Pets In Practice

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Telephone: 07843 559441
Email: info@petsinpractise.co.uk

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Myths About Pet Behaviour Counsellors / Behaviourists

MYTH: Anyone can become a Pet Behaviour Counsellor, there is no need for proper work experience and relevant qualifications.

FACT: This is much like saying a teacher should be able to teach at a school without any formal training or someone can become a dentist just because they have an interest in teeth. The truth is behaviour rehabilitation and training is based on science and without academic knowledge a Pet Behaviour Counsellor can only give advice based on their own experiences. Although personal experiences are essential in order to help pets and their owners we all know that one person's experience is going to be different to another person's experience. Which is why it is absolutely essential that those practising as Pet Behaviour Counsellors / Behaviourists should have at least a degree in either Animal Behaviour or Human Psychology. A teacher would not be able to teach on practical experience alone, a child psychologist certainly wouldn't be allowed to practise after 2 or 3 weeks of training so why allow a Pet Behaviour Counsellor to treat your pet who has no academic qualifications to backup their personal experiences.

MYTH: The Pet Behaviour Counsellor / Pet Psychologist / Pet Behaviourist I contacted said they were qualified

FACT: Of course they will say this as they are already advertising as a Pet Behaviour specialist and wouldn't want anyone to know that they don't actually have any qualifications in Pet Behaviour. So always ask what they mean by being "qualified" and be sure to write down what they say so you can check out the courses they have completed before booking a behaviour consultation with them. If they don't state the courses they have done on their website it is a sure bet they haven't actually done any formal courses, so always remember to call and check before committing to a costly consultation with someone who could be much less qualified to rehabilitate your pet than you.

MYTH: The Pet Behaviour Counsellor / Pet Psychologist / Pet Behaviourist has letters after their name or have stated the courses they have done

FACT: Anyone can put letters after their name. Letters after someone’s name gives the impression this person is much more qualified than they actually are. So ask what these letters mean or indeed search for their existence on the internet. Unfortunately you will often find that someone has given themselves a title e.g. Psychologist or letters after their name to indicate they are much more qualified than they actually are. If they have stated the courses they have done please check these courses out as many courses offered only provide 4-5 days of actual training, which is less time than most owners would have spent at puppy and dog training classes. This again highlights the fact that some behaviourists might be less able to resolve the pet's behaviour than the pet's owner, and the owner is the one who is paying. I have done a degree and Master’s Degree in Companion Animal Behaviour Management which equates to 6 years / 72 months  / 2190 days of behaviour training and would view this as being completely necessary to offer you and your pet a first class service.

MYTH: The Pet Behaviour Counsellor resolves my pets problem

FACT: No, we work with you to resolve your pet's problem. Behaviour rehabilitation will not occur overnight and therefore any decent Pet Behaviour Counsellor will inform you of this. The Pet Behaviour Counsellor will assess your pet and provide a treatment programme based on the reason behind your pet's behaviour problem. Unless the reason for the behaviour can be determined and treated, any methods or devices used to subdue the symptoms (i.e. anti-bark collar, training disks, squirting water, rattle bottle, punishing the act etc) are not only cruel (especially when used on a fearful pet) but also are likely to only work short term, if at all, leaving you with a far worse problem long term. Which is why "boot camps" or places where the dog goes away to be trained often do not resolve the dog's behaviour, it might initially but typically the dog reverts back once it has settled back home with it's owners. Why? Well dogs react to a situation and environment so unless the owner is taught how to change the situation or dog's environment, or indeed how to respond to the dog's behaviour the dog's behaviour will remain the same.

MYTH: Behaviour changes can occur in days

FACT: Problem behaviour did not occur overnight so will certainly not resolve over night either! Unfortunately unless punishment methods are used, which are not only unethical but could de deemed illegal too, behaviour rehabilitation takes weeks if not months to occur. This is another reason why "boot camps" achieve behaviour changes, within 2-4 weeks, as they often use aversive / punishment methods. Behaviour modification in pets is the same as in humans it will take lots of owner effort and time before improvements are seen. I always tell my clients that during the initial 4-6 weeks of behaviour modification they will put in an enormous amount of effort for not a lot of gain, this is very normal and I like my clients to be prepared for this. Rewards for their hard work will occur anytime after 4 weeks, dependant on effort put in, behaviour condition being treated and the pet's behaviour and response to the rehabilitation. As humans we like quick fixes which is why fast weight loss diets are often chosen by those wanting to lose weight. Reality is this weight loss is often difficult to maintain and the weight is put back on almost as quick as it was lost. I look at quick fix ways to treat pet behaviour as the same; the quicker it is resolved the more likely it is to reoccur weeks or maybe months down the line. A good Pet Behaviour Counsellor will make you aware of the time taken for proper rehabilitation and will also offer you "lifetime" aftercare. So be aware that those offering just a few months are unlikely to be around long enough to ensure your pet's problem is properly resolved.

