I really can't pass the opportunity for some free advertising in exchange for a link to this site from mine!
My website is www.k9-behaviour-services.co.uk
As the title suggests, I am a canine behaviourist. I have over 25 years novice experience. I have practiced as a hobby, generally advising friends etc on behaviour modification. For the past 23 years I have worked as a psychiatric nurse where a good grounding on the theories of operant conditioning are fundamental to practice.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, over the past year plus, I have set up my own business as a side line to the NHS. Behaviour work trickled in but has been restricted to evenings and weekends.
One thing I have discovered is that animal behaviourists are very precious about what they do, to the extent of trying to discourage me from setting up a business, citing that I could not generate sufficient income to make a living.
Perhaps, they felt I would impact on theirs!
I started to believe them so I looked at other ways of increasing income and had very ambitious plans to set up a rehabilitation centre, kennels, hydrotherapy, agility, obedience training and so on.
I prepared my business plan, which my Business Gateway accountant thought was very credible. All I needed was the cash! Despite my self belief, the banks shut up shop. I had to rethink.
Having gained previous experience working as a volunteer at obedience training and local kennels, I looked into home boarding and obedience training. I am now a member of the Kennel Clubs accreditation scheme and have a diploma with distinction for Canine Science.
My plans have been somewhat thwarted by lack of suitable rural premises, although I now consider this a lucky escape as I was trying to bite off more than I could chew. My revised plans are more achievable in the short term, but I still have ambition to open my own rehabilitation centre.
I have been fortunate to have another source of income (NHS) which has allowed me to work for nominal pay. The up side to this is, I have worked with some great dogs and owners who have repaid me by spreading the word about me. Infact, since the turn of the year, I have been exceptionally busy with dog behaviour work across Fife and Edinburgh.
I am finally starting Fun Agility Classes! This has been slow due to the expense of the equipment, the purchase of a van and being skint! I plan to start as soon as the equipment is delivered, fingers crossed, by the end of April. I have had an amazing response in enquiries and people wanting to "sign up" for it. I am so encouraged by this.
I am also taking bookings for holiday boarding and already have my first dog booked in for 16 nights! I want more!!
My plan is to set up full time by summer if at all possible, otherwise I'm going to have to use a lot of annual leave!
I am not conceited,
but I have a strong affiliation with dogs, have studied canine communication in depth, which is the key to my ability. I want to get better and better, I want to be the best behaviourist available to rehabilitate dogs. This is my ambition. I want to help those dogs who have been failed by other behaviourists.
Interventions have changed over the years, personally, I will use whatever intervention works. Try, try and try again. I never give up. I am saddened when owners disengage with the service because it's "too difficult" My motto is RELAX, RELAX, RELAX. It should be fun not torturous. It only becomes that way if you can relax and want the best for your dog.
To keep a long story short.......
Thank goodness I didn't tell you about my dogs........yet!!
Anyway, thanks for sticking with it to get this far and please visit my website
www.k9-behaviour-services.co.uk Phew!
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