Just like humans, our pets can have their own wellbeing issues. Fiona Adams finds out how a behaviour counsellor can help
2011 Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS
As humans we suffer from mood swings, anxiety, aggression, fear and loneliness, and it shouldn’t be so hard to accept that our pets, from dogs and cats to rabbits and parrots can also have their moments. Sometimes we know by instinct what to do, but if not, a behaviour counsellor, such as Ashford-based Claire Wellstead can step in and offer advice and support.
Claire initially trained as a veterinary nurse. Her career as a pet behaviour counsellor began with puppy classes to help young dogs socialise and she studied at university in Southampton to gain her Nurses Certificate in Animal Behaviour as well as completing a more specialised practical behaviour course with COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology). She went self-employed 18 years ago and never looked back.
Today Claire runs classes and parties close to home but much of her work is on a one-to-one basis and she travels across South West London, Surrey and parts of Berkshire to see worried owners and their troubled terrors. She offers sessions for dogs and cats, but also has training in rabbit and equine behaviour.
Cats and dogs may be the most common pets but there are huge differences in how their behaviour is approached. These days many dog owners will enrol their puppies in classes as a matter of course, whereas cat owners are often more reluctant to take moggies along to kitten classes, which also exist. In fact, Claire tells me that many cat owners don’t even register their animals with vets or have them vaccinated. Also, unlike dogs, cats spend a lot of their time outside without their owners; add to this a high density of cats in confined urban areas coupled with a fiercely independent and territorial nature, and trouble can brew.
“A lot of people think cats are low maintenance,” Claire laughs “but they’re not!”
Nor is it plain sailing with our canine friends. “With dogs,” Claire continues, ”you can have training issues such as recall – or lack of recall – or jumping up at guests and visitors, as well as behaviour problems, which usually involve aggression towards other dogs or humans.
“But so much of it comes down to us as humans misreading the dog’s body language or misinterpreting the situation, or rewarding the wrong kind of behaviour.”
As a dog owner conscious of passing on my own anxiety in the past, I wonder whether owners can also be to blame for some of their pets’ behaviour, but Claire always keeps an open mind.
“Often owners blame themselves but I always tell them ‘no one is perfect, not everyone gets it right all of the time’. I’m certainly not going to judge anyone for anything until I see what the situation is. I always look at the problem behaviour, what is the enforcer – what is making it repeat – and what are we going to do to change that behaviour. I will simply re-educate the owner, if you like, give them strategies. Yes, much of it is common sense but they still need me to say it. I need to show what works in their situation and every situation is different.”
When a client contacts Claire, she will establish how long a problem has been evident, and what the triggers are. The breed of dog may also have a bearing.
“You may not like a collie herding children and the football around the park, but that’s what collies are bred to do!” she laughs. “Similarly, huskies cannot survive on a five-minute walk, they’re bound to get bored and frustrated.
“There might also be medical issues that can make things worse. I always make suggestions of tactics to try but often I do need to see the dog, and go to the park with it and see how things unfold.”
Solving unwanted behaviour traits requires patience and a genuine desire to help and understand your pet.
“It generally takes around six weeks to change an animal’s behaviour and I really impress that upon people,” Claire says. “If you can run a tight ship for that length of time, you can definitely change the situation. But you need to be committed!”
Claire’s passion for her career is clear. She hesitates to describe herself as an expert but, over the course of our conversation, her understanding of animal behaviour comes across in every word.
“I absolutely love my job. Even when I see aggression, it’s still the nicest job in the world to help people.”
For more information go to: clairewellstead.co.uk
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