All Dogs Go To Erinn

I can provide support for a wide range of behavioural issues. Get in touch to discuss your dog’s needs and I’ll let you know whether I can help. If necessary, I can refer you on to another trusted colleague.

Dogs are sentient beings with individual personalities and complex emotions, and problem behaviours are often complex and require time, understanding and dedication to manage. While there are no magical fixes and I cannot guarantee specific results, my behaviour modification programmes are designed to achieve positive, lasting change. My role is to help you understand the underlying motivation(s) for your dog's behaviour and to provide you with the appropriate management and behaviour modification techniques to address these stressors. I can’t wait to give you the support and guidance you need to help you and your dog succeed.

There are no quick fixes and in most cases, you should expect to see improvement in weeks to months rather than days. Dependent on progress, it may be necessary to modify the behaviour modification plan to ensure it meets you and your dog's needs. Making the recommended changes can sometimes be difficult for caregivers and following the plan requires patience and effort from everyone in the household. Unfortunately, for some dogs, problem behaviours will persist but we can work to manage and reduce the severity and impact of these. In rare cases, I may feel that improvement is unlikely given the circumstances and alternatives may need to be considered. A risk assessment will form part of the report that you receive.

Dog welfare is my priority. I use environmental management, enrichment and positive reinforcement training techniques, focusing on rewarding desired behaviours rather than punishing unwanted ones and giving your dog choice and control, to help them feel safer, more secure, relaxed and confident. This approach ensures a safe and enjoyable learning environment for your dog and promotes long-term behavioural changes.

Many pet insurance companies do cover behaviour consultations if you have the right level of cover. Before booking, please check your policy and contact your insurance company to advise them that you have been referred to a behaviourist who is a Provisional Clinical Animal Behaviourist Member of the APBC and they will let you know what is covered.

Yes, In accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act and the APBC/ABTC Code of Conduct, which requires that all members work solely on veterinary referral, you will need to arrange a vet referral prior to your initial consultation with me. Behaviour and health are intrinsically linked and in a large proportion of behaviour cases pain/an underlying medical condition is found to be a contributing factor, so the first step in addressing any behavioural problem is to ensure that your dog undergoes a full health check by a Veterinary Surgeon to rule out any underlying medical condition. Any change in your dog's normal behaviour needs to be discussed with your vet, even if it doesn't seen directly relevant to the problem behaviour.

Your initial consultation will be approximately two hours long. The first half will be an in-depth discussion about your dog, their background, behaviour and an exploration of the challenges you've been experiencing. I'll assess your dog's emotional state and motivation for the problem behaviour, identifying what initiated it and is how it is being maintained. Understanding your dog is important for you to be able to embark on your behaviour modification journey as a team. We'll work out a way forward, taking into consideration your individual circumstance and I'll give you first aid advice to action immediately, then within 5 working days I'll email you a comprehensive report and bespoke behaviour modification plan tailored to meet your and your dog's specific needs. The plan typically involves a combination of environmental changes, management and enrichment to increase your dog's sense of safety, security and confidence, along with changes to their lifestyle to increase their sense of predictability, consistency, choice and control. Dependent on the problem, the plan may also include a desensitisation and counter-condition programme and/or training. In extreme cases of anxiety or fear, the use of pharmaceutical drugs may be indicated. Only your referring vet can prescribe these and you may need to bring your dog back to your vet to discuss this option but I can advise you on this during the consultation.

Whilst this is not included in the consultation fee, it can be booked separately. I recommend all cases have at least a 1 month period of follow up to ensure any management and/or training put in place is being effective as changes may need to be made. In some cases, I will provide you with a daily diary so we can track progress and make any adjustments as necessary. Remote guidance and support provided via email/WhatsApp/phone is included for a 1 month period for a fee of £150, so you have swift access to advice should you have any questions or concerns.

Determining whether your dog needs a behaviourist or a trainer depends on the nature and severity of the issues you are facing. Here’s a general guideline to help you decide: When to Consider a Trainer: -Basic Training Issues: If your dog needs help with basic obedience commands like sit, stay, or recall, a trainer is usually sufficient. -Socialization Problems: Trainers can also help with socialization issues, like getting your dog used to new people, dogs, or environments. -Behavioural Training: For issues like jumping on people, pulling on the leash, or minor nuisance behaviours, a trainer can often provide effective solutions. When to Consider a Behaviourist: -Severe Behavioural Issues: If your dog has serious behavioural problems such as aggression (towards people or other animals), severe fearfulness, or compulsive behaviours (like excessive licking or tail-chasing), a behaviourist may be needed. -Complex Cases: For issues that seem deeply rooted or persistent despite training efforts, a behaviourist can provide a more in-depth analysis and a customized behaviour modification plan. -Medical Concerns: If the behaviour seems to be linked to medical issues (pain, neurological problems), a behaviourist can work in conjunction with your vet to address the underlying causes.