Dog behaviourist

[thevelvetcurtain]

We have a dog who should be working with a behavourist soon (although she is doing very well regardless, we do need that extra help).

The problem we have is that our behaviourist has asked to be paid the full fee beforehand. Is this normal? DP and I are both freelancers so we are used to asking for or being asked for deposits beforehand but the whole fee feels wrong. Any experience of this? Thank you!

No idea about behaviourists but I have always had to pay for training sessions up front.

@BiteyShark thank you, that's helpful to know. With group training sessions I would expect to pay for it upfront but this feels a bit different.

Not sure about the fee thing, but are they a registered behaviourist? Anyone can claim to be a trainer or a behaviourist, but the good ones are fully registered with the ABTC abtc.org.uk/ and the CCAB www.asab.org/ccab-register

We are starting work with a behaviourist this week (separation anxiety) and have paid for the first month in advance. At the end of the month we discuss if we would need another month full support or drop down to her lighter touch packages.

We had a free fifteen minute consultation prior to discuss whether the first steps needed to be 1 or 2 months, had it been the two months we would be paying for that in full in advance.

Almost all I spoke to whilst deciding who was the best fit for us had similar set ups.

Yes, it's pretty normal to ask to be paid upfront.

Otherwise there's nothing to stop clients attending the sessions and never paying a penny.

I've known as many do this as accept payment afterwards - so not universal but not unusual, iyswim. Do check they are accredited as @bunnygeek says.

I'm working with a (great) behaviourist and she invoices me after our session.

Our behaviourist was utterly useless. I wish we hadn't paid them. Maybe they want to be paid upfront so you can't argue the case for non-payment.