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Pet behaviour problems can emerge for many different reasons and many owners remain extremely tolerant of these difficulties over a prolonged period of time. This can lead to difficulties in the relationship between pet and owner, and may eventually lead to owners taking the very difficult decision to re-home or even euthanase their pet.
Whilst dealing with the difficulties that pet behaviour problems can create within families and attempting to limit and manage the amount of damage caused, it can be difficult to sit back and ask ourselves why our pet is behaving in this way. Yet without removing the cause of the pet's inappropriate behaviour, it will be impossible to find a permanent resolution to the matter.
A pet behaviour counsellor is trained to identify and explain the pet's motivation for its behaviour and to assist the family in devising a treatment plan that will enable the pet to alter its behaviour.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS A COMPANION ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR COUNSELLOR?
Your counsellor has practical and post-graduate level academic experience of
the ethology, psychology, neurophysiology, pharmacology, legal and welfare
issues associated with companion animal behaviour problems.
WHAT PROBLEMS CAN BE HELPED? The range of behavioural problems exhibited by pets and horses is varied and can include aggression, destructiveness, toileting and marking problems, self-mutilation, vocal behaviour, nervousness, travel problems, livestock chasing and general control issues.
HOW CAN A COUNSELLOR HELP?
All behaviour problems are individual to an animal and its environment.
Establishing the cause of a behaviour and developing a treatment plan that
is suitable to the individual and its family takes time. Following a
referral from your vet, a counsellor is able to offer the time and
experience necessary to achieve objectives at an affordable cost.
WILL MY PET INSURANCE POLICY COVER THE COST OF THE
CONSULTATION?
You will have to check this with your individual company, but most pet
insurance companies will cover behaviour consultations by a Certified
Clinical Animal Behaviourist or a Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour
Counsellors.
HOW QUICKLY WILL I SEE RESULTS?
The behaviour modification programme that you design with your counsellor
may produce results very quickly. But any programme will take time, effort
and commitment from the entire family. The animal’s current behaviour may
have been a problem for some time and you need to be prepared to continue
working on the programme for at least several months.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A CONSULTATION? Consultations are held on an appointment basis and normally last between two and two and a half hours. Canine consultations are usually held at the clinic but all other species are seen in their own environment. If possible all family members are present. During the consultation an extensive history of the problem is taken and your pet’s temperament will be assessed after which the counsellor will explain the motivation for the behaviour and help to devise a treatment plan.
DO YOU MAKE HOUSE CALLS? Yes, for a charge this service is available. However, if clients live so far from the clinic that travel arrangements or costs become a problem, by supplying a detailed video or DVD of the problem and the home environment, it is possible to hold a telephone based consultation at a prearranged time.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE CONSULTATION?
Treatment programmes vary according to the nature and severity of the
problem and a report summarising the information
that you have discussed during your consultation will be written and
forwarded to you. If the problem has been occurring for a long time it may
take several months to obtain an improvement, but usually only one
consultation is necessary but follow-up appointments can be arranged.
Further advice and support is available over the ’phone at no extra charge.
A report outlining the therapy will be sent to your veterinary surgeon and if it is considered that your pet would benefit from pharmacological intervention this will be discussed with your veterinary surgeon.
WHY DO I NEED A REFERRAL FROM MY VET?
Behaviour problems may arise directly and indirectly as a result of current
or previous medical problems. Veterinary involvement is essential to
eliminate medical causes of the problem and to ensure the animal’s welfare.
HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT? Either you or your veterinary surgeon can arrange an appointment by telephone. You will be sent a questionnaire to complete and a referral form for your vet to complete.
Claire HargraveBSc(Hons), MSc, PGCE, C Sci, C
Chem, MRSC, DAS(CABC), CCAB
Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors
Companion Animal Behaviour Referrals
Erw Wastad, Llwyn-teg, Llannon, Llanelli, SA14 8JW
Tel. 01269 844770
E-mail. erwwastad@aol.com