Menu
Jo specialises in helping people and animals understand each other more. Because there’s no greater joy than a pet that understands you and a pet that knows you understand them. Jo has worked with over 100 families across Surrey sharing a wealth of knowledge and expertise, resulting in a happy and supported clientele.
Jo has a BSc (Hons) degree in human Psychology, a Diploma in Animal Behaviour through COAPE International™, and over 10 years’ experience working with clients.
“I love working with pets and owners of all ages, nurturing the relationship between them. I have a holistic approach; often encouraging some gradual lifestyle changes to help both pets and owners enjoy each other more and throughout the whole of their lives.”
From puppy training, to training challenges like poor recall, to teaching your dog a new trick, to all of the above!
Wanting a plan for a new pet, or to get an assessment for an existing one – to help you give them all that they need.
Needing help with something your pet is doing that is causing concern, or wanting to bring some joy back to your relationship.
Using positive reinforcement techniques and a light-hearted approach because if you and your pet are having fun, that’s the best and quickest way to learn.
Flexible and tailored programmes that work for you and your household, no matter how hectic!
Using the adaptable, science-based, tools of MHERA™ and ESTA to improve moods and emotions and reduce behaviours that are causing concern.
Offering a free 30-minute video chat to everyone who would like to discuss their pet, or simply find out more.
I specialise in dogs and cats, and can also help with small companion mammals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and rats. Happy to discuss other animals not on this list.
Training programmes mainly help owners teach animals something specific, such as how to walk next to you, or to wait for a few seconds. A behaviour programme aims to change a behaviour that is causing concern, such as over-grooming, or barking at visitors. My behaviour programmes aim to make pets and owners feel better about certain situations. Training can be used in both types of programme, but training may or may not help a pet to feel better about a situation.
I offer a free 30-minute chat (via phone or virtually) to discuss any behavioural challenge. I will then suggest what next steps I think are best.
I will always work closely with your veterinarian for any behaviour modification (and can also collaborate with other professionals if you’d like me to).
Having a busy household myself, I know how hard life can be, even before you decide to add a new species into the mix! I love people and I love animals and I believe we can be so good for each other. I want to make life as good as it can be for both you and your pet by teaching you about them and helping them learn to understand you. And I can do all this in a way that fits in with you and your household and in a way that’s hopefully even fun!
I use positive reinforcement. Happy to use clickers and any reinforcer you’d like. However, I believe food is best and without a clicker is easiest, at least to start with.
MHERA™ and ESTA are science-based methods that analyse and work with mammalian emotional systems in the body and brain to adapt behaviours using positive reinforcement and humane techniques. I work with owners to optimise a pet’s day-to-day life, increase coping mechanisms, reduce associations between situations and reactions, and teach alternative behaviours. All with the aim of reducing behaviours that are causing concern and help owners cope better with what their pet is doing.
For training, I’d recommend at least three sessions, depending on what you’d like to achieve. Programmes for puppies are ideally a minimum of 6-9 weeks long, beginning before you get them and on a weekly basis (for optimum learning), but again this is all flexible.
For behaviour modification, I believe 6-week blocks work well with a chance for breaks in-between. I often work with behaviour clients for 6-12 months, sometimes for many years (although the workload ebbs and flows).
The first training session is an hour because it includes us getting to know each other. The follow-up sessions are 45-minutes each.
The initial consultation for a behaviour modification programme is 1.5-2 hours long. The following face-to-face sessions are approximately 30-minutes, but can be longer. Follow-up phone calls or virtual sessions are usually under 30-minutes each.
This is my favourite question and I prefer to say: “10-minutes here and there, every day” and leave it at that!
The first training session is £65 (1-hour session) with the following sessions being £60 each (45-minutes long).
Lifestyle plans and behaviour modification programmes are bespoke and outlined during the free 30-minute chat. Please book now.
Jo would love to hear from you. Please use the contact details below, or the contact form, and she will get back in touch as soon as possible.
© Copyright 2024 Hand & Paw. All rights reserved.
Website built by Swan Creative