Services

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A selection of our services……..

How to start your Journey

  • Step 1: Check out our services

    Have a look at the services we offer, how we work, and decide whether you think we’d be a good fit for you and your dog (or client or patient).

  • Step 2: Contact us

    Fill in a behaviour support enquiry form (or alternatively, you can ask your vet to refer you to us directly via our vet referral form). Both options allow you to provide us with details about your dog, a brief overview of the current situation, and what you’d like to work on with us.

  • Step 3: The introductory call

    On receiving your enquiry, we will contact you via email within two working days. We may ask you more questions about your dog and your situation before arranging an introductory call at a time that suits both of us. During this call, we will be able to discuss your enquiry in more detail, help you select the most appropriate service, and explain the next steps.

  • Step 4: Complete the pre-assessment and referral paperwork

    Before your first session, you will be sent client information and pre-assessment forms to complete, tailored to the service you have selected, so that we can begin the assessment process. For behavioural consultations, we will need to receive a referral from your veterinary surgeon before we can confirm your appointment.

  • Step 5: The first session

    Time for the first session. The content of this session will differ depending on the service or package selected. To help you prepare, you will receive a client information booklet in the days leading up to the session. This will outline what is included in the package you purchased, what to expect in the session, arrangements for the session and specific instructions for things you and your dog may need to do differently on the day of the first session

Click to start your journey

 FAQs

GETTING STARTED

  • I’m based in Portishead (BS20) and primarily offer in-person behaviour consultations across North Somerset and parts of Bristol.

    Home visits are included within 15 miles of BS20.

    For locations further than this, travel costs may apply. Additional charges may also apply for appointments within Bristol’s Clean Air Zone. If you’re unsure whether I cover your area, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to check and discuss options, including whether remote support may be appropriate.

  • Like many behaviourists, I’m self-employed and don’t have my own office or admin team. Much of my working day is spent with clients and dogs, and so I’m unable to answer phone calls consistently. 

    Submitting an enquiry via our contact form or email allows me to:

    • Give your enquiry the time and attention it deserves

    • Read through your concerns properly, rather than rushing a conversation

    • Respond thoughtfully when I’m not in the middle of a session or on the road

    Once I’ve had a chance to review your enquiry, I’ll be in touch by email to talk through next steps, which normally involves arranging an introductory call at a time that works for both of us.

  • Once you’ve been in touch, I’ll reply by email within 48 hours to talk through your concerns and explain what the next steps might look like. I may ask a few follow-up questions to better understand what’s been going on for you and your dog, or suggest arranging an introductory call if that feels helpful.

  • An introductory call is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation where I will:

    • Introduce myself and explain how I work

    • Ask a few more questions to understand your situation and what support might be most appropriate

    • Talk you through the next steps, including the vet referral process

    • Offer behavioural first aid guidance where needed, to help keep everyone safe

WORKING WITH YOUR VET

  • Yes. As an associate/pre-certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, I can only carry out behaviour consultations with a valid referral from your dog’s vet.

    This helps ensure your dog’s physical health has been considered alongside their behaviour, which is an essential part of ethical and effective behaviour support.

    Once you get in touch, I’ll explain the referral process and provide everything your vet needs to complete it.

  • To make sure behaviour support is safe and appropriate, APBC, ABTC and CCAB guidelines require clinical animal behaviourists (including pre-certified or associate members)  to work in collaboration with your vet, through a referral from your dog’s primary practice.

    Many behaviour changes are influenced by underlying medical factors such as pain, illness, or discomfort. A vet referral helps ensure these possibilities have been considered before, or alongside, behaviour support.

    Working with your vet allows behaviour recommendations to be made safely, ethically, and in your dog’s best interests. It also means your dog’s behaviour plan can take into account any relevant medical history or ongoing treatment.

    This collaborative approach gives your dog the best chance of meaningful, long-term improvement.

  • Because I work at a clinical behaviour level, behaviour consultations take place with a referral from your dog’s own vet. There are two ways this can happen, depending on what feels easiest for you.

    Option 1: Direct referral from your vet

    Your veterinary surgeon can refer your dog directly to me at your request.

    Information for vets, including the online referral form, can be found on the “For Veterinary Professionals” page. Alternatively, your vet can send the referral by email to info@lighthousecaninebehaviour.com.

    Once I’ve received the referral, I’ll contact you by email to talk through the next steps.

    Option 2: Owner-led referral

    You’re also welcome to get in touch with me first to talk about your dog before asking your vet for a referral.

    This gives us a chance to discuss what’s been going on and make sure the right type of support is in place before the referral is requested.

    Here’s how that  process usually looks:

    1. You get in touch
      You submit an enquiry through the website and tell me a little about your dog and the concerns you have.

