Private dog behavior consultations

COMPANION ANIMAL SOLUTIONS resolves many common behavior problems people face with their dogs.

- Dog Behavior Improper elimination
- Chewing
- Excessive barking
- Leash aggression
- Dog-dog aggression
- Stranger aggression
- Separation anxiety
- Fear (storms, noise, children, strangers)

We perform all initial consultations in your home. This enables us to see the environment in which your pet lives, observe your pet's behavior in familiar surroundings, and makes it easy for the entire family to participate in the consultation. This initial visit lasts about two hours. We will perform a detailed interview to gather as much information about your pet's problems as possible. Once we've identified all of the issues and triggers, we will prioritize them based on what you feel is most important. We tailor our solutions to fit your goals and your lifestyle. We'll have you and your pet working towards better behavior before we leave your home.

We bring a folder with custom handouts which we've developed that provide educational and instructional information about your pet's problems. We will explain each behavior modification protocol to you. We will demonstrate each protocol and then coach you in how to perform the behavior modification until you feel comfortable doing it on your own.

We will bring the custom handouts, books, and tools that you need to begin working. We will provide you with a written Behavior Modification Report that will document what we covered in our consultation. Once you've completed an initial consultation with us, you received unlimited phone and email support free of charge. We will check in with you weekly and bi-weekly to assess your progress and help keep you motivated and on track.

Our animal behavior consultants include:
Jim Ha is a certified applied animal behaviorist who has a Master’s degree in Biology from Wake Forest University and a Ph.D. in Zoology with a specialization in animal behavior from Colorado State University. He is currently a Research Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington. His academic research interests are in learning more about the social behavior of animals including primates, crows, and killer whales. Jim has demonstrated consistent success in applying the knowledge he's gained from his academic career to domestic animals living in an ever more urbanized world. Jim’s problem solving skills and teaching ability allow him to accurately diagnose problem behaviors and apply the most effective solutions for both owners and their pets.

Greta Kaplan
Greta is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Counselors, working toward her certification as a Certified Dog Behavior Counselor. Greta is an experienced clicker trainer who has completed all four sessions of the Cross-Species Operant Conditioning Training Workshop taught by Bob Bailey - popularly known as "chicken camp." If Greta can train a chicken to do agility, she can teach dogs to do almost anything. She has extensive experience evaluating and remediating dog behavior issues, and in coaching owners to help their dogs both feel and behave better.

Greta's specialty is performing private behavior consultations. She teaches leash aggression and other behavior-issue classes as well as puppy and adult manners classes at various Portland area locations. In addition, she coaches and races flyball with the Portland Tail Blazers Flyball Club, and teaches flyball classes for all levels with the support of the team. state.

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