Behavior Counseling

Treating aggression requires a special expertise. Our Director, Steve Robinson CDBC, is an animal behaviorist and certified dog behavior counselor. He has over 30 years of experience working with police departments and civilians in learning to both train and control aggression. This in-depth understanding of aggressive behavior also gives him a unique understanding of how to manage and suppress it.

Our first step is to have you fill out a questionnaire which will provide us with some background information about your dog, his or her relationship with your family, and the nature of the problem. We then meet with you and your dog to evaluate, first hand, the dog’s personality, reactions, and patterns of behavior. After an in-depth consultation, we will be prepared to explain to you our observations and recommendations. For most owners, a one to 1 1/2 hour session will be sufficient to give you some insight into the problem as well as a plan of action for correction. We will, however, continue to work with you, at your request, until you are satisfied the problem is under control.

Why Come To Common Scents For A Consultation?

Many people believe a consult in their home will give the counselor a more "realistic" picture of the dog's behavior. It is also - obviously - more convenient for the family.

Common Scents believes there are compelling reasons to come to our facility for your consult.

- A dog in its own environment displays a false sense of security that "masks" the animal's true temperament. We can get a much more accurate reading of the dog off its own property.    

- Home visits are often complicated by a variety of logistical problems that interfere with proper evaluation                   and communication. We can often get more accomplished in one visit at our facility than several visits in your home.

- Our facility (professional staff, kennel, fenced outdoor areas) presents a much more sophisticated surrounding for  evaluation.

-  We have visual and auditory aids to test reactions to different stimuli. We also have access to neutral dogs and staff  members to test responses to interactive situations, both indoors and out.

- We only get "one chance to make a first impression". If the dog's initial introduction to us is minimally stressful, it sets a better stage for future encounters and follow-up work. This can best be accomplished in a neutral setting.  

- A visit to our facility is more cost effective. You are not charged for transit time, which can be considerable.  As a means of    further reducing your costs, Common Scents sends you the evaluation forms to fill out, in advance, on your own time. We do not believe it would be fair for us to charge you to fill out questionnaires that you could better do yourself.