Dog Behaviour Consultations in Buckinghamshire and West Hertfordshire

Help for dogs with anxiety, aggression, reactivity, possessive behaviour, handling/ cooperative care issues and separation related problems

Cockapoo dog looking happy - dog behaviour support in Berkshire
Laura Ward, Clinical Animal Behaviourist with her collie dog in Buckinghamshire

Laura Ward - Clinical Animal Behaviourist

Laura understands the roller coaster of emotions which comes from living with a dog with behaviour problems, and how these issues can impact your everyday life, as well as simply feeling bad that your best friend is not at his/ her happiest. 

But you are closer than you think for a better life for you and your dog!

Sadly, Laura does not have a magic wand. However, she has worked with hundreds of dogs, and understands that behaviour change can be achieved starting with the small wins and better understanding, and building upwards from this foundation.

Dog Behaviour Consultation

£600 (£720 inc VAT)

  • Liaison with your vet to obtain a veterinary referral + medical history

    A vet referral is required to book a consultation. We will contact your vet on your behalf but we ask that you inform them and give them permission to share information with us.

  • A full consultation that is roughly 2-3 hours long*

    This will enable time for a thorough history to be taken, plenty of opportunity for you and your family to discuss your feelings about your dogs behaviour, allow me time to share my knowledge on behaviour and why your dogs issues have developed and do some practical training (including a walk if relevant).  By the end of the session a plan will be in place.

    * Please note: Unfortunately weekend appointments are not available.

  • A full report is provided post consultation (to you and your vet)

    There will be a lot of information to take in, so this takes the pressure off remembering it all.

  • A 1hr follow up (usually 4-6 weeks later)

    This is an important chance to review the plan, and make changes/improvements as necessary. A booking link will be sent to you via your confirmation email.

  • A 1hr follow up (usually 4-6 weeks later)

    This is an important chance to review the plan, and make changes/improvements as necessary. A booking link will be sent to you via your confirmation email.

  • Email support between sessions

  • Liaison with your vet (if required)

    This applies within 6 months of your consultation

  • Processing of insurance claims

    Many pet insurance companies will cover this. Please check with your provider.

  • Travel expenses

    Laura covers Buckinghamshire (Gerrards Cross, Amersham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chalfont St Giles, High Wycombe, Aylesbury) Hertfordshire (Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Watford, Hemel Hempstead), North East Berkshire (Burnham, Farnham Royal) and Eastern Oxfordshire border

  • The option to book additional follow up sessions

    These are priced at 1 hour for £75 (£90 inc VAT)

Why choose Laura?

Time and time again Laura is called in to help a dog who has already seen multiple trainers or behaviourists. Often previous training efforts have failed because the professional has tried to focus on training and control and failed to look at the whole picture. 

As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, you’ll find that working with Laura is very different!

Time is taken understanding the problem, and whilst listening to a history Laura will be considering canine ethology, neurochemistry,  aspects of psychology such as learning and emotions and the biology of stress responses, diet and health considerations.

Taking all this into consideration and delving into years of experience, Laura will take a practical and realistic approach to creating a treatment plan that is ethical and manageable for you and your dog. 

Laura also understands that for every dog with a behaviour issue, there is a human also struggling. Laura believes in being kind and compassionate towards her human clients, just as much as the canines. 

Laura’s academic qualifications include: 

  • Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management

  • BSc (Hons) in Applied Behaviour

  • NVQ in Veterinary Nursing with the RCVS

Laura’s demonstration of practical experience includes:

  • Over one thousand happy clients over the last ten years of behaviour and training work

  • Achieving Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) status*

* This qualification is only awarded to people by The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) who have proved their ability to be professional, effective, humane and considerate to both animal and human, whilst taking a tailored and measured approach to each individual case. Application and assessment is only open to those who have gained the necessary academic qualifications and gained sufficient experience in the field. 

