A lot of people put off booking a consult because they're picturing something more intense than it is — an interrogation, a sales pitch, or a session where they'll feel judged for how things have gotten. It's none of that. It's a conversation.
I built the Behavior Consult to be the thing I wish every family got before they tried to solve a behavior problem on their own with advice from a random video online. It's free, it's over video so you don't have to rearrange your week, and it's built to give you clarity even if we never end up working together beyond that call.
Why a video call, and why free
Behavior work starts with information, not equipment. A camera and a conversation can tell me more about what's actually happening than a lot of in-person visits do, because I get to see your dog in their real environment, doing the real thing, without a stranger walking through the door changing everything.
- It's over Google Meet, so we can do it from your living room, at a time that actually fits your schedule.
- It's free because the goal is an honest read on your situation, not a sales conversation — some families need a full program, some need one adjustment, and some need a vet visit before anything else.
- You'll come away with next steps whether or not you move forward with any paid program afterward.
Safety and veterinary considerations
What actually happens on the call
Bark For Attention
The four parts of a Behavior Consult
Every call covers these, though the order and depth flex based on what's going on.
History-taking
When it started, how it's changed, what's been tried, and what a typical day looks like for your dog.
Video review
You show me footage of the behavior itself so I'm seeing the real thing, not a secondhand description of it.
Ruling out pain
We talk honestly about whether a vet visit should happen first, based on the pattern of what you're describing.
Starting management plan
A few concrete, doable changes you can make immediately to reduce the problem while any longer-term plan takes shape.
How to prepare so we make the most of the time
- Have your dog's basic history handy: age, breed or mix, how long you've had them, and any past training.
- Record a short video of the actual behavior if it's safe to do so — a bark at the door, a reaction on leash, a moment of guarding. Real footage tells me far more than a description alone.
- Write down when the behavior started and whether anything changed around that time — a move, a new pet, a vet visit, a change in routine.
- Note anything your vet has already ruled in or out, including recent bloodwork or physical exams.
- Think about what a realistic win looks like for your household in the next month, not the next day.
- Have any prior trainer's advice or tools on hand to mention, especially if something felt off about it.
What the consult is not
I'd rather set honest expectations up front than have you leave the call disappointed because it wasn't what you pictured.
- It is not a same-day fix. Behavior change takes consistent repetition over weeks, and anyone promising an instant turnaround is selling something, not solving something.
- It is not a diagnosis of a medical or neurological condition — that requires your veterinarian, and sometimes a veterinary behaviorist.
- It is not a place where I'll recommend aversive equipment or dominance-based methods, regardless of what's worked in the past for other trainers or friends.
- It is not a hard sales pitch — if a paid program isn't the right next step for your situation, I'll say so.
- It is not a replacement for hands-on work when a case genuinely needs in-person sessions; sometimes the honest recommendation from a video consult is that we need eyes on your dog in person.
From booking the call to your first plan
Phase 1 — Booking and prep
Book a time that actually works
Pick a slot when your dog is likely to be relatively calm and your household isn't rushing — a distracted call helps no one.
Gather your video and history notes
Even rough phone footage and a couple of bullet points about the timeline make a real difference to how useful the call is.
Phase 2 — During the call
Walk through the full history first
We'll cover the timeline, environment, and anything already tried before jumping to solutions, so we're not guessing.
Review video together
I'll ask questions about body language and context while we watch, so you start learning to read your own dog along the way.
Phase 3 — Leaving the call
Get a short, honest management plan
A few concrete changes for the next week or two — not a thirty-item list that's impossible to keep up with.
Get a clear next-step recommendation
Whether that's a vet visit, a specific program, or simply trying the management plan and checking back in, you'll leave knowing what comes next.
Phase 4 — The weeks after
Track what changes, even loosely
A quick daily note on frequency or intensity of the behavior helps us see real trends instead of relying on memory.
Expect a realistic timeline
Most behavior concerns take weeks of consistent work to shift meaningfully — small early changes are a good sign, not proof it's already solved.
What often gets folded into the starting plan
- Simple environmental changes that reduce triggers immediately, like window film, gating, or adjusting walk routes.
- A short list of foundational skills to start building, matched to what the behavior actually needs.
- Enrichment or outlet suggestions if part of what's going on looks like unmet mental or physical needs rather than a specific fear or conflict behavior.
- Guidance on managing the environment for other household members, including kids or other pets, while the plan takes shape.
Troubleshooting
- Couldn't get video of the behavior — that's fine, we can still work from a detailed description; video just adds precision when it's available.
- Not sure if it's 'bad enough' to book a call — if you're wondering, that's usually reason enough; an honest read costs you nothing.
- Worried the call will just be a sales pitch — ask directly during the call what your options are, including doing nothing further with me, and expect a straight answer.
- Dog won't perform the behavior during the actual video call — this is common and expected; the history and any footage you already have still carry the conversation.
- Multiple people in the household see the behavior differently — bring both perspectives to the call; discrepancies are often useful information, not a problem.
When to loop in your vet immediately
Go deeper
Print & keep
Your consult prep checklist
- Basic history written down: age, breed, time in your home
- Short video of the actual behavior recorded, if safe to capture
- Timeline noted: when it started and what changed around then
- Any vet visits, bloodwork or exams already done, noted
- Prior training advice or tools you've tried listed out
- A realistic one-month goal in mind, not an overnight fix
- Quiet time slot booked so the call isn't rushed
- Other household members' observations gathered beforehand
- Questions about next steps written down in advance
- Understanding that this call is a starting point, not a diagnosis
