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Jack Russel


Laura Travis BSc (Hons) PG Dip CABC ABTC-CAB  ABTC-ATI
Clinical Animal Behaviourist

 


St Neots Dog Training and Behaviour
07790024766    pet.behaviour@ymail.com

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ABOUT ME

ABOUT
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I am an ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist based near St Neots, Cambs. I provide dog behaviour consultations on veterinary referral in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and North Hertfordshire. I also undertake foster home dog assessments for fostering and adoption agencies and local authorities. 

 

  • Full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors

  • Animal Behaviour and Training Council Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

  • Animal Behaviour and Training Council Registered Animal Training Instructor.

I use modern, kind, effective techniques and work with owners to teach them how to train their dogs. Throughout all sessions I emphasize the importance of building trust and maintaining a good relationship between dog and owner. If you are a little embarrassed or upset by your dog's behaviour, be reassured that I am non-judgmental and approach all behaviour problems in a sensitive and compassionate manner. I have a particular interest in working with reactive dogs and also the management of child/dog households, but I am available to help with all training and behaviour issues. 

 

Please contact me by phone or email to discuss your requirements. I look forward to meeting you and your dog!

         

Phone: 07790024766    Email: pet.behaviour@ymail.com

Hungry Dog
Behaviour Consultations

                                                                 BEHAVIOUR CONSULTATIONS

 

I am proud to be a Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and an Animal Behaviour and Training Council Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist. I have been working with dogs with behaviour problems for over 10 years and I work with dogs and their owners in a non-judgmental and compassionate way. I use only kind, reward based methods and keep my training and behaviour knowledge up to date through regular CPD.

Behaviour counselling may be required for the following problems:

  • Aggression towards other dogs or people

  • Barking at other dogs, people or cars when on the lead

  • Separation anxiety

  • Fear of fireworks or other loud noises

  • Chasing cars, joggers or bicycles

  • Guarding beds, food bowls or chews to the extent that it causes a problem.

  • Any other behaviour problem that impacts on your dog's welfare or that of family members.

How does behaviour counselling work?

It is important to rule out medical causes of the problem behaviour, so I will ask you to speak to your vet initially. Your vet may want to carry out a health check if they have not seen your dog recently. I will send you a referral form for your vet to fill in and return to me, along with your dog's medical records (with your permission) if they feel it is appropriate. I will also send you a behaviour questionnaire for you to fill out and return to me with details of your dog's behaviour problem. Once I have both these forms back, we can make an appointment for a behaviour consultation.

A behaviour consultation is carried out at your home and usually takes around 2 hours. I will take a thorough history of your dog and the behaviour problem, review any videos of the behaviour and of course, observe your dog. I will then discuss with you the possible reasons for the problem and devise a behaviour modification programme which we will also discuss at length. Coaching on training techniques may also be included in the first session if appropriate.  You will then receive a detailed written report and full client-led telephone/ email support as you work through the programme, plus follow up visits depending on which behaviour support package you have chosen (see below).

How much does behaviour counselling cost?

Many insurance policies will cover behaviour counselling- please check your policy documentation. I do require clients to pay directly and then claim back on their insurance.

Behaviour Advice Phone Call £60. If you are having problems with your dog's behaviour and you would like to discuss your options. I can also give basic advice to prevent the problem worsening. Please note that without veterinary referral I cannot give detailed behaviour advice about specific cases.

 

Basic Behaviour Support Package £275. Suitable for owners who would like to know why their dog has a behaviour problem and need advice on how to move forward.

This includes:

  • A thorough review of your dog's behavioural history and any videos you have sent, alongside the clinical history provided by your vet. 

  • A 2 hour (approx.) behaviour consultation at your home. 

  • A detailed written report and Behaviour Modification Plan to follow.

  • Communication with your vet regarding our Behaviour Modification Plan.

  • Completion of insurance claim documentation, if required. 

  • Client-led support via email and/ or telephone for 6 weeks as you start to work through the plan.

Advanced Behaviour Support Package £355. For owners of dogs with more complex behaviour problems or who need an extended period of support. 

This includes:

  • A review of your dog's behavioural history and any videos you have sent, alongside the clinical history provided by your vet. 

