Behaviour Consultations
What is Behavior Consulting?
As a Behaviour Consultant, my approach is much different than a traditional obedience approach because my focus is teaching effective learning and empowered decision-making, rather than suppressing undesired behaviours. My FUNdamental Behavior Consulting programs combine one-on-one coaching, group workshops, online coaching, homework, social media communities and webinars to give my clients the most comprehensive training program to reach their training goals.
Through the principles of behaviorism, dogs can learn the relationship between their behavior and the consequences that influence it. And with carefully created teaching exercises that focus on empowering them to make choices to earn reinforcement, dogs can quickly learn to perform the behaviors that we desire of them and discover that learning is fun and well worth the effort. Essentially, our desired behavior and expectations for dog behavior becomes the dog’s choice through the repetitive use of conditioned learning and in particular the use of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.
FUNdamental Behavior Coaching is not just for dogs that are having difficulty coping in particular situations and experiencing behavior challenges but also for dogs that are just starting out and learning a new skillset to exist with their human companions. The application of behaviorism in teaching dogs has become widely accepted and is the foundation of systematic teaching approaches such as Clicker Training, made popular in the canine world by Karen Pryor. Clicker Training applies the use of a reward marker in combination with positive reinforcement to indicate to the dog at the immediate moment they perform a desired behavior and influence them to repeat the behavior for another chance to earn reinforcement.
As a Behaviour Consultant, my approach is much different than a traditional obedience approach because my focus is teaching effective learning and empowered decision-making, rather than suppressing undesired behaviours. My FUNdamental Behavior Consulting programs combine one-on-one coaching, group workshops, online coaching, homework, social media communities and webinars to give my clients the most comprehensive training program to reach their training goals.
Through the principles of behaviorism, dogs can learn the relationship between their behavior and the consequences that influence it. And with carefully created teaching exercises that focus on empowering them to make choices to earn reinforcement, dogs can quickly learn to perform the behaviors that we desire of them and discover that learning is fun and well worth the effort. Essentially, our desired behavior and expectations for dog behavior becomes the dog’s choice through the repetitive use of conditioned learning and in particular the use of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.
FUNdamental Behavior Coaching is not just for dogs that are having difficulty coping in particular situations and experiencing behavior challenges but also for dogs that are just starting out and learning a new skillset to exist with their human companions. The application of behaviorism in teaching dogs has become widely accepted and is the foundation of systematic teaching approaches such as Clicker Training, made popular in the canine world by Karen Pryor. Clicker Training applies the use of a reward marker in combination with positive reinforcement to indicate to the dog at the immediate moment they perform a desired behavior and influence them to repeat the behavior for another chance to earn reinforcement.
How We Work Together
We start our program by meeting in person or online to develop your goals and create a systematic plan. Next we start our foundation building lessons that are typically 60 minutes long and involve careful instruction on how to use a marker in reward-based training to effectively teach our animals how to behave.
Your program may also include recommendations for health and wellness support if your dog is struggling with anxious feelings, having difficulty adapting to environmental changes or otherwise not coping well with everyday life. Check out my pages on Essential Oils for more information on the medical and psychological use of plant medicine to support animals.
After 1-3 foundation lessons we are able to start to apply what you've learned to controlled settings so you can carefully practice the skills in responses to controlled trigger or distraction presentation. On average this stage will require 1-2 lessons to help make the behaviours automatic in a controlled setting before we head out into the real world to put what you've learned to work in an unpredictable environment. Most programs are 6-8 sessions but some only require 4.
We work together over a couple to several months and in a minimum of 4 sessions, anything less is not enough time to make a lasting transformation and effectively teach new, socially acceptable behaviours. Your behaviour program will be highly customized to meet your specific needs, reach your goals and create the life you dream of having with your dog.
Key Components of the Programs:
We start our program by meeting in person or online to develop your goals and create a systematic plan. Next we start our foundation building lessons that are typically 60 minutes long and involve careful instruction on how to use a marker in reward-based training to effectively teach our animals how to behave.
Your program may also include recommendations for health and wellness support if your dog is struggling with anxious feelings, having difficulty adapting to environmental changes or otherwise not coping well with everyday life. Check out my pages on Essential Oils for more information on the medical and psychological use of plant medicine to support animals.
After 1-3 foundation lessons we are able to start to apply what you've learned to controlled settings so you can carefully practice the skills in responses to controlled trigger or distraction presentation. On average this stage will require 1-2 lessons to help make the behaviours automatic in a controlled setting before we head out into the real world to put what you've learned to work in an unpredictable environment. Most programs are 6-8 sessions but some only require 4.
We work together over a couple to several months and in a minimum of 4 sessions, anything less is not enough time to make a lasting transformation and effectively teach new, socially acceptable behaviours. Your behaviour program will be highly customized to meet your specific needs, reach your goals and create the life you dream of having with your dog.
Key Components of the Programs:
- We work around your busy schedule
- We tackle your very specific goals
- Online trainings available to you to attend in the comfort of your own home
- Continuous support and guidance
- Additional online resources
- Professional, non-judgemental coaching
The FUNdamentals - Jump Start Program
Great for puppies and foundational training!
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The FUNdamentals - Basic Modification Program
Great for mild to moderately reactive dogs, anxious dogs, unfocused or easily excited dogs and those who need just a little bit more than the foundation lesson. |
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The FUNdamentals - FULL Modification Program
$1650CAD or six payments of $287CAD
Great for moderately to severely reactive dogs, aggressive dogs, separation anxiety and destructive behaviours. |
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Photos used under Creative Commons from marcoverch, ShebleyCL, RebaSpike
