Can anyone recommend a dog behaviour therapist in or around Wolverhampton

[lenak]

We are looking for a dog behaviour therapist for our dog due to what appears to be fear-aggression towards other dogs and severe pulling on a lead.

I have contacted Cosford Dog Training, Dog Behaviour Matters (Stuart Ashley) and Bark Busters (Peter Foster) and am waiting for them to get back to me.

I was wondering if there was anyone on here who had had experience with any of these or could recommend anyone else?

Thanks in advance

[Scruffyhound]

I used Bark Busters for my doberman they were ok and when I did it you pay once and then call them as many times as you need to. A Doberman was not my choice but she was dumped at the vets where I worked at the time. So I took her in as the homes we used were full. I think its good your trying to get advice. What breed is it? My dog used to pull on the lead we went to puppy classes she was fine then she got attacked by 2 saffie cross bullterriers who were not on the lead she was never the same after and got aggresive towards other dogs and some people who wore hats. Good Luck

[minimu1]

Bark busters is a franchise. They are trainers and not behaviourists the standard will vary and you need no specific qualificiations to buy the franchise as far as I know so I would not use them personally.

I would only ever use a dog behaviourist with recognised qualifications and would always start here.

apbc link here

If you use the apbc your insurance may even cover the costas the are all qualified behaviourists.

[Scruffyhound]

This is true minimu1 and I used them for my dogs problems. There was someone being trained on the days my Doberman was being put through the training. I found them to be helpful and we got rid of some of the issues. I think maybe this was down to me not knowing how to deal with the problem my self and not knowing what to do. Now having dogs over the years feel more confident and better with my dogs. My lurcher is a great dog. She is fab and was trained better. Its the owner who needs educating on how to handle the dog I needed educating and maybe Bark Busters impressed me as I had only had the 2 dogs at the time and not ever owned one before. If that makes sense?

[minimu1]

It does make sense Scruffyhound and I am not writing them off just that as a franchise you may not get the same treatment from all sections of Bark Busters - some trainers may be fab and others not so experienced.

So glad things worked out for you - it is true the more dogs you have the better behaved they get!

[Scruffyhound]

Very true I think you know how to deal with it better? But then you can get some dogs with problems no matter what people do I guess its just trying to decide which is which. Im not slagging off a first time dog owner either I was one too! Its like having kids I guess or doing a job for so long you become better at it as you educate your self everything is learning Im still learning and will prob never stop

[lenak]

Thanks for the link minimu1 - I had a quick scroll through, but there seems to be only one by us and even that is a bit too far away.

We have booked an appointment with Dog Behaviour Matters (Stuart Ashley) for Friday. I liked the look and tone of his website anyway and I had a good long chat with him on the phone on Monday so I'll see how that goes.

On a more positive note, we took Dogly for a walk yesterday with my SIL's Jack Russell. I was dreading it after our christmas day debacle but although he went for him initially and there was a bit of pulling and growling he got much better after a while and even put up with the JRT jumping up and putting his front paws on his head.

When we saw another dog later, he barely reacted - very unusual for him.

I am hoping that his behaviour is down to lack of socialisation as a pup rather than an attack.

[daisydoggirl]

Hello

I'm a pet behaviour counsellor and dog trainer based in London. Sorry to barge in on the thread.

If you've got a behaviour problem with your dog its best to see someone who is a member of the APBC (the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) - it's one of only two organisations that are respected enough to be covered by pet insurance policies. So you may be able to claim your money back (depending on your particular type of cover).

There are lots of people out there who are simply not qualified to help with dogs and may suggest dangerous practises. Dog training and behavoiur is not very well regulated.

Pen (www.petshrink.co.uk)