  • A 2 hour (approx.) behaviour consultation at your home.

  • A detailed written report and Behaviour Modification Plan to follow.

  • Communication with your vet regarding our Behaviour Modification Plan. 

  • Completion of insurance claim documentation, if required.

  • Client-led support via email and/ or telephone for 3 months as you work through the plan.

  • One follow up visit (approx. 1 hour) to support you with training techniques. 

Advanced++ Behaviour Support Package £425. For owners of dogs with more complex behaviour problems or who need an extended period of support.

This includes:

  • A review of your dog's behavioural history and any videos you have sent, alongside the clinical history provided by your vet. 

  • A 2 hour (approx.) behaviour consultation at your home.

  • A detailed written report and Behaviour Modification Plan to follow.

  • Communication with your vet regarding our Behaviour Modification Plan. 

  • Completion of insurance claim documentation, if required.

  • Client-led support via email and/ or telephone for 4 months as you work through the plan.

  • Two follow up visits (approx. 1 hour) to support you with training techniques. 

Reactive Dog Progress Package £675.

Providing you with extra support as you work with your reactive dog. I am happy to work with reactive dogs on the Basic and Advanced Support Packages, but I find these cases do benefit from the additional support over a longer period of time. This package is also suitable for other complex behaviour problems.

This includes:

  • A review of your dog's behavioural history and any videos you have sent, alongside the clinical history provided by your vet. 

  • A 2 hour (approx.) behaviour consultation at your home.

  • A detailed written report and Behaviour Modification Plan to follow.

  • Communication with your vet regarding your dog's Behaviour Modification Plan.

  • Completion of insurance claim documentation, if required.

  • Client-led support via email and/ or telephone for 6 months as you work through the programme.

  • Three follow up visits (approx. 1 hour each) to support you with training techniques. 

Additional follow up visits can be booked if required, these cost £75 each. Travel is charged at 50p per mile each way, after the first 30 miles from PE19.

I believe that all dogs and their owners should have access to behaviour counselling so please do speak to me if cost is an issue. I am happy to organise payment plans if required. 

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MENTORING

BEHAVIOURIST MENTORING

Are you interested in becoming a Clinical Animal Behaviourist? Maybe you are just starting out in the world of dog behaviour and would like to chat about aspects of the profession, or even specific cases? I offer an affordable behaviourist mentoring service which can be tailored to suit your needs. This may be a one-off phone call or a more structured programme of regular calls to support you. I have many years' experience in the industry and I am familiar with the challenges faced by both experienced behaviourists and those just starting out. I am compassionate and non-judgmental, so please do get in touch and let me know how I can help you. 

  • A one-off phone call costs £65

  • If you would like a longer period of mentorship, please get in touch.

Please note that if you contact me to discuss specific cases, the case should remain anonymous and you and the referring vet retain responsibility for the case. 

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Puppy Training Sessions

PUPPY MENTOR PROGRAMME

The Puppy Mentor Programme offers new puppy owners the chance to give their puppy the very best start in life. Full support from a Clinical Animal Behaviourist from the moment you decide to bring a puppy into your home. I will be here to answer your questions, give advice and prevent little problems from becoming bigger problems! I will support you for the first six months of your puppy's life, or for the first year if you choose to extend the programme. 

What are the benefits of enrolling on a Puppy Mentor Programme?

 

As a behaviourist I work with adult dogs who have behaviour problems. I often wish I could have helped these dogs and their owners earlier in their journey. By educating and socialising your puppy correctly from the beginning, you will reduce the chance of behaviour problems developing. Some dogs do have a genetic tendency to develop certain behaviour problems; it is so much easier if this is identified early and we can put a plan in place. Well brought up pups are more likely to grow into sociable and well behaved adult dogs that are a pleasure to have around.

Puppy owners often tell me that it can be difficult to know where to get the right information. One little question and a google search leads to ten different answers and a confused puppy owner! With the Puppy Mentor Programme you can ask me questions directly via WhatsApp, email or telephone call. Expert advice tailored to you and your puppy, helping to keep you on track.