Labrador dog - Dog behaviour support in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire

This service is a good fit for you if your dog is displaying any of the following behaviours:

Anxiety
inability to settle, reactive behaviour, excessive vocalisation, panting, lip licking, yawning or clingy behaviour

Aggression
staring and fixating, growling, lunging, barking, chasing away, snapping, biting

Reactive behaviour
excessive signalling, staring, lunging, barking, chasing, snapping, biting

Fighting within the multi-dog household
staring and fixating, growling, lunging, barking, snapping, biting, excessively controlling resources

Possessive behaviour/ resource guarding
staring, lying over objects, refusal to drop/retrieve, evading if approached, growling, snapping, biting

Handling/ cooperative care issues
including showing aggression towards the vet or groomer

Separation issues
Please note that, for cases only involving separation related issues, Laura would recommend referral to a separation anxiety specialist, as they often work in a different manner and are able to offer more online support.

  • "Laura is always great and so helpful to speak to. She gives clear advice and demonstrations as needed. She also started by asking us what we wanted to learn rather than making any assumptions which was great. Laura is excellent around Evie and a calming presence during the consultations."

    Evie Thompson

  • "If you're thinking about working with Laura, I would say give it a try. I was absolutely desperate to move away from training that had become more and more aversive with my dog and neither of us were happy with it. Give this approach a try, it makes sense! It was great to see how my dog Maggie was with Laura - great modelling and really helps me understand how to improve engagement with Maggie."

    Chrissie Dransfield and Maggie

  • "Laura gave us clear information, not rushed and answered all our questions concisely, Zeus really bonded with Laura and has benefitted greatly from the sessions. We had tried other trainers, which made no difference to Zeus. Absolutely brilliant, Laura really knows what she is doing. Simply the best!"

    Poppy Stevens and Zeus

  • "I’d happily recommended Laura on numerous occasions and will continue to do so. She has been endlessly kind and patient during a period of real struggle with our dog. Laura has a wealth of knowledge and information and training sessions are always great fun. I have noticed such an improvement in Polly and in my own confidence and I’m very grateful."

    Clemmie Holton and Polly

  • "I had a very anxious rescue who is unrecognisable now as he is growing in confidence and enjoying life. I cannot thank the team at Minds Alike enough. Laura is very supportive and helps me get the training right. If you're thinking about it, don't hesitate. You will not regret it."

    Jane Crompton and Teddy

Here’s how it works

Get In Touch

Contact Laura via the website to arrange your initial appointment. [Note you will need to set aside 3 hours for this]. Then, you’ll need to fill out your questionnaire found in your confirmation email.

1

Vet Referral

We will email your vet and request a referral. It is a good idea for you to inform your vet that you have booked a behaviour consultation, and they have permission to share your dog’s medical history. 

2

Arrangements

An invoice will be sent out for payment one week before your initial consultation. You can also book in your follow up consultation to take place for 4 weeks after your initial consultation.

3

Consultation

Laura will come to your home for the consultation (please note: this may include a walk if behaviour outside of the home is a problem).  You’ll receive your written notes within 1 week of the session.

4

Follow-Up

Laura will come to your home/walking area for a one hour follow up session four weeks post consultation. Again, notes will be provided. Additional follow up sessions can be booked.

5

Take the first step by clicking on the button below.

Laura is thoughtful, kind and worth every penny!

"The ability to get a professional to look at your problem is invaluable, it's not just about the pet or the people, it's a consult inclusive of your home set up and what changes can be made to it to help you manage the problem. I have had Laura's help before and it has always been thoughtful and kind for my pet. Having a behaviour consult is worth every penny.”

L.W. and Betsy

FAQs

  • Many insurance companies cover for behaviour services by a Clinical Animal Behaviourist accredited with the ABTC, CCAB, APBC or TCBTS, so a behaviour consultation with Laura Ward should be covered if this is the case. 

    It is best to check your policy information or call your insurance provider before booking. 

  • After your first consultation, you can fill out a claim form provided by your insurer. They will then contact Laura Ward, usually asking for an itemised invoice, a copy of the behaviour report and a copy of the vet referral. 

