The Behaviour Clinic
Many dogs have a behaviour problem of some sort during their lifetime. Sometimes it is easily rectified with the support and guidance of a skilled behaviourist and the dog can then be successfully integrated in to normal training classes. However sometimes the problem is more severe where the dog shows extreme fearfulness or aggression and in these cases a structured program of behaviour modification is required. Behaviour consultations can be very expensive, up to £250 - £350. In some practices the owner will only receive a written document with advice with no or limited practical training.
At On Track Dog Training School the behaviour clinic is run very differently. The emphasis is on practical handling techniques in a safe purpose-built environment. In addition the clinic has two trained stooge dogs. The fees are set at £25 per hour session making behaviour consultation and training affordable. All work with dog-to-dog aggression cases over a twelve month period forms part of an ongoing research programme, hopefully to be published in 2009.
The Good Buddy Scheme
This scheme has been developed to set up a controlled environment where people with reactive dogs can bring their dogs to practice handling techniques as a follow on from work done in the Behaviour Clinic. The dogs learn to have fun with their owners through a variety of activities and at the same time they also learn to cope with the presence of other people and dogs. At first the dogs may need to work at a distance but over time as their confidence grows they can work within a group. Those dogs wearing spotted neckerchiefs are Good Buddies - friendly, non-reactive, confidnet dogs which work alongside a reactive dog. The scheme is run every fortnight on a Wednesday evening and includes activities such as agility, flyball, sledging, retrieving and many more great problem solving activities.