Reactivity Package

The term 'reactive dog' is very common. It means a dog who cannot cope when a trigger is present; who overreacts to people, dogs, traffic, kids, bikes (really anything!) This can lead to dogs staring, avoiding, lunging, growling, barking, snapping and even biting towards their trigger.

This can make dogs walks a chore, requiring owners to constantly scan the horizon for triggers, and it can be heart-breaking that others often don't see the snuggly, calm, playful, intelligent side of our dog.

If this sounds familiar, then you are in the right place. Together we can build your dog's resilience (strength and the ability to cope) in the often worrying world they have found themselves in.

THIS IS WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR

"Obama was extremely reactive to dogs. After working on building his confidence he greets and plays with dogs with no problems and I can easily call him away from dogs he seems wary of.

It's honestly like having a new dog."

Rosie with Obama the Chihuahua

The Package Goals

Goal one - we want to address the root of your dog's reactive behaviour by changing their emotions response. If your dog feels positive, calm and comfortable around their triggers reactions will reduce/stop.

This goal is achievable however I have had a reactive dog and I know life it not perfect! You and your dog will be in situations that may be too hard for your dog too soon (which causes a reaction) even despite your best efforts to set your dog up for success. Therefore, we have a second goal to ensure our training can fit into everyday life.

Goal two - to train your dog a default behaviour which is not compatible with reactive behaviour.

These goals give you a plan A and a plan B - goal one works to solve the problem, helps your dog to feel better (plan A) and goal two ensures that if a trigger is too close too soon, your dog can cope (plan B).

Together these goals give you achievable, realistic, positive results.

"I was referred to Karen by my vet after my dog started reacting to cats, both at the window and on walks. I started with a zoom call and then a home visit. The home visit was especially helpful and reassuring that the way I was doing the training was ok. The advice I was given was excellent and the difference in his reactivity in a few short weeks is amazing. I'm sure with continued training he will improve even more.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Karen."

Shirley with Harry the Cocker Spaniel

How it works

I offer a 8-week behavioural session package specifically created for reactive dogs. I will create you a tailor-made plan to follow that fits in with your schedule to set you and your dog up for success.

The internet, social media, friends, family, and neighbours often give you conflicting advice leaving you confused and unsure where to start. Let me guide you all the way.

We will meet every two weeks to progress the training (although this is flexible to suit your schedule).

Session 1 - a Zoom call
- We will talk through your dog's behaviour, what you can put in place immediately to help your dog feel calmer, less stressed and in the best mind frame possible to learn.
Session 2 - an in-person session at your home
- We will start to work on the practical side of training - introducing different reward markers (a clear way to communicate to your dog when they are carrying out the desired behaviour) and training an alternative behaviour to reacting.
Session 3 - a Zoom call
- We will introduce distraction training to ensure your dog can focus on you no matter what is in their environment.
Session 4 - an in-person session on a busier walk
- We will now bring everything together and work in front of your dog's triggers. We will concentrate on changing your dog's emotional response to their trigger(s) so you can enjoy dog walks again.

I only take on a limited number of clients to ensure I have lots of time during the day to support you and answer your questions promptly.

Pet Insurance

As I am a full member of the APBC many pet insurance companies will cover my fees when working on behavioural issues. Please get in touch with your company to ask. Pet insurance companies will reimburse you (often minus your excess) after our sessions are complete.

LET'S GET STARTED

"Karen is wonderfully patient with our little terrier who is anxious around other dogs. He has come on so well with her help and we will continue with her suggestions. She is available to speak to if we have a problem which is very reassuring."

Dot with Jack the Terrier

Package details

The Reactivity Package £510*
Introductory Price £410 (till Jan 25)*

The sessions -

1.5 hour Zoom call
1.5 hour in-person session at your home
1 hour follow-up Zoom call
1 hour follow-up in-person session meeting on a dog walk/around your dog's triggers

The support (yes, this is a lot as I am here to support you and your dog all the way!) -

Information gathering from you and your vet, to help me plan and make the most of our time together.
A written plan sent to you after each session.
Regular check-ins between sessions to ensure everything is on track.
Direct email/phone support for 8 weeks after our last session to address any queries, so that you have timely guidance and reassurance when you need it.
Access to monthly group client support call (PB Connect) where you are welcome to ask me questions and listen to the monthly topic for further tips/training reminders (starting in January 2025 - 7pm on the last Thursday of the month).
Access to a private client Facebook group.
Organising a Veterinary referral, liaising with your Vet, and completing Pet Insurance paperwork.

