Bradley's new owner has txt to say she is getting a behaviourist to iron out a couple of problems. Would the behaviourist need to speak with myself at all in ref to his background?

Also she has asked me for the telephone number of the Kennels that we used to use. Which is a five minute walk from my work. the temptation would be overwhelming to see him. But this would probably upset him aswell as me. Any thoughts welcome.

Hi Emma

She would probably be better off finding a GOOD trainer - one who knows how to read and handle dogs and teach people to teach their dogs.  Most behaviourists do not know how to do this as they have gone straight into "behaviourism" without doing their canine apprenticeship first.

If seeing Bradley is going to upset you and therefore him then don't do it.  If you can stay matter of fact and leave him without turning back then he has probably been in his new home long enough to accept it.

I agree with Kerioak  to a degree with the rider if the behaviourist DOES become necessary that it is a proper one, qualified, experienced one accredited to a professional body; not a franchised individual who has as much experience with dogs as I have with telemetry :D

She has been recommended one by the boxer rescue. He is currently training twice aweek and doing agility twice a week aswell. Im not sure what the problem is though.

Im not sure if it is a good idea me seeing him, just one txt seems to set me back and reduce me to tears.  thought about offering a roof over his head for the weekend. This would probably confused the little terror.

Emma - I think you should distance yourself from this asap to stop it stinging every time you hear something about him. Thats one of the reasons that Dally rescue don't put new owners in touch with old - it stirs up emotions! Try to walk away from this now.

Our local vets reccomended a behavourist for training to a couple who have a puppy. As the puppy like all puppies play bites this so called behavourist told them they should keep it muzzled! This led to the puppy becoming head shy and as it was bought to be shown, you can imagine the problems. It also seemed that everything I told them with regard to training was rubbished by this behavourist, so instead of becoming a nice calm little dog this puppy was getting worse and worse.
Thankfully I managed to persuade them to go to John and give up this behavourist, I saw them today and they are so thrilled with their pup and said it is getting a lot calmer and quieter now. They can't believe their luck finding John to train with either.
I think a good trainer is worth far more than most behavourists.

A good behaviourist can be very useful. The only problem being, where do you find a good behaviourest? If a person needs one then I think that time and again they do not have the knowlege to recognise a good one from a bad one. Of course, if they do know enough to recognise a good one then the chances are that they will not be needing one anyway! There are organisations such as the APDT but again, some of their behavioursets are going to be better than others. It is all a bit of a "Catch 22" situation!

Best wishes, John

I wonder why she feels he needs a behaviourist?

I agree it is a "Catch 22" situation in many ways, and I must say, I would much prefer John over some "behaviourists" practising in the UK ;) 

Some courses advertised in magazines seem to suggest one can become a behaviourist after a short course costing about £200 and this is so wrong. Out of curiousity i sent off for one of these and the information was useful but very basic compared to what a behaviourist would really need out and about, so to speak. One or two of the courses are useful stepping stones but would not mean the student can successfully be a good behaviourist.Then of course there are the franchises such as Barkbusters where anyone can become a behaviourist, i dont think they even have to have ever owned a dog!

I do think  a good trainer can solve many problems and there is no need to look further; most good trainers will have someunderstanding of behaviour, but i do also think there is a need for good behaviourists because sometimes problems are so severe or so odd that there is a need for someone who can look at it in a behavioural light; the more i learn, the more i understand that things are not always as they seem. Good behaviourists should hail from either the APBC or the UKRCB and if one also checks that they have a good track record for the particular problem (some specialise, eg. stock chasing) then the owner can feel satisfied they have a good one. At the end of the day i do feel though that with difficult problems, owners do need to be committed, i hear of far too many people trying something for a week and giving up because it didnt work. Also i guess there may be some "bad" apples in any organisation which sadly reflects on other members.

Lindsay
X

Thank you Lindsay, I feel very honoured! (Cant find a smillie for blushing.)

Best wishes, John

Yes, we do need a smillie  for your blushes John ;)

I really did mean what i said though, your wisdom shines through in all your  posts....now, where is that smillie....... <g>

Lindsay
XXX

Lucy Im not sure why. I know his jumping was getting out of control. Im worried that by him being rehomed it has made him insecure or had some sort of effect on him. Caused by me. What if this can't be sorted, will he be shipped off to someone else.

I try to cut myself off but my love for him will never die. To this day he has left a huge gap in my life that will never be filled. i still have some of his toys.  When I see other boxers, I feel so empty. i know what I did was for the best.

Hi Emma

It's  a horrible situation for you to be in; often if the new owner thinks he/she knows the background it would be unlikely you would be contacted I suspect, unless you actually texted back and suggested it. It certainly helps a situation for trainers or behaviourists to know as much as possible about background etc :)

People deal with losing loved ones in different ways don't they, if it was me, i would probably want to be involved as much as possible to ensure my dog was happy because that in turn would eventually put my mind at rest, rather than me constantly wondering about it, but we are all different. I hope it goes well for Bradley :)

Lindsay
X

If a person needs a behviourist they should go through their vet who will refer them to a member of the APBC who are all highly qualified and professional people who have not only had experience but academic qualifications too to back empirical knowledge with theoretical (a lot of dogs have not read the books) :D

There is also the UKRCB however the criteria for membership differs although many belong to both.

The APDT is a training organisation although some of them may well be members of the APBC or have behavioural experience.

Unfortunately anyone can set up on their own to be a behaviourist just as people could be osteopaths, chiropractics and aromatherapists before there were professional organisations to set criteria and monitor quality etc.

It is easy enough to verify someone's qualifications and memberships these days via the web, vets or other professionals.

If the person does not come recommended from a reliable source or is merely a member of a franchised organisation; steer clear!