Private training.docx

**Private training.** **Private consult**. Dogs benefit from training, however, it is not always possible or in the dog\'s best interest to enroll in a group class. Some behavior, including dog aggression, comma aggression towards humans, comma reactivity, or fear are not safe or fair to the dog t...

**Private training.** **Private consult**. Dogs benefit from training, however, it is not always possible or in the dog\'s best interest to enroll in a group class. Some behavior, including dog aggression, comma aggression towards humans, comma reactivity, or fear are not safe or fair to the dog to enroll in a group class. These types of behavior require a thorough behavior consultation and assessment. There are many medical causes for changes in behavior which need to be excluded prior to beginning a behavior modification program. Since each dog is genetically different and has had different learning experiences, it is important that correct diagnosis of the problem and appropriate behavior modification techniques are identified. Behavior problems are often specific to the experiences the dog has undergone. Early experience, socialization, diet, medical conditions and training can all contribute to the problem. Therefore, a detailed history of the problem is the first step to an accurate diagnosis. **Initial contact.** It is important that you do not give any behavior advice over the phone. If a client asks for tips in this manner, you should explain that without having a full understanding of the behavior and meeting the dog, you cannot properly assess or diagnose the situation. Make sure through careful questioning that you feel confident that this. Is a behavior problem you can deal with and also that the dog is safe. Always ask if there is a bite history and if yes, what the severity of the bite was. Referred to the Bite Assessment scale for bite level and corresponding prognosis  Describe your services and outline in detail what you can offer, how long the consultation will take, how much it will cost, and how many consults you think it may take. Be honest and do not make any behavior, promises or guarantees. It is vital that the owner understand that the trainer cannot fix the problem, but instead can teach the tools so that they can work towards fixing the problem themselves. This conversation can provide a good indication of a client\'s commitment level. If both the trainer and client field that the console is the right course of action. Schedule a consult time and take payment to secure the appointment. It is not recommended to let the client pay at the time of the consults. If they do not show up, you will be losing precious time and money. At this time, the history questionnaire should be discussed and emailed to the client. Set a return date of the filled out questionnaire for at least a few days prior to the consult appointment to ensure you have enough time to prepare. Also discuss what is expected of the client. Management of the dog family members and a brief schedule of the assessment and what items the client should bring to the consult. **History Questionnaires.** It is important to have as much information about the behavior and dog as possible. Often there is more going on in the household than the owner is letting on or that they are even aware of. History questionnaires can flag multiple stressors in the dog\'s life that are relevant to the behavior problem. Owners are often unaware that a past incident can cause aggression to surface months or years later. It is important that the history questionnaire is as detailed as possible so that no underlying stressors are missed. History questionnaires can also help define the depth and severity of the behavior before you take on the client. It is important to make sure that the issue you are dealing with is within your expertise and experience. **Level of Experience** After reviewing the client\'s history questionnaire, be sure that you have an in depth understanding of the behavior issue and any other issue you feel has been flagged in the questionnaire. If you do not feel comfortable, it is OK to tell the client that you are not ready to take them on and refer them to someone who can handle their issue. It is far better to be honest than to give them the wrong advice and potentially make the problem worse.  [Continued Education] It is essential for trainers to gain knowledge and experience in many different behaviour problems before going on their own. This can be achieved through conferences, seminars, webinars, books, teleconferences and hands on experience through volunteering at a local humane society or rescue group. The journey of a dog trainer is never complete as there is always more to learn and experience and it is critical to keep our knowledge current. **Clients** Clients are vitally important to any behaviour modification program.  It is important that clients have a full understanding of the time required, training and patience and are committed to a behaviour modification plan. A client who is not committed can often be reflected poorly on the trainer. Client compliance when dealing with aggression is an absolute necessity, if you are unsure of their commitment level, do not take them on as clients. **Safety** It is important to always feel safe. Whenever you leave for a private consult, if you are going alone, make sure to leave basic information with someone including the address where you are going, the clients name and contact information and how long you think you will be at the consult. Once a consult is planned, it is important to give the client clear instructions as to what you expect when you arrive at their house. If the dog has a bite history, do not take chances; have the client crate the dog for your arrival. Often clients want the trainer to see the dog exhibiting the problem behaviour. It is important to explain to them that we do not need to see the behaviour to understand what is going on. The priority is to prevent the behaviour from happening as much as possible, as practice makes perfect. **Be Prepared**  Before you head to your consult make sure you have all of your training tools and handout materials.  