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Based in North Dorset, Helen Taylor is a Certificated Clinical
Animal Behaviourist offering home visits for dog behaviour problems
and dog training throughout Dorset, South Somerset and South Wiltshire.
She also runs puppy and dog training classes in North Dorset. Helen
is a a full member of the APBC (the Association of Pet Behaviour
Counsellors), recognised by vets and insurance companies for the
treatment of behavioural problems in dogs. She is also a highly-experienced
dog trainer and has run a behavioural and training practice in North
Dorset since 2004. She helps dog owners to train their dogs and
solve dog behaviour problems using positive, reward-based methods
of dog training and behaviour modification. For an explanation of
methods see FAQs
A dog that jumps up, pulls on the lead, runs away on walks, doesn't
come back when called or has no manners with people or other dogs
is hard work, can be an embarrassment and is no fun to own! A dog
that shows aggression towards its owners, other people or other
animals is a liability and can be the cause of a great deal of stress
- and even legal problems - for its owners. When a dog uses any
level of aggression it is almost always because it thinks it (or
something it values) is under some sort of threat, and is - to the
dog - a normal and reasonable response to that threat! in some cases
this may be appropriate (ie the dog is actually being threatened)
but in many cases the dog is seeing threat where there is none.
The vast majority of aggression-related problems cannot be solved
without professional help, and may easily be made worse by doing
the wrong thing, such as punishing the dog for being aggressive.
Training classes offer good, all-round introduction to reward-based
training and are ideal for clients wanting a class environment,
and for those wishing to learn a variety of different commands and
to improve their dog's general training and obedience. For clients
wanting more focused help on one or two problem areas, or wanting
a "start-right" visit to help get into a routine with
a new puppy, a private one-to-one training session is sometimes
more appropriate. For dogs with behavioural problems, such as aggression
towards other dogs or people, separation anxiety or phobias, a behavioural
consultation is be required. For more information on all these services
offered, see the links on puppy classes,
classes for older dogs and private
sessions.
No qualified, accredited behaviourist will use dominance-theory
or old-style punitive methods to resolve behaviour problems, and
such methods are no longer endorsed by veterinary and welfare organisations,
or accepted by the professional association for behaviourists (the
APBC - see www.apbc.org.uk). Some dog trainers still use negative
methods, but, as with behaviourists, only APDT reward-based trainers
are routinely endorsed by veterinary and welfare organisations.
To understand why, see Why punishment
doesn't work.
The role of dog trainer and professional behaviourist are entirely
different, and require completely different levels of education
and certification, roughly equivalent to the difference between
a vet and a veterinary nurse. In practice, many if not most behaviourists
are also dog trainers, but the reverse is not usually true. A qualified
professional behaviourist (who deals with behavioural problems in
animals) will be trained to degree level at least, and will have
either CCAB or Memb(er) APBC after their name. Dog trainers (unless
they are also qualified behaviourists) do not require any formal
education and dog trainers are not qualified to treat behavioural
problems. This does not make them ineffective dog trainers but
most people would not want a veterinary nurse to perform surgery
on their dog, and would prefer a qualified vet to do it! A few veterinary
surgeons are also fully-qualified behaviourists in their own right.
The only people who are qualified to treat behavioural problems
in animals (quite different from someone who deals with training
issues) are qualified and accredited behaviourists.
Our aim is to help owners to achieve a well-behaved, well-mannered
and obedient dog using kind, effective, safe methods. Reward-based
methods have been shown by scientific studies to be more effective
and less likely to give rise to aggressive behaviour than harsher
methods or use of so-called "dominance-theory". Using
intimidation, fear or even pain to train your dog is surprisingly
ineffective and can be highly dangerous. Some dogs will back down
if challenged aggressively, but a great many (as would a great many
people) become fearful and, with it, more aggressive in an attempt
to defend themselves from the perceived threat. Although some popular
TV programs still use these methods today, but there is also a mounting
pile of evidence that reward-based methods are more effective, more
humane and much safer. No properly qualified and accredited behaviourists
will ever use harsh, punitive methods or "dominance-theory"
to train dogs or solve behaviour problems, preferring instead to
use scientifically proven reward-based methods. Almost all charitable
and professional agencies from veterinary associations, through
animal charities to dog training and behaviour associations now
entirely support reward-based training, and the RSPCA has recently
issued an FAQ
document on Canine Aggression. This document is fairly lengthy,
but is well worth reading - whether or not your own dog ever shows
aggressive behaviour. You do not need to live with a disobedient,
aggressive or bad-mannered dog. Never forget that having a well-mannered,
happy and obedient dog that can accompany you almost everywhere
can be one of life's great pleasures!
Helen Taylor is also available to carry out behavioural assessments
and act as an Expert Witness in dog-related court cases, including
allegations under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. She also conducts
fostering and adoption assessments under the APBC scheme, and works
with animal charities on alleged welfare and cruelty cases.
Helen Taylor Dog Training & Behaviour operates throughout Dorset,
South Somerset, North Hampshire and West Wiltshire. Training classes
are currently held in Shillingstone, which is easily accessible
from the following towns: Blandford Forum, Gillingham, Shaftesbury,
Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, and Wimborne. Other services are
available throughout the region, including the following
areas: Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Ferndown,
Frome, Gillingham, Martock, Mere, Poole, Ringwood, Salisbury, Shaftesbury,
Shepton Mallet, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Verwood, Warminster,
Wilton, Wimborne,
Helen Taylor is a full member of both the Association of Pet Behaviour
Counsellors (www.apbc.org.uk) and
the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (881) (www.apdt.co.uk),
and is the only fully-qualified and professionally-trained behaviourist
in North Dorset. For more information, see about
us.
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