Transform Your Pet's Behaviour with a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant

If you're struggling to understand why your furry friend is behaving in a certain way, it's time to call in the experts. A certified dog behaviour consultant can help you identify the underlying causes of your pet's behaviour.

With the right guidance, you can transform your pet's behaviour and strengthen your bond with them. A certified dog behaviour consultant has the knowledge and experience to help you achieve this.

They can help you identify the triggers for your pet's behaviour and work with you to develop a plan to address these issues. This can include training, exercise, and even changes to your home environment.

By working with a certified dog behaviour consultant, you can say goodbye to unwanted behaviour and hello to a happier, healthier pet.

We provide in-home dog training to clients within specific areas of Maryland, including Silver Spring, Bethesda, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Our team of trainers is committed to using positive, effective methods that don't involve shock collars, prong collars, or choke chains.

We serve areas such as Aspen Hill, Kensington, Rockville, and Fulton, among others.

We offer personalized training to meet the unique needs of each client and their dog.

Our Maryland dog trainers are qualified professionals who can provide expert guidance and support.

We cover a range of locations, including Chevy Chase, College Park, Hyattsville, Wheaton, Columbia, and Olney.

By choosing us, you can trust that your dog will receive the best possible care and training in a safe and supportive environment.

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To become a certified dog behavior consultant, you'll need to meet the requirements set by professional certifying organizations. There are two main organizations that issue certifications: the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

The IAABC issues the Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) designation, while the CCPDT issues the Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA). Both certifications require a significant amount of work and dedication.

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To be certified, you'll need to have at least 500 hours of consulting experience and 400 hours of coursework, seminars, or mentorships. You'll also need to provide three professional letters of recommendation and adhere to the "Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA)" principles in your work.

Here are the specific requirements for certification:

You'll also need to be familiar with significant behavior issues, including aggression, and pass an extensive exam. Additionally, you'll need to submit three advanced case studies and analyze complicated behavior case scenarios.

A certified dog behavior consultant is your best bet when dealing with challenging dog behaviors. They use up-to-date science and humane methods to help you change your dog's behavior safely and effectively.

You can benefit from a certified dog behavior consultant if your dog exhibits aggressive behavior, dysfunctional behaviors, separation-related behaviors, or destructive behaviors. They can also help with anxiety, fears, and phobias, resource guarding, dog bites, or other challenging behaviors.

A dog behavior consultation typically lasts up to 1 hour and involves a comprehensive behavior assessment. It's beneficial for both dog and puppy owners and requires the presence of all family members.

Here are some benefits of working with a certified dog behavior consultant:

We offer in-home dog behavior training throughout the Austin area for $165, but keep in mind that some locations may be restricted due to Austin traffic.

Our team is happy to provide virtual behavior consulting, which has been a very successful way to work through challenging behaviors for families with fear and aggression issues.

Private training sessions are also available at our Community Center, marked with the blue star, for $150.

We're flexible and can accommodate different schedules and locations, making it easy to get the help you need for your furry friend.

Behavior Consultants are like Pet Detectives, gathering clues and interviewing witnesses, including you and your family. They use their knowledge of canine cognition, ethology, and behavioral analysis to assess the evidence.

They may bring in another professional to help crack the case, and will often refer you to your dog's veterinarian. This is like having a Forensics expert, but for your dog's behavior!

Your Behavior Consultant will use their expertise to help you understand what's going on with your dog, and may recommend seeing a Veterinary Behaviorist if needed.

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Working with a certified dog behavior consultant can be a game-changer for you and your furry friend. You'll have access to an educated, experienced specialist who uses the most up-to-date science and humane methods to help you address your dog's behavioral issues.

A certified consultant can help you tackle a range of challenging behaviors, including aggressive behavior towards people or dogs, and dysfunctional behaviors like OCD.

If you're dealing with separation-related behaviors, such as your dog becoming anxious or destructive when left alone, a certified consultant can provide you with effective strategies to address this issue.

