Dog Behaviour

Bells and Whistles can help with a variety of problems with your dog. Separation problems. Aggression. Fears & Phobias. Chasing & Predatory Behaviours. Whatever the issue, we can help.

We know that before turning to behaviour modification you will have tried many different things suggested by friends & family, seen on TV or found on the internet. Bells and Whistles offers an end to searching for the answer; our programmes are tailor made for your pet. Programmes are laid out in easy to follow plans and with clear explanations of why we are asking you to train each exercise or change routines. We're not saying it will be easy, most owners have to put in a lot of time and effort to see the results they want, but they are results that last a lifetime, not quick fixes that will cause more problems than they solve.

Our behaviour counsellor Jenny founded Bells and Whistles in 2009 after leaving the RSPCA. Jenny has an MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from Southampton University as well as many years experience in the animal industry. Jenny is a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist via the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (on the ASAB/ABTC List). Without becoming a veterinary behaviourist, this is the highest accreditation available in Europe for behaviour specialists. Its important to note this is an externally examined accreditation, requiring yearly CPD. 

It is important to be sure that the behaviourist you are seeing is qualified to help you as at present the industry is not regulated and many 'behaviour counsellors' have done nothing more than a weekend course (or worse no qualifications at all). Many accreditations are little more than a paid for 'badge'. Please feel free to ask about Jenny's qualifications & experience if you have any worries.

We only work on veterinary referral for behaviour cases, as it is common that a medical issue causes or exacerbates a behavioural issue. Often something in your pets medical history has triggered a problem, even if they are currently in good health so it is important for us to get this referral before seeing your dog. This may seem like a waste of time and money, but you could potentially be wasting time seeing a behaviourist for a problem your vet can help with. In many cases a joint approach is needed, behaviour modification can help many animal's on its own, but sometimes treatment to reduce anxiety or pain are needed for the behaviour programme to work effectively.

Here at Bells and Whistles we don't believe in quick fixes. We use only reward based methods of behaviour modification to modify your pets underlying emotional state. Many dogs are punished for problem behaviours and this may appear to work at first; for instance if you punish a dog for growling it might stop growling, but you are doing nothing about the reason for the growling. Next time your dog is in a similar situation, he can't growl, so will have to snap instead.

Our behaviour consultation packages can be tailored to your needs. For example a 1.5-2 hour consultation plus follow up, training notes and 12 weeks support is £230. Additional follow ups are from £57 per hour.

Please note mileage of 50p per mile applies for visits over 15 miles from our base in Chinnor. Please click here to enquire/book. Please note, we need to assess what you need before you book. Once we know what you need, we can authorise your account to allow 1-2-1/behavioural support bookings.

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What our clients say…

 Very good introduction to obedience for Emerson, but excellent learning for us on how to teach him. 

Ashley

 A fun learning experience for my puppy, he has turned into a very well-mannered dog thanks to the help of the puppy classes 

Emily Pearce

 Jenny is very good. Has been much help to me and Rio 

June Goff

 Jenny has been great training Jack & Jill, from day one I have seen improvements and they are a joy to live with; I have never had such well trained dogs. Jenny has been really patient and has helped me find ways to train the puppies around my commitments, even taking them for intensive training when I have been busy studying. Two puppies at once may not have been the best idea, but Jenny has helped me make it work and I wouldn't trade them for the world 

Annette Garman

 Jenny's dog training classes were excellent. Her clear and calm approach worked well with our excitable puppy 

Claire Pettit

 Jenny's improver classes were fantastic for my lively rescue dog, Sam. Her patience and understanding with both of us, and innovative approaches to his behavioural issues have been invaluable. Sam is now a much calmer, happier dog who adores Jenny! 

Jenny Newson

 Jenny came to meet our puppy Milo as he was scared of other dogs and displaying signs of separation anxiety.  Jenny spent an hour with us, and gave us some tips of how to help Milo work things out.  Namely, introduced tasty treats, of cheese and chicken/ ham pieces, playing "find it", and distracting him when other dogs are approaching, and so on. We followed Jenny's advice to the letter, and he is now doing brilliantly! He looks at other dogs, and greets appropriately, then looks to me for a treat, knowing he has done well! 

Gemma & Lucy Vinall with Milo

 Thank you for the help you have given me with the training of Otto. I hope that your business goes from strength to strength as you are an excellent teacher. 

Sophie Hearnden

 Jenny has been an invaluable part of our lives since we bought our first ever puppy. The puppy and improver classes gave us the skills needed to help develop our puppy into a wonderfully rounded, sociable and fun dog to be with. Jenny's knowledge, patience and calm nature is so reassuring for us and we look forward to her classes every week as our one year old grows from strength to strength in her training - not to mention how much fun our lively dog has in her classes, she simply adores Jenny! We also use Jenny's dog sitting and walking services, which is an amazing resource to be able to call upon. Jenny is 100% trustworthy, reliable and caring - a combination that is as valuable as gold dust. Suffice to say we feel sorry for people that don't have Jenny in their lives. 

Louise & Chris Full with Bella

 Thank you so much for coming today. We are really impressed with your ideas and we can see Bella is already responding. 

Jane Green

Contact us

 
 07703 020344

Due to the nature of our work, our office hours can be erratic, please email in the first instance. If your enquiry is urgent, please text and we will do our best to respond within reasonable working hours.

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