Dog behaviourist

[BallyRoanBaubles]

A friend of mine is looking into a dog behaviourist for her dog. She has spoken to her vets who have suggested looking for someone who is registered on the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors).

She has done this but there is no one who covers her area. There are a few who will do a consultation over zoom, and she has spoken to one who has sent her a big questionnaire and needs a vet referral form.

However her issue is that the APBC lady is £300 and she is unsure if they will be able to help effectively over zoom?

There are a few local behaviourists who charge a lot less money and will actually come out to the house to help her. But they are not on the register, however they do work with the local animal rescue centre. Friend is not bothered about the amount of money but equally doesn't want to throw it away.

I'm unsure what to suggest she does as its not something I've had any experience with. I do know that pretty much anyone can do an online course and call themselves a behaviourist.

Does anyone have any experience of using a APBC behaviourist over zoom? Or using a more local one with less qualifications?

 

[planete]

I personally rate people who have done the full IMDT training and who also have experience of the problem. Would it be possible to speak to the rescues and ask them to recommend somebody who has successfully worked with the problem in question? For a serious problem like aggression I would not think zoom would cut it.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I don't think any trainer or behaviourist would be offended if a potential client asked them what they had done in the past in a similar situation and could thet possibly get video evidence and real testimonials? And talk through what they had actually done, nothing 'behind the shed'.

There is a lack of regulation and the whole dog training/behaviour 'market' can be a bit of a minefield IMO.

 

[Clodagh]

Slightly off topic but the person from whom Pep and all the others came from is a qualified behaviourist.
Still, the fact they were all electric collar trained made them easy dogs going forwards. ?

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Slightly off topic but the person from whom Pep and all the others came from is a qualified behaviourist.
Still, the fact they were all electric collar trained made them easy dogs going forwards. ?

Wow! It really is a mine field

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Thank you all for the ideas I'll pass them on

 

[twiggy2]

Dog training and behaviour is completely unregulated.
As a pet dog trainer over over 18 yrs I have done a few IMDT courses and dont rate them very highly, its all very safe advice, won't get anyone in trouble but personally I don't find it very effective long term. It's great to group training for dogs without major issues and when owners are very committed but beyond that I find there are lots of limitations.
APDT is seems to be far more comprehensive and less of a money making thing.
I have no experience of
APBC I wonder if it is affiliated with APDT?
To be honest vets often have no first hand experience of anyone they recommend, I qould try and find someone local who comes highly recommended and who is happy to discuss the issues and possible routes to try and change things whilst also providing contact details of clients who are happy to talk a out their experience.
Never use a behaviourist or trainer that promises results.
Feel free to pm me area and issues and I may be able to recommend someone if that may be of help.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Dog training and behaviour is completely unregulated.
As a pet dog trainer over over 18 yrs I have done a few IMDT courses and dont rate them very highly, its all very safe advice, won't get anyone in trouble but personally I don't find it very effective long term. It's great to group training for dogs without major issues and when owners are very committed but beyond that I find there are lots of limitations.
APDT is seems to be far more comprehensive and less of a money making thing.
I have no experience of
APBC I wonder if it is affiliated with APDT?
To be honest vets often have no first hand experience of anyone they recommend, I qould try and find someone local who comes highly recommended and who is happy to discuss the issues and possible routes to try and change things whilst also providing contact details of clients who are happy to talk a out their experience.
Never use a behaviourist or trainer that promises results.
Feel free to pm me area and issues and I may be able to recommend someone if that may be of help.

Its crazy isnt it, like I said friend is willing to spend the money but doesnt want to be ripped off by someone whos studied a few online hours!

Looking on the APBC website the ABTC (Animal behaviour and training council) is mentioned but nothing about APDT.

From what I gather the vets have just said that the behaviourists on APBC have actually got qualifications I dont think they can recommend anyone specifically.

There are so many different associations people can be registered to its hard work knowing which ones are worth anything!

Thank you will pm

 

[Smitty]

I have been camping with someone who purported to be one, but had given up as people didn't go with her suggestions. I am absolutely no more than a pet dog owner who is reasonably clueless and doesn't bother with training to any degree but:

a). My dog is jumping up at you because you showed him a stick and are now holding it above your head and he is convinced you are going to throw it

b). He is barking as there were fireworks being let off in the distance. No, I think I can still hear them and don't think they have stopped. His hearing is way more sensitive than ours, even I know that...

c) I know your not a dog trainer but a behaviourist, but surely you can, with all your expertise, stop your Collie x Lab jumping up at me. Also, I do think it would be better to give one command to stop/prevent it other than several random ones.

Another, much lauded one in my area, has told someone whose dog kept attacking small dogs, that she did this as thought they were rabbits... I just think she is not entirely trustworthy as she mistook my JR who she had known since she was a puppy and had been with for 3 days as a rabbit (apparently) and attacked him as we sat outside our tents.

I am sure, as with horses, it is getting the right trainer but this is a minefield. I would be wary of handing over £300 without some references.

 

[On the Hoof]

I have worked with the Animal Behaviour Unit at Lincoln University using zoom, lots of questionnaires and forms to complete and regular weekly forms to fill in and send in. Weekly videos sent in to them to review. It was £200 for the consult and that gives you 3 months follow up so we had weekly zoom sessions. For me it would depend on the issue, if my dog was , for example, aggressive to people or other dogs I would want a behaviourist with eyes on her. My dog was reactive but it was in very specific circumstances so I was convinced it was pain related and this seems to be the case, Lincoln guided me and my vet through pain trials etc but also gave me exercises and advice on speciific issues (barking at people passing house etc) . I really would recommend them if you cannot find a local person who is recommended.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I have worked with the Animal Behaviour Unit at Lincoln University using zoom, lots of questionnaires and forms to complete and regular weekly forms to fill in and send in. Weekly videos sent in to them to review. It was £200 for the consult and that gives you 3 months follow up so we had weekly zoom sessions. For me it would depend on the issue, if my dog was , for example, aggressive to people or other dogs I would want a behaviourist with eyes on her. My dog was reactive but it was in very specific circumstances so I was convinced it was pain related and this seems to be the case, Lincoln guided me and my vet through pain trials etc but also gave me exercises and advice on speciific issues (barking at people passing house etc) . I really would recommend them if you cannot find a local person who is recommended.

Thank you that's very useful