    The insurance company will then pay you (the policy holder) the monetary value of the behaviour consultation package less your excess. 

  • Firstly, it is vital that we ensure that your pet is in good health and not suffering from any issues which may be contributing or even causing their behaviour problem. It also opens a dialogue with the vet, so if any health issues are detected (Laura can sometimes pick up on details that could only be detected by working with a dog in their natural environment e.g home or a walk), Laura has a point of contact to discuss concerns. This open dialogue is also helpful should medication or neutering options need to be discussed. 

    Secondly, behaviourists must follow the code of conduct written by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) and its practitioner organisations. Working on vet referral is an important stipulation of being an accredited professional.

  • Laura covers Buckinghamshire (Gerrards Cross, Amersham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chalfont St Giles, High Wycombe, Aylesbury) Hertfordshire (Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Watford, Hemel Hempstead) and North East Berkshire (Burnham, Farnham Royal) and Eastern Oxfordshire border.

  • At your home, or on occasion another agreed location.

  • This must be decided upon on a case by case basis. The answer will be individual to your family and the involvement of each family member with your dog.

  • A trainer changes behaviour by training new skills e.g. recall, heelwork etc. However, this can be superficial and not addressing the root issue. Often this training can build trust, confidence and create management strategies, so as long this is reward based and fun this is no bad thing!

    However, a behaviourist considers your dog’s case through many lenses; health, neuroscience and the biology of stress, neurochemistry, ethology (species specific natural behaviour), the psychology of learning etc. A behaviourist will take all into consideration, and the plan will aim to deal with the root of the problem/s and aim for lasting behaviour change. 

    Laura is qualified as a trainer and behaviourist.

  • Laura follows the Code of Conduct for the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), the Association Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), The Canine Behaviour and Training Society (TCBTS) and the Association Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). As such, she will aim to use reward based techniques and always will have your dog's welfare at the forefront. Laura does not believe in short cuts and quick fixes at the expense of your dog. 

    That said, Laura takes a pragmatic approach to her work. Pressure is a fact of life at times, and Laura believes that understanding how to use pressure to communicate is vital, provide boundaries and structure where it is needed, and use reward based training techniques to build trust and predictability to an otherwise unpredictable and at times confusing world. 

  • Individual animals, learning history, and physical and genetic influences on behaviour cause variation, so it is impossible to guarantee success. In addition, the human end of the lead can be highly variable. 

    It also depends on how one defines success. 

    However, Laura has worked with hundreds of dogs covering a variety of issues, and drawing on this experience can work in a nuanced and effective way. 

  • £720 including VAT. 

  • Follow up sessions can be booked as needed. These are £90 including VAT.

  • Laura’s academic qualifications include: 

    * Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management

    * BSc (Hons) in Applied Behaviour

    * NVQ in Veterinary Nursing with the RCVS

    * Achieving Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) status

    Laura’s Accreditations include: 

    * Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)

    * Full member Association Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) No.01184

    * Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) Accredited Practitioner

    * Full member and vice chair for The Canine Training and Behaviour Society (TCBTS)

    * Full member Association Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)

    * Scentwork UK instructor and Judge

  • This is extremely common within a behaviour consultation. 

    Whilst taking the history Laura will ensure she understands all the issues you are dealing with, but will help to prioritise within the plan so you do not feel overwhelmed. 

    Less important issues can always be returned to at a later date.

Money well spent - it’s been life changing!

'Lottie's behaviour had become increasingly of concern and I had no idea of how best to support her in changing it. Understanding why she was behaving in the way she was (anxiety) and then being given strategies for managing this has been life changing. Laura listens, is very empathetic and uses her expertise to design a solution and support. It was amazing to see Lottie begin to respond when we followed Laura's guidance. It was not about training Lottie to behave differently, but about working with her to enable her to become more relaxed.  That was the difference between using a trainer and instead choosing a behaviourist - it was money well spent. Thank you so much Laura :)'

Jackie and Lottie

Are you ready to tackle those issues and enjoy a better life for you and your dog?

Click on the button below to arrange your consultation with Laura.