Programs

As lead dog trainer and Canine Operations Director at Our Companions, it shouldn’t surprise you to know Marie has enormous compassion for all dogs large and small. Nonetheless, when you talk to Marie in depth about canine behavioral issues, there is also no question that her empathy and concern extends to their owners as well.

That is precisely why her canine behavioral assessment is so successful. Marie’s individual evaluation provides dog owners and professionals alike with standardized assessments of a dog’s disposition, helping the owners to figure out the root cause as to why these behaviors are taking place. As a result, Marie can offer suggestions to the owner for adjusting the dog’s current living environment, or assist them in finding the dog a more suitable home.

Most calls related to dog behavioral issues come from panicked owners wishing to immediately re-home their dog. “Owners often don’t understand why these behavioral problems are occurring, why things have gone wrong.” explains Marie. After gathering general information from the owner during the call about their dog, an appointment for the assessment is set up.

In order for the assessment to begin, Marie requires that the dog is in good health, is vaccinated, spay/neutered, and that the owner is able to transport the dog to and from Marie’s clinic. Upon arrival to the clinic, the dog will be put through a variety of easy tests. For example, there is food bowl assessment, where an imitation hand will be used to pet the dog while it is eating as well as to move the food bowl away, recording its reaction. Or the child assessment where an infant doll is introduced to the dog in order to determine whether or not the dog has been, or is suitable to be, in a household with children.

Marie even has a cat introduction test where one of Our Companions’ resident cats, Magic Kitty, is safely and gently introduced to the dog from a distance. Make no mistake, Magic Kitty is no scaredy cat. If the dog has become a little too confident therefore overstepping its boundaries, Magic Kitty is quick to “correct” as only cats know how to do. “If the dog learns from the cat’s correction, things are looking good.” says Marie.

Marie’s tests are as easy as possible and are halted at the first sign of resistance from the dog such as stiffening, snarling, trembling and the like. “These tests are not set up for the dog(s) to fail. They are not meant to provoke. They are meant to gather information. We want to look at how it guarded, why it guarded, how bad it was, what kind of background the dog has, and ways to minimize the behavior.”

If you are interested in learning more about Marie’s canine behavioral assessment or any of her canine programs, please contact the Our Companions Helpline at (860) 242-9999