The Puppy Mentor Programme includes:

  • A pre-puppy advice session

  • An advice session at 8-10 weeks old

  • An advice session at 12-14 weeks old 

  • An advice session at 20-24 weeks old

  • Support via email, telephone or WhatsApp for the first 6 months of your puppy's life

  • Access to PDF puppy advice sheets

Advice visits last approximately one hour and can be in person within a 40 mile radius of St Neots, Cambs, or online via Zoom or WhatsApp video call. 

What does the Puppy Mentor Programme cover?

During our sessions I can give advice on any aspect of raising your puppy, including:

  • Managing puppies and children

  • Socialisation with other dogs, people, other animals and environments.

  • Travelling with your puppy

  • House training

  • Basic training- sit, lie down, stay, loose lead walking

  • Recall

  • Chewing and puppy biting

  • Teaching your puppy to be left alone

  • Preventing behaviour problems from developing

What does the Puppy Mentor Programme cost?

The Puppy Mentor Programme costs £495 for six months' support.

If you would like full support for the first year of your puppy's life, the Puppy Mentor Extended Programme includes:

  • A pre-puppy advice session

  • An advice session at 8-10 weeks old

  • An advice session at 12-14 weeks old 

  • An advice session at 20-24 weeks old

  • An advice session at 8-9 months old

  • An advice session at 11-12 months old

  • Support via email, telephone or WhatsApp for the first year of your puppy's life

  • Access to PDF puppy advice sheets

In addition to everything covered in the Puppy Mentor Programme, The Puppy Mentor Extended Programme also covers the following:

  • The behavioural effects of neutering your puppy

  • The challenges of adolescence and how to overcome them.

  • An assessment of your dog as they mature and advice on any emerging issues as they start to develop adult behaviour patterns. 

What does the Puppy Mentor Extended Programme cost?

The Puppy Mentor Extended Programme costs £975 for the full year.

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Foster/ adoption assessments

 

         FOSTERING / ADOPTION ASSESSMENTS

   

 

As a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, I am available for the assessment of dogs in potential foster/ adoption homes. The assessment process usually takes around 1.5- 2 hours and is carried out in the home. An assessment includes:

  • A thorough discussion with the dog owner to assess their understanding of how to safely manage dogs and children, including scenarios that may arise. 

  • Assessment of the dog's temperament, with a specific focus on the aspects of the temperament that may affect day to day life with children. This will take into account any physical/ social/ emotional/ learning needs that the child has. 

  • Assessment of basic training and health issues.

  • Assessment of the home environment, with regard to the living arrangements for the dog and child. 

I will then produce a written report covering all of the above, with my professional opinion on any risks posed to the child by the dog and recommendations for safe and effective management.

A foster/adoption home assessment costs £240 for one dog, plus £120 for each additional dog in the home. Travel is charged at 50p per mile, after the first 20 miles each way. For assessments outside the Cambridgeshire/ Bedfordshire/ Northants/ North Herts area, please contact me for fees/ availability.

I am also available to give talks on the safe management of children and dogs. These can be in person or virtual, and are particularly useful for foster carers and social workers. Please contact me for further information. 

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"Laura provided a fantastic and really detailed written assessment on the root causes of our Romanian rescue dog Aura's fear and reactivity towards visitors to our home, plus practical steps to implement to keep her feeling relaxed, safe and in the most receptive state for gradually changing her behaviour. During the assessment visit we had a comprehensive discussion about our concerns which was pitched very well to our level of experience and knowledge about dog behaviour. We introduced Aura to Laura in our garden and house, where Laura demonstrated techniques to ensure that she has a positive interaction with any regular visitors. It was really useful to receive expert advice on how to prioritise the many possible training techniques, environment modifications and activities we had previously encountered and to learn about some new options. We now feel much more confident on where to focus our work with Aura. We've already started on these changes and also now consciously notice more of the patterns and behaviours that Laura described during the session. It's been a real learning experience to work with Laura and we would highly recommend her services."

Jenny, Cambridge.

Contact

CONTACT 

If you would like to discuss how I can help with your dog, please call me on 07790024766 or email me at pet.behaviour@ymail.com

FEEDBACK 

Feedback

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