MYTH: There are no bad dogs, just bad owners!

FACT: I don't believe the owners I personally deal with in a behavioural and training capacity are bad owners or indeed own bad dogs. I just think sometimes there are dogs that are with the wrong owner and an owner with the wrong dog and therefore it is the combination of dog and owner that is causing the problem behaviour. People love their pets and therefore most have no intention in causing a behaviour problem in their dog or cat which is why I think it is totally wrong to blame the owner for all behaviour problems. Of course some owners must be held responsible for their dog's behaviour, especially those who allow their dog off lead with no ability to be able to call them back. But most owners are just trying to do the best for their pet and, as a properly qualified Pet Behaviour Counsellor, I want to be able to do the same for them.

Looking for help?

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Are you looking for a pet behaviourist to help with your pet's problem behaviour?

If yes please click here to read how to ensure you get the best possible behaviour help you and your pet deserves.

Also click here to read what can tragically happen if you allow an unqualified and/or inexperienced person help you with your pet's behaviour or training
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Testimonials

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A huge debt of gratitude

08-02-2013 Hits:148401 Testimonials Super User

I first used Pets in Practise just over a year ago, when we needed to obtain high quality 'reward based' puppy training for the new addition to our family - Bo.   Bo is a Northern Inuit cross, whose role in our lives was primarily as a companion to our 5 year old son, Josh.  Josh had been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome 6 months previously, and we had heard that dogs make very good companions for children on the autism spectrum.  Indeed, we discovered that Dogs for the Disabled...

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The ideal pet trainer

08-02-2013 Hits:143336 Testimonials Super User

At Sunninghill Veterinary Centre we like to ensure a pet’s general well-being is good.  This means not only diagnosing and treating illness, but making sure a pet fits in well with their human family and enjoys their daily activities. In Kris we have found the ideal pet trainer and behaviourist.  She is sympathetic and understanding of an owner’s needs, whilst having great empathy with the pets. Many of our clients have attended Kris’ training classes or had one to one...

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A competent and caring behaviourist

08-02-2013 Hits:136475 Testimonials Super User

‘We recommend Kris to clients with new puppies as well as rescue dogs as a first stop to get advice on training and socialisation. We find her caring, professional and thorough approach is appreciated by all. We also refer our problem dogs to Kris, and find her thorough and practical approach is very well received. The client reports are always tailored to the individual case – with consideration of both the dog as well as the individual owners. It reflects...

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Compassionate, gentle and very knowledga…

08-02-2013 Hits:129149 Testimonials Super User

Ted became part of our family around 18months ago with so many problems I wouldn’t know where to begin. One of the biggest problems was taking him out for walks.  He was utterly out of control. Dogs, people, children, vans, postmen, joggers, cyclists…….you get the picture.  Another was welcoming guests in to the home. Nightmare. I was recommended Kris Glover, by a local vet, as someone who could help me re train Ted and do so with compassion and kindness. Kris arrived...

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We have referred several behaviour cases…

08-02-2013 Hits:138475 Testimonials Super User

As a practice, we have referred several behaviour cases to Kris and have felt completely confident in her capability and professional knowledge. We receive full printed reports on her consultation with the client and also on the recommended treatment for the pet. We referred our first cases to Kris based on other veterinary recommendations but had not met her. However after meeting her we were even more certain we had chosen the right behaviourist! Her enthusiasm, extensive knowledge and total commitment...

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Kris has shown great dedication to her w…

28-01-2013 Hits:139118 Testimonials Super User

Kris has been working with us since September 2005. In appointing Kris as our Behaviour Consultant and Puppy Class Coordinator, we chose her over and above three other well qualified candidates. We needed to trust and be comfortable with her methods, her people skills and above all, her empathy with our patients. It continues to be important that we feel confidence in referring our clients to her.  We are happy to say that Kris has shown great dedication to her...

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Anna showed us the way

28-01-2013 Hits:39954 Testimonials Super User

Introducing kittens to the dogs: We had previously had a cat before, and while our younger dog, Milo, had been good with our cat from a puppy, our collie cross, Podge had issues with the cat. This was a lot to do with Spider  the cat being so timid and running away, which would just trigger Podge’s chase instinct and we had to keep them separated because Spider would get too stressed. We lost Spider 2 years ago and really...

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Enthusiastic, sympathetic and helpful

28-01-2013 Hits:143032 Testimonials Super User

Kris Glover of Pets in Practise has been our approved behavioural therapist for some time now.  Kris is always enthusiastic, sympathetic and helpful.  She believes in compassionate management of behavioural disorders, which suits our own philosophy.  She provides an efficient service for clients and the practice, and achieves excellent results.  Her communication with client and practice is first class, ensuring that we are kept fully in the loop and involved in all aspects of the management when appropriate. Kris runs...

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Nicole Crooks RVN, BSc(Hons), DipCABT, NCert(AnBeh)

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