There is a first for everything in life and the same applies when we, as pet owners, have to experience something for the first time with our pets – like the first vet visit or the first visit to the behaviourist. It might sound daunting at first, almost like being called to the principal’s office, but there is really nothing to be afraid of. Reputable behaviourists are there to guide us when we need help – whether it is just a little, or a lot.
What to expect
There is nothing to be ashamed of when visiting a behaviourist. Whether you need help teaching your puppy a few cues, have a recently rescued dog who needs help, or an adult dog who needs guidance, the behaviourist will be able to help you in some way.
Normally, a behaviourist will request that you first take your pet to the vet for a full medical examination to ensure that there aren’t any health issues that could be causing or affecting his behaviour.
“We will take a full detailed history at your first visit to us,” says behaviourist Alyson Kingsley-Hall. “This history will most likely include all the family information and dynamics, a full background of the dog and his training history, and the type of training. We will also need information like his age, breed and gender, whether he has any medical conditions and if he is on any medication.”
She adds that the questionnaire will also investigate the dog’s socialisation history, physical and mental enrichment history, and whether he has bitten anyone in the past.
Where the problem starts
Often, we hear that if a dog misbehaves, the source of the problem lies with the owner of the dog. But that is not always the case. According to Alyson, it depends on the individual dog and his owner, and also on whether the dog is a rescue with an unknown or traumatic background.
“Often, the owner’s lack of understanding of dog behaviour, body language and the specific breed’s needs can also cause problems, or a lack of understanding of how the specific breed has been genetically selected to behave,” says Alyson.
She adds that an owner’s failure to provide the dog with outlets for his natural behaviour could also be a problem. For instance, if you have an energetic dog who needs regular exercise, but he spends his days inside a townhouse, the dog will probably start to show behavioural problems, as he is bored with loads of pent-up energy.
“Most behaviour problems are as a result of a conflict between the dog’s environment and his genetics,” says Alyson.
Outdated methods
She also says that it is extremely important for the owner to keep up to date with the latest information on how to handle your pet. “The way our parents and their parents trained their dogs could be outdated and, unfortunately, disproved training methods are sometimes still followed. We, as owners, cannot expect our dogs to behave in a positive manner if they are trained using outdated methods.
“Just because our parents did it a certain way, or we were brought up to treat dogs in a specific way, doesn’t mean it’s the right way to do it in today’s world. Also, when people have a lack of proper behavioural knowledge, or don’t want to change and accept modern scientific methods, this will have a negative influence on the dog,” says Alyson.
Another problem is when we accept incorrect advice from people who call themselves trainers or behaviourists, yet they don’t have any formal qualifications and they don’t follow the latest scientific principles, or keep up to date with modern methods. This can cause serious problems in a home.
Reputable behaviourist
The first step when consulting a behaviourist is to find a reputable one, who has the desirable qualifications and works using positive, rewards-based methods. The moment a behaviourist suggests any training that feels wrong, is negative or uses punitive methods, it is time to find somebody else. This is not the kind of training that you would want to expose your dog to.
“The best way to find a reputable behaviourist is through COAPE South Africa, which is an international institution and the best in our country. A COAPE Diploma in Animal Behaviour is the only diploma accredited by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC),” advises Alyson.
The COAPE website, www.coape.org, has a list of accredited behaviourists and offers a search facility to find a behaviourist in your area, or you can contact them directly for a referral to a behaviourist close to you. They also have final-year students who will provide free consultations under the mentorship of an experienced behaviourist.
There really is no reason why you should avoid consulting a reputable behaviourist to help you handle your dog in the best possible way. As a responsible pet owner, you will realise that it is in your and your dog’s best interests to get expert advice.
