Please book your session by clicking on the appropriate link below, after you have read about my income-based self-selected sliding scale. Learn more here.

 

Behavior Consulting 

Transform your relationship with your dog from a hot mess of stress and anxiety to an easeful deep breath of calm & relaxation.

This is a 60 - 75-minute virtual session conducted via Zoom.

Sharon will send you assessment materials to complete when you book this session. Then she will assess and interpret these materials so that during the session you can focus on developing understanding and building a plan to move forward.

Are you feeling…

  • lonely because your dog’s behavior prevents you from inviting friends over or going on vacation?

  • terrified because your dog(s) is growling, snarling, fighting, or biting another animal or human?

  • anxious because your dog’s triggers have become your triggers?

  • confused about a challenging behavior case in your work?

  • anxious because your client isn’t making progress?

Do you want to feel…

  • hopeful because there are options that you didn’t even know existed?

  • encouraged because you have a plan to help both your family AND your dog feel safe?

  • confident because you understand exactly what happened and how to prevent it from happening again?

  • excited to try a new approach and help your client?

I’ve got you! First, we’ll gather information and assess the situation. Then, we’ll establish safety and identify solutions. Finally, we’ll create a plan so that you can:

  • get the rest you need (and feel sane again!)

  • facilitate safe interactions between your dog(s) and others

  • say “yes” to that trip or family gathering

  • relax, with your dog by your side

  • connect more deeply with your dog and other humans

  • look forward to taking walks with your dog

  • help your dog (and everyone around them) feel safe

Here’s how you’ll get there:

 

1

You’ll complete the Canine Behavior & Research Questionnaire (CBARQ) to build a thorough understanding of your dog’s fears and aggression and establish an objective way to track progress.

2

You’ll explore your dog’s sensory processing patterns using the Highly Sensitive Dog Questionnaire or Canine Sensory Profile so you can better understand how the environment contributes to your dog’s behavior.

3

You’ll learn 3 nervous system states and the Yes-No Spectrum for Behavior so you can more easily track your dog’s reactions and understand why your nervous system responds with anxiety and overwhelm.

 

4

You’ll learn 1 of Leslie McDevitt’s Pattern Games to give you a simple strategy for moving past triggers, diffusing big reactions at home, helping others interact with your dog, and safely navigating unexpected situations.

5

You’ll collaborate with me to establish a Safety & Recovery Plan that is practical, provides you with stability and control, and connects you to accessible resources for reaching your goals.

6

You’ll learn 1 somatic (body-based) strategy so you can process difficult emotions and shift from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to knowing exactly what to do and feeling empowered to do it.

  • "Sharon is a life saver."

    Jason & Leo

  • “We owe our sanity (and sleeping full nights) to Sharon!”

    Daniella, Peter, Thomas & Joey

  • “I've tried SO MANY things for dog training, and Sharon's techniques were the most effective by far.”

    Sarah, Ziggy & Leia

  • “This has allowed me to have a deeper relationship with my dog. I'm so thankful to Sharon's gentleness and expertise.”

    Former client

  • "I called Sharon, desperate for help. She answered immediately. In just our first hour she ensured everyone's safety."

    Jason & Leo

  • “She is professional, patient, knowledgeable about all things dog related and has a natural gift of making dogs and their owners calm and relaxed.”

    Former client

  • “The impression started right at the first call, a person who really listens to your problems.”

    former client

  • “Sharon has helped us develop a healthier relationship with our animals and for that we are grateful.”

    Alyssa, Jared, Bodhi & Mars

  • “Sharon assisted me not only with the necessary skills to help Nikki, but modified many of the training techniques to meet my physical needs.”

    Deborah & Nikki

  • “In just a few short weeks we have seen dramatic improvements.”

    former client

  • “She is professional, listens to our needs, and adapts to our situation.”

    former client

  • “Every issue I wanted to work on when we began working together is now resolved.”

    Michelle & Milo

  • “She really took the time to listen to our needs.”

    former client

  • “I cannot endorse Sharon enough. I would work with her again in a heartbeat!“

    Michele & Milo

  • “Your fundamental lessons with Leo helped me make him a safe and happy home. I cannot thank you enough!”

    Jason & Leo

  • “I can genuinely say that we are helping each other live our best lives thanks to Sharon. I’m so happy.”

    Ashley & Ringo

  • “The best part is that I feel like my dogs are less anxious and more content in their life, AND we live together in a more harmonious way! Win-win all around!”

    Sarah, Ziggy & Leia

About the Consultation

  • Who is this for?

    This program is ideal for humans who:

    either live with a dog or who work professionally with dogs

    live with a dog(s) who displays anxiety, reactivity, or aggressive behavior, including but not limited to: resource guarding, 2+ dogs fighting in the same home, leash reactivity toward humans or animals, biting humans or animals, aggression toward children, aggression during hygiene/medical care, self-mutilation, digestive issues or difficulty with eating, noise sensitivity, separation anxiety, or touch sensitivity

    recently brought a dog into the home

    lost a family dog and need help adjusting

    recently brought another human into the home or lost a loved one and need help adjusting

    have received a recommendation to re-home or euthanize their dog for behavioral reasons

    work professionally with dog behavior (ie. dog trainers, behavior consultants, veterinarians)

    provide animal assisted interventions with a dog who recently experienced a traumatic situation or who is displaying a new behavior that is disrupting their ability to work

    live with an assistance or service dog who recently experienced a traumatic situation or who is displaying a new behavior that is disrupting their ability to work

  • What assessments are used?

