Overview:

Inspiring Pet Teaching, is owned & operated by Linda Ryan. I am a qualified animal trainer, a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour, and an ASAB- accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (for cats and dogs). I use only positive, evidence-based and ethically sound pet and owner education and training techniques, so as to set you and your pet up to get it right together. Welfare is always at the heart of what I do to help you & your pet. I will always work with you in a kind, empathetic, professional & respectful way.

I specialise in one-to-one behaviour consultations and training for dogs and cats. Whilst I do run occasional group classes for dogs - as demand and dog demographic dictate and my schedule allows, my focus is on individualised tailored training & behaviour plans. One-to-one consultations and lessons are usually online initially, &/or at your home. They may also be at the vet clinic, or in suitable situations or locations - for example a hired venue, a third party location or public space, such as on a walk or in the open outdoors - depending the nature of your behaviour concern and on your pet’s needs, +/- potentially online. Observing your pet and consulting with you with you individually, in your home or in contextual situations, allows assessment of the pet’s normals, their own environment & context, and allows tailoring of an individual plan to set you both up for success.  Following your initial consultation, it is common to then proceed with practical training or behaviour modification sessions, and provision of follow-up support for you and your pet. One-to-one lessons benefit beginners in the learning of "life skills", and early life teaching (socialisation and habituation), i.e. for young puppies/kittens and/or newly acquired pets; also in the continuation or progression of learning for youngsters/adolescents/rescued pets; and when helping pets with problem behaviours. When working with behaviour cases, this will be in conjunction with your vet as necessary. 

Training lessons or behaviour modification?

Training, versus behaviour, problems will be triaged based on the nature of the problem, the history received from you +/- on vet input - if in doubt, please just ask!

• Behaviour consultations and behaviour modification training lessons are aimed at:
  • Cat and dogs with behavioural problems, i.e. those which are a problem for the pet, and negatively impact their welfare +/- safety, and/or that of the people/other animals they live with.
    
  • Examples include emotional problems, such as anxiety, fear, phobias, frustration; problems with impulsivity, and/or aggression; situational problems; or those in which the owners are unable to easily resolve or find difficult to cope with; +/- those with medical complications.
    
  • Behaviour cases are only seen on referral from a veterinary surgeon, who I am happy to collaborate with to best help your pet. Veterinary referral is necessary to rule out (or in) any medical influences on behaviour; ensure the pet is well, and free from pain; as well as making sure any problems are managed, and that there is a team/holistic approach to your pet’s care.
• Training/behaviour management assessment/lessons are aimed at:
  • Cat and dogs with problem behaviours, i.e. those which are a problem for the owner.
    
  • Most problem behaviours are normal species-typical behaviours, which humans find intolerable, or would like to train for harmony and compromise in the home environment.
    
  • Examples include proactive/pre-emptive training, such as manners and basic life skills training; puppy/kitten early-learning training, e.g. socialisation, basic training and learning about how to have a happy life in a human world; toilet training; adolescent through to older pet training for a variety of reasons; fun, tricks, husbandry and sports foundations training; training and settling in of recently adopted cats and dogs; trouble-shooting training problems; pre-adoption/purchase puppy/kitten/rescue advice and preparation; and for all/any pets without emotional or behaviour problems +/- confounding medical complications.
    
  • Training cases do not need a referral from a veterinary surgeon, but of course must be fit and well.

For further information, please see: About one-to-one lessons, and our FAQs.

What to expect from Inspiring Pet Teaching, and what does my fee include:
For your investment of time, commitment and fees, you can expect from Linda

• The services of a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour, who is an ASAB-accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist for cats and dogs; & an ABTC-registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist & Animal Training Instructor (for further details, please see: About Linda).
• Many years of study, gaining of knowledge, expertise and experience in working with people and their pets, as a Registered Veterinary Nurse, a trainer and behaviourist.
• Assurance of using up-to-date, positive, kind and ethical methods of training and behaviour change. And a commitment never to use punishment or aversive methods when working with you or your pet.
• Dedicated time, care and attention to you and your pet’s needs during your appointment.
• A professional, friendly, caring and personal service.
• Between two and four hours of “unseen” time in advance of and after your appointments, including:
  • Preparation time before your appointment, +/- provision of email advice or resources for “pre-reading”.
  • Personalised follow-up notes, +/- videos, following your initial session, handouts and up-to-date, reputable supplemental reading material.
  • Liaison with your veterinary practice, including a follow-up letter for behaviour cases, and often pre-/-post-appointment ‘phone calls.
  • Email support for short-answer questions related to your consultation in advance of, and following your appointment, as well as throughout the term of our working relationship.
• The time taken to travel to and from your home/the location we have agreed to meet at.
• Passion and commitment to yours and your pet’s success!

For more info on how to choose an ethical training professional, or how behaviourist’s fees are reached, please see links.

Whether working on training or behaviour cases, your first assessment/consultation will be broken down int 2 or 3 sessions (depending on your preference). Initially, we will spend some time talking - we will begin by discussing your specific goals or issues of concern, and you will learn about your pet's behaviour, and training in general, thus helping you and your pet be successful together. An essential part of the process is your detailed history form, which will be sent to you to complete and return to me in advance of your first appointment.

In subsequent - mainly practical - lessons (which are always likely to be indicated, as training and behaviours change is a multi-step, layered process), you will learn how to teach your pet, s/he will learn to learn and we will progress towards your goal, tailoring lessons to your specific needs. Your involvement and input into the behaviour change/training process is essential (and - of course - there are no "quick fixes"!).

Depending on the urgency and nature of your concern, my diary availability, and whether you choose to book a package - initial email advice may be provided, +/- your preliminary consultation may be via ‘phone or online calling, and then we may meet at your home or elsewhere for further in-person sessions. Initial consultations take ~2-3 hours, depending on the nature of the case. Subsequent follow-up sessions may be online, in your home or “on location” in a third party space, depending on your needs. Follow-up sessions usually take ~0.75-1.25 hours - depending on the case.

How do I book?

When you are ready to book, please let me know, & check availability, so as we can arrange a mutually convenient date and time. Then, please return this brief online form (which includes paying a non-refundable administration deposit. This is not an additional charge, & will be subtracted from your fee [due at the time of booking, along with your full/detailed Registration-History form]). 

I will then send you a Booking Confirmation Email. This will include a New Client Registration-History Form (to complete comprehensively and return); as well as payment details; +/- a Veterinary Referral Form (i.e. if your pet needs behavioural help and referral). This is all due at the time of booking, & requires some time, lots of detail & your input to complete. I will then review & collate everything in advance of us meeting, so as to be ready to help you & your pet.

If you have further questions, please just ask: linda@inspiringpets.com - I shall be happy to help. And, for more info on Inspiring Pet Teaching, please visit www.inspiringpets.com, see our FAQs, and like/follow our Facebook page. 

Last updated Jan '21

This web-page/document & all of its content is intended for the recipient only. It is copyright 2020 Linda Ryan, trading as Inspiring Pet Teaching.  Please do not reproduce or share any part of this form or its content. Thank you!  

Overview of Inspiring Pet Teaching’s training and behaviour services, and what to expect​

As Dedicated To Your Pets As You Are!

CCAB ​Dog Behaviourist, dog trainer CCAB