6 Powerful Benefits of Virtual Behavior Consulting for Your Dog
I absolutely love connecting with people and their dogs – it’s the heart of what I do! What’s surprised me over the years is how effective virtual sessions can be for building those same strong relationships with my clients. In fact, virtual behavior consulting has become so popular that many dog professionals now offer it as their exclusive service.
1. Virtual = Accessible
Virtual appointments are ideal for dog owners who wish to work with a certified behavior consultant but don’t reside within my service area. They’re also suitable if you have mobility challenges, a busy schedule, or prefer meeting from home. No matter where you are, I can help you and your dog succeed.
2. It’s Simple
All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone! We use a user-friendly video conference service that doesn’t require you to create an account or download anything. We’ll send you a link, and you’re all set.
3. Online Virtual Sessions are Versatile!
We can address almost any behavioral concern through virtual sessions:
- Aggression toward people, children, or other dogs
- Fear, anxiety, and phobias (including stranger danger – our specialty!)
- Multi-dog household conflicts and resource guarding
- Preparing for a new baby or child
- Cooperative care training (handling, grooming, muzzle training)
- Puppy essentials (potty training, crate training, socialization)
- Basic manners (sit, stay, recall, impulse control)
4. Less Stress
If your dog struggles with strangers in the house, virtual consultations are a game-changer. I can observe your dog’s natural behavior in their safe space and provide customized training without the stress of having an unfamiliar person in your home.
Don’t you need to see my dog’s behavior in person?
Many people assume a behavior consultant must witness problem behaviors firsthand to address them effectively, but that’s actually not true! Since most behavioral issues stem from fear and anxiety, deliberately triggering your dog to growl, lunge, or bite isn’t helpful. It’s counterproductive and stressful for everyone involved.
Through video, I can effectively assess your dog’s body language, evaluate environmental triggers, and observe your handling techniques. While every dog is unique, I’ve worked with thousands of cases over the years and can quickly identify patterns and underlying causes without needing to observe the behavior in person.
An important safety consideration: placing myself in a situation where an anxious or reactive dog might feel cornered is neither fair to your dog nor safe for me. Virtual consultations allow us to work together without adding that extra stress and risk to the equation.
5. Your Future Self Will Thank You
During our session, I’ll demonstrate training techniques with my own dog, then coach you through practicing them yourself. One huge advantage? We can record our sessions, allowing you to review the instructions at your convenience whenever you’re ready to train. No more forgetting what we covered!
6. Cost-Effective Behavior Change
Virtual consultations offer more flexible scheduling. These sessions tend to be more focused and efficient, allowing us to accomplish a lot in a shorter timeframe.
Bonus: It’s a Pajama Party!
Train your dog from the comfort of your home, where you both feel most relaxed and learn best. Pajamas are entirely acceptable attire for virtual consultations.I might be wearing mine too! (But let’s all agree to wear pants, okay?)
Ready to get started? Virtual behavior consulting might be the perfect solution for you and your dog.
