​Behavior Consultants should have a certification from a professional organization, such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) or the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), both organizations certify behavioral consultants who specialize in canine training and behavior.

 

To clarify, there is a difference between a behavior consultant and a veterinary behaviorist.

A veterinary behaviorist is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of behavior problems in dogs (and other pets). The additional education is equivalent to human psychiatry, and veterinary behaviorists are considered animal psychiatrists.   Where a behavior consultant can help evaluate and prepare a training and behavior modification plan to help your dog improve in the areas requested.

 

Many times, Behavior Consultants work with Behaviorists to help the client understand the written plan and proceed with the training/behavior modification for their dog. The advantage of the Behaviorist is not only their expertise, but also the ability to write prescriptions that may be necessary to help your dog. I have referred clients to a behaviorist when modifying the behavior alone is not enough and medication may be needed.

 

Similar to professional dog training, the field of animal behavior is unregulated, and, unfortunately, anyone can call him or herself a behaviorist, regardless of her training, ability, or background. It’s important to look for professionals with the proper education, experience and certification.

 

How it Works

 

If your dog exhibits a behavior, such as reactivity, leash reactivity, fear, anxiety, stress, hyperactivity (sometimes is just dealing with an adolescent), noise phobias, and aggression (25 different types), then you can:

 

1. Contact me at kat@katbaines.com, and we can go over options for treatment.

2. You will need to fill out the Behavior Plan form (hover over the Behavior Modification tab), which gives me a great deal of information to help your dog.

3. I meet your dog and evaluate the behavior, the living environment and understand more about what changes are needed.  Then I write a behavior modification plan to help you start the process of helping your dog.

4. The plan includes 3 in-person sessions and 1 virtual session in the package. Or if it’s all virtual, there is a reduction in price.

5. Through the sessions, I will break down the processes into manageable sections so you see progress as you start to modify the behavior

6. Once your dog is behaving as needed, we can check in periodically to ensure the process is working.