Frequently Asked Questions with Dog Behaviourist, Nick Jones MA

About Me

I'm a qualified dog behaviourist with a Master's Degree from Middlesex University in Professional Practice in Canine Behaviour and Psychology. I'm also a full member of the prestigious Canine and Feline Behaviour Association UK (CFBA). I've been working as a successful full-time dog behaviour specialist for over 25 years, carrying out over 2,500 detailed consultations across a wide range of dog breeds and behaviours.

What qualifications should a professional dog behaviourist have in the UK?

• I hold a Master's Degree in dog behaviour from Middlesex University.

• I'm a full member of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association UK (CFBA).

• I have 25 years of experience as a full-time dog behaviour specialist.

• I've completed over 2,500 detailed dog behaviour consultations.

• I'm an experienced Dog Expert Witness for legal cases.

• I assess breed types of dogs prior to import to the UK.

• Pet Behaviourist to Petplan UK.

• Key professional trainer to ACME whistles.

• Providing warm, friendly and relatable dog-related content for PR purposes.

What's my approach to dog behaviour and training?
My approach to dog behaviour problems is always calm and sympathetic, with a clear emphasis on positive leadership and reward-based dog training techniques. I have always worked with people since leaving school and I am very owner focussed. I shall be keen to understand what it is that you want your dog to stop, and to address any concerns you might have, one by one. You’ll find me to be honest in our conversations, but constructive, and always positive. I am regularly impressed at the improvements I see across the two visits I provide most owners, so being positive and open minded is how to start.

I don’t use check chains, prong collars, electric collars, alpha rolls (placing a dog on its back for submission), or anything else that would distress you or your dog. It is very important to me that you and your dog feel calm and safe in my presence. I understand how stressful things can become in the circumstances that surround a dog and behaviours that are making life difficult. We shall start at the beginning and go from there.

Services I Offer

What services do I provide at Alpha Dog Behaviour?
I offer comprehensive dog behaviour and training services, covering behaviours such as:

Dog Behaviour Problems:

• Excessive barking

• Biting and nipping problems

• Car travel problems

• Chewing/destructive behaviour

• Child safety with dogs

• Digging problems

• Dog-to-dog aggression

• Dog-to-people aggression

• Dominant/Nervous aggressive behaviour

• Separation anxiety

• Failing to return/Recall issues.

• Fears and phobias

Specialised Services:

• Legal assessment/Dog Expert Witness services

• Foster and adoption child placement assessments with dogs

• Provisional comment on breed type of dog prior to importing a dog to the UK

• Insurance claims: Owners can often claim my dog behaviour fees

• PR comment in the media industry.

Do I offer different types of consultations?
Yes, I provide several consultation options to suit your needs:

• In-person home visits: I come to your home for one-to-one training.

• Zoom or Phone online consultations: Remote consultations for your convenience.

• Expert witness services: For breed type assessments upon dogs.

• Insurance claims: Consultations are often covered by pet health insurance policies.

Do you offer in-home dog behaviour training visits near me in Worcestershire?
I am based in Bewdley, Worcestershire, covering the West Midlands, and counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol.

I primarily serve the Worcestershire region and surrounding areas. Please contact me to confirm if I cover your specific location.

The Consultation Process

What exactly happens during a home visit dog behaviour consultation?
Your first consultation is crucial for me to understand your needs and your dog's. During this meeting, I will:

• Get to know you and your dog.

• Discuss your dog's history, behaviour, and specific issues.

• Evaluate your dog's current behaviour and training level.

• Listen to your concerns so we have a clear plan ahead.

• Set goals and discuss expectations.

• Create a tailored approach based on your dog's individual needs.

• Provide a customised training plan.

• Set up ongoing support channels.

What questions will I ask you?
To help me get a full picture, please be prepared to discuss:

• What specific behaviours you're hoping to change.

• Your dog's daily routines and schedule.

• Any past training experiences.

• How your dog behaves around other animals and people.

• Your dog's age, breed, and health history.

• Where you got your dog and how long you've had them.

• What you want your life with your dog to look like.

• Your dog's diet and exercise routine.

