PROBLEM BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS PEOPLE…
Is your dog growling, snapping or barking at people… family members, visitors or strangers?
Well, you’re in exactly the right place… I can help you make life easier!
In-person support available in York Harrogate Sheriff Hutton Knaresborough Wetherby Easingwold Stamford Bridge ...and more!
LIFE CAN BE PRETTY CHALLENGING when…
your dog has issues with people
If your dog is showing signs of aggression or reactivity towards people, it can be really upsetting, embarrassing (and even scary) at times. Nobody wants their dog to growl at them, bark at visitors or snap at their children.
You love your dog (when they’re not being a total nightmare!) and you want to help them get it right. You know that you can’t carry on like this. But, with a world of conflicting advice out there, the last thing you want to do is make matters worse: you’re right to be cautious!
I’M HERE TO HELP
Let’s tackle it together
The truth is, situations like this are stressful for everyone (yes… for your dog, too!).
To make things better, you need to work with someone who’ll take an educated and empathetic approach that gets to the bottom of what’s going on, rather than relying on ‘quick-fixes’ or ‘sticking plaster’ tactics… and certainly without resorting to doing anything unpleasant to your dog!
This is exactly what I can give you. Taking a compassionate and ethical perspective, combined with practical and pragmatic advice, I can support you in helping your dog to get back on track.
Now, doesn’t that take the weight off your shoulders?
ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH A
comprehensive package of support
Information gathering from you and your vet, to help me plan and make the most of our time together.
Analysis of any relevant video footage, prior to our first session.
An in-person (or online) consultation in which we'll explore the issue you're having, work out the way forward and start to put together a bespoke plan of action.
Your written action plan with practical and pragmatic guidance to tackle the issue. With step-by-step instructions and videos to support you all the way.
The confidence that you can stop worrying about conflicting advice and, instead, follow a plan written by an expert, personalised to you and your dog.
A 45 minute follow up session (within 60 days of your initial consultation) to help with the practical implementation of the plan and trouble-shoot any issues.
Direct email support to address any queries, so that you can have timely guidance and reassurance when you need it.
The practical and realistic advice that you need so that you know exactly what to do when you encounter tricky situations in the real world with your dog.
An ethical approach, based on up-to-date scientific research and years of experience working with other dogs and their owners facing similar problems.
A deep understanding of your unique dog and the struggles that they’re facing so that you can support them in a way that further enhances your relationship.
Liaising with your veterinary surgeon, for a joined-up approach. Includes a separate report for your vet’s records.
Completion of any relevant insurance claim paperwork.
Investment: £795
NB. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO MAKE A CLAIM ON YOUR PET INSURANCE
Travel to your home is included for: York, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Wetherby, Easingwold, Sheriff Hutton, Stamford Bridge
Other locations that I cover (such as Leeds, Thirsk, Otley, Ripon, Northallerton, Malton, Boroughbridge, Pocklington) will incur a travel charge.
“Kane was a real challenge! Gretta helped us to understand and guide him into becoming a lovely dog. Without Gretta, this wouldn’t have been possible… she’s been amazing.”
MATTHEW, MOYA & KANE
THIS PACKAGE WILL BE
a great fit for you if…
Your dog is showing signs of aggression or reactivity towards people (eg. growling, snarling, snapping, barking, biting or ‘resource guarding’). This could be family members or less familiar people (eg. visitors, vets).
You love your dog and want them to be happy. You’d like to address the issue in a way that is kind and ethical, as well as effective… you don’t want to use old-fashioned methods which rely on on intimidating or hurting your dog.
You understand that it’s important to work with a properly qualified, accredited and experienced professional. You want support from someone who you can trust to guide you and your dog to get things right.
You’re someone who likes to understand the ‘why’ behind what’s going on with your dog and the advice you’re being given (without it being a boring lecture!), so that you can move forward with confidence.
DON’T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT…
here’s some feedback from others
“I’m enjoying life with her again.”
“I just wanted to thank you for your guidance with Tizzy. I now really feel like I understand her, which has made it so much easier to manage her so that she has the best life, while feeling safe and secure. We know we can never be complacent with her but she is so much more settled now and we’re enjoying being dog owners again.”
Alison & Tizzy
“Gretta’s insight was amazing.”
“Our vet recommended we contact Gretta after our cocker spaniel started growling at myself and, more worryingly, my young children. Gretta gave us a great insight into our dog’s behaviour. Kion is now a much happier, more relaxed dog - our relationship has improved enormously. I really can’t recommend Gretta enough - she’s amazing!”
Lisa & Kion
“Our lives are so much better!”
“We now have a different dog who loves the boys! We continued with your advice and she has grown to love them - she goes to them for pets and tickles! Life is so much better for all of us. Thank you for your help… without it we may have had to send Kheera back to the rescue charity and we really can’t imagine life without her now.”
Deirdre & Kheera
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO
claim on your insurance
Due to my professional qualifications and accreditations (CCAB, Full Membership of APBC and FABC), many insurance companies will cover my fees.
