How much do dog behaviourists charge?
We each have our own variations on how we train; both in our methods and in the programmes & training sessions we offer but in general the hourly rate for a GOOD canine behaviourist is pretty similar for us all.
They are all packaged differently so it can be confusing to compare but it works out at around £95 per session based on 1 hour consultations. People offer varying session lengths, follow-ups, support between sessions etc.
What you don’t see is all the work that goes on behind the scenes before and after your sessions. We dont actually get £95 per hour – if only!!! You don’t see most of the hours I put in: speaking to you on the phone, analyzing your history forms, contacting you with more questions, speaking to vets, planning your training sessions in advance, going through your notes before sessions, packing equipment, driving, writing reports, reading diaries, doing checkup emails & phone calls …. not to mention the cost of fuel and treats! it takes time and commitment to help you and your dog.
I have tried and tested programs with ooodles of information and support to help you through.
So how do you choose?
Speak to them on the phone, and check the methods they use. Are they a force-free trainer or a balanced trainer, will they use punishment based techniques and tools like pinch collars, jerks on slips leads or electric collars? or train with rewards like me?
Have a chat … I always want to speak to people first to make sure they sign up for the right program for them, that we are a good fit for each other and we like each other and have the same dreams & goals for your dog.
So book in a chat on the phone and we can take it from there.
In the meantime this will answer the most common questions.
FAQs
Why is it so expensive?
Because we spend years doing courses, learning everything there is to know about dogs and their behaviour. We spend a small fortune on it too, and continue to do so as we strive to be be best and continue to attend seminars, workshops and courses to keep up with new ideas and research.
You aren’t just paying for an hour of ‘time’ you are paying for knowledge and experience.
Just like this tale about Picasso.
Picasso was having a drink in a cafe.
He was drawing on a napkin whilst enjoying his drink, and was just about to screw up the napkin when an admirer recognised him and asked if she could buy the napkin. Picasso said, yes, of course – that will be $10,000.
“But you drew that in thirty seconds,” the astonished woman replied.
Picasso leaned over, carefully took the napkin back and said “No, dear lady, it took me a lifetime to draw that.”
Do you use punishment?
I use Positive reinforcement, kindness, rewards, encouragement and patience.
I will never punish, hurt or scare your dog in order to train them and achieve your goals.
Canine professionals like me, and others in the area know it is the only way to help dogs overcome behaviour problems.
There are ‘Balanced Trainers’, and others who use aversives including pinch collars, ‘corrections’ or punishments like yanking a slip lead or even electric collars. Bullying or causing pain or fear is never the way to train any dog.
Sometimes they are easy to spot because they offer a ‘quick fix’ – otherwise there will be no mention of their training methods until they have their hands on your dog.
So speak to people on the phone and ask about their methods.
Why is your programme built in the way it is?
Because from years of experience I know it helps you and your dog learn in the best way possible and it gives the support I know you will need.
Why don't you do just one session?
One long 2 or 3 hour behaviour session followed up by a long typed up report (how most behaviourists work) means you have to take in so much information in one session it can be totally overwhelming.
Also, because I want to see you make progress and help you reach your goals.
Why is it split into multiple sessions?
I know that behaviour problems take time to resolve and multiple shorter sessions is the best way to help you reach your goals.
Behaviour modification is a process, and the multiple sessions help support, motivate, assess progress and answer questions.
Most importantly it allows your dog to progress at a sensible and comfortable rate.
It helps you and your dog learn, and make progress, step by step.
It helps me give you a longer-term, much more interactive support.
Why does it include an online course? I want in person training.
You get all the hands on, in person training you need, but it can be hard for some people to remember everything so I have put it all in the course for you to read after your sessions.
There are loads of small changes you may need to make, or can look at that will help you, and there is so much of it I want you to have access to all the information whilst saving our in person sessions for teaching you practical skills, timing, understanding your dog and environmental awareness.
Why do you give me other free courses in the membership area?
You get a lead skills course because having a dog who pulls hard on that lead adds stress and frustration. Resolving it will help your progress and makes a difference to how relaxed you both are – it will impact on your dog’s reactivity.
You get a clicker training course because mental enrichment is so important for your dog and your training.
It is fun and general obedience training helps everything – it boosts your relationship, improves your dog’s listening skills, increases focus and engagement when you need it.
Why do I get Monthly Group Clinic sessions included?
Because keeping in touch is improtant and you may have questions you need answering between sessions.
You may just want to give me an update.
It’s great to listen to everyone else and learn from them too.
Why a diary?
Because any kind of training should be measurable; access to complete a diary between sessions keeps us in touch between sessions and allows me to track your progress.
Is it guaranteed?
Now there is a biggie.
No, in a word.
Why not? … I hear you!
Because I am teaching you how to train your dog in the sessions. I will work with your dog to show you what to do and then watch you do the same to make sure you understand the principles and the process.
Between sessions it will be YOU training your dog using the knowledge and information and training plan I have given you.
If you don’t practice, don’t use any of the resouces I give you or simply choose to ignore what you have advised to do then it won’t work.
Neither I, nor any other behaviourist can guarantee that you will actually do what we tell you to do, or that you will follow the training through.
If you ignore the advice it won’t work.
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All of these are copied directly from my Facebook and Google Reviews for The Fairydogmother (Yorkshire) Ltd.