    We may use any of the following tools to better understand the dog’s behavior and how it is impacting everyone involved:

    • When necessary and possible*, assessment will include in-person observation of your dog. *See FAQs below for more info.

    • Canine Behavior and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ)

    • Highly Sensitive Dog Questionnaire or Canine Sensory Profile

    • observation of specific behaviors (either pre-recorded videos or live during our session)

    • a Human Canine Collaborative intake questionnaire

    • Dog Guardian Quality of Life questionnaire

    • interview with you and any other family involved

    • consultation with any other professionals involved (ie. trainers, behavior consultants, veterinarians, etc)

  • What frameworks are used?

    These are some frameworks that I use to understand, assess, interpret, and describe dog behavior and human-dog interactions:

    • occupational therapy (functional performance of everyday tasks)

    • neuroscience of human-animal interactions

    • human psychology

    • decolonized nonviolent communication

    • somatic consent

    • trauma-informed human-animal interactions

    • sensory processing

    • force-free and humane behavior modification

    • Polyvagal theory

Through investing in this consultation, you will receive:

  • detailed interpretation of all assessments, including written tables, graphs, or summaries that you can share with your family, friends,

    co-workers, client, veterinarian, animal control, or a judicial entity

  • in-depth and comprehensive understanding of your dog’s (or your client’s) behavior

  • a recording of our session

  • support for moving through difficult emotions surrounding this experience

  • a plan for establishing safety

  • video tutorials for skills to develop

  • recommendations or referrals for continued support

  • pdf’s of any concepts or education that we cover

  • worksheets for yourself or a client to build awareness or track progress

Ultimately, a shift from fear and shame to clarity and confidence, with a concrete plan and practical strategies to move forward!

 

FAQs

  • I use a combination of humane, fear-free, and force-free methods when addressing dog behavior, including:

  • Most of my work is conducted virtually, via Zoom. You will access our sessions via a cell phone, tablet, or computer from the comfort of your own home.

    I find virtual coaching and consultations to be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including:

    • accessibility for humans who live in rural areas or at far distances from me

    • accessibility for humans experiencing chronic fatigue; post-traumatic stress; sensory processing differences; difficulties with attention and memory; or limited space inside the home

    • ensuring that the focus of our work is on building YOUR skills and enhancing YOUR relationship with your dog

    • minimizing stress on dogs who display fear and anxiety around unfamiliar humans

    • less stress on my sensory system, which allows for me to use the full capacity of my clinical reasoning, communication, and empathic skills

  • Yes. I will meet with you inside your home when:

    • you live within 30 miles of me (in the Albany, NY greater capital region)

    • it is not possible to effectively evaluate your dog’s behavior via virtual consultation

    • technological, physical, cognitive, or sensory limitations prevent you from otherwise accessing this work

    In-home visits incur a travel fee. This fee is the same rate as your regular pricing tier, prorated for the amount of time it takes me to travel to your home and back. See pricing tiers here.

  • When I interact with your dog, I am gathering information on only 2 things: how your dog interacts with an unfamiliar human, and how your dog behaves when an unfamiliar human is in their home. This information may or may not be useful to understanding the issue for which you are coming to me for support.

    In order to truly understand your dog’s behavior, it is necessary to gather information in a variety of ways, using a variety of methods, including:

    • interviewing you and your family, and reviewing your answers on a questionnaire

    • using standardized assessment tools and questionnaires

    • observing videos* of your dog’s behavior in different environments

    • observing your structured or unstructured interactions with your dog during virtual sessions

    • interviewing other humans who know your dog, including your veterinarian, dog walker, other dog health or behavior professionals you have worked with, daycare staff, and groomer

    *When the behaviors in question involve aggression or anxiety, I will not review videos in which you specifically prompt your dog to behave in these ways just so I can see it. Aggression and anxious behaviors result out of stress to your dog, and there is no reason to cause stress to your dog just so I can see their response. If you have security camera footage or doorbell recording device footage, or happened to capture a behavior organically, then we can review that. But we will not purposely stress your dog to record their behavior.

  • During this consultation, we will:

    • review the results of the assessments you filled out ahead of time to help you understand your dog’s behavior

    • process difficult emotions that have arises following a stressful even with your dog (such as a bite)

    • problem solve to establish safety and identify all your options

    • discuss how to access referrals or recommended resources

    • establish your goals for moving forward

  • A behavior consultation session is 60 minutes. You will receive an email summary after we meet that will include a list and connections to any referrals or recommendations.

  • Please see my pricing page to learn about my income-based sliding scale.

  • I accept payments via:

    • Venmo

    • PayPal

    • Apple Pay

    • Zelle

    • Cash App

    • credit card