Dog Behaviourists - London

[lurcherloveswoodland]

Hi all,

I've posted here before asking for advice on how to manage our two year old dogs behaviour when guests come into the house.

Unfortunately, try as we might, we can't seem to work out how to manage this, and dog seems to be getting increasingly anxious - barking and growling when people ring the bell and walk in, unless she knows them (in which case she's very friendly!) She 'gets over herself' very quickly - within seconds - and then becomes very friendly, but this is clearly territorial nervousness on her part, and it's stressing everyone out.

The layout of our house is a bit odd and I think at this point we need to get an expert in to tell us how to address this. Can anyone recommend a good behaviourist in London? We are in North London, but very near a tube so easy for people to reach.

Thank you so much.

Same problem here. Place marking x

Look for someone APBC or CCAB qualified. Literally anyone can call themselves a trainer or behaviourist and there are some absolute charlatans out there

You will need a vet referral; it's a red flag if someone doesn't require a vet referral for a behaviour consultation

www.apbc.org.uk/find-an-apbc-member/#
www.asab.org/ccab-register

Maybe ask on dog training advice and support on FB.

Thank you. I've been recommended a trainer today who is a member of the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) - amazing testimonials and seems very experienced.

Not a member of either of the above organisations though - should I avoid?

Any other personal recommendations also greatly appreciated!

@Wolfiefan - I'm not on FB unfortunately!

@lurcherloveswoodland know anyone who is who could ask for you?

IMDT is recognised, but are they a trainer or a behaviourist? There is a difference......

I'll echo this. Thing of it as being a bit like the difference between a GP and a hospital psychiatric consultant.

Trainer = deals with the stuff all dogs need to know, like sit, stay, recall, not jumping up, leave it and so on.

Behaviourist = deals with problem behaviours, invariably those motivated by fear - issues around visitors, reactivity, resource guarding, livestock chasing and so on.

This is certainly an issue for a behaviourist.

That’s really interesting - I think he is more of a trainer by the looks of it. I’ll keep looking. If anyone has any names it would be great to know. I’ve heard wonderful things about Penaran Higgs but she is very very expensive!

IMDT is a trainer (although this may be a training issue)

IMDTB is a level 5 trained behaviourist

petshrink.co.uk

Highly qualified.

I used Gabriel Dog Psychology for my dogs - we have a Romanian rescue who's behaviour sounds very similar to your dog. I would recommend him 100% - he is based in the midlands but travelled to us in Mid Wales and I believe he will travel across UK. Very reasonably priced and completely changed how we manage all 3 of our dogs.