What to Expect During a Behavioural Consultation at Paws Academy
- Paws Academy
- Jan 27
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Booking a behavioural consultation for your dog can feel like a big step, and we understand that it’s natural to feel a little nervous. Whether you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour or simply unsure of what to expect, rest assured, we’re here to help. At Paws Academy, our approach is friendly, supportive, and judgement-free. Our goal is to guide you through the process and provide practical solutions that work for both you and your dog.
We offer behavioural consultations either in person at our locations in Ballycroy and Westport, or remotely via Zoom, giving you the flexibility to choose the setting that works best for you while ensuring a focused and supportive environment for both you and your dog.
If you are coming for a 60 minute obedience session, please click here for more information.
How Our 90-Minute Behavioural Consultation Works
To help you get the most out of your initial behavioural consultation, we’ve structured the session into two parts. The full consultation lasts around 90 minutes and can be carried out either in person or remotely via Zoom, depending on what suits you best.
Part One: Client Discussion Without Your Dog (First part of the session)
We begin the session with a detailed conversation between you and our behaviourist, Renee, without your dog present. This allows us to speak without interruption and ensures we gather all the information needed to build a clear picture of your dog’s behaviour and environment.
During this part of the consultation, we’ll explore:
Your concerns – what behaviours you’re noticing, when they began, and how they’ve developed over time.
Your dog’s daily routine – what a typical day looks like and where challenges seem to arise.
Training history – what methods you’ve tried before and how your dog has responded.
Possible triggers – such as specific people, animals or environments that influence their behaviour.
Health and well-being – including any medical conditions, changes, or current medications.
This discussion is essential for understanding the emotional and behavioural context of what’s going on and helps us design a personalised, effective training and behaviour plan.
Part Two: Practical Work With Your Dog (Second part of the session)
Once the consultation phase is complete, and if time allows, we may begin some practical work with your dog. This can include observing their responses, introducing early training exercises and guiding you through key techniques. However, in most cases, the full 90 minutes is required for the consultation and assessment phase alone. It’s important to take the time needed to properly understand the situation before beginning any hands-on work. Where that is the case, practical training will begin in a follow-on session, which typically lasts 60 minutes and can be completed either in person or over Zoom.
These follow-up sessions are where we put the plan into action, starting with work at home to build your dog’s confidence and understanding, before progressing into more complex real-world situations. You’ll be supported with guidance, coaching and feedback at every stage.
After your initial session, you’ll receive a detailed written report summarising everything we’ve discussed, including your dog’s behavioural plan. We’ll also share online resources and video materials to help support your training between sessions.
For the initial consultation, we kindly ask that no more than two people attend with the dog. This helps keep the environment calm and focused. Additional family members are very welcome to join future sessions if needed. This structure allows us to give you and your dog the time, space and support needed to make meaningful progress.
What You’ll Need for Your Consultation or Follow-On Sessions
Whether your session is in person or over Zoom, having the right things to hand can make a real difference to how smoothly everything runs and how engaged your dog is throughout.
Tasty treats – Have a selection of high-value treats ready, ideally something your dog doesn’t get every day. These will be used as rewards during any practical training, either in person or remotely.
A favourite toy – If your dog enjoys toys, having one nearby can help keep them motivated and focused, especially during hands-on exercises.
Lead and collar or harness – For in-person sessions, please bring a secure lead and a well-fitted collar or harness. If you’re working over Zoom, have these to hand so you’re ready to demonstrate or practise exercises.
Poo bags – If attending in person, please bring enough bags and be prepared to take all waste home with you.
Water and a bowl – Keeping your dog hydrated is important, particularly during warmer weather or after any training work.
Device setup for Zoom sessions – If you’re joining remotely, try to set up your camera so we can see both you and your dog clearly. A quiet space where your dog can focus will also help get the most out of the session.
Having these items ready means we can make the best use of our time together, whether you’re joining us from home or visiting in person.
After Your Session: Your Personalised Behaviour Report
Once your initial consultation is complete, we take time to go through everything covered and prepare a detailed written report. This includes notes from the session, a step-by-step behaviour plan, and useful resources to support your work at home. We aim to send this within one to two days of your session.
Your report will include:
• A summary of the key insights from your consultation
• A tailored plan based on your dog’s behaviour and needs
• Practical tips for applying the plan day to day
• Links to additional resources and videos to support your progress
This document serves as a reference you can return to throughout your training, helping you stay focused, track progress and feel confident as you move forward.
