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Dog Behaviorist
updated: Sep 07, 2012, 1:36 PM

Does anyone know of a Dog Behaviorist in S.B. county?

Places People Are Talking About:

Laura Stinchfield

Wendy Elaine

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 317323P	2012-09-07 01:49 PM
Could you be more specific in what you and your dog's needs are?
COMMENT 317329	2012-09-07 02:02 PM
I don't think they have anyone using Pavlov training if that is what your asking. Do you need someone to show you how to train them? There are plenty of people who offer dog training courses in town, some come to your home, others do it in a group setting w/ other dogs to get your dog use to socializing with other dogs and mimicking good behavior. Don't give up on your dog, and don't give them medication from the vet that effects their mind. Remember a good owner is key to a good dog, you have to put in the time training them to acclimate with the public and other dogs. Instilling good behavior in a dog sometimes means putting in extra effort on your part, good luck. Also some some info on the problems your having will help with suggestions as SB is very knowledgeable with dog behavior, we love our dogs here.
COMMENT 317332	2012-09-07 02:14 PM
We love Wency...563-1299.
COMMENT 317333P	2012-09-07 02:17 PM
Andrea Bratt-Frick! http://k9sbehave.com/_wsn/page3.html Contact Andrea at 708-1418 or K9sBehave@gmail.com for more information.
COMMENT 317336	2012-09-07 02:23 PM
Excellent for you for wanting to train your dog! Like so many referrals, there are many variables. Just be sure to interview and check references. And maybe observe a class or session. A trainer can excel at one breed or category and be woefully unprepared for another (esp. bully breeds). A nat'l organization that requires accreditation should be easy to find online...Assoc. of Pet Dog Trainers, APDT. Most importantly, be careful if you have an aggressive dog. An inexperienced or misguided trainer can end up causing you, your dog and others to be hurt or killed. Not an exaggeration.
COMMENT 317339	2012-09-07 02:29 PM
Andrea is fantastic. I'd also recommend her.
COMMENT 317345P	2012-09-07 02:34 PM
Mia Grant from the Goleta Valley Dog Club is great. She also can give referrals to other good dog behaviorists. agilemandr@aol.com http://www.goletavalleydogclub.org
COMMENT 317352P	2012-09-07 03:09 PM
I've trained with Wency and Anne Swan, and later met Mia and Andrea. All good recommendations.
COMMENT 317353P	2012-09-07 03:09 PM
We used Wency when our dog was 6-months old and we had adopted her at the pound. Our dog is now 14. I am glad to hear Wency is still around.
COMMENT 317355	2012-09-07 03:14 PM
John Sorosky at Camp Canine 962.1013. He is a true behaviorist not just a dog trainer. He helped me teach my dog not to chase cats, something many other people told me couldn't be done. Anne Swann is also fantastic for competition, her dogs are champions in agility. But if it is a specific problem, call John.
COMMENT 317357	2012-09-07 03:50 PM
I should have been more specific, my friend has a dog who bites out of fear.
COMMENT 317362	2012-09-07 03:57 PM
Dioji has some great trainers that work with positive reinforcement. Wency is a great person and a good trainer if you have a dog who is really not too sensitive or fearful. If you do, her methods might be too old-fashioned and could cause more problems. This is really a question that needs to be more specific for the community to help best.
COMMENT 317367	2012-09-07 04:02 PM
The pitbull attack has too many deleted comments to add my two cents. Just read of the horrific attacks on horses and miniatues by pitbulls, and I now say, without a doubt, ban the breed!
COMMENT 317368P	2012-09-07 04:10 PM
Look for a dog trainer that does not require you to give your dog treats in order for it to obey you. If your dog has behavioral problems you are trying to overcome you may not find anyone in town willing to help you. I found the dog trainers in town are able to teach dogs tricks but not true obedience. If you have behavioral issues or you want a truely trained dog that will listen to you off leash in any situation I recommend Kevin Salem. You can have him take your dog to his kennels in Sacramento or he will come to you. It is not cheap by any means but it is worth every penny. Good Luck!
