Does Your Dog Have A Behavior Issue?
If so, you are not alone! It is very common these days for dog owners to have a family pet that has behavior issues. It is the main focus of my business. Many of the issues I work with on a daily basis include, but are not limited to:
- Aggression towards humans and/or other animals
- Aggression directed towards the owner(s)
- Reactive behavior
- Resource Guarding (Protective/possessive behavior)
- Impulse Control Related Issues
- Biting
- Dog to Dog Aggression
- Fearful behavior towards noises or changes in the environment
- Fear towards people
- Anxiety
- Reactive, fearful or anxious behavior towards a baby or child
- Hyper-vigilant behavior
- Compulsive behavior
- Excessive attention-seeking
- I am also hired by many clients to help them determine if their dog is safe for them, their household and the public and what the prognosis or future might look like long-term.
You might find that your dog or dogs might be dealing with one or more of these behavior issues.
Certified Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant or Behaviorist
You might be looking for help, but you’re not sure who to contact for your situation, right? Are you looking for a dog trainer, behavior consultant, behaviorist or a vet? Do you just need a behavior modification or rehabilitation plan or does your dog need medication to help address these concerns? All valid questions!
In the United States there are actually no regulations on the dog training and behavior industry. This means anyone can call themselves a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, behavior consultant, behavior specialist or aggression specialist. Luckily, there are professional organizations that provide certifications for both dog trainers and behavior professionals. Generally speaking, I recommend finding a professional with credentials. The reason I say “generally”, is because just like in any profession, you will have professionals who aren’t that good. They may have credentials and passed a test but don’t have the hands-on skills or knowledge to help address your concerns. The second thing I always suggest is find someone you feel comfortable with and trust.
As for finding someone with certifications, here are the two larger and more popular organizations in the United States that certify dog trainers and behavior consultants:
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
Certification Counsel of Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT)
So who do you call?
Professionals labeled as Behavior Consultants (the most popular and widely accepted title), behavior specialists, or behaviorists with credentials are typically who you want to call when you need help with a behavior issue. Some professionals only focus on one area like aggression or separation anxiety, while other professionals work with a variety of issues.
Certified Help Is Here!
Meet Anthony De Marinis
There is nothing I enjoy more than helping dogs and their people build strong relationships. I find it to be an incredible experience to be a part of a dog’s life. My practice covers a wide range of training and behavioral needs, regardless of the dog’s age and breed. Whether you need help with a new puppy or are looking for assistance with a behavioral issue, I can provide you with practical guidance and solutions that best fit you and your dog’s needs. I like the challenge of creating a plan that provides each dog and their people with helpful solutions to assist them in reaching their goals.
My Approach
I embrace this approach to dog training and behavior modification because, more than anything else, we need to be our dog’s teacher and guide in life to help them become successful. Whether training or modifying behavior, our goal should be to teach, manage, and guide our dogs so that we can prevent and/or resolve issues.
Training and living with your dog should be an enjoyable experience that forges a strong relationship between the both of you. My methods are always fair to both the dog and their people.
My current professional certifications include the following:
- Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) by IAABC
- Accredited Dog Trainer (ADT) by IAABC
- Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer (FFCP)
- Licensed Family Dog Mediator (LFDM)
- The Third Way Certified Trainer (TTWC)
- Certified Victoria Stilwell Academy Dog Trainer- Distinction (VSA-DT)
Some of my continuing education experiences include the following:
- Aggression in Dogs Masters Course by Michael Shikashio
- Victoria Stilwell Academy for Training & Behavior
- The Big Dog Behavior Seminar w/ Dr. Chris Pachel
- Defensive Handling & Aggression w/ Michael Shikashio
- Resource Guarding Workshop w/ Pat Miller
- Pet Professional Guild Training & Behavior Conference
- Fear Free Animal Trainer Course
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Conference
- Behavior Modification Solutions w/ Pat Miller
- Brain to Bite w/ Chirag Patel
- Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0 (BAT)
- Aggression Cases From A-Z w/ Michael Shikashio
- Aggression Mentorship Course w/ Michael Shikashio
- Chris Bach’s The Third Way- Level 1 Certification
- Chris Bach’s The Third Way- Level 2 Certification
- Managing Dog to Dog Interactions w/ Sue Sternberg
- Avoiding Dog Play Dangers w/ Sue Sternberg
- Assess-A-Pet Assessments & Canine Body Language w/ Sue Sternberg
- Recallers by Susan Garrett
- Handling360 by Susan Garrett
- Family Paws Parent Education
- IAABC 2020 Lemonade Behavior Conference
Course Work Included:
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- Stress In Dogs (Dr. Kristina Spaulding)
- Misunderstood Behavior Science (Dr. Susan Friedman)
- Success W/ Sensitive Dogs (Helene-Marie Lawler)
- Modifying Resource Guarding Behavior (Mike Shikashio)
- Classical Conditioning (Dr. Haug)
- Using Negative Reinforcement (Dr. Haug)
- Happy Crating (Sarah Stremming)
- Aggression In Dogs Conference 2020
Course Work Included:
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- Tools for Evaluating Aggression (Jim Crosby)
- Interspecies Aggression (Katina Jones)
- Troubleshooting Difficult Aggression Cases (Mike Shikashio)
- Understanding High Drive Working Dogs (Denise Fenzi)
- Ethological Contributions to Aggression (Kim Brophy)
- Interactive Strategies to Raising A Working Dog Puppy (Denise Fenzi)
- Medical Causes & Interventions for Aggression Cases (Dr. Amy Pike)
Anthony’s Services:
If you are looking for a dog trainer and behavior consultant and live near me on Long Island, please feel free to contact us! If you don’t live on Long Island, but you want help from us, we also provide virtual dog training and behavior modification services.
What About Behavior Medication?
If you feel your dog needs internal help with behavior or anxiety medications you should seek out help from a qualified veterinarian. Specifically you could seek the help of a board certified veterinary behaviorist which is a veterinarian who specializes in working with animal behavior issues that typically require medical interventions. To seek out a board certified veterinary behaviorist take a look at these two organizations to find a qualified professional in your area:
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB)
How should you prepare for your behavior consultation appointment? Click here to learn more!