How should you prepare for the consultation?
To make the most of our consultation, I recommend:

• Listing specific behaviours or issues you want to address.

• Gathering your dog's medical records and any previous training history.

• Considering your dog's daily routine and diet.

• Exercising your dog before the consultation to help them relax.

• Have a few of your dog's favourite treats and toys.

• Keeping an open mind and being ready to learn.

• Relax. I’m here to help and make you and your dog feel at ease throughout.

What happens after the consultation?
Following your consultation, you'll receive:

• A customised training plan outlining what you and your dog need to focus on.

• Future training sessions scheduled based on your needs.

• "Homework" assignments for both you and your dog.

• Ongoing support between sessions.

• Progress tracking and plan adjustments as needed.

Common Dog Behaviour Issues

What's the most common behaviour problem in dogs?
Aggression is often considered the most common and serious behaviour problem in dogs, and it's certainly the number-one reason why owners seek my professional help. Different forms of aggression require different treatments, which is why a professional assessment is crucial. Aggression can be blended in with other unwanted behaviours, such as resource guarding, barking and reactivity.

How do I stop my dog from barking at visitors or noises outside?
Each type of bark serves a distinct function for dogs. Your dog may be barking due to:

• Alerting to strangers or unusual sounds.

• Boredom or lack of mental stimulation.

• Anxiety or fear.

• Excitement or attention-seeking.

• Territorial behaviour. It's important to identify the reason for the barking before seeking treatment.

Is destructive chewing normal?
Chewing accomplishes several things for dogs, it's a natural behaviour! However, dogs must learn what is and is not acceptable to chew. Destructive chewing can result from:

• Teething in puppies.

• Boredom or lack of exercise.

• Anxiety or stress.

• Lack of appropriate chew toys.

What is the best way to treat my dog's separation anxiety when I leave the house?
Many dogs become destructive or disruptive when left alone. Separation anxiety can develop due to:

• Changes in routine or environment.

• Lack of gradual conditioning to being alone.

• Over-attachment to owners.

• Previous traumatic experiences.

• Insufficient mental and physical stimulation.

How do I stop my dog from growling or guarding their food and toys?
Resource guarding can range from benign to aggressive behaviour. Dogs may guard:

• Food and treats.

• Toys and bones.

• Sleeping areas/spaces.

• Their own bodies.

• Their owners. Early intervention and professional guidance can help prevent escalation.

How do I stop my puppy from biting and nipping?
Puppy biting is completely natural but needs to be managed so they learn bite inhibition. I can show you how to redirect this energy onto appropriate toys and teach your puppy that calm behaviour earns attention, preventing the nipping from becoming a permanent habit.

Is it too late to fix my older dog's behavioural problems with positive reinforcement?
It is never too late to change a dog's behaviour. While older dogs may have deeply ingrained habits, they are highly capable of learning new routines. By managing your dog's environment, building a foundation of mutual respect, and rewarding positive behaviours, we can successfully resolve issues at any stage of your dog's life.

Aggression-Specific Questions

Can aggressive dogs be helped?
Yes, absolutely. While there's no easy fix for aggression, many types of aggressive behaviour can be successfully managed and significantly improved with proper professional intervention. The key is early identification and appropriate treatment methods.

Why is my dog well-behaved at home but aggressive or reactive on walks?
Many dogs struggle with the transition from a calm home environment to a highly stimulating public space. This is often due to leash frustration, fear-based aggression, or a lack of proper socialization. During our consultation, we will identify the root cause of this reactivity and work on keeping your dog calm and focused on you.

What types of aggression do I treat?
I specialise in all forms of dog aggression, including:

• Dog-to-dog aggression

• Dog-to-people aggression

• Dominant aggressive behaviour

• Fear-based aggression

• Resource guarding aggression

• Territorial aggression

How do I know if my dog's behaviour is actually aggression?
Signs of aggression can include:

• Growling, snarling, or snapping.

• Lunging or charging.

• Biting or nipping.

• Stiff body posture.

• Raised hackles.

• Intense staring. If you're concerned about your dog's behaviour, it's always best to seek my professional evaluation.

