Thing to note when your dog goes through treatment plan

This post may help you better prepare as you consider enrolling your dog in any training or rehabilitation program. 

When it comes to behaviour modification and treatment planning, some clients may approach the process with the mindset that the goal is simply to “fix” the dog and have them “fully trained” by the end of the course. For years, dog owners have been led to believe that training is a quick fix, that a single session can permanently change a dog’s behaviour, or that a board-and-train program can resolve issues and return the dog fixed for life.

This perception can create unrealistic expectations, focusing on immediate ROI rather than the long-term value and process involved. In turn, this may lead to unnecessary stress and frustration later on. We believe in being transparent and honest about what behaviour work truly involves. After all, we are working with an animal with feelings just like us.

While I understand where this expectation comes from, this is not the role of a behaviourist. Behavioural treatment and therapy are not the same as fixing a broken clock. A dog, a sentient being has feelings and ability to make decisions of its own, they cannot be treated like a product. Instead, our process is about helping dogs heal through a gentle, evidence-based approach that requires time, patience and consistency.

As dog behaviourists and psychologists, our role is to provide a scientific and ethical approach to helping dogs. This includes identifying root causes, ensuring ethical care, and implementing a structured treatment plan. It does not involve guaranteeing satisfaction or promising specific results. Outcomes depend on many variables, including the client’s readiness and commitment to work as a team, the dog’s external stressors, the suitability of the approach, the duration of treatment, and the reasonableness of expectations. Many of the dogs we work with present severe behavioural challenges, and it can often take months or even years before owners begin to feel satisfied with the progress made.

In such cases, a quick fix may often seem very appealing. However, this serves only to meet human expectations rather than genuinely helping the dog. Suppressing behaviours at the expense of the dog’s comfort and safety is not a meaningful solution. Moreover, the risks and side effects of quick-fix methods can be significant.

In many severe cases we receive, dogs have previously been “fixed” using aversive techniques. Over time, when the side effects begin to surface, these behaviours often become far worse than before.

We put 200% effort into every single case and place safety, ethics, and professional judgement at the forefront of our work. At the end of any program, owners must take over this responsibility and continue providing the same level of commitment and consistency for their dogs.