It is very important to be prepared for any event when going to a private consult. It is equally important to pack things with you that you might not have thought of at the time. Make a list beforehand and have everything in a bag or Rubbermaid container so that it is easily carried around and accessible. Your list should at the very least include leashes, collars, harnesses, Halti's, muzzles, wraps and calming bands, any recommended books or products that your client may be interested in purchasing, handout material, including extra copies, treats (multiple flavours and values) treat bag, clicker and extra clothing for you. **What to Wear** Looking professional and dressing with safety and comfort in mind is an important aspect of being a dog trainer. You should wear thick jeans and closed toe shoes to ensure your safety if any mishap should happen, often these dogs lack impulse control and are jumpers that could scratch your legs. It should always be the goal for a trainer to not push a dog into a reaction but if anything does happen your clothes can be your first line of defense. Make sure you are aware of anything extra you may be wearing that could be a potential trigger for the dog you are going to meet. Take off sunglasses, large coats or hats before you meet the dog. Think ahead to what the consult is for and dress appropriately. For example, if the consult is for jumping and mouthing do not wear anything that could be grabbed onto and make sure your earrings, watches or long hair are all out of harms way. **When you Arrive** It is important that when you arrive before getting out of the vehicle you have made sure that the dog is contained properly, if the dog is loose remain in your car and either wait for the owner to come out or make a reminder call for the owner to bring the dog in the house and have them safely contained. If the dog does not need to be contained, make sure you are aware of the dog\'s body language. It is not recommended to reach out and shake the owner\'s hand if the dog is with the owner, as this can be seen as a challenging act and could potentially trigger a reaction from the dog. Before you begin, have your client sign the client waiver, compliance waiver, and any other forms you may require. It is important to go through the history questionnaire with your client and ask any questions you may need for clarification. Pause often and ask the client if they have any questions and if what you\'re outlining is something they are willing to do if the answer is no, you will have to modify the plan to fit their abilities where possible. **Management of the Consult** It is important to be very clear when arranging the consult what the expectations are, if there are children involved, how many family members plan on taking part in the consult, what the client needs to bring and what they should be prepared for.  **Consult Outline. ** [Diagnosis] In order to explain why the dog might be exhibiting his problem, we must first determine the cause as well as any factors that might be reinforcing or aggravating the situation. The diagnosis should be based on the information provided by your client's questionnaire, the information the client provides at the consult, and observation of the dog\'s behavior at the consult.  [Prognosis] The next step is to determine the prognosis. Which is determination of what might be achieved and how this can be accomplished to best suit the dog and clients needs. It is important to be honest in this discussion as some owners have unrealistic rehabilitation expectations that can only set them up to fail. Although there is always hope that a treatment program will resolve or at the very least reduce the dog\'s problem, it is not always practical once the problem has been determined. [Treatment Plan] By helping the clients achieve a better understanding of canine behavior, body language, and how dogs learn, it can help them to understand and empathize with the dog. This sets them up on the path of working together to get through the behavior as there is an understanding. The first step should be to try and repair and improve the current relationship between Dog and his family. A treatment program needs to incorporate behavior modification techniques based on positive reinforcement and which will likely include desensitization, counterconditioning and counter commanding and environmental management. Which are adjustments to the environment to better manage the situation. This needs to be set up very clearly for the owner so they clearly understand what to do and what not to do. Equipment should be discussed and tools such as a head halter, body harness, muzzles or clickers to help modify the dog\'s behavior should be considered as most dogs are wearing incorrect or improperly fitted equipment. Handouts or further reading materials should be given so the client can refer back to information that has been shared. [Follow Up] The final aspect of the consultation is the follow up on the case to guide the client through the program and monitor the dog's progress. A report may need to be sent in most cases to outline the consult details and the modification plan and goals. For some cases a follow up visit may need. To be scheduled at a designated time. Telephone support should be available to your client for the first six months following a consult. Often a group class would benefit the owner and should be recommended as follow up to your consult. **Alternative Options** There will be times when the work needed to manage the behavior is too much for the owners or the owners are not experienced enough to handle the situation in a safe manner. In these cases, rehoming is an option. Many behavior problems arise because the dog and the family are not the right match. You should advise your client to ask multiple questions to potential new families. And be honest about the behavior issues that the owner is experiencing. Seeking help from a local Humane Society may also be an option to rehome, depending on their organizational philosophies. Trainers should be familiar with local humane societies and rescue groups. Sometimes the difficult decision of euthanasia must be considered. It is vital that all other options be explored before considering euthanasia. However, if you feel the dog is a risk to the public safety of people or other animals, it is important to be honest with your client so they understand the risks, severity, liability, etc. that may be involved moving forward in these cases. Euthanasia is not always the worst-case scenario for the dog, but it should always be the owner\'s decision and the trainer simply outline possible options.