Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an animal behavior consultant?
An animal behavior consultant helps owners understand why animals behave the way they do. Rather than focusing solely on teaching obedience or specific cues, behavioral consulting evaluates the factors influencing behavior—including learning history, environment, welfare, health, genetics, and the human-animal relationship—to develop individualized, science-based recommendations.
Are you a certified animal behaviorist?
Not yet.
I am currently completing graduate education in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare with the goal of becoming an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) through the Animal Behavior Society.
I believe it is important to be transparent about my current qualifications. You deserve to know exactly who is providing your consultation, the education I have completed, and the professional standards that guide my recommendations.
What qualifications do you have?
My graduate education focuses on animal behavior, animal welfare, learning theory, applied behavior analysis, and professional ethics.
A significant portion of my coursework has involved evaluating ethical questions such as:
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What is in the animal's best interest?
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What recommendations are supported by scientific evidence?
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How can behavior concerns be addressed while protecting animal welfare?
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How can we balance the needs of both the animal and the family?
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My recommendations are guided by the principles of Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA), meaning I strive to recommend effective interventions while minimizing unnecessary fear, pain, stress, and frustration whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
I also completed Living and Learning with Animals by Susan Friedman, Ph.D, an 8-week tele class designed to provide the foundation for a comprehensive and coherent understanding of behavior analysis as it relates to facilitating the lives of all learners.
What is the difference between a dog trainer and an animal behavior consultant?
Dog trainers typically focus on teaching specific skills or cues such as sit, stay, loose-leash walking, or recall.
An animal behavior consultant focuses on understanding why a behavior occurs. Training is often one component of a behavior plan, but recommendations may also include environmental changes, enrichment, management strategies, veterinary collaboration, welfare improvements, and owner education.
The goal is not simply to change behavior—it is to understand it.
How do I know if behavior consulting is right for my pet?
If your pet's behavior is affecting quality of life, safety, or your relationship together, a behavioral consultation may help.
However, not every consultation begins because of a serious behavior problem.
Many pets are healthy, well-adjusted companions that simply have owners who want to better understand them or improve everyday interactions.
Even relatively minor concerns—such as pulling on the leash, jumping on visitors, excessive excitement during greetings, or learning to better understand canine communication—can influence the quality of the human-animal relationship.
Behavior consulting can help owners understand these behaviors, improve communication, and develop practical, evidence-based strategies that strengthen their relationship with their pet.
My pet doesn't have behavior problems. Can you still help?
Absolutely.
Behavioral wellness is just as important as physical health.
Even if your pet is not experiencing a behavior problem, a behavioral wellness assessment may help determine whether your pet's behavioral and environmental needs are being met.
A behavioral wellness assessment may evaluate:
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Physical exercise
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Mental stimulation and enrichment
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Opportunities to engage in species- and breed-typical behaviors
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Daily routines and the home environment
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The quality of the human-animal relationship
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Long-term behavioral health and welfare
Following the assessment, you will receive individualized recommendations designed to improve your pet's quality of life while strengthening your relationship together.
I'm not sure if I need a behavior consultant. Can I still contact you?
Absolutely.
Many owners contact me because they simply aren't sure whether what they're seeing is normal.
Sometimes it is.
Sometimes it isn't.
Sometimes the answer is reassurance.
Sometimes the best recommendation is additional training, veterinary evaluation, or another professional.
Sometimes no further services are needed at all.
That is why I offer a free 15-minute introductory consultation.
During this conversation we will discuss your concerns, your goals, and your pet's history. Together we'll determine whether a behavioral consultation, welfare assessment, another service, or no additional services are appropriate.
There is never any obligation to schedule additional services.
Do you guarantee results?
No ethical behavior professional can guarantee behavioral outcomes.
Behavior is influenced by many factors, including genetics, learning history, medical conditions, environment, family participation, consistency, and the individual animal.
My goal is to provide individualized, evidence-based recommendations that maximize the likelihood of meaningful improvement while protecting animal welfare.
Do you prescribe medication?
No.
Only licensed veterinarians can diagnose medical conditions and prescribe medication.
When appropriate, I will recommend discussing behavioral medication or additional medical evaluation with your veterinarian.
Do you work with veterinarians?
Yes.
Many behavior concerns have medical components, and behavioral medicine is often most successful when veterinary professionals and behavior professionals work together.
With your permission, I am happy to collaborate with your veterinarian whenever appropriate.
What should I expect during a consultation?
My consultations are intentionally thorough.
Rather than simply telling you what to do, I aim to help you understand why a behavior is occurring, the science behind my recommendations, and how each recommendation contributes to your pet's welfare and your relationship together.
Recommendations may include:
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Behavioral assessment
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Environmental modifications
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Enrichment recommendations
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Management strategies
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Behavior modification techniques
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Owner education
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Collaboration with your veterinarian
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Follow-up planning
If you enjoy learning the science behind behavior, I'm happy to explain it. If you prefer concise, practical recommendations, I can tailor my communication to your preferences.
Why do you emphasize education so much?
I believe that understanding behavior leads to better decisions.
Many behavior concerns arise because owners have been given incomplete, outdated, or conflicting advice.
My goal is not simply to tell you what to do, but to help you understand why your pet behaves the way they do so you can make informed decisions long after our consultation has ended.
What if my situation would be better served by someone else?
I'll tell you.
My responsibility is to recommend what I believe is in the best interest of you and your pet.
If I believe another professional, trainer, veterinarian, specialist, or service is better suited to your needs, I will recommend that instead.
My goal is not to provide every service.
My goal is to help you find the right solution.
What is your philosophy?
I believe behavior is communication.
Animals are sentient beings with behavioral needs that evolved over thousands of years. Many behaviors that owners find frustrating are normal expressions of canine behavior rather than signs that a dog is "bad" or "stubborn."
My goal is not simply to eliminate unwanted behaviors.
My goal is to understand why they occur, protect animal welfare, strengthen the human-animal relationship, and help pets and their families thrive together through compassionate, evidence-based recommendations.