    2. We talk through next steps
      If a behaviour consultation is the right option, I’ll explain the referral process and answer any questions.

    3. Your vet completes the referral
      I’ll provide a short letter for you to pass on to your vet, asking them to complete the online referral form. Your vet may also ask for written consent to share your dog’s clinical notes.

    4. I review the referral
      Once the completed form and clinical notes are received, I’ll review everything carefully to make sure it’s appropriate to move forward.

    5. After the referral is in place, we can book your behaviour consultation and begin the assessment and support process.

  • No. As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, I cannot prescribe medication, recommend specific drugs, or advise on dosages.

    Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, decisions about medication must be made by a veterinary surgeon, who is legally and professionally responsible for prescribing and monitoring medical treatment.

    My role is to work alongside your vet, providing behavioural insight that may help inform their clinical decision-making.

  • If medication may be beneficial, I will:

    • Share behavioural observations and assessments with your vet

    • Explain how medication could support behaviour modification

    • Work collaboratively to ensure behaviour and medical plans complement each other

    Your vet remains responsible for all prescribing, monitoring, and medication reviews.


  • After your behaviour consultation, I prepare a written behaviour report for your vet outlining relevant findings, recommendations, and next steps. 

    This allows your vet to:

    • Have a clear overview of the behavioural assessment, any behavioural diagnosis, treatment plans and prognosis

    • Understand any welfare or safety considerations.

    • Consider whether medical support (such as pain management or medication) may be helpful alongside behaviour work.

    • Ensure behaviour and medical plans complement each other

    If needed, I may also liaise further with your vet to clarify information or discuss how best to support your dog moving forward.

    This approach helps make sure your dog’s care is joined-up, ethical, and focused on their overall wellbeing.

BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT AND SERVICES

  • I support dogs with a wide range of behavioural concerns, including (but not limited to):

    • Fear, anxiety, and stress-related behaviours

    • Reactivity towards people, dogs, or other animals

    • Aggression and bite risk assessment

    • Separation-related behaviours

    • Behaviour challenges in newly adopted or rehomed dogs

    • Complex cases involving multiple factors

  • Behaviour support involves much more than the time spent in the consultation itself. A lot of the work happens before and after we meet, and packaging support allows me to give your case the time and care it needs without watching the clock.

    Time spent outside of the consultation on your dog’s case may include:

    • Reviewing your dog’s history and any questionnaires in detail

    • Liaising with your vet and reviewing referral information

    • Analysing behaviour patterns and contributing factors

    • Creating a personalised, written behaviour plan

    • Preparation of a report to send to your veterinary surgeon

    • Providing follow-up support by email or WhatsApp

    • Adjusting recommendations as things progress

    Behaviour change takes time, often weeks or months rather than days or individual sessions. While an initial consultation and your dog’s personalised behaviour or training plan provide the knowledge, guidance, and clear roadmap needed to support long-term change, this plan may evolve as your dog responds and progresses.

    Packages allow for continuity and ongoing guidance, ensuring support is in place as your dog develops. Follow-up sessions are particularly valuable for demonstrating and discussing each next step once foundation skills have been established.

  • Yes. All behaviour packages include follow-up support via email and WhatsApp, some packages include a 1-hour follow-up session, and additional sessions can be booked as required.
    Behaviour change takes time, and ongoing guidance helps ensure plans are adjusted as needed.

  • I use evidence-based, force-free approaches that prioritise your dog’s emotional wellbeing and safety. All recommendations are tailored to your individual situation.

  • Medication can be a helpful part of a behaviour support plan for some dogs, particularly where fear, anxiety, or chronic stress is significantly affecting their wellbeing or ability to cope.

    It is not a “quick fix” and is never used on its own. When medication is appropriate, it works best alongside behaviour modification and environmental changes, helping dogs feel safe enough to learn and respond to support.

    Medication might be something we discuss with your vet if:

    • Your dog's anxiety or fear is severe, long-standing and generalised

    • Behaviour is preventing the dog from functioning day-to-day

    • Stress levels are so high that learning or behaviour change is difficult

    • There is a risk to welfare or safety

    • Previous behaviour strategies alone have not been enough

    Any discussion around medication is always individual, thoughtful, and collaborative.


  • Where possible, I prefer initial behaviour consultations to take place in person, as this allows me to demonstrate practical skills and better understand your dog’s home set-up and environment.

    However, virtual consultations are available where distance, accessibility, or your dog’s individual needs make this a more appropriate option.

    In some cases, parts of the behaviour consultation, such as history-taking, assessment, and owner education, may be conducted virtually. This is sometimes recommended when additional steps need to be put in place first, such as medication, management changes, or safety measures (for example, muzzle training), before I can see your dog in person.

