FAQ: “What is an Initial Consultation and why might I need one?”

Initial consultations can be a bore for the dog after the excitement of meeting me, The Treat Lady, wears off

Often, clients will ask me why we need to have an initial consultation before we can begin working together on a dog’s behavior issue. There are a few reasons an Initial Consultation might be necessary, and they’re all in the name of making effective use of your time and creating an effective training plan for your dog.

Behavior is complex, and in order to get you the best possible training result it’s often necessary for us to meet, talk in detail, see your home environment, and the issues you’re experiencing firsthand. We discuss your dog’s regular exercise, enrichment, previous training, your household composition and routines, and more, so I can get an accurate picture of your dog’s everyday life.

First, we meet in a free 15-minute online consultation

All of my training services begin with a free 15 minute online consultation, where you give me a brief overview of the issues you’re experiencing, and we can meet each other face-to-face.

Although I have a pretty extensive amount of information on my website, I know I personally would feel reassured by meeting the person I’m entrusting with my dog’s well-being. I also sometimes am fully booked with certain types of training services, such as separation anxiety, and want to be able to refer you to a trusted colleague.

After this mini session, I send a follow up with a plan for next steps.

Often, after the free mini session we can jump right into a Puppy Perfection training package, Essential Manners, or Pre-Pup Consultation.

However, if your dog has fearful, reactive, or aggressive behavior, behaviors consistent with separation anxiety, or you have a dog/baby/toddler issue, the next step is an Initial Consultation. If you’re in my service area this consultation is in-person; otherwise it’s online. After an initial consultation I send my notes, relevant information and resources, and a customized training plan.

Initial Consultations for Separation Anxiety

My very first separation anxiety client, sweet Otto.

In an Initial Separation Anxiety Consultation (which is always online), I watch your dog through Google Meet as you exit and remain outside, calling you back before your dog escalates into panicked behavior. After you return we watch the video together and I explain your dog’s behavior. We then go over the nature of what separation anxiety is — and isn’t — as well as discuss how the training process works and immediate ways you can start helping your dog.

While most clients truly do have dogs who panic when left alone, occasionally a dog is simply bored and is exercising her jaws and paws on the furnishings in play. If this is the case, we talk about ways to reduce those behaviors, which typically involve increasing exercise and enrichment.

Initial Consultations for Dogs with Behavior Problems

I had an initial consultation with Ollie’s guardians, because he has some Very Big Feelings about visitors to the house. In our session we discussed safety for company and for him, polite greetings, and creating a cozy Zen Den where he could get away from it all.

During the booking process for dogs with Very Big Feelings and other behavior concerns, a detailed intake form helps me understand the issues you’re facing, as well as your goals, so we can use our time together as effectively as possible. I also bring resources that can help you understand and manage your dog’s behavior right away.

We typically discuss issues such as safety in the house, addressing the environment inside and outside the home to reduce Very Big Feelings, and what you can do for immediate relief. These can be lightbulb moments for many clients. Sometimes, for instance, simply moving a chair out of the window will stop a dog from sitting there barking and lunging at everything that goes by (which is actually stressful, not fun, for most dogs).

As with Ollie, we also often do a bit of training!

His people report: “The holidays went well. We did our initial meeting as you taught us. We made sure to give Ollie space when needed and took crate breaks. Since then he has been much more comfortable with visitors, which is a big relief.

“Thanks so much for your help! It's been amazing to see how effective your techniques are, and we are so grateful!”

Initial Consultations for Families with Dogs and Babies or Children

It can be really scary if your dog growls at your child. This is a very common reason dogs are rehomed or relinquished to a shelter or rescue, and can be extremely traumatic for the family.

In our Initial Consultation we again address safety, managing the environment for immediate relief, and discuss in detail the dog’s current skill level with everyday manners, what refreshers might be needed (for instance, a new recall to move a dog away from approaching a child), and what to expect from a dog’s behavior as a baby gets older. Many people, for instance, think their dog is “fine” with children because he’s been ignoring a newborn baby. Once the baby is more vocal and mobile however, the dog can get very uncomfortable and stress behaviors can erupt.

We also tour the house (even if we meet online) and discuss how to implement safety for the family and new ways to include the dog in family life.

Theo and his people live in Greater Boston and this sweet little guy has some Very Big Feelings.

During our Initial Online Consultation we talked about safety, management, and increasing enrichment.

His guardians report he loves his new food toys and that they’ve ordered a new treat pouch to make training more efficient. For now, the one consultation is enough to help them with Theo’s behavior.

Sometimes, an Initial Consultation is all you need right now

For some clients, they can get enough information, immediate safety and relief in the Initial Consultation to help them, while they consider their options for future training. That was the case for Theo (above) and his people. My informational resources, enrichment ideas, and tightening up a few training mechanics are helping him have a happy, harmonious life with his guardians.