Will my pet insurance cover the cost of behaviour consultations and follow-on help?

Sezan and Sue are both fully Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CCAB), full members of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC) and Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC). They are registered Clinical Animal Behaviourists with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC).

These accreditations mean that if your dog’s insurance policy covers behaviour treatment from a non-veterinary behaviourist, then the cost of any Oz Dogs service is very likely to be covered, less your excess. Please check with your insurance provider directly to be sure of what they will cover and how your policy may be affected, prior to booking your initial appointment.

We are not able to process direct claims. This means that you will need to pay the cost of any service directly to Oz Dogs, and then request reimbursement from your insurance provider.

What behaviours can you help with?

Sezan and Sue have experience with a full range of behaviours. Local support packages specialise in dogs that need support for social sensitivities around other dogs and people, however we do continue to take on certain cases outside of this remit. Please contact us to discuss your dog’s needs.

Did you know behaviour consultations aren’t only for ‘problem’ dogs? A behaviour consultation provides dedicated 1-1 time with an expert across multiple sessions in flexible environments. We can use this opportunity to help settle in new puppies, rescue dogs or talk about general training needs and geek out on personalised behaviour discussions with owners, where behaviours have an emotional origin. Consultations can also be helpful troubleshoot to troubleshoot and coach emotion based issues with dogs that belong to other dog professionals, for an outside perspective and a chance to review your dog’s behaviour own journey.  

What training methods are used?

Oz Dogs guarantee to use safe and effective reward-based methods of training. We will never use or promote training methods that aim to suppress behaviours through fear or pain.

Will my dog’s behaviour problem be resolved?

Just like with human psychology, where behaviours are driven by a strong emotional response there can be no guarantees that problems will ‘resolve’ completely. The amount of success will depend on a number of factors. If you are able to fully commit to a behaviour plan, a realistic goal is to have a full and comprehensive understanding of your dog’s behaviour, and to achieve a level of improvement that is manageable and maintainable for both you and your dog.

Often behaviour modification plans require some ‘meeting in the middle’ of your needs and your dogs needs, and some changes needed to imporve your dog’s behaviour could be lifelong requirements. With this in mind, in the vast majority of cases where you can make the changes needed, we see improvements of behaviours over time. After your initial consultation package you will be equipped with the tools you need to understand your dog, encouraging and enabling them to be the best possible versions of themselves.

Will I see Sezan, Sue or both?

Your consultation will be with either Sezan or Sue. This is allocated at random unless either clinican has particular skills with the problem or breed you are seeking help for, or unless you have a special request for who you would like to see. Although we don’t usually see cases as a pair, we do have a monthly case discussion meeting where we share ideas for all of our active cases. This means you get the joint expertise of two clinical behaviourists, for the cost of one.

How is ‘reactivity’ addressed with Group Therapy for Dogs? Is it right for me and my dog?

Our group welcomes dogs with varied needs. Please only sign up if you are confident in handling your own dog, and happy to work around other dogs that require extra space. To check your dogs suitability for group sessions before booking your initial consultation, please send an enquiry or book a free phone call with Sezan.

We set dogs up for success by making sure they have enough space to feel safe and make good choices - this enables us to adjust behaviour as well as emotions.

Due to the nature of the work we do, we do have some ‘entry requirements’ which will help determine whether the group is the right choice for your dog at this stage in their journey. It is important that your dog can usually cope with being around other calm and well controlled dogs (and people) from an approximate 5 meter distance (often we will need to get this close to one another), and that they can take either treat or toy based rewards in public.

For safety reasons when working in public, we are not able to accept dogs that present a serious risk of injury to people. Due to the nature of working and training in public, all dogs must be happy and comfortable to wear muzzles for any public group work around other dogs. We are unable to accept entire (un-neutered) males into the group at this time.

But our group isn’t just about the dogs, it’s about the people too! If you are looking for a group where you can have a laugh while learning, and re-inspire your love of getting outdoors with your dog, you have come to the perfect place. We are all about giving you the confidence and space to share your experiences and support one another, while helping you to help your dog (and helping them to help each other!).

What happens on group trips?

Group Therapy for Dogs trips are chaperoned by Sezan, and take in South and East Bristol. Times and locations vary, we organise these by vote each week and I do my best to guarantee every member can make it to at least one trip (this often means putting in several trips, which anyone can join). We tend to split trips into group training sessions in small areas (muzzles may not be a requirement pending location) and ‘adventure walks’ where we take the pressure off and allow the dogs to relax and walk together. Adventures occur in public, so muzzles are required.

Trips are always on lead, rather than an opportunity to mix and meet other dogs, we teach the dogs to focus on their owners in the presence of distractions. We therefore ask that members keep at least 2 meters distance during ttrips at all times (individual dogs may need extra space).

Although we do our best to try and reduce the risk of off lead dogs etc approaching during our walks, there is always a moderate risk - we expect the unexpected! Oz Dogs cannot take responsibility for the behaviour of the public, so please only attend if you feel comfortable with the risks involved from unknown dogs or people we may encounter in public spaces.

How long would you recommend signing up for Group Therapy for Dogs?

You will have a strong understanding of how your dog is responding to their training, troubleshooting and progression of their plan after 2-3 months and will hopefully be seeing significant improvements during that time, if you are able to continue implementing what you are learning at home.

Behaviour therapy for dogs is an ongoing process that requires ongoing training - therefore we are here to support you with for as long as you feel you are benefiting from the group. Many group members choose to stay on long term to continue enjoying time spent outdoors with their dogs learning and developing in a supportive and safe group setting.

Can I join Group Therapy for Dogs without the initial consultation?

Group Therapy for Dogs is an ideal complement to existing behaviour plans - a safe environment to practice training around dogs, people and other distractions.

If you have already completed a behaviour consultation with an accredited behaviourist under veterinary referral within the last year, you may be able to join the group after an initial discounted ‘getting to know you’ session.

During this session you will be given foundation skills to prepare for group sessions and we will assess your dogs suitability for the sort of group work we provide.

Please get in touch with an enquiry if you would like to join the group via this route.