Behaviour problems - how to get help (Please scroll down for forms
and downloads)
The behavioural
consultation process addresses behavioural issues and problems -
things which would not be taught and covered in a normal training
class - including any type or form of aggression or inappropriate
behaviours towards people or other animals, fears and phobias, such
as fear of fireworks and other loud noises, house-training problems
in adult dogs, separation problems and stereotypical (obsessive)
behaviours. Inevitably the majority of behavioural referrals involve
aggression in some way, whether it is directed towards people, other
dogs or other animals, and Helen is experienced in all types of
behavioural problems in dogs, and is knowledgeable on most breeds.
When aggression is involved, it is very unlikely that an owner -
even a well-informed one - can resolve the problem without professional
help and attempted treatment of behavioural problems by unqualified,
unregulated practitioners (who often use outdated, unproven methods)
can easily make behavioural problems worse or result in new behavioural
problems emerging.
The APBC and ABTC
requires that treatment of behavioural problems requires referral
from a veterinary surgeon. This is routine procedure, but an essential
one to ensure obvious physical causes are ruled out and that the
veterinary surgeon is kept informed of all behavioural problems
and treatment regimes. Referral can made on paper (via a short referral
form which is completed by the vet). However, vets may also refer
to me verbally or by email. Don't worry if you have not discussed
the problem with your vet, or have not yet obtained a referral -
this can easily be arranged after you make contact.
Most consultations
take place in your own home (if I cover your area). It is also possible
to see clients in "clinic" appointments in Manston,
near Sturminster Newton. This can be useful if an emergency appointment
is needed, or in cases involving aggression towards unfamiliar dogs
or if you live too far away.
As of the 1st
November, the process for arranging a consultation has changed slightly.
I now require questionnaire and referral to be completed before
an appointment is made. This is so that waiting times, especially
for urgent appointments, can be reduced substantially, and so that
clients have the ability to influence the length of time that they
have to wait for an appointment (by returning paperwork promptly).
It is hoped that, by January 2015, this will reduce waiting times
for an appointment to 1 to 3 weeks, and will also mean that less
time is spent chasing paperwork and more time helping dogs and owners.
The process in
brief is as follows:
1. If not already
done, veterinary referral is obtained. Physical health, injuries
and illnesses affect behaviour. Veterinary referral is required
by all reputable behaviourists' governing bodies and membership
associations so that any obvious physical contributory factors are
ruled out, or I am made away of them prior to treatment of the behavioural
problem. Referral can be by means of my referral form, letter, email
or fax.
2. You will be
sent a behavioural history questionnaire to fill in and return,
along with your referral.
3. An appointment
is then made for the consultation.
3. The behavioural
consultation itself usually lasts between 2 1/2 and 3 hours, during
which a behaviour mofication plan is drawn up and demonstrated.
Payment for the entire process is made to me at the end of this
session (see below). If you have pet insurance, you may be able
to claim at least part of the cost back - if you wish to - and a
receipt is provided if required.
4. Within 7 days
of the consultation date, you will be sent a detailed written report
(usually by email, but by post if this is not convenient).
5. Follow-up if
needed is then normally provided by phone or email free of charge
for up to six months. If a second session is requested (which is
very unusual), then this is charged separately.
For more details
on this process and a checklist of what needs to be done and when
please see Consultation
Guidelines.
To check whether
your postcode is covered for a home visit, please see the callout
charge chart.
Fees
This entire process
is charged with a single, flat fee (see below), plus a
callout charge, for home visits which is calculated by postcode
(see downloads).
Most behavioural
problems including all types of aggression, predatory behaviour,
fearful or anxious behaviour around people, situations or animals:
Single-dog household
£160
Two-dog household
(only one dog with behavioural problems) £170
Three or more
dog household (only one dog with behavioural problems) £180
Two or more dog
houshold (more than one dog with behavioural problems) £200
Follow-up by phone
or email: free of charge
I accept cash
and cheques (Made payable to Helen Taylor Dog Training and Behaviour).
Useful downloads:
Referral forms
This form needs
to be signed by both the owner and their vet before the consultation
can take place. Alternatively, the referring vet can refer by sending
medical records to enquiries@helentaylordorset.co.uk.
Download
referral form as PDF
Download
referral form as Word Form version (only for completion within
Microsoft Word)
Download
referral form as Word document
Consultation
guidelines and callout charges information
This document
contains important information on the consultation process (based
on a home visit - if you are having a clinic appointment you will
be sent a different version of this document).
Download
Consultation Guidelines as PDF
Download
callout charges for home visits (by postcode) as PDF
Questionnaires
This needs to
be completed and returned to me before the appointment can be made.
NB PLEASE CHOOSE
"SAVE", "DOWNLOAD" OR "SAVE AS" (NOT
"OPEN") WHEN CLICKING THESE LINKS. Before you start
to complete the form, check that the entire document has downloaded
- the last question should read "What is the single most important
thing that you would like to change about your dog's behaviour?"
Download
as Microsoft Word 'Form' version (only for completion within
Microsoft Word). This is the preferred option as it is easy to complete
and easy to read. Can be returned by email (preferred) or printed
and returned by post.
Download
as simple Rich Text File (This has no complex formatting and
therefore is suitable for most word processing programmes, use on
tablets etc). Can be returned by email (preferred) or printed out,
filled in by hand and returned by post (or scanned and returned
by email).
All training is
force-free, entirely reward-based and no harsh techniques are ever
used. Your dog will never be frightened or intimidated, hurt or
made anxious.
Helen also offers
new puppy "start right" sessions to help owners of new
puppies to avoid problems later in life by ensuring the right start
for their new pup.Training sessions can be arranged by a simple
telephone call and appointment and do not require any involvement
of your vet. For information on these, please see Puppy
start-right sessions.
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