You can expect a certified consultant to use evidence-based methods to help your dog overcome anxiety, fears, and phobias, and to work with you to address resource guarding of food, space, and other valuable resources.

Some of the specific issues that a certified consultant can help with include:

A consultation with a certified dog behaviorist is a game-changer for dog owners. It's a 1-hour session where a professional trainer observes your dog's behavior and interacts with your family to understand the dynamics at play.

During the consultation, the trainer will carefully observe not only your dog's behavior but also the interactions between you, your family, and your dog. This is crucial to creating an effective training plan that addresses the specific needs of your dog.

The consultation is beneficial for both dog and puppy owners, and it's recommended that all family members are present to share their goals and challenges. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and can work together to achieve success.

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A customized behavior training plan will be provided after the consultation, detailing your dog's current behavior challenges and training goals. This plan will also include training options for you to choose from, making it easy to decide what works best for you and your family.

Here's what you can expect from the consultation process:

As a seasoned dog behavior consultant, I've had the privilege of working with various organizations and individuals to help improve canine behavior. I've been the Owner/Lead Trainer at Good Dog! Behavior Training, where I've honed my skills in training and behavior modification.

My experience also includes volunteering as a trainer at the NOCO Humane Society's Clicker Club, where I've witnessed firsthand the power of positive reinforcement training. I've also had the opportunity to train dogs for Train a Dog Save a Warrior, a program that pairs service dogs with veterans in need.

Here are some of the organizations I've worked with:

To start training, you'll want to schedule a Virtual Behavior Consultation with one of our expert consultants. This 60-75 minute appointment costs $150 and will help you develop a personalized training plan for your dog.

We recommend booking your initial consultation 2-3 weeks in advance, but if you need to see someone more quickly, we can provide referrals to other professionals.

Continuing education is key to staying up-to-date on the latest research and techniques in dog training and behavior.

The University of Ontario Veterinary College's Canine Aggression Symposium and Dr. Terri Ryan's Teaching Pet Dog Classes - Instructors Seminar are just a couple of examples of the many resources available to professionals in the field.

Dr. Ian Dunbar's Concepts for Treating Dog Aggression – Fighting, Puppy Behavior, Temperament and Training Seminar is a great resource for learning about addressing aggression in dogs.

Karen Pryor's Clicker Expo 2007 and 2012 events showcase the effectiveness of clicker training in shaping canine behavior.

Sue Sternberg's Shelter Dog Evaluation Workshop and Shelter Dog Aggression Workshop provide valuable insights into understanding and addressing behavioral issues in shelter dogs.

Dr. Patricia McConnell's Advanced Behavior Seminar is a must-attend for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of canine behavior and psychology.

Suzanne Clothier's Working with Fearful and Reactive Dogs workshop offers practical advice for helping dogs overcome fear and reactivity.

Dr. Karen Overall's Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals book is a comprehensive resource for veterinarians and trainers looking to improve their knowledge of clinical behavioral medicine.

I've had the privilege of working with some amazing organizations and individuals in the animal training field. As a seasoned trainer, I've had the opportunity to lead and train at Good Dog! Behavior Training, where I've honed my skills in behavior modification and training.

I've also volunteered my time as a trainer at the Clicker Club, helping to educate others on the power of positive reinforcement training. This experience has taught me the importance of patience and consistency in training.

One of the most rewarding experiences I've had was working with the Western PA Humane Society, where I served as a Behavior Consultant and Senior Trainer. This role allowed me to use my skills to help animals in need and make a real difference in their lives.

Here are some of the organizations I've had the pleasure of working with:

At Pawz For Health Dog Training Maryland, they don't support the use of shock collars, prong collars, or choke chains.

They provide in-home training to clients within Silver Spring, Bethesda, Aspen Hill, Kensington, Rockville, Fulton, Chevy Chase, College Park, Hyattsville, Wheaton, Columbia, Olney, Derwood, Brookeville, Takoma Park, Adelphi, and Potomac.

Their Maryland dog trainers are qualified to help you and your furry friend.

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