    Any decision to work remotely is always based on what is safest and most appropriate for your dog and your situation.

  • This is a really common question, and you’re not expected to know the answer on your own. The two services support dogs in different ways, and we will use the introductory call to help you select the option that best meets your dog's needs.

    1-to-1 Training may be for your dog if:

    • Your dog does not show signs of fear, anxiety, or aggression

    • You’re working on skills such as recall, loose lead walking, jumping up, or over-excitement

    • Training issues are mild to moderate, and responding to reward-based methods

    • You’d like practical, hands-on guidance and clear step-by-step exercises

    • There has been no significant or sudden change in your dog’s behaviour

    1-to-1 training focuses on teaching skills, improving communication, and building good habits.

    A Behaviour Consultation is more appropriate if:

    • Your dog is showing fear, anxiety, phobias, or reactive behaviour

    • There is aggression, guarding, or risk of harm to people or animals.

    • Behaviour has escalated, feels unpredictable, or is affecting daily life.

    • There has been a sudden change in behaviour

    • Previous training advice hasn’t helped.

    • The behaviour may have an emotional, medical, or welfare component.

    Behaviour consultations involve assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning and require a veterinary referral.

    If you book 1-to-1 training and it becomes clear that a behaviour consultation would better support your dog, we will discuss this honestly and kindly, with no pressure or judgement. Your dog’s welfare, safety, and emotional well-being always come first, and it’s important to me that we provide your dog with long-term positive behavioural change rather than quick fixes or behavioural suppression.


PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND

  • I’m highly educated in canine behaviour, with both academic training and extensive hands-on experience.

    I have completed 6 years of university-level education in canine behaviour and hold a BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Bristol, and an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Edinburgh. For clients, this means your dog’s behaviour is approached using up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge.

    However, I know academic knowledge on its own isn’t enough. Alongside my qualifications, I have over 15 years of practical experience working with dogs in various settings, including pet homes, training environments, and rescue settings. This experience shapes how I work every day, helping me offer advice that is not only scientifically informed but also realistic, compassionate, and achievable.

    My approach brings together science, experience, and empathy, so support is flexible and tailored to both you and your dog, rather than a one-size-fits-all textbook approach.

    You can find out more about me in the “About” section.

  • I am a Pre-Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) and an Associate Clinical Animal Behaviourist Member of the APBC.

    This means:

    • I have demonstrated that I have the required academic understanding for the role of the Clinical Animal Behaviourist

    • I have agreed to work within the code of conduct and professional and ethical guidelines of both organisations.

    • I am allowed to conduct clinical behaviour consultations to gain practical experience and to build an assessed case portfolio to apply for assessment for full membership. My work is supported by professional supervision.

    • I am required to complete 30 hours of CPD a year to keep my knowledge up to date

  • I always aim to provide supportive, ethical, and professional behaviour support. However, if you’re unhappy or have concerns at any point, I encourage you to contact me directly in the first instance.

    If you feel unable to raise your concern with me, or if you are not satisfied with the outcome, you are entitled to escalate your complaint through the relevant professional bodies.

    As a practitioner working under the CCAB and APBC frameworks, I am accountable to their professional codes of conduct.

    Both organisations provide clear guidance on how to report a practitioner and how complaints are reviewed. Information on their complaint procedures can be found directly on their websites.

  • Your privacy is taken seriously, and your information is handled carefully, respectfully, and in line with UK data protection law.

    In short:

    • I only collect information that’s necessary to support you and your dog

    • Your details are used for behaviour support, communication, record-keeping, and (with your consent) working alongside your vet

    • Your information is stored securely and never sold or used for marketing

    • Sensitive information is treated with extra care and only accessed when professionally necessary

    • Your data is only shared where appropriate and on a need-to-know basis (for example, with your vet or professional supervisors, where relevant, you will be asked for your consent to do this)

    You have the right to access your data, request corrections, withdraw consent, or ask questions about how your information is used at any time.

    For full details, including what data is collected, how long it’s kept, and your rights under UK GDPR, please see my Privacy Policy 

    If you have any concerns about how your data has been handled, I encourage you to contact me first so I can try to resolve things. You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which oversees data protection in the UK.

  • My full Terms and Conditions are available to view online here.

    They outline how I work, what to expect from behaviour support, and important information around bookings, cancellations, and responsibilities. If you have any questions after reading them, you’re very welcome to get in touch.

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Lighthouse Canine Behaviour is based in Portishead, and we support clients in person in North Somerset and Bristol.

Travel Costs apply to locations more than 15 miles outside BS20 and to sessions within the Bristol Clean Air Zone; these will be communicated to you before booking.

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“I look forward to working with you and your dog and helping you both achieve your goals together”

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