Prices & Services

How Does Back to Balance Canine Behaviourist Work?

Tailored Training for Every Dog

Over the years I have tried many different methods and techniques when working with dogs, both as a dog trainer, and a dog behaviourist, and I can confidently say, that something which may work for one dog will not necessarily work with another.

For example, you would not use the same techniques to teach a dog heelwork to music that you would use to train a dog to take down an armed robber. There is such a vast selection of methods available it is no surprise that dog owners are left feeling somewhat overwhelmed as to what they should be doing.

Personally, I have found that the most effective way to assist a dog in rehabilitation is to help them to teach themselves. The vast majority of unwanted behaviours have been brought about either as a result of environmental influence or an unintentional lack of understanding and knowledge from the owner.

Owners do not intentionally teach separation anxiety, reactive behaviour, or resource guarding, but yet these problems are at an all time high.

Understanding & Reversing Behaviours

My aim over the last 18 years has been to show and explain to owners why the unwanted behaviours have started and then help to reverse them. This is usually a combination of breeding, breed type, and environment. Unwanted behaviours are generally an outlet for frustration, and exist as an outlet for the dog to try and cope day to day. I will identify the root cause of the issues, and by doing so, the dog then starts to rehabilitate itself based on the adjustments put in place to mitigate the need to engage in unwanted outlets. This happens simply because the way they are being treated and understood each day has changed.

Control by way of fear is not something I would promote on any level. Your dog should act as you want, not because it has to but because it wants to. It is however important to realise that strictly following either completely positive or negative reinforcement is unrealistic as nature simply does not work that way. Being able to understand how to combine both in such a way as not to be detrimental to an animal is far more effective, efficient, and of course fair to your dog.

My sessions are carried out in your own home with yourself and your pet and are very much hands on. After identifying the root cause of the problem and then showing you myself how this can be prevented and reversed. I will put YOU in control so that by the time I leave you are happy and confident in what needs to be done to return your pet to a more balanced and happy life.

Invest in your dog's happiness

Available Packages

Phone Consultation

£30

If you would like to have a brief 30-minute chat to discuss the issues you are looking for help with and to look at changes that may be implemented without a one to one session, this can be booked through the website at a cost of £30.

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Online Video Consultation

£200

I have helped thousands of dog owners through online video consultations by chatting through the issues and being able to observe the dog in the home environment without visiting in person. It is worth pointing out that not all behavioural problems particularly those that are attached to reactive behaviour outside can be addressed this way. The consultation is around 2 hours at a cost of £200.

Basic One to One Session

From £300

The basic one to one session takes place in your home and is around 2-2.5 hours. In this time, I will assess your dog fully to understand and determine the root cause of the issues and be able to implement the necessary changes going forward. The session is followed up with a full report that is tailored specifically to your dog, so not a generalised printout from the internet. You will also receive 6 months of ongoing support either by phone or WhatsApp video call. The cost of the session is from £300.

Premium One to One Session

From £600

The premium one to one session is split into three. The initial 2-2.5 hour consultation and full assessment at your home outlying the root causes and necessary changes needed going forward. This is then followed up with two 2-hour sessions to check progress and make sure everything is on track. The follow up sessions are more on the practical side to check that methods and techniques put in place during the initial session are still being applied correctly. This is also followed up with a full report and unlimited additional support either by phone or WhatsApp video call. The cost of the premium session is £600.

Why do you not split the sessions into several shorter sessions?

I do not drip feed information into shorter sessions over time as this is a more effective way for me to impart information and guarantee understanding from the client. My clients also find this more cost effective.

What methods do you use?

There are so many opinions on the internet about what methods should or should not be used when working with your dog that it often leaves owners feeling over whelmed as to what they should be doing. Finding the right approach for your dog is essential.

Positive Reinforcement:

This involves lots of reward and play on a positive level to help shape the behaviour you want by helping the dog increase its chances of repeating the desired behaviour, whilst at the same time simply ignoring the behaviour you do not want. This way, the dog is given the choice to repeat behaviour that is followed by a positive result.

Operant Conditioning:

This is also known as instrumental conditioning. This focuses on associating behaviours with consequences to either increase or decrease their frequency. This is achieved using positive reinforcement (rewarding desired behaviours) and mitigated corrections (discouraging unwanted behaviours).

Here is a more detailed explanation:

Operant Conditioning:
A process of where the dog’s behaviour is modified by its consequences.
Positive Reinforcement:
Adding something desirable (a treat or praise) to increase the likelihood of something being repeated.

I use a combination of both to meet a point in the middle that is both fair, and realistic to either increase or decrease behaviours in dogs without being harmful to the overall long-term development of their behaviour physically or mentally. In short, this creates a perfectly balanced relationship between dog and owner.

What else do you go over?

Clients will be helped to understand and recognise specific aspects of their own dog’s body language, eye contact and verbal communication, as well as any contributing environmental factors that may be relevant.
The owner will learn how to communicate with their dog from a point of view that the dog understands, rather than relying solely on manmade constructs such as obedience training.

What is the difference between Training and Behaviour issues?

Behavioural problems are exactly that and cannot always be resolved with training involving food or toy-based distraction. The solutions are achieved by providing lifestyle changes and adjustments to daily interactions rather than relying on isolated training techniques. This removes the need for owners to set aside specific set times each day to engage in training exercises, but rather utilises adjustments to day-to-day interactions between dog and owner, to find effective solutions. Once behaviour issues are addressed and resolved, you will find that training techniques are either not required or that your dog is far more receptive, and the techniques are more effective as you and your dog now understand each other.