Pet Matters - Animal Behaviour and Training in Devon
Kirsty Peake, DipCABT, CABP, MAPDT681, MPSAinfo@kajpeake.ndo.co.uk Tel: 01364 621287Chrissy Beckhurst, DipCABT, MAPDT01015beckhurst.christine@googlemail.com Tel: 01647 252478Rachael Forrest, DipCABTrachlf20@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 01626 854811Kirsty holds an Advanced Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training. She also holds an advanced diploma specifically in dog behaviour. She is a COAPE Association Behaviour Practitioner, one of the first to achieve this when it was started in 2005. She holds the post of chair of the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers (CAPBT) and is also a Tutor with COAPE. Visit www.coape.org for more information on COAPE and the courses Kirsty tutors. The CAPBT represents 200 + specifically qualified behaviourists for referral of pet behaviour and training problems. Visit www.capbt.org to find out more about the Association
We are strongly committed to using only positive methods in working with pets. We do not use aversive techniques such as shock collars, sprays, rattle tins, or choke chain to name but a few. Click on the link here and see why we say Ask Why? Say No to punitive and aversive methods of working with dogs. Sign the petition and join the growing voice of people declaring against these barbaric methods.
Pet Matters continues to grow as one of the leading pet behaviour and training practices in the South West. Though the winter of 2008 and 2009 we were joined by Rachael Forrest who worked with us on a locum basis. Rachael accepted an invitation from Kirsty and Chrissy to join the Pet Matters team from April 2009. Both have an Advanced Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training. Our Practice Manager continues to keep us all focused and continues to organise our training classes. In addition we have 3 Assistants involved in the dog training and socialising side of our work.
All animal behaviour work is carried out on veterinary referral only. Our animal behaviour practice works alongside many veterinary practices in the south of Devon. Veterinary Surgeons are delighted to be able to include this service within their practice. They, like Doctors, are now restricted to the amount of time for each consultation. For animal psychological problems it is a real plus to be able to refer them confidently to a Behaviour and Training Practice such as Pet Matters. Kirsty, Chrissy and Rachael are qualified in pharmacology and this enables them to discuss with consulting vets the need, if appropriate, of medication to help with a behavioural problem.
We currently run Puppy Socialisation Classes for five veterinary practices. We base these classes at Bovey Tracey Town Hall in Devon and hold them on a Wednesday afternoon. Classes are for puppies from 8 weeks of age to 20 weeks of age. These are very rewarding. They run for a period of 6 weeks with one meeting of three quarters of an hour each week. Here the ground rules are laid down on how the puppy and their owner are going to get on for the rest of their lives together. Not only do the puppies learn to interact with other dogs but the owners learn how to understand what their dog is doing - in other words they start to Think Dog! Here the puppies learn the basics of bite inhibition, to sit, to stand and lie down on command. How to walk to heel and how to play appropriately with each other and humans. It is very rewarding to watch how the puppies gain confidence in a secure and controlled environment. All this training is done on a reward basis. There are no choke chains, no raised voices, no punishment. We always welcome new veterinary practices to join this scheme. We offer these classes at a reduced rate to practices and their clients. Veterinary practices wishing to join this must contact us. They then should hold a list of their clients and their puppies. We contact each practice well in advance of the classes for client details.
Kirsty, Chrissy and Rachael also run Pet Dog Training Classes in the evening based at Bovey Tracey Town Hall, Devon. Clients have the option of taking their Kennel Club Good Dog Citizen Scheme at Puppy, Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. We have passes at all levels. The classes are geared for puppies, beginners, intermediate and advanced. We are not training competition level obedience but how to have a well behaved dog when out and about in the modern world.
Classes are run using positive methods and we introduce owners and their dogs to the benefits of clicker training. We leave it up to the owners as to whether or not they use this system.
For dates of new terms please check with the diary page and download the application form and submit this to the address detailed on it.
It is very satisfying to run these classes as they act as a balance to the behavioural cases seen by Kirsty, Chrissy and Rachael. Some of which are very sad but most have a happy ending. They enjoy running these classes and watching dogs and their owners learn to live as a partnership and not a mastership. The behavioural cases are a challenge but it is very rewarding watching both animal (be it dog, cat, horse, rabbit, guinea pig, parrot) and owner start to enjoy being together.
Cases vary, here is one example of a case with a difference:
This is a case that Kirsty worked on, voluntarily, while in the USA. Buck is a Husky. She and 99 other Huskies were found squeezed in crates and packed in the back of an old bus. They were on their way to Alaska. A well known wildlife photographer took Buck and another dog (Husky x GSD now called Agate). Both dogs were extremely fearful of people. On the second day Buck managed to chew her way through the wire yard fence and escape in the wilderness nearby. Agate was left behind and was extremely nervous of any visitors or anything new happening in the house but appeared to be starting to cope. Advice was given regarding not pushing Agate too much and that all attempts to meet/approach people were to be met with positive results, using treats and praise.
Attempts to catch Buck failed. Search parties went looking for her but it was difficult to track her in the snow as there were coyotes and wolves in the area. She was seen approaching a neighbour's dog but as this barked at her she bolted away again. Walking Agate out and around did not bring any results. Kirsty explained that although the two dogs were in the enclosure in the rescue centre together that did not mean that they 'knew' each other from their previous owner. She suggested that some of the other dogs be brought out from the rescue centre and walked in the area. It was decided to use this as a last resort. Traps were brought in and laid out (crates with doors on a trigger). However it was difficult to put food in these as that would bring in any manner of animal. Kirsty went out and visited the traps. She commented that as Buck possibly associated crates with fear she doubted that as they were they would work. Three traps were chosen in an area where dog prints were found. Each one was covered with different materials, i.e bales of straw; tarpaulin; branches. After the first night there were more tracks nearer the one covered with straw. Kirsty added a 'secret ingredient' to this crate. That night Buck was trapped after 14 days of freedom.
Kirsty was called in to evaluate the dog. Her owner now feeling that he would return her to the rescue centre. Kirsty entered the garage where Buck was and was met by a very frightened dog cowering in the far corner. Her owner explained that no one could get near her. After sitting on the floor for just 10 minutes with some food (+secret ingredient!) on her hand Buck approached and took the food. She dropped it and retreated to her corner. Rearming her hand with more Kirsty continued to sit quietly. Buck returned to eat the food she had dropped and continued towards Kirsty and gently ate the food on her hand. After time she allowed Kirsty to stroke her under her chin. Buck's owner was amazed. Kirsty persuaded him to keep Buck and work with her.
Buck's defence in meeting situations she couldn't cope with is to flee. Agate's temperament is much more 'go with the flow'. Buck is now learning an alternative behaviour for when she feels she cannot cope. Techniques of how to build a bond with her were left with her owner and the latest news from the USA is that she is settling in well now. She is still not allowed in the yard without supervision but progress is being made. She is learning to trust human beings. The whole neighbourhood has joined in in working to show Buck that life is good with humans. Kirsty is particularly glad as one look at Buck (who she prefers to call Honey because that is what she is!) and she fell for her! She will be checking in with Buck, Agate and their owner when she is next out in USA.
Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme
Kirsty is a Kennel Club approved Examiner at Bronze and Silver level of the KC GCDS. This means that although she cannot test her own groups she can test others but also knows what Examiners are looking for when her group is being tested. See the diary for dates for the KC GCDS.
