My Philosophy

I am passionate about applying science-based behavior change methods that are both effective and ethical. Behavior modification is by definition somewhat invasive. If you’ve ever tried to overcome a fear, you know that process can be more stressful than just avoiding the thing that frightens you. Even though the outcome of not being afraid is desirable, the process to get there can be hard. Behavior change can be especially difficult with dogs (or other animals) because we cannot explain how we are trying to help them.

To facilitate behavior change in an ethical manner, I am guided by the following quote. This means ensuring the dog’s needs are being met first through a thorough assessment their lifestyle. A dog is a product of its genetics, experiences, environment, and personality. Every dog is unique and has different physical, mental, and emotional needs. Once all the dog’s needs have been met, any remaining fears and anxieties are addressed using methods that adhere to the humane hierarchy.

This means ensuring the dog’s needs are being met first through a thorough assessment their lifestyle. A dog is a product of its genetics, experiences, environment, and personality. Every dog is unique and has different physical, mental, and emotional needs. Often by providing a dog with an alternate way to meet their needs, many behavior “problems” seem to disappear. However, it’s not unusual for a dog to need additional help (I like to call it therapy) dealing with underlying fears and anxieties. This therapy typically involves BAT (behavior adjustment training), desensitization (making the trigger less important), or counter-conditioning (associating the trigger with something the dog likes). Finally, when unmet needs and big feelings have been resolved, we can teach the dog the desirable behavior for the given scenario using positive reinforcement (rewarding the dog for behavior we want them to repeat).

Credentials

Click on the logo to learn more about some of my certifications.