Dog Behaviour Problems Advice By E-mail and Phone

If you are experiencing a behaviour problem with your dog and would like advice, waste no time in contacting me.

Email consultations are especially helpful for people living in areas away from easy access to a professional dog trainer.

My qualifications
Problems I can help you with
Dog behaviour problems advice questionnaire

Prolonged behaviour problems can be harder to change and create a good deal of stress, loss of rapport and respect between you and your beloved dog.

My qualifications

I worked as a private (people) psychotherapist in England for 10 years and Australia specialising in behaviour modification; fears and phobias; goal setting and achieving, etc. I often call upon this experience when training dogs and their people.

I am a member of the NSW Pet Dog Trainers Association. I use kind training methods with the use of food, toys, play and praise and dog psychology. I am very much up to date with the latest research and techniques in training and believe in treating all animals with the utmost respect and dignity at all times.

I worked as a dog groomer since 1989, in home dog boarding for 1995 years and dog training since 1998. Offering group, individual, phone and e-mail consultations since 1999.

I’ve specialised in supporting, training and rehabilitating shelter dogs. I especially enjoy working with dogs with an abused and traumatic history and their various training and behavioural issues; helping them to become balanced, happy, self-confident and regain their trust in people.

I wrote a dog training advice column in a monthly magazine ‘Fifty Plus Lifestyle’ for 2 years.

I founded Velma’s Pets As Therapy (visiting program charity) in April 1999 and have trained thousands of volunteers and health professionals in safe and beneficial pets as therapy practices via individuals; groups and with e-courses, Nationally and Internationally.

I gained a certificate in ‘Kennel and Cattery Operations’ after studying for 2 years part-time with the Animal Science department of Sydney Technical College, graduating in 1998. Subjects studied:-

Dog Behaviour Dog Nutrition Dog Breeding Dog Care and Grooming Animal Genetics

Animal Care and Ownership Animal First Aid Kennel Housekeeping Workplace Communications Dog Health and Disease Dog Housing

Some Common Problems I Can Help You With

Toilet training; Pulling on the lead; On-lead aggression; Jumping up on people; Constant barking; Stealing items; Digging holes in the garden; Nipping and mouthing; Separation anxiety; Pulling washing off the clothes line; Refusing to get off the bed or furniture, etc.

Are you experiencing any of the above?

Dog Behaviour Problems Advice

Helpline Questionnaire: Please e-mail: velma@velmaspetsastherapy.com.au and request a free ’Initial Dog Behaviour Problems Helpline Request’. I return to you a brief questionnaire requesting specific information. From those details I can determine how I can best help you by way of a group class, individual, email or phone consultation. If it is an issue I can help you with I will request more information and advise my fee.

If you live outside of my area and the problem cannot be dealt with effectively with a distance phone or e-mail consultation, I will advise where and how you may best receive help. Many pet dog problems can be effectively and successfully managed with a distance consultation and if this is the case with you, I will request more detailed information. Email consultations are $100.00 (Australian).

All my consultations includes a free Good Manners Dog Training E-Manual (sold seperately at $55.00) including easy to follow, step by step details on teaching yourself kind, effective and successful dog training skills using reward based methods and dog psychology.

Free Training Tips

Training Tip 1: Dogs respond to their environment and the people in it. Therefore we don’t train the dog, we train the people in the dog’s life in ”dog management skills” to manage the dog’s behaviour. So, don’t blame the dog – get yourself trained!

Training Tip 2: Dogs learn faster when we make it fun. Use special food treats or the dog’s favourite toy as rewards when the dog does something good!

Training Tip 3: Dogs learn more slowly if they feel pressured. If they feel you getting annoyed or frustrated, they are prone to “freeze” or fear doing any thing in case they make you more unhappy with them. So learn some fun training skills and see just how quickly your dog can learn!