Rescue Dog Training Consultation

 Supporting rescue dogs in Wolverhampton and surrounding
areas. Support to further afield can be completed via Zoom or Skype forums.  

A rescue dog can bring about much joy to the home with
regards seeing the dog develop confidence and settle in to being a great
companion animal.  

A consultation that involves both theoretical and practical
work starts this journey with your rescue dog off with solid foundations. The best results are achieved through ongoing
liaisons through the training packages. The initial consultation involves a 90
minute meeting to discuss your dog and any concerns that you may have before
beginning the training part of the session.  

The initial consultation will have a follow up summary
report, highlighting simple training techniques and tasks for you to be practicing
with your dog. An email or phone check
in is arranged for one week after this to discuss progress.  

We foster dogs that are from both the UK (Birmingham Dogs
Home, Rainbow, Rushton, Raven, DunRoamin’) and Overseas (Dog Rescue Cyprus)
dogs that need behaviour or training help prior to adoption. So as a trainer
and behaviourist I have a unique perspective on what impact a dog can have on a
family, having worked through most inappropriate dog behaviours.  

By working with me, I am to support you to settle in your
rescue dog, so that it is as stress free as possible for the dog and your
family and provide maximum support.  

*If your dog is already settled in, and is now displaying
more complex issues, then please go to the Behavioural Page  

*Your dog prior to arriving usually sees a vet, however it
is advised that on registering your dog with the vet that the dog receives a
full veterinary check-up. For those
cases that require a combination of behavioural and training, we work on vet
referral and behavioural rates will apply in these cases.   

 Before you bring your rescue dog home 

This session helps you to select a rescue dog that is
matched to your home lifestyle and activities. Falling in love with a picture is absolutely wonderful, however the
reality of a busy dog in a sedentary home does not meet the dogs needs nor the
home, so challenges may arise. This
session supports you through the selection process and helps you to select and
dog that matches well with you and your family. It will make introductions and settling in for your rescue dog as close
to a stress-free process. It really is,
as with anything built on the foundation of preparation.  

Dog has arrived and the first 3 weeks (settling in period
and training support) 

As with all new relationships, you may find that there are
some issues with your dog. As I have a
deep understanding of the human-animal bond, my support will help you to
understand how to strengthen and develop this bond, but also to work through
the training and minor behaviour issues that your dog may be displaying due to
them struggling to fit in to the new environment that you have provided. We use
positive reinforcement to build positive associations with people, animals and
situations. This way you can continue this with confidence to build your
relationship and the trust that essential for pet welfare.  

Training Equipment  

Headcollars, collars, harnesses, leads, longlines,
retractable leads – the list is endless as to the what to use with your
dog. Guidance is given on the use of all
training equipment so that it can be effectively put on the dog without any
undue stress. Again, referring as stated
to positive associations with any tools that are used with your dog. We can even work through using a muzzle and
how the dog will come to realise that it has positive associations, this may be
to prevent a ‘street dog’ from scavenging when out and about, or to reduce the
handler’s anxiety in that the dog has less chance of causing injury. Clipping your dog’s nails, basic grooming of
the dog can be covered in these sessions that are fun, effective and easy for
you to follow through. Summary training report will be sent to support you with
your ongoing training with your dog.  

Training Issues that are common to rescues 

In my experience there are a few behaviours that are more
commonplace than others when working with rescue dogs: pulling on a lead, poor
recall, jumping up on visitors, jumping up on people outside the home. Training for these issues can support the dog
to become a good-mannered citizen through effective use of positive
reinforcement, that puts the joy back into walks, visitors and new environments
by reducing stress.  

Consultation 

Your initial consultation will be completed by Catherine
Phoenix Hallam, who has immense experience in dealing with rescue dogs, post
adoption support as a behaviourist assigned with Dog Rescue Cyprus and Rainbow
Dog Rescue.  

This includes your  

· Discovery Call – a 15-minute call to discuss the
training needs of the dog, and to get to know me a little 

· A 90-minute meet up at a mutually convenient
location that involves not only theory (what may be causing the underlying
issue), but also training skills and handling skills guidance (the practical
part)  

· Appropriate training plans, advice sheets and
where applicable video of the training skill 

· Summary report 

· Follow up phone or email check-in for one
calendar month 

Consultation fee is £125