.
If you are experiencing issues with your dog, please feel free to book a behaviour consultation with us. We would be honoured to help you and your dog.
Dogaholics Dog Training and Behaviour Services