You should check your own pet insurance policy details to see if you can claim back some or all of the costs of working with me, if this is of interest to you.
It’s simple
here’s how it works…
You get in touch
Tell me a bit about your dog and the issues you’d like help with… I’ll check if we’d be a good fit to work together and when I’d be able to help you. Just click on the button below and it'll take you straight to the contact page.
I’ll send the details
I’ll come back to you by email (usually within 24 hours, Monday - Friday), to answer any questions and let you know if I’m able to take on your case. If so, I’ll send you a link for online booking and payment… nice and easy!
We’ll get started
I’ll do all the necessary preparation before our first session. We’ll begin with the initial consultation, to unpick the issues and set out a way forward. Following this, I’ll send your action plan and we’ll go from there…
“Everything you said made so much sense. It’s been invaluable… no more growling and biting! We just wish that we’d come to you before - the advice we were given elsewhere only made matters worse.”
EMMA & MONTY
REST ASSURED, I’M also
recommended by vets
Invaluable and reliable... the 'go to' specialist
"Having worked with Gretta for several years, we have found both the prompt service given to owners in need of help with their pet's behavioural problems and responses to our requests for advice invaluable and reliable. Gretta became very well known amongst our clients for her training and tackling of behavioural issues. She was the 'go to' specialist in our area and having Gretta available to refer cases to was always reassuring."
Julie Turner BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS
My first choice for all behaviour referrals
"I have worked with Gretta on a number of cases of dogs with challenging behavioural problems. She is an excellent and very knowledgeable behaviourist and, before she moved to Yorkshire, she became my first choice for all behavioural referrals. As an added bonus, clients love her too! I am already missing having her in Hertfordshire and am struggling to find someone that can match her standards of professionalism and knowledge."
Dr Mike Groombridge MRCVS
Extremely professional... highly recommend
"It's an all too familiar line we hear from clients - 'I've been to see a behaviourist' but there has been no communication with the vets! Gretta is one of the exceptions: extremely professional and works with the vets as a 'team' for that pet. We were lucky to have Gretta in our area - she kept us updated and was always there for advice. Feedback from clients was always very good. I would highly recommend her for any behaviour referral."
Dr Melanie Taylor BVetMed, MRCVS, MVetSci
“Since following your advice, we now have a much, much happier dog and a much, much happier human! Absolutely brilliant news… it’s great to have the happy, trusting dog/ human relationship that I was after.”
CHRIS & LOKI
GOT QUESTIONS?
these might help…
If you have other questions that aren’t answered here or would like to arrange an initial 15 minute chat (at no cost) to see if I might be the right person to help you and your dog, just send me a message by clicking on the button below.
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Good question!
In very simple terms, a dog trainer teaches new skills (such as coming back when called and walking nicely on the lead) whilst an animal behaviourist helps with problem behaviours, including aggression.
Problem behaviours tend to have an underlying emotional component (such as fear). The underlying emotion is addressed as part of the plan, rather than purely focusing the surface-level behaviour which arises as a result (eg. growling/ refusing to walk etc.).
It’s often suggested that you can think of it this way: a dog trainer is like a teacher whereas a clinical animal behaviourist is like a clinical psychologist.
I am qualified and accredited as both a trainer and a behaviourist.
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Any strategies that I recommend will be kind and ethical, based on positive reinforcement. Your dog’s emotional wellbeing will always be at the forefront of what is advised.
The importance of building trust and a bond with your dog cannot be underestimated and there is absolutely no place for fear and intimidation in how I work.
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Yes! All properly accredited animal behaviourists can only work on veterinary referral (it’s in our professional Code of Practice).
This is in order to ensure that there’s a joined-up approach in caring for your dog. Some behavioural issues can occur as a result of (or be exacerbated by) medical problems so it’s really important.
However, it’s a really simple process - just ask your vet and they can easily arrange this. You can see more info on the ‘vets’ page on this website.
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It's not possible to make guarantees about the future behaviour of any animal due to individual variation and learning history, as well as the influence of your own behaviour, of course!
However, I’ve worked with hundreds of dogs over the years and seen a huge range of issues in that time so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
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Don’t worry. I can often provide additional follow-up sessions. We can discuss this as we work through your plan and decide on the best way forward if you want more.
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Maybe! Due to my qualifications and professional accreditations, it is often possible to claim back some or all of my fees. However, whether you can claim on your insurance or not depends on your individual policy.
I don’t take direct payments from insurance companies - instead, you pay for your service and then claim the money back from them. Therefore, you should contact your insurer to check exactly what will/ won’t be covered before going ahead if you’re relying on them funding your work with me.
I’m very happy to complete any necessary insurance paperwork.
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I’m a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
I have a Post Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour
I am an ABTC-Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB)
I am a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC)
I have an MA (Hons) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
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The cost of the full package is shown here.
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Don’t worry - this is quite common. Just pick the option that is the biggest priority for you and get in touch to discuss. We can add on extra follow-up sessions if necessary.
Ready to move towards where you and your dog want to be?