COMMENT 317370	2012-09-07 04:14 PM
op here, the dog has quite a few 'fearful' issues. The main issue my friend is trying to get help correcting is the biting of children. Her vet recommended a dog behaviorist , who is in L.A., I was hoping to help her find someone closer. Thank you all for your help!!
COMMENT 317376P	2012-09-07 04:30 PM
Laura Stinchfield is an animal communicator based in Ojai. She is not a behaviorist but might be able to learn "why" the dog is fearful and bites children. I have not used her services, but know two dog owners who did and would recommend her.
COMMENT 317380	2012-09-07 04:39 PM
376- yep!
COMMENT 317382	2012-09-07 04:42 PM
We have 2 puppies (dog of the week last week!) and the girl version has behavioral incontinence. We are working with Nathan Woods at the Loose Pooche and he's great. We have opted for the "Nathan Trains us to Train the Dog" option. It's much more affordable and I enjoy the time I spend training the pups.
COMMENT 317384	2012-09-07 04:43 PM
Is Laura Stinchfield the pet psychic, If this was my dog I would have contacted her first thing. I LOVE reading her articles.
JAZZEE	2012-09-07 04:58 PM
Yes, Laura Stinchfield is the pet psychic. Here's her Web site: http://thepetpsychic.com/
D8VANILLA	2012-09-07 06:00 PM
I've rented the entire seasons of The Dog Whisperer, for free at the Library. Very helpful. Also, there is a lot of good stuff on YouTube.com
COMMENT 317407P	2012-09-07 06:07 PM
I posted about Andrea, but indeed, John is fantastic. I'm sorry for your friend's situation with her dog...
COMMENT 317410	2012-09-07 06:35 PM
Thank you...the breed isn't well known here in the states. There is a rescue site on line which seems to be growing. Unfortunately not familiar with the breed's lack of tolerance for children. This breed is sensitive to touch and sound. The breed is a 'Kooikerhondje' originating from the Netherlands. Great dog for adults, smartest dog I've ever seen, I had the pleasure of watching him for 2 months...adorable. We bonded quickly but he didn't like anyone else around me. Please if you consider a dog from rescue research the breed.
COMMENT 317411	2012-09-07 06:37 PM
If this dog has a history of biting children, unless you can be 100% certain you will be able to supervise this dog, and that it is kennelled, leashed or muzzled 100% of the time, it is irresponsible not to euthanize this dog. Ask anyone who was bitten as a child about their LIFELONG repercussions of that.
REXOFSB	2012-09-07 06:40 PM
"Pet psychic?" Oh, please! It always amazes me just how true is the adage about a fool and his money soon being parted.
MESARATS	2012-09-07 07:17 PM
Second Wency for aggression or general obedience and behavior of people and dogs.
COMMENT 317430	2012-09-07 08:01 PM
forget about the dogs we need people Behaviorist!
COMMENT 317438P	2012-09-07 10:23 PM
Sounds like an interesting breed. Probably a behaviorist/trainer could be helpful, if this is not an innate characteristic of that particular dog. Good luck! (Fwiw, I was bitten when I was a child, bitten in the face, still have the scar but I do NOT have a lifelong fear of dogs, although I am afraid of pit bulls from all that I've read.... The dog that bit me was a Scotty.)
COMMENT 317466	2012-09-08 07:11 AM
Loved Weny - she was Wency Lopez back then, is that still her name? Anyway WENCY is amazing and has a great rapport with all dogs. She is a behaviorist and showed uncanny ability to talk to our dogs. She definotely trained the dog AND US! I loved her no nonsense approach! Wency!!!!!!!
COMMENT 317468	2012-09-08 07:14 AM
Word of mouth, contacting and asking questions, and learning about which methods the trainer wants you to use is key. As for a "behaviorist" keep in mind that those who are true animal behaviorists hold a PhD in animal behavior. Or, at the very least they're certified applied animal behaviorists that hold a masters degree along with lots of education. Veterinarians can also specialize, but again they hold a higher degree - so when you add "behaviorist" to a title, the person had better have the education and experience to go along with it - otherwise they're misrepresenting themselves. There are a couple of websites you can check: animalbehavior.org and www.dacvb.org. With your friends situation though you should have some success in finding a well educated dog training and behavior consultant that can help. The certification board for dog trainers is: Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
