Contact:

Ph: 734-358-1972

E: rameses@umich.edu

W: AboutDogsLLC.com

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

 


Behavioral Consultations

Dr. Ward specializes in consultations dealing with a wide variety of behavioral issues including (but not limited to)

  • Aggression (human and dog-directed)
  • Fears and Phobias
  • Generalized Anxiety
  • Separation Anxiety
  • Compulsive Behaviors (e.g., spinning, shadow or tail chasing, etc.)

A primary reason that people relinquish their dogs to shelters is because of behavioral issues, many of which can be greatly improved or eliminated through sound behavioral modification and management.

Dr. Ward works very closely with her clients and provides one-on-one support and coaching along every step of the way.

If you have a dog exhibiting behavioral problems, it's best to seek treatment early on before your dog has the opportunity to practice unwanted behaviors over and over again. Long-lasting problem behaviors can be more challenging to treat, although not impossible.

 

Steps Involved in the Consultation Process

The Initial Behavioral Evaluation Appointment

For diagnostic purposes, it's helpful if you can safely videotape your dog engaged in the problem behavior prior to the appointment.

1) Email or call to set up an appointment for an Initial Behavioral Evaluation. The appointment takes place in your home. The advantage to a home-based appointment is that Dr. Ward can assess the problem behavior where it often occurs and suggest corrective measures based on the dog's living environment. However, if you live out of town, Dr. Ward can set up an appointment with you at a training center in Ann Arbor, and in some cases, she offers telephone consultation services. It's important that all adult family members are present for the appointment.

2) Once you set up an appointment, Dr. Ward will email you a pre-consultation form to fill out and email back at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. That way, she can start reviewing background information about your dog before you actually meet. This helps to make the most efficient use of appointment time.

3) The Initial Evaluation Appointment lasts between 1.5 - 2 hours. During that time, Dr. Ward will collect detailed information on the behavioral history of your dog, which is essential to arriving at a diagnosis; she will evaluate your dog's behavioral problem(s); and recommend a treatment plan to manage and/or modify your dog's behavior. Dr. Ward will discuss and demonstrate behavioral modification techniques and assign homework to get you started working with your dog. You'll also receive handouts, a copy of Dr. Ward's book Relationship Training for a Well-Behaved Dog, and written instructions summarizing treatment recommendations.

Follow-Up Appointments

In almost all cases, Dr. Ward recommends follow-up appointments past the Initial Behavioral Evaluation to assess progress and modify exercises and recommendations based on how your dog is responding. Follow-up appointments last between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The number of follow-up appointments past the Initial Behavioral Evaluation will vary depending on the nature of the problem and progress that you and your dog make. It's important to do the assigned homework because follow-up appointments build on each other.