WHAT IS A
DOG WHISPERER?
WHAT IS A DOG WHISPERER?
The term Dog Whisperer is often referred to as someone who has a unique ability to communicate, observe, and create a connection with a dog based on understanding and trust. They have vast knowledge, skill, and a unique ability to understand how a dog is thinking, feeling and acting. Put simply, they have an uncanny ability to understand your dog. The ability to understand a dog's true innate behaviour and psychology is very different from dog training. A true Dog Whisperer is a Dog Behaviourist / Animal Behaviourist, well versed in dog psychology.
There are many dog trainers out there who call themselves Dog Whisperers with no formal education in Dog Psychology. More often than not, this is nothing more than a marketing strategy in an attempt to make their training techniques sound different. True Dog Whisperers harness their unique ability to know what a dog is thinking and feeling and couple it with formal education and training in Dog Behaviour and Animal Psychology. They rely heavily on science-based best practices based on decades of research about animal learning, behaviour and psychology.
HOW DO DOGS COMMUNICATE?
A dog communicates very effectively without using words. A Dog Whisperer ‘hears’ what your dog is saying by interpreting subtle body language, muscle tension, and personality traits, looking at what behaviours they are performing and why, plus many other minor cues - which are all important. They can often read your dog within a glance! To some, it seems like they have a unique superpower! But this is the result of coupling a unique ability with formal training and bucketloads of experience. They make the most bizarre and extreme dog behaviour problems seem simple! Owners often say, ‘I can’t believe I didn’t see this myself’ or, ‘I have tried everything over the years and seen countless dog trainers. It was staring me in the face the whole time. I feel like a fool!’.
WHAT DOES A DOG WHISPERER DO?
A Dog Whisperer is in tune with how your dog thinks and feels. This means they can solve dog behaviour problems and can even prevent problems from occurring. They have extensive knowledge of different dog breeds and different personalities of dogs. Their job is to identify where the communication between the dog and the owner has broken down. They intervene, acting like an interpreter, bridging the communication gap between the dog and the owner. When a behaviour problem exists, they can develop a targeted behaviour modification plan to address the behaviour issue tailored to suit the dog's and owner’s needs and situation. A Dog Behaviourist’s job is to teach you how to lead and communicate with your dog positively to achieve a desired outcome or good behaviour.
DO WE 'DOG WHISPER' HERE AT ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AUSTRALIA?
We most certainly do! Dionna Newton, the founder and lead Dog Behaviourist at Animal Behaviour Australia, has grown up around dogs. Since childhood, she always had an uncanny ability to know what a dog was thinking and feeling. This is what led her to train as an Animal Behaviourist. A good Dog Whisperer has a unique ability plus formal education and training in the animal psychology field. Dionna is originally from the UK, with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree. Her Honours project focused on animal behaviour. She completed training in Animal Psychology at university. Then furthered her studies by training specifically in Pet Animal Psychology through the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) – a training college that specifically teaches Pet Animal Behaviour.
As an Animal Behaviourist, she is not a Dog Trainer or a Vet but works alongside your Vet because she has an in-depth knowledge of animal psychology. Her value; she looks at what is motivating and driving your pet to perform the unwanted behaviour, and advises how to re-direct it to an alternative suitable behaviour acceptable to both you and your pet. She works with owners to find solutions to their pet's behavioural problems, but she also provides Behaviour Prevention Consultations to enable owners to avoid problem behaviours from ever developing! Our Dog Whisperer helps owners to truly understand the unique personality of their pet.
Every Dog Whisperer loves dogs. Most prefer dogs to people! They do what they do to help dogs. They help them by helping you, the dog’s owner, to help them. You are the best person to help them. You just need to know how.
Dionna says, "If you love your dog, you are the best person to help them". And she will happily show you how to help them.
To find out more about our Behaviour Consultation services click on the link below.
THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS CLIENTS ASK BEFORE BOOKING:
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
At Animal Behaviour Australia we are committed to rectifying the cause of your pet’s behaviour problem, giving you a problem-free pet. Dealing with symptoms alone does not rectify the underlying cause or address motivating factors resulting in your pet’s unwanted behaviour. Seek help to address BOTH the cause and symptoms, by booking a Behaviour Consultation for your pet with our Animal Behaviourist. A targeted treatment plan provides advice for your particular pet and situation. Each pet and situation is different, so every plan is different. A Behaviour Consultation is less costly than you might expect. Get help for your dog without delay. BOOK NOW!!