Dog Behaviorist Service in San Diego
Get professional help from a dog training and behavior company with more than 40+ years of experience
Is Your Fur Baby Acting Out or Acting Up?
Natural canine behaviors, such as chewing, digging, biting, scratching, running away, and barking can be challenging for dog owners to manage and can be helped with dog behaviorist training.
With Man-K9, your fur baby is in the most capable of hands. From correcting ‘bad behaviors’ to strengthening the bond between pet parent and pet, we can help you and your dog through virtually any challenge.
What is a Dog Behaviorist?
A dog behaviorist is a professional trained and experienced in interpreting and understanding WHY a dog may exhibit certain behaviors. Dog behaviorists, such as those from Man-K9, seek to discover and understand the motives (good or bad) that drive such behavior.
In other words, dog behaviorists treat the action (barking, biting, chewing, etc.) as a symptom of an underlying motivation or cause. This enables behaviorists to effectively address the reason behind the behavior, getting to the root and origin of the problem.
By understanding a dog’s reasoning behind its action, trainers, and owners will be better equipped to help their dog work through the issues in the most effective way possible.
Dog behaviorists work with pets and their owners to evaluate, observe and interpret dogs’ behavior in various settings, ranging from the home to dog parks, with people or when introduced to other dogs, and more.
The Role of a Dog Behaviorist
Dog behaviorists take on both an observatory and hands-on role with dogs. The role requires years of experience, and a natural intuition with regard to pets, people, and the environment