What is a Behavior Consultation?

As an Animal Behaviorist, Elissa looks for the root of your pet's problem. If you fix the cause, you fix the symptoms. A trainer will fix the symptoms, but your pet will still have the same underlying problems.

For instance, a trainer may teach your dog not to bark at strangers. He will use basic obedience to help you manage your dog - he may teach your dog to watch you, or not to look at strangers. Elissa will look at WHY your dog barks at strangers and teach your dog to love strangers, therefore he will stop barking at them. The dog trainer teaches you to manage the problem; Elissa helps you teach your dog not to have the problem anymore.

The same goes for cats. Once the root cause of why your cat won't use his litter box is identified, it is possible to figure out what needs to change to get him to use the litter box again.

Elissa will come to your home (or connect with you via phone/video). She will work with you and your pet to identify the root cause of your pet’s problem. Elissa will develop a plan specific to you and your pet, and then teach you how to teach your pet. Behavior problems are not usually fixed in a single session, therefore you need to know what to do when Elissa is not there!

A Behavior Modification appointment is appropriate if you need help with puppy behaviors, destructive behavior, aggression, fighting, fear, self-mutilation, compulsive disorders, and over-exuberance.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, Your first appointment will result in your dog’s behavior modification plan.

  • In-Person: $120 per hour

    Phone/Video: $110 per hour

    • Appointments are booked for 90 minutes.

    • Fees are charged in 15-minute increments.

    Travel fee - there is an additional flat fee for in-home consultations outside the Columbus (OH) area.

    Payment is collected at the end of the appointment.

    Payment methods: cash, check, Zelle

  • 90 minutes is average.

  • One. There is a big difference between a behavior modification plan and dog training. Training is the teaching of a new skill where the skill gets more difficult or built upon so there are multiple lessons. You just can’t teach everything at once! A behavior modification plan is a full plan. You need to know everything you need to know on the first day. A behavior modification plan is a plan for you to follow for you to help your dog. At the end of our first meeting, you will know everything you need to know to help your dog. Occasionally people will plateau and ask me to come back for further instructions.

  • PLEASE take notes!!! But please do not video our meeting.

  • Usually, it starts with me asking you a lot of questions. When did the behavior start, what does it look like, how often does it happen, etc. Once I take a thorough history, I will put together a plan that is specific for you and your dog. Nothing I do is pre-planned - I need to look at your specific situation and come up with a plan designed for you.

  • Very much like the in-person appointments! A behavior consultation is more about you - how you handle your dog and how you can better help your dog - than it is about specific training. Therefore, Elissa does not have to be hands-on with the dog.