FAQ

 
 

Why Behave?

Behavior is universal to animals and humans alike and there is no more defining trait when it comes to each of us.  How we behave is central to our relationships, our own happiness, and many of the outcomes of our lives.  Behavior is the outward expression of mental, emotional, and physical states, making it an essential element to examine on the road to treatment and bettering of a life. There are no “bad” or “good” behaviors, behavior just “is.” It’s the context in which the behavior is occurring that might not be appropriate. For example, barking is great when there is danger; barking may not be great when Aunt Susan comes over.  At Behave Atlanta, we examine the behavior’s function for your pet, and help you modify or replace that behavior with others. In summary, behavior is what we do.

What is the difference between a trainer and a behaviorist?

To break it down as simply as possible: a behaviorist is the “why” and the trainer is the “how?” Lillian’s role as a behaviorist is to observe the entire system in which your pet’s behavior is occurring. She will try to understand exactly what predicts the behavior, what the behavior looks like, and what consequences the behavior brings about. Essentially, she is trying to understand why your animal is exhibiting this behavior. Amy then uses her experience as a trainer to help implement the solution. How can we explain to your pet what we want them to do differently? That’s where training comes in. There is overlap because trainers must understand behavior, and behaviorists must understand training. What makes Behave Atlanta unique is that Lillian and Amy specialize in their respective areas but work together to implement the most impactful solutions. They are able to bring together experience and academia into one comprehensive approach.   

Do I always have to give my pet treats if I have learned your method? Will my pet only listen when I have treats?

No. Treats are used to create good habits and a solid reward foundation for your dog, but we often are asked if the dog or cat will only behave if there are treats present, and the answer is no. In our system, treat giving can be reduced for reliable behaviors and/or alternated with other reinforcers. We teach you how to fade out frequent treating in a systematic manner. On the flip side, giving your pet treats for good behaviors after they’ve learned a behavior doesn’t mean they aren’t as well trained or as well behaved as a pet that doesn’t “need” treats. The benchmark of training shouldn’t be eliminating treats. Just like humans, sometimes you go to work because it’s fulfilling, sometimes it’s the paycheck that gets you out of bed. And even if you are the most dedicated worker, a bonus is very much appreciated every now and then.

Are you certified? Who has certified you and why does that matter?

Yes, we are both certified. Amy is certified by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and is in good standing. She receives continuing education credits by attending conferences and classes on the latest dog training methods. Lillian is a certified applied animal behaviorist by the Animal Behavior Society. The certification lasts 5 years during which time she is required to present her work or research at one or more Animal Behavior Society conferences.

I’d like to get dog training for a family member or friend? Do you sell gift certificates?

Yes! We are happy to give you more information on how this works - just shoot us an email. 

What results should I expect?

By investing in training and behavior, you can expect to understand your pet better, learn tools to deal with troubling situations, and improve communication and harmony in your home life. Each animal is different and, while there are no guarantees, you can expect good results! 

Can an old dog learn new tricks?

Yes! Age does not restrain learning and we recommend training at all ages. That being said, if you have a puppy or adolescent, we recommend training sooner rather than later because often a lack of training translates to bad habits on the part of the owner and the dog. Invest in training early so that you can set your dog up for success, rather than try to change bad behavior. We can also help set you up for easier vet visits and suggest ideas for how to prepare for specific aspects of the life you plan on leading with your dog. 

Do your methods work for every dog breed? 

They do! Each dog is different and inherent traits can vary by breed (for example, some dogs are bred to retrieve and others to sit in a lap) but the positive scientific methods we use are proven to work for a variety of breeds and species. 

Why does training cost this much? Is it worth the investment? 

Dog training is an investment that will pay off over the lifetime of your dog in a happier animal and a more harmonious home. We spend a lot of time creating treatment plans that are suited not only to the individual dog, but also you, the client. This type of tailoring takes a lot of behind the scenes prep-work, which is factored into the cost of the consult & treatment.  Services such as personal fitness training and therapy have similar prices, but usually take many, many more sessions for success. The investment is well worth the price.

What if I’ve accidentally done something wrong already? Is this problem my fault? 

Don’t worry! We understand that a huge barrier to contacting a trainer is the fear that you’ve already done something wrong or “messed up.” We are not here to criticize you. There are many schools of thought on pet care, and everyone comes from different backgrounds where they’ve heard different ideas about how best to treat their animal. While we will need to understand your pet’s training history, this is just to figure out how they believe the world works around them. We are here to teach you new, positive things, not to pick through your mistakes. Remember, we received specific training and education in this. You can’t be expected to know everything!