Catherine Phoenix Hallam Dog Behaviourist and Trainer

Dogs are a wonderful companion animal, however at times they can demonstrate inappropriate behaviours in certain situations. As a qualified dog behaviourist my role is to give you advice and support in how to minimise these inappropriate behaviours, by coaching you as the carer to be confident in these situations.
I am qualified for a variety of animals however the species that I choose to work with is the dog due to my extensive involvement in rehabilitation, rescue and behaviour modification for different breeds of dogs, coming from diverse backgrounds.

The way I work with dogs is to understand the emotions that underly the behaviours, the role of the carer and how to give the carer the confidence to work with their dog in a given situation so that they can cope with real life occurrences.

I have worked with a variety of rescues to include Birmingham Dogs Home, Rainbow Dog Rescue, Rushton Dog Rescue and Dog Rescue Cyprus to give advice and guidance as well as fostering some individuals with various behaviour problems. My unique ability through my previous career is to coach the carer to observe the dog’s body language, intervene with appropriate techniques to give a change to the dog’s response in a specific situation. At the end of the day, it is not just the dog that I work with but the person on the end of the lead too.

I have also owned dogs with various issues where I have personally had to experience the potential stress that the behaviour causes.

I am based in the Wolverhampton area however, I travel to Shropshire, Staffordshire, and further afield however incurs a mileage fee over 20 miles round trip.

I have can support you through the following but not exclusive to:
• Separation Anxiety disorder
• Fear-based behaviours such as aggression, anxiety, reactivity to people, dogs, other animals, or new situations.
• Vocalisation – such as barking or whining
• Jumping up behaviours or excessive greeters
• Noise sensitivity
• Dogs that are in a multiple dog household
• Compulsive disorders such as repetitive behaviours.

Discovery Session

This is a free 15-minute phone call where we explore what the issue is with your dog, and it also gives you a chance to get to know me.

It is amazingly simple to book by sending a text message to 07813621947 or via email to: catherine.hallam@btinternet.com

Consultation
This consultation is between 3 – 5 hours of time where it lays the perfect foundations to the process of resolving the behavioural issue.
The consultation creates an overview of your dog’s needs in order to start the therapy programme. It helps to determine the level of support that is the best option for successful resolution of your dog’s behaviour. I work though vet referral for behaviour issues. There is a form for you to complete and sign that has the vet’s details, confirmation of any recent medical check-up or booking that is before our session together. This is relevant as some dog behaviours are observed when there is underlying medical issues.
Consultation Details:
• Discovery call of 15 minutes that is the pre-assessment, enabling the initial email start up advice.
• Consultation preparation and liaising with your vet
• 1.5 – 2 hours in house consultation where I meet you and your dog (if safe to do so)
• My training plans and a therapy report that is sent 72 hours after our consultation
• A follow up call to discuss progress and successes
• 1-month email/WhatsApp support
At the consultation there may be advice given for management of some of your dog’s behaviours. It is where I find out what is your dog’s baseline behaviours, neutral behaviours, and we work together to gain behaviour change without taking your dog over their threshold. This begins the rehabilitation process. You will receive some successes, albeit small steps.
As one-off sessions rarely help you dog in the long run, my commitment to you is to be with you on this journey as through my personal experience rehabilitation and change takes time building on those small wins and successes, as well as learning from the occasional failures. I, therefore, only take on new clients that are like minded in willing to commit to receive ongoing support via my behaviour programmes. Sometimes you will require additional in personal coaching sessions to achieve measurable results.

Rescue Dog Training and Rehabilitation
Supporting rescue dogs in Wolverhampton and surrounding areas. Support to further afield can be completed via Zoom or Skype forums.
A rescue dog can bring about much joy to the home with regards seeing the dog develop confidence and settle in to being a great companion animal.
A consultation that involves both theoretical and practical work starts this journey with your rescue dog off with solid foundations. The best results are achieved through ongoing liaisons through the training packages. The initial consultation involves a 90 minute meeting to discuss your dog and any concerns that you may have before beginning the training part of the session.
The initial consultation will have a follow up summary report, highlighting simple training techniques and tasks for you to be practicing with your dog. An email or phone check in is arranged for one week after this to discuss progress.
We foster dogs that are from both the UK (Birmingham Dogs Home, Rainbow, Rushton, Raven, DunRoamin’) and Overseas (Dog Rescue Cyprus) dogs that need behaviour or training help prior to adoption. So as a trainer and behaviourist I have a unique perspective on what impact a dog can have on a family, having worked through most inappropriate dog behaviours.
By working with me, I am to support you to settle in your rescue dog, so that it is as stress free as possible for the dog and your family and provide maximum support.
*If your dog is already settled in, and is now displaying more complex issues, then please go to the Behavioural Page
*Your dog prior to arriving usually sees a vet, however it is advised that on registering your dog with the vet that the dog receives a full veterinary check-up. For those cases that require a combination of behavioural and training, we work on vet referral and behavioural rates will apply in these cases.
Discovery Call
Book your free 15 minute call where we can discuss the issues regarding your dog and you can get to know me and what I offer. Contact me on 07813621947 or through email catherine.hallam@btinternet.com
Before you bring your rescue dog home
This session helps you to select a rescue dog that is matched to your home lifestyle and activities. Falling in love with a picture is absolutely wonderful, however the reality of a busy dog in a sedentary home does not meet the dogs needs nor the home, so challenges may arise. This session supports you through the selection process and helps you to select and dog that matches well with you and your family. It will make introductions and settling in for your rescue dog as close to a stress-free process. It really is, as with anything built on the foundation of preparation.
Dog has arrived and the first 3 weeks (settling in period and training support)
As with all new relationships, you may find that there are some issues with your dog. As I have a deep understanding of the human-animal bond, my support will help you to understand how to strengthen and develop this bond, but also to work through the training and minor behaviour issues that your dog may be displaying due to them struggling to fit in to the new environment that you have provided. We use positive reinforcement to build positive associations with people, animals and situations. This way you can continue this with confidence to build your relationship and the trust that essential for pet welfare.
Training Equipment
Headcollars, collars, harnesses, leads, longlines, retractable leads – the list is endless as to the what to use with your dog. Guidance is given on the use of all training equipment so that it can be effectively put on the dog without any undue stress. Again, referring as stated to positive associations with any tools that are used with your dog. We can even work through using a muzzle and how the dog will come to realise that it has positive associations, this may be to prevent a ‘street dog’ from scavenging when out and about, or to reduce the handler’s anxiety in that the dog has less chance of causing injury. Clipping your dog’s nails, basic grooming of the dog can be covered in these sessions that are fun, effective and easy for you to follow through. Summary training report will be sent to support you with your ongoing training with your dog.
Training Issues that are common to rescues
In my experience there are a few behaviours that are more commonplace than others when working with rescue dogs: pulling on a lead, poor recall, jumping up on visitors, jumping up on people outside the home. Training for these issues can support the dog to become a good-mannered citizen through effective use of positive reinforcement, that puts the joy back into walks, visitors and new environments by reducing stress.
Consultation
Your initial consultation will be completed by Catherine Phoenix Hallam, who has immense experience in dealing with rescue dogs, post adoption support as a behaviourist assigned with Dog Rescue Cyprus and Rainbow Dog Rescue.
This includes your
• Discovery Call – a 15-minute call to discuss the training needs of the dog, and to get to know me a little
• A 90-minute meet up at a mutually convenient location that involves not only theory (what may be causing the underlying issue), but also training skills and handling skills guidance (the practical part)
• Appropriate training plans, advice sheets and where applicable video of the training skill
• Summary report
• Follow up phone or email check-in for one calendar month