Dog Training & Walking in St. Austell and surrounding areas
Phone:
07794360108
Email:
fransbestfrienddogtraining@gmail.com
Behaviour Modification & 1:1 Training
Helping you and your dog navigate life's challenges together
Is your dog struggling with certain situations or behaviours that are affecting everyday life? Perhaps they bark, lunge or growl at other dogs or people, guard their food or possessions, struggle with anxiety, or find it difficult to cope with the world around them.
Living with a dog who struggles behaviourally can feel stressful, exhausting and sometimes isolating. You might find yourself constantly managing situations, worrying about what might happen next, or feeling unsure about how best to help your dog. You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Support is available.
At Fran’s Best Friend, I take a welfare-led, holistic approach to behaviour modification. Rather than simply focusing on the behaviour you see, we look at the bigger picture to understand what might be driving it and what your dog needs to feel safer, cope better and make positive changes. Every dog is an individual, which is why training is tailored to your dog’s history, temperament, environment, lifestyle and your own goals.
The aim isn’t perfection. It’s to help you understand your dog better, build practical skills and make everyday life easier for both of you.
What can behaviour modification help with?
Behavioural struggles can look very different from one dog to another. You may recognise one or more of the following in your dog.
Dog-to-dog reactivity - Barking, lunging, growling or becoming overwhelmed when seeing other dogs. This can be driven by fear, frustration, anxiety or a combination of factors.
Dog-to-person reactivity - Struggling around unfamiliar people, visitors, strangers approaching or people encountered on walks. We work towards helping your dog feel safer and develop more appropriate coping strategies.
Resource guarding - Guarding food, chews, toys, resting places or other valued resources. This can include stiffening, growling, snapping or becoming uncomfortable when someone approaches or tries to take something away.
Anxiety and fear-based behaviours - Dogs who struggle with unfamiliar environments, everyday situations, noises, handling or changes in routine may benefit from carefully tailored behaviour modification to build confidence and improve their ability to cope.
Overarousal and frustration - Dogs who become overly excited, struggle to settle, react intensely to everyday triggers or find it difficult to regulate their emotions.
Handling and cooperative care difficulties - Dogs who feel uncomfortable with grooming, equipment, being touched or certain routine care activities.
Other challenging behaviours - Perhaps your dog struggles with something not listed above. If their behaviour is affecting your daily life, we can discuss your concerns and explore whether individual behaviour modification is the right approach.
How behaviour modification works
Behaviour is communication. Rather than simply trying to stop an unwanted behaviour, we look at the underlying emotions, needs and circumstances that may be contributing to it.
My approach prioritises your dog’s welfare, emotional safety and individual learning needs. We focus on practical management strategies, appropriate training and helping you recognise what your dog is communicating.
Your programme is tailored to your circumstances, with clear guidance so you know what to work on, how to approach it and how to build on your progress.
Together, we will work towards:
Understanding your dog’s behaviour and potential triggers.
Identifying practical ways to manage challenging situations safely.
Developing skills that help your dog cope more comfortably with everyday life.
Building your confidence in handling and supporting your dog.
Creating realistic, achievable goals that fit your lifestyle.
Making adjustments as your dog progresses.
The Behaviour Modification Programme
1. Free 30-minute discovery call
We’ll start with a free 30-minute phone call to discuss your dog, the behaviours you’re concerned about, your goals and what daily life currently looks like.
2. Individual behaviour consultation
We’ll arrange an in-person behaviour consultation/ remote consultation to explore your dog’s history, environment, triggers and behavioural patterns. Design a plan tailored to you and your dog, and implement immediate management and safety strategies.
3. Four follow-up training sessions
Following your consultation, we’ll work through four individual training sessions tailored to your dog’s needs and your agreed goals.
Sessions will focus on putting your plan into practice, developing your handling skills, working through challenges and adapting the training as your dog progresses.
Where appropriate, training may take place at home, at my training venue or in suitable real-world environments. The location and approach will depend on your dog’s needs, welfare and progress.
Throughout the programme you will receive;
A structured, personalised written plan
Practical management strategies, exercises and next steps
Demonstration videos where appropriate
Weekly progress check-ins
You won’t be left wondering whether you’re doing things correctly between appointments. Text and email support are included throughout, giving you a way to ask questions and get guidance when needed.
Behaviour Modification Programme – Pricing
Full programme: £320
Your personalised behaviour modification programme includes the initial consultation, four follow-up training sessions, a structured training plan, demonstration videos where appropriate, text and email support, and weekly progress check-ins.
Additional training sessions: £40 per hour
If further sessions are beneficial beyond the initial programme, these can be arranged at £40 per hour.
Initial consultation only: £120
In some cases, an initial in-person consultation may be sufficient to assess your dog’s needs and provide practical guidance and recommendations. Where ongoing training is not required, this option may be appropriate.
Travel fees may apply to in-person consultations and are charged separately.
We’ll discuss your dog’s individual needs during your free 30-minute discovery call to help determine the most appropriate level of support.