We strive to assist dogs and owners in regaining balance through evaluating and advising on canine behaviour issues using a holistic and dog centered approach. For a bespoke plan of behaviour modification based on canine psychology and individual assessment look no further.
The Team
My name is Julia Langlands and I am a Canine Behaviour Practitioner and Owner Trainer. I am a member of the CFBA and am fully qualified and insured as well as having vast experience working with challenging canine behaviours and common issues. I also tutor and assesses for vocational accredited canine behaviour courses and run a small rescue for dogs that are difficult to place into traditional rescue due to problematic behaviour.
Steve is my assistant and handler, he assists in a variety of ways from handling stooge dogs to facilitating the creation of safe scenarios in which to practice modification techniques. Whatever the specific issue Steve can assist through playing the role of visitor, jogger, postman, dog walker, pram wheeler or other scenario. This is often integral to the assessment of triggers and the development of a plan of behaviour modification as well as being essential in providing valuable hands on experience that is both safe and appropriate.
The Balance Behaviour dogs that help with our work are varied. Male, female, of various breeds and characters, each with their own specialist skills! Some are playful, others calm. Assertive or passive they are all available to assist in the assessment and rehabilitation process. Being well practiced in social skills, balanced and non aggressive they are an integral part of the team. This is essential to our approach as the dogs act as role models and assistants - it would be impossible to address every issue without their presence. Dogs are our best teachers - they demonstrate natural social behaviour in a dog's own language that cannot always be replicated by us.
“In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi human. The point of it is to open ones self to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.”
Our ethos
Our ethos is one of holistic intervention, by this I mean that I always look at the dog as a whole - body, mind and spirit - we try to fulfill the physical and psychological needs of the dog and provide the owner with the knowledge to decrease and eliminate unwanted behaviour - many of the behaviours that we find unacceptable are often in part an expression of frustration so a whole lifestyle view is essential. We endeavor to empower owners to take charge of their dog's behaviour and teach how to remove unwanted behaviours, prevent future issues arising and create a deeper bond with their canine companions forever.
approach
I do not have a 'blueprint' approach towards behaviour modification, every single case is unique and I always try to treat them as such. I do subscribe to theories of pack structure and dominance/submission, but also appreciate that there is a huge difference between the importance this holds for different breeds and individuals. I am neither bound to the archaic and trust destroying methods employed in the past, or the sometimes ineffectual 'reward only' advocates of the moment. I try very hard to stand with a foot in both camps and to take a balanced view that adheres to neither extreme, and is purely based upon the individual dog. I use and teach both operant and respondent techniques along with applying a fundamental understanding of dog psychology and behaviour in order to best serve the dog in regaining a balanced and happy life and to remove any unwanted or unhealthy behaviour. I also try to inform owners as much as I possibly can in the area of dog psychology in order to help prevent future issues arising.
I take a personal interest in the dogs I work with and will always treat them with the same consideration that I give to my own pack.
Often I have found that the owner will have to make as many adjustments as the dog! So be prepared, sometimes the dog moves on and accepts balance much faster than his human counterpart! A programme of rehabilitation can be hard work, but the results are satisfying and positive for all concerned, leaving dog and family feeling more connected.
