Phoenix Off Leash Dog Training

Phoenix Dog Trainer / Behaviorist,
TLC K9 Training Academy

Off Leash Dog Training with Distractions

We Specialize in Off-Leash Training With Distractions!

The Most Effective Puppy and Dog Training Programs in Phoenix

WE HAVE A TRAINING PROGRAM AND PRICE RANGE FOR EVERYONE!
We can help you start enjoying your puppy or dog again!

>>> Bill Glatzel Bio Professional Animal Dog Behaviorist Trainer

Q: What is an Animal Behaviorist?

A: The term "Behaviorist" is misused in many situations. Some professionals refer to themselves as behaviorists but they are using the term inappropriately. Professionals without an upper level degree that specializes in behavior should rightly be classified as counselors. An Animal Behaviorist has upper level degrees (MS or PhD.) In most cases this is over six to eight years of formal education specializing in psychology, ethology, biology, zoology, endocrinology, neurobiology, physical anatomy, canine physiology and kinesthetics, advanced training in the normal and abnormal behaviors of animals, the underlying disease states that may contribute to behavioral changes, the psychology of learning and in therapeutic behavioral medicines. An Animal Behaviorist can evaluate a pet's behavioral problems, can work with your pet's Veterinarian to help potentially diagnose medical problems that may be contributing to these behavioral problems and can recommend therapeutic medicines that may benefit these animals. An Animal Behaviorist will often time work very closely with your pet's Veterinarian to treat and help the "whole" animal. A Behaviorist is qualified to develop and help you implement a behavior modification protocol and treatment plan for your pet.

Q: What is the difference between an Animal Behaviorist like yourselves and a Veterinarian Behaviorist?

A: Veterinarian Behaviorists have nothing to do with any actual training of dogs. A Veterinarian who has a specialty in Behavioral Medicine concerns themselves primarily with medicine, and has only as little as one year of behavioral training with the emphasis on psychotropic medicines. This is also a very new field in its infancy that has only been around for as little as 3 years. On the other hand, An Applied Clinical Animal Behaviorist, like those employed by TLC K9 Academy have had much more extensive education and training that takes at least 6 to 8 years in ALL aspects of behavior, not just behavioral medicine. The Profession of Applied Clinical Animal Behaviorists is not a new field. This type of real behaviorist has been around for many decades, and is considered THE definitive choice for expert behavioral help, treatment and advice for you and your pet. TLC K9 Academy Behaviorists are also Master Certified Dog Trainers with many additional years of education, training, and experience, giving you and your pet the absolute best of both worlds.

Q: What is your "success rate" and do you guarantee results?

A: A pet owner should be cautious of any person who states that they "guarantee" fixing your pets behavior problems. Animal behavior is complex and results from a combination of genetics, prior experiences and learning, and the current environmental situation that the animal is placed in. There are many behaviors that we can modify and improve, some that we can learn how to work with, manage and control and/or prevent, and some that we can fully resolve. The results we see can vary depending on the severity of the particular animal/behavioral problem, the owner's ability to dedicate the time and effort into behavioral modifications and the motivational state of the pet. So, in short, success is not guaranteed, but always our goal. Most problems are helped and in remission in 1 or 2 appointments, some need additional follow up.

Q: Are behavioral problems simply training issues?

A: There are some pets that would benefit largely from some simple training, but many behavior problems require much more than that. Dog Trainers are not Animal Behaviorists with Advanced Training and Upper Level Degrees, (MS or PhD.) There are no requirements to be a dog trainer, and in Arizona anyone can call themselves a dog trainer with no training, education or experience. Animals, like people can develop a number of fears, anxieties, phobias, obsessive compulsive behaviors and many types of aggression that require an in-depth history and actual behavioral modifications (not training) to help resolve them. Sometimes trainers will employ aversive or punishment methods in attempts at resolving some of these behavioral problems which may actually aggravate the problem further. Training can however be an integral part of behavioral modifications, and often a good trainer will be employed or recommended to help the owner work with behavior modification techniques once they have been prescribed and explained in the initial consult. TLC K9 Academy is the only training company that has a REAL Behaviorist on staff. Many trainers wrongly call themselves a behaviorist without the proper training and are really just simple dog trainers who often make serious mistakes with your pet's well being and with your pet's behavior. Bill Glatzel is a Clinical Applied Animal Behaviorist and specialist in difficult and severe behavioral problems in pets, such as fears, anxieties, phobias, obsessive compulsive behaviors along with various types and severity levels of aggression.

Q: Do you answer questions over the phone?

A: No, an adequate history and description of the problem is impossible to get quickly over a phone call and attempting to do so would provide you and your pet a grave disservice.

Q: What is behavioral modification?

A: Behavior modification techniques are used to alter an animal's behaviors and reactions to stimuli using both operant and classical conditioning techniques. The most common employed techniques include systematic desensitization; counter conditioning, reinforcement of more appropriate behaviors and extinction.

Q: Where do you go for an In-Depth Behavioral Consultation?

A: Appointments are seen at our office location (in special cases house calls will be done on a very limited basis and there are additional fees charged)

Q: How do I make an appointment to see the Behaviorist and to get a Behavioral Consultation?

This history will provide detailed information on a variety of aspects of your pet's environment, health, activities, and behaviors (both normal and problematic). This is all vital information to receive prior to the consultation in order to give the clinician/behaviorist and staff a basis to start the behavioral appointment and to focus the behavioral history once the consult begins.

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