Save £100

*Travel Expenses (per visit)

Perth City - no additional charge
Perth & Kinross - £10 to £20
Dundee City - £15
Angus - £15 to £25
Fife - £15 to £30
Stirling - £25
Clackmannanshire - £25

Due to the size of these areas the above are estimates. For a quote to your location please get in touch.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

"Our new pup was extremely anxious, so we contacted Karen about some 1-2-1 sessions. Karen has come out to visit us a number of times and was very flexible to how we used our time with her. She gave a lot of good advice and was happy to change any course of action we'd discussed based on how our pup had responded to it. She liaised with our vets on our behalf and made everything very easy for us.

If I ever had any issues in the future with any of our dogs I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to Karen for help. 100% recommend Pet Behaviour Consulting."

Rachel with Ari the Labrador

Why Pet Behaviour Consulting?

It's a bit of a minefield with regards to finding a suitable trainer and behaviourist. Making the wrong decision isn't just a waste of money, it's also potentially damaging to your dog and can cause you (and your dog) significant problems in the long run. I have numerous academic qualifications, along with approval from Victoria Stilwell, Karen Pryor, and Veterinary Surgeons, to ensure you and your dog are in safe hands. To view my qualifications, experience and recommendations please read the 'About' page.
What does the training look like?

My approach uses positive reinforcement-based, force-free methods. We will motivate your dog to work for you whether this is when training a super fast recall around distractions or when working on changing unwanted behaviour. We want your dog to do what you ask because they want to, not because they are scared of what will happen to them if they don't. When working on behavioural issues we will work on changing your dog's emotional response to a trigger (i.e. anxiety/fear/frustration to calm/positive feelings). If your dog feels better reactions reduce and stop! I will demonstrate the training to you with your dog (if appropriate) and then I will support and guide you while you practice.
Can you guarantee that you can solve the problem?

Quite simply, no. Nobody can guarantee anything when it comes to a dog's behaviour because they are not machines that we can simply re-programme. For that reason, you should be very wary of anyone who guarantees anything of the sort! The successful outcome of the situation depends on several factors: our assessment of the situation and advice, your involvement and active participation in the progress, and your dog's response. What I can guarantee you is that I will use my skill and expertise to determine the issues and develop a personalised plan based on sound, scientific understanding, using ethical and kind strategies to help you to achieve your training goals.
Why is remote training a good idea?

Often people are told to attend group classes and/or to get a person into your home to help you and your dog. This can be beneficial for some dogs, but not all. Dogs are individuals and not one approach will suit everyone. It can be difficult for a dog to learn new cues in front of big distractions (like a new person in their home, or in front of lots of dogs in a class). This is why learning online can be helpful. It gives you and your dog time and space to learn new training BEFORE asking your dog to listen to you in front of distractions - it can set everyone up for success! We always use the kindest and most effective training methods, and sometimes that can mean remote training is the best option. Online training and behaviour help can be very effective. I have previously worked with clients from Uist to Los Angeles who have managed to work through their dog's behavioural issues successfully. There are many ways we can assess and change your dog's behaviour without seeing each other in person.
Why could my Vet be involved?

It is important to liaison with your Veterinary Practice and to view your dog's clinical history before we start behavioural training together. If working on training (i.e. teaching your dog new behaviours like recall, lead walking etc. rather than solving an issue like reactivity or separation anxiety) your Vet will not need to be consulted before we start our sessions. Many medical conditions can contribute to behavioural issues, this needs to be taken into account when working on changing behaviour. Simply put - we could do all the training in the world to help your dog overcome their issues, but it is unlikely to help if a medical issue is fueling your dog's behaviour. We need to cover this base. When you sign up to work on behavioural issues a Veterinary Referral form will be sent to your Veterinary Surgery for completion via email. This ensures your Vet is happy for us to work together and keeps them up-to-date.
Can I claim the costs on my pet insurance?

As a full member of the APBC many pet insurance companies will cover my fees. Please call your insurance company if you plan to claim. Claiming on your insurance is assessed on a case-by-case basis so it is best to check first. Please inform your company that I am a full member of the APBC - companies only cover fees of behaviourists who are members of particular organisations (the APBC being one of them). To book in a behavioural session package the fee is required within two days to confirm your appointment days/times. Then you can claim the cost back from your insurance which will get paid directly to you.