In some cases, behavioural challenges may be linked to underlying medical issues, such as pain or discomfort. If, during your consultation, we feel there could be a physical cause contributing to your dog’s behaviour, we may recommend that you consult your vet for further investigation.
With your permission, we are more than happy to work in partnership with your vet. We can share relevant findings from our assessment and help build a comprehensive, coordinated plan that supports both behavioural progress and your dog’s overall well-being.
Our Approach: Training That Makes Sense
At Paws Academy, our approach is based on clear communication, consistency, and positive reinforcement. We believe that training should be practical, ethical, and effective – something you can carry into everyday life with confidence. Whether you’re working with us in person or remotely over Zoom, we’re here to support both you and your dog every step of the way.
The initial behavioural consultation lasts 90 minutes and is designed to give us the time and space to understand your dog properly. In most cases, the full session is dedicated to a thorough discussion and assessment. This allows us to build a clear picture of your dog’s environment, behavioural patterns, history, and emotional triggers. It’s not always possible to begin practical training in this first session, and that’s completely normal. Taking the time to understand what’s going on beneath the surface is a vital first step.
Practical work usually begins in follow-on sessions, which are 60 minutes long and can be completed either in person or remotely. These sessions allow us to begin applying your tailored training plan, building skills gradually and with ongoing support.
Following your initial consultation, we take the time to write up a detailed report, summarising everything discussed, along with step-by-step guidance and relevant online resources to help you continue the work at home. Reports are usually sent within one to two days of your session.
It’s important to remember that behaviour change takes time. While we cannot promise a fixed number of sessions, we will continue to support you throughout the process. With consistency, patience and a thoughtful approach, meaningful and lasting progress is absolutely possible.
Why Choose Paws Academy?
Choosing the right behaviourist matters, and at Paws Academy, you’ll be working with someone who brings real-world experience, professional knowledge, and a calm, practical style to every session.
Experience That Counts
With over 30 years of hands-on work with dogs, Renee has supported a wide range of breeds and behavioural challenges. Her background includes success in competitive obedience and agility at Crufts and Olympia, all of which feeds into a deep understanding of canine behaviour.
Professional Qualifications
Renee holds recognised qualifications in canine behaviour, training and welfare, including a Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree Equivalent) in advanced Canine Behaviour. Her work is backed by science and grounded in practical, real-life application.
Ethical, Evidence-Based Methods
We use modern, positive reinforcement training that’s based on trust, clarity and consistency. No harsh corrections or quick fixes – just thoughtful, effective support that works for you and your dog in the real world.
Support for Reactive and Rescue Dogs
We specialise in helping dogs who may be anxious, fearful or reactive, particularly those who have had difficult starts in life. Our approach focuses on safety, confidence and giving dogs the tools they need to navigate their world more comfortably.
Whole-Dog Approach
Training doesn’t exist in a vacuum. We take into account your dog’s full lifestyle – including diet, sleep, enrichment, and health – to create plans that make sense and support long-term change.
When you choose Paws Academy, you’re not just booking a training session. You’re gaining a committed professional who will support you and your dog throughout your behavioural journey.
Client Notice – Working Livery Yards
If you’re attending an in-person session at either of our locations in Ballycroy or Drummindoo Stud (Westport), please be aware that both are working livery yards. For the safety of everyone, including our horses, we kindly ask that you follow these guidelines:
Please do not touch horses in fields or stables.
If a horse is working in the arena, it should not be disturbed.
Children and dogs must be supervised at all times.
Do not walk behind or approach horses, especially young ones, as they may kick, spook, or bite.
Remain within the designated training areas and avoid entering stable yards or farmland.
These measures help keep everyone safe and ensure the smooth running of both the yard and your session. We appreciate your cooperation.
Ready to Start?
Book your consultation today and take the first step towards lasting behaviour change. Sessions are available in person at our Ballycroy and Westport locations or remotely via Zoom for those further afield.
Common Behaviours We Address in Behavioural Consultations
At Paws Academy, we work with a wide range of behavioural concerns that can affect both your dog’s quality of life and your own. These include:
Reactivity towards people, dogs, or moving triggers such as bikes or cars
Separation-related distress and anxiety when left alone
Aggression towards people or other animals
Generalised fear or anxiety in new environments or around noises
Excessive barking
Pulling on the lead or difficulty settling on walks
Jumping up during greetings or when excited
House training issues or marking indoors
Resource guarding of food, toys, or people
Lack of focus, poor impulse control, or difficulty settling
Recall problems in distracting environments
If any of these behaviours sound familiar, we’re here to help you understand what’s going on and work towards steady, meaningful improvement – with support at every step.
