Even as little as just 10 years ago, if you
had problem with your dogs behaviour, then you’d probably just find the local
dog training club, or perhaps ask your vet for help.
Nowadays, dog behaviour has become a
profession, with new education courses and qualification options being
advertised on line and in all the dog magazines. Who knows whether Victoria
Stillwell or Cesar Milan have done more to promote the desire to join the merry
band of dog lovers who believe that they can help you fix your dog behaviour
problems.
Sadly, just a few months ago, I was asked
to help a lovely couple that were just about to have a baby and had 2
problematic puppies. They realised that the dogs were going to be handful
shortly after they came home and tried to find some help. Their story follows.
They went to the behaviourist’s training
location to talk about biting, jumping, house training problems, separation
problems, chewing problems and problem with one of the dogs constantly biting
and fighting the other puppy. They were
asked a few questions then the person got down his hands and knees and tried to
get one of the puppies to walk beside him as he crawled. An attempt at heel
work. Nothing else was addressed.
Six months later, with no progress, much
stress, and many of the problems having become worse, they contacted me. We now
had only 6 weeks before the baby was due.
I’m sorry, but I have to say that I felt
just awful that this lovely couple put their faith in someone proclaiming to be
a behaviourist. With such poor service, how would they think anything other
than that all behaviourists may be the same. Now I’m not magical, nor am I
arrogant, so I’m not saying that I could fix all these problems in 6 months so
that the puppies were perfect when the baby was born. However, I do know that
they would have been in a much better place had the problems not been allowed
to develop.
There are so many other situations similar
to this, such as when people have been told to use a choke chain or pin their
dogs or ignore them when they come home. All of these approaches simply serve
to make the problem worse. They are dangerous. They hurt. And most importantly,
they do nothing to teach your dog what you want, and they certainly do nothing
to improve how your dog feels about life.
So how can a pet owner figure out whom they
can trust? Despite what may be published on any web site - there is no regulatory body, and probably never will be.
Well, your vet is probably the best place
to start. They should have a list of qualified and experienced behaviourists
that they work with. Alternatively yes, look on line, but look at the
qualifications that your prospective behaviourist has. Then go there and check
up on the details of the qualification. I’m not saying that your behaviourist
needs a degree. Far from it. But there’s a raft of difference between a 4 week
on-line course, and qualifications that are regulated through a board such as
OfQual – the government’s official education / qualifications regulator.
Have a look here to find out more about the
types of qualifications that your behaviourist should have – www.COAPE.org
And have a look here to find a COAPE
qualified and trusted behaviourist – www.CAPBT.org.
If you’re in any doubt at all about someone
you’ve found, I’d be very happy to check things out for you – no matter where
you live.
You can contact the author – Anna
Patfield – at http://www.pawsability.co.uk.