Is it safe to work with an aggressive dog?
Yes, as a professional dog behaviourist, I have extensive experience working safely with aggressive dogs. With over 2,500 consultations and regular work with aggression cases, I ensure proper safety protocols and apply my expertise for safe and effective treatment, whilst keeping myself and those around me safe from harm, or unexpected actions by the dog.

Practical Information

How long does dog training take?
The duration of training varies depending on several factors:

• The specific behaviour issues being addressed.

• Your dog's age, breed, and temperament.

• The consistency of your practice at home.

• The severity of the problems.

• Your commitment to the training process. Most clients see initial improvements within a few weeks, but lasting behaviour change typically requires several months of consistent work, with a life-time need for consistency so as not to revert to previous ways.

What should I bring to training sessions?
For our training sessions, please have at the ready:

• Your dog's favourite high-value treats.

• Any toys your dog particularly enjoys.

• A comfortable collar and lead or harness, as you use presently.

• Water for your dog.

• Any relevant paperwork or notes about your dog's behaviour.

Do I provide ongoing support?
Yes, ongoing support is a very important part of the training process. I provide guidance between sessions and after the visits without restriction and am available to help you work through any challenges that arise during training.

What if my dog doesn't respond to training?
Every dog is unique and responds differently to training methods. If initial approaches aren't working as quickly as we'd like, I'll adjust the training plan and try different techniques suited to your dog's specific needs and learning style.

Costs and Booking

How much do consultations cost?
For specific pricing information, please contact me directly. Costs vary depending on:

• The type of consultation (in-person vs. remote).

• The complexity of the behaviour issues.

• The number of sessions required.

How do I book a consultation?
To book a consultation or get more information, you can:

• Use the online contact form.

Do I offer emergency consultations?
For urgent behaviour issues, especially those involving aggression or significant safety concerns, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss priority scheduling options. I can normally accommodate urgent cases at short notice.

What payment methods do I accept?
Please contact me directly for information about accepted payment methods and any available payment plan options. I can accept credit card payments, bank transfers, cheque and cash.

Insurance and Legal Services

Can I claim a dog behaviourist consultation fee on my UK pet insurance?
I provide my full professional services as I would normally, but in many cases you can claim fees related to dog behaviour cases. My qualifications and full membership to the CFBA qualify me to work with your insurer. Please look at this page for further information and to learn more about the potential for claiming my fees from your pet health insurance policy.

What are my Dog Expert Witness services?
As an experienced Dog Expert Witness, I can provide:

• Breed type assessments on dogs prior to import to the UK.

• Professional assessments upon individual dogs for legal cases.

• Detailed dog behaviour evaluations and assessments for legal purposes.

• Professional opinion on dog-related incidents.

Choosing a Dog Behaviourist

How do I choose the right behaviourist for my dog?
When selecting a dog behaviourist, I recommend considering:

• Professional qualifications and certifications.

• Experience with your specific type of behaviour issue.

• Training methods and philosophy.

• References and testimonials.

• Professional memberships (such as CFBA).

• Their approach to ongoing support.
  

What questions should I ask a potential behaviourist?
Important questions you might ask include:

• What are your qualifications and experience?

• What methods do you use?

• How do you handle aggressive dogs?

• Can you provide references?

• What is your success rate with similar cases?

• What ongoing support do you provide?
  

Why should you choose me, Nick Jones?
By choosing my services you're getting:

• Extensive professional qualifications and experience.

• Positive, reward-based training methods.

• 25 years of practical experience. All behaviours. All breeds. Full-time practice - not a hobbyist.

• Long standing membership and recognition in prestigious professional organisations.

• A calm, sympathetic approach focused on building trust between you and your dog.

• Dog behaviourist to Petplan UK, often allowing you to claim my fees, less your excess.

• Many excellent testimonials.

• Sympathetic and ethical approach.

"Living with challenging dog behaviour problems can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting. You don't have to navigate it alone or guess your way through it. Whatever you’re facing, no matter how big or small it feels, there is always a calm, practical way forward.”

Ready to get started? Let’s have a friendly, no-judgement chat about your dog and figure out the best next step together.