I am a qualified Canine Behaviour Advisor with a science degree in Canine Behaviour and Training (FdSc CBT). Consequently I have a wealth of knowledge and experience in assessment, planning and treatment of canine behaviour difficulties and apply my own ethos of excellent customer care and attention to detail, to this hugely important area of my work.

In this largely unregulated profession, people who have achieved the degree that I have, agree to call ourselves Qualified Canine Behaviour Advisors. Please be aware that as there is no legislation regarding people working with dogs, anyone at present may call themselves a behaviourist, including unqualified, inexperienced people, which is why I do not.

When seeking canine behaviour advice please be very careful to check evidence of up to date, recognisable training and qualification.

As a Canine Behaviour Advisor, these are some examples of behaviour difficulties that I am qualified to deal with: 

• Noise phobias - fireworks and so forth
• Chasing - cars, sheep, other dogs etc
• Excessive barking
• Aggression to other dogs
• Aggression towards people
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Excessive excitablity
• Guarding
• Growling
• Snapping
• Separation anxiety
• Jumping up
• Begging
• Stealing
• House training problems
• Helping your dog with a house move or a new baby or a new pet and many, many more

Assessment and Planning

In order to help address your dog's particular difficulty I will take as much information over the phone or e-mail in order to determine the best initial course of action. Depending on the issues this may include a recommendation that your dog has health checks at the vets before starting work. I will then visit you at home and carry out a full assessment taking at least two hours.

This is very informal but a thorough and professional discussion about your dog and the issues you have. I like to meet your dog at this session, but won't neccessarily need to do any work with them at that stage.

I can usually give you an idea at that appointment as to what will be involved. For example, I may need to carry out a further 'field' assessment of your dog's behaviour with you, perhaps out on a walk or whatever is appropriate. or I may need you to carry out a period of record keeping. 

When I have all the information I need, I then prepare you a full behavioural report, with details of what will be needed to be done to address the difficulties. Together then, we can plan to address the problems you are having.

Please note that no more behaviour cases can be seen this year due to exceptionally high demand at present and the need therefore to work with these dogs fully over the next few months. Please do get in contact if you are able to wait until January 2011 or if you need help immediately I can refer you to another suitably qualified behaviour advisor.

Cost

As each dog is individual, each plan will be different. The basic cost for an assessment and the report is £80 with any additional sessions charged at £25 per hour. If you are worried about the cost, please get in touch anyway as there may be ways I can still help you and your dog.

It is usual to have at least one follow up session to go through the report and for me to teach you any practical techniques that are neccessary and if any further sessions are needed, these will be planned with you.

Outside of the Haverfordwest area (5 mile radius)I will also need to make a charge for travelling at £5 per hour. I run an ethical business and will only prescribe further sessions of my time that are genuinely needed. If you live a long way away there are many ways we can reduce the travelling costs and still help your dog effectively.

Please note that in some instances a full health check by a vet may be needed before I can commence work. This is particularly so in aggression cases, in order to rule out or treat clinical causes. Local vets charge between £50 and £70 for a physical check and full basic haemotology (bloods) but additional charges may be made for more specific checks.

Many straightforward behaviour programmes, such as housetraining or preparing your dog for a new baby can be followed at home with e-mail or telephone support as you go along.

If further sessions are needed, we will work together at a pace and schedule to suit you and your dog.

Serious Aggression

If your dog has serious aggression issues, by which I mean a deep and multiple bite history, I can refer you to people who specialise in that area, and who are members of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. Don't risk going to someone who does not have full credentials, they could be fantastic but they may also damage your dog, check them out first. Modern behavioural practice involves no physical force, punishment or coercion.

If your dog bites, he or she must be muzzled and on lead in public.

Kerri Bee FdSc CBT

MAPDT 00999

01437 767648 or 07962220625

Kerri@windrushdogsforlife.co.uk