SMRTDOG PRIVATES

If you are seeking help for a fear, anxiety or aggression issue, please fill out the CANINE BEHAVIOR QUESTIONNAIRE. When filling out this form, please be as SPECIFIC AND DETAILED as possible. This document provides lots of additional information that paints a broader picture of the dog’s life for the Canine Behavior Consultant. In addition, if you decide to book a private consultation, the Canine Behavior Consultant already has most of the information that she needs and it is not necessary to spend an hour taking notes. Instead, the private consultation (or first session) can be spent demonstrating hands on exercises (and in depth discussion) designed to target the problem behavior.

The fee for a private consultation is $195/hr. If the client is comfortable with the treatment plan and would like to continue, they can schedule further sessions.

The initial private consultation will provide the client with LOTS of educational information on dog behavior and training, as well as, specific exercises tailored to address the dog’s specific issue.


Private Consultations

Training or Behavior Modification?

Before problem solving behaviors, it’s important to understand the difference between normal nuisance behaviors and behavior disorders.

What is a behavior disorder?

A behavior disorder is an emotional disorder related to aggression, fear, and/or anxiety, that is considered excessive or abnormal for that species. It is unrelated to training.

Some examples of behavior disorders include human-directed (human-dog) aggression, dog-directed (dog-dog) aggression, separation anxiety, profound fear (dog is unable to recover in a reasonable amount of time) and noise / sound phobias.

Can aversive training contribute to a behavior disorder?

Yes, aversive methods risk creating a negative emotional state and may contribute to the development of a behavior disorder. This is just one of the reasons we discourage use of aversive methods in training.

What is considered an aversive training method and/or an aversive training tool?

Aversive training tools include choke chains, prong collars and electronic (shock) collars.

Aversive training methods involve leash corrections, leash “pops,” and leash jerks/snaps.

These methods and tools are NOT recommended, as they do not foster a positive and relaxed learning experience for the dog, especially dogs that may have a behavior disorder. Punishment happens after the behavior and does not provide adequate (or fair) information to the dog. It’s better to be proactive and teach the dog what you want him to do, rather than punishing him after the fact.

Can positive training help with a behavior disorder?

Yes, dogs with fear or anxiety conditions can benefit from positive reinforcement based training in much the same way as shy children benefit from team sports or other confidence-building activities.

Can well-trained dogs develop a behavior disorder?

Yes, even well-trained dogs can have behavior disorders. Examples include separation anxiety or human-directed aggression. These disorders can occur in spite of the fact that the dog may be very obedient and well-trained.

Can it be both a training problem and a behavior disorder?

Yes, some emotionally unstable dogs may, in addition, have training problems, but training problems and behavior disorders are treated independently as separate entities.

Who should treat a behavior disorder?

Behavior disorders and exaggerated or abnormal behaviors should be addressed by a qualified professional. (Link to Jamie Bozzi qualifications and credentials.)


PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

When it’s simply a training problem

Dogs that are behaviorally normal and emotionally stable fit into the category of a training problem, rather than a behavior disorder. Some examples include:

Training involves the learning of human-taught appropriate behaviors that are unrelated to addressing an emotional issue of the dog.

   


PAYMENTS

Full payment for a single private session ($195/hr) is due on the date of the private session.
Additional mileage fees may apply. Those fees are only due on the date of the first private session.


NO REFUNDS

There are no refunds.


REGISTRATION FORMS

Please make sure that you fill out a Canine Behavior Questionnaire PRIOR to the first private session. The Canine Behavior Questionnaire should be filled out and returned to Jamie Bozzi no later than 24 hours prior to the first session.


CANCELLATIONS

If you need to cancel or reschedule a private session, 24 hour notice is required. If you do not provide 24 hour notice, the normal rate of $195/hr will be applied and it will be counted as one private session.