COMMENT 317476P	2012-09-08 07:32 AM
"Kooikerhondje"? Just Googled it - that's a pretty dog! Good luck.
COMMENT 317477	2012-09-08 07:38 AM
I am looking for a people "behaviorist" who can tell me why people in this town are going nuts. Perhaps it's a breed thing and we ought to fence them, leash them, or euthanize those unable to be trained to be socially acceptable and responsible. Maybe we just need more treats. More wag, less bark. S'Auntie Barbara
COMMENT 317484P	2012-09-08 07:59 AM
Rex, Laura helped my friend find her dog, which became lost when they were visiting Santa Maria from Paso Robles. The dog became frightened because of a loud noise from an auto shop and fled. K contacted Laura, and she visualized where the dog was, down to a trailer park on a street about 1/4 mile away, and the seniors using walkers who were feeding him! By searching these landmarks, K and Lou were reunited!
COMMENT 317485	2012-09-08 08:01 AM
John Oberholtzer is good too - he's done a lot of the dog training courses for the City of SB rec dept and he teaches without treats.
COMMENT 317488	2012-09-08 08:11 AM
I failed to mention, the dog is exceptionally well trained by the owners, so he doesn't need training. Just trying to find out why he has fear issues. I really appreciate all the help.
COMMENT 317501	2012-09-08 08:50 AM
There's an excellent behaviorist at the Santa Barbara Humane Society. I don't remember his name (I have cats), but I've heard very good things.
COMMENT 317514	2012-09-08 09:26 AM
Just use a rolled up newspaper.
COMMENT 317570	2012-09-08 11:49 AM
Do a search for "dogbreedinfo". The site has good articles on communicating with your dog. This will arm you with information when choosing your behaviorist. Youtube also has short clips of Cesar Millan's shows which are pretty interesting. Bottom line, according to the above info, you are not in a alpha position.
COMMENT 317579P	2012-09-08 12:04 PM
Go for Wency Elaine! She's amazing and has complete zen with dogs. Plus she's a very very nice good person. She gets amazing results in an astonishingly short time.
COMMENT 317586	2012-09-08 12:17 PM
I have heard great things about Andrea Bratt, that she will come to your home and assess the situation and the dog's needs, then work with you and the dog on the issues. A friend adopted a rescue dog with similar issues as your friend's dog. It is a herding breed so not unusual to have it nip at ankles... if you are a sheep! Also was very fearful but very smart and obedient otherwise. Andrea really helped them as a family. The dog is much happier and more settled. Your friend should also read the book Zoomility by Dr. Grey Stafford. He and thousands of animal caretakers and owners use positive reinforcement with all breeds of animals. Cesar Milan is the opposite, emphasizing punishment, and should not be anyone's role model for responsible pet ownership and handling.
COMMENT 317620	2012-09-08 01:13 PM
I did not find a local liscenced behaviorist but I did find a wonderful trainer-Susan Dalton. She has years of experience and was able to assess and reassure me about an unusual behavior that was not a training problem.
COMMENT 317726	2012-09-08 04:43 PM
I was lucky enough to work with Susan Daltan briefly. She is amazing and I would refer her to anyone wanting to work with their dogs!
COMMENT 318300	2012-09-10 11:12 AM
Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but what I've taken from Cesar's videos and books is that it often is the owner that is the problem, and that often the owner is not giving clear and consistent guidance to the dog. I haven't seen him beating the dog or anything. So if I have a dog that wants to be dominant over me, then it is a mistake to invite that dog to sleep with me, or jump up on the bed or couch whenever it wants. It all seems pretty straightforward. I have pit mixes that know they cannot fence fight when we are out on our walks, and they look at me when we see (usually smaller) dogs acting like idiots as we walk by their yards. The owners seem clueless about what to do about this behavior.