Behavior Counseling
Behavior counseling as well as canine behavior modification is provided by Melinda. Unwanted behaviors are prevented by following the "exercise, discipline, affection" lifestyle. Dog owners must understand their breed and the proper exercise that breed requires in order to maintain health and balance. Frustration, anxiety, insecurity, and fearfulness are signs of imbalance from lack of proper exercise and socialization. It is imperative to maintain a structure of leadership with your dog in order to create mutual respect, with your leadership providing balance. Melinda provides guidance and educational services for pet owners to learn proper care for their pets. Behavior modification for canines is provided based on the individual case. An evaluation is necessary in order to assess the proper method. In most cases, the pet owner is capable of learning techniques to change unwanted behaviors, but in some instances, dogs may need to board with us while we work with them on certain issues.
Counseling sessions are by appointment with an evaluation of your pet along with your lifestyle and pet care regimen history. There are a few options for this service. You may schedule a 45-60 minute session individually or you might want to set up a series of sessions with flexibility.
The first step is the evaluation and at that time, if the needed counseling of just the pet owner is needed and able to be covered in 45-60 minutes with educational materials provided, the one session can just be followed up with a few question/answer sessions over the phone.
If the case requires behavior modification, it is best to schedule a series of sessions after the evaluation and history of pet is reviewed.
Session Schedule:
1st Session - History, Evaluation of pet, Evaluation of family lifestyle and pet care regimen. Pet care, breed information, and behavior counceling are provided.
(45-60 minutes)
2nd Session - After time to research and evaluate the case, a behavior modification plan is formulated and a second session is scheduled to go over the goals and methods
(45-60 minutes)
Follow Up Sessions - Either homework was assigned for the pet owner to complete at home, or the pet requires one on one work with Melinda to create new patterns of behavior - At this time, the homework is reviewed and progress assessed (over the phone), or the achievements and progress with the one on one work is reviewed (when owner picks up pet)
Each individual private session up to an hour is $55, or a series of sessions is as follows:
Level 1 - $99
Minimal behavioral issue - Owner to work with pet at home - Guidance provided
Includes First 2 Sessions and 2 Phone Consultations (2-3 hours)
Level 2 - $155
Moderate behavioral issue - Following the first 2 sessions, an appointment is made for the dog to come to the facility for the day and spend one on one time with Melinda to work on new patterns of behavior - at Pick up, pet owner is counceled regarding methods and homework to practice at home. A follow up phone consultation reviews progress and provides guidance for further progress.
Includes First 2 Sessions, One on one full day training session, and Follow up phone consultation
Level 3 - $155+
Deeper behavioral issue - Following the first 2 sessions, a series of home visitations with pet owner involved training sessions are combined with counceling and canine behavior education to create new patterns of behavior. This service starts at $155 and includes the first 2 sessions, one in home session up to 2 hours, with further in home sessions and phone consultations available dependent on progress.
Level 3 with In-Facility training -
$100 Evaluation/Assessment/Plan Formulation/Follow Ups + $40 per day
Following an evaluation, a stay at The Pines may be necessary to socialize the dog and for Melinda to use the assistance of other balanced dogs to model desired behaviors. During the stay, daily sessions help to establish new patterns of behavior by providing consistent, positive learning techniques with rules, boundaries, and limitations. A minimum of 5 days is required, but stays of 10 days are optimal.
Stay includes 4 daily walks. Two of those are 30 minute walks which include lead/heel and command work. The other two walks are 10-15 minute potty walks. Daily inclusions also entail socialization, as well as one on one sessions with behavior modification work tailored to the case. Bedding, snacks, training treats, and TLC also included. The only thing asked of pet owner is to bring the dog's own food. On conclusion of the stay, the pet owner comes in for a consulting session with instructions and guidance on what to work on at home. Then, a joint session with the pet takes place to demonstrate progress and techniques.
