DOG BEHAVIORIST

DOG BEHAVIORIST

As the name implies, a dog behaviorist is a professional who specializes in dog behaviour. He observes and analyzes her behaviour.

A dog behaviorist, through his analysis, can detect a developmental or behavioural disorder. In fact, the behaviorist will come to help dog owners to solve the various problems they encounter. In this way, the dog behaviorist will allow the owners to rebalance the "Man/Dog" relationship.

Beware of charlatans!

This profession, just like that of dog trainer, is not yet regulated. This means that anyone can become a dog behaviorist without prior training. Nevertheless, a university or private training is indispensable to acquire the knowledge necessary for the function.

However, it is very important to know who you are asking for help as a dog owner. You need to be sure of the dog behaviour analysis skills of the person you contact. And beware, sometimes simple experience is not enough.

The most reliable professionals are certainly veterinarians. However, a simple consultation with a behaviorist veterinarian in his office may not be enough.

A dog behaviorist is good. A behaviorist dog trainer is better!

This is why it is important to use a behaviorist dog trainer, who has a double hat. You tell me, isn't that the way to do both wrong? And then I will answer you: impossible because these two professions are really complementary and allow us to offer a complete service to dog owners, sometimes in real distress. By calling on the services of a behaviorist dog trainer, you can rely on a complete work plan combining behaviour analysis and a reinforcement of your dog's education.

A necessity to create jobs related to dog behavior

These professions related to the canine world, and particularly the profession of behaviorist, have begun to emerge, especially since dogs are no longer used solely for their primary purposes (gathering, guarding, hunting, etc.).

Since they no longer "work" and hunt only their kibble, dogs sometimes develop behaviors that are disturbing to humans. Most of the time, these behaviors are caused by an incredible lack of physical and mental stimulation.

Dogs can no longer tolerate the lack of response to their needs and then develop behavioural disorders. This often results in uncleanliness, destruction, running away from home, etc.

Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to call a behaviorist dog trainer in order to detect the problem, to find the cause of the problem without only dealing with the consequence of the problem.

Let me explain this point of view with an example: Your dog is running away, you don't know what to do anymore so you ask a professional for help. The solution often brought is to put an electric collar anti runaway to the dog... You know the collars with detectors which inflict electric shocks if the dog comes to exceed a limit which you will have fixed beforehand... Error! Because by using this "solution", you may solve the consequence but absolutely the cause of the problem. Moreover, this solution is painful and violent for your dog.

In a case such as that of a dog that runs away, a dog behaviorist will be able to observe the dog's entire environment and will be able to suggest solutions to rebalance your relationship and above all to allow your dog to no longer have the urge to run away.

In 9 out of 10 cases, dogs run away because they have not been outside the garden enough. The solution will be to take your dog out every day, to spend enough physical and mental energy on him, but also to strengthen your relationship with him. Thus, the dog behaviorist, or behaviorist dog trainer helps you to rebalance your relationship and above all gives you the keys to best meet your dog's needs.

An overview and skills required to understanding dog

The behaviorist, in addition to having an overview of the environment you offer your dog, is specialized in understanding the dog. He will be able to indicate and describe to you the various signals of appeasement of your dog. This will help to avoid problematic situations and sometimes even bites. Dogs have a non-verbal language and few dog owners know how to read it. And when they do, they may not be able to decipher it. I am thinking in particular of the dog's yawning, which is often interpreted as a state of tiredness, whereas absolutely not, it is a signal of appeasement to be taken into consideration because it means that the dog is not necessarily at comfort. A dog behaviorist will be able to inform and above all warn about the different signals of appeasement of the dog.

To sum up, a behaviorist will be concerned with the whole environment surrounding your dog, he will not only deal with the consequence of the problem but will be more interested in the hidden side of the iceberg. The dog behaviorist will thus explain the rules to be put in place for a good integration of your dog at home, within your family but also, and above all, in society in general.

The dog behaviorist will teach you how to create and/or strengthen the "Man/Dog" relationship and above all how to find a balance with your dog. I also advise you to go and see a behaviorist dog trainer before adopting your dog. He will be able to guide you on the dog made for you, on which puppy/dog to choose in the kennel/shelter, which attitude to have, etc. This will allow you to anticipate and often avoid possible future behavioural problems.

But I would like to specify, to finish, that it is important to find a good professional with whom you will feel comfortable, because it is very important. Don't hesitate to change professional if you see that the feeling doesn't go away. You must also be well informed about the techniques and approaches used by the professional you choose, these must be in accordance with your values and principles and above all be adapted to the case of your dog. The professional to whom you address yourself must know how to listen to you and give you pedagogically all the necessary advice to solve your problems with your dog. The training courses, advice and exercises to be done at home must not be carried out in pain for you because your dog will feel it and the situation will not necessarily evolve as you would wish.

I really wanted to clarify this because, one often speaks about the incompatibility between a master and his dog, but this also exists between a professional of dog training and behaviour and the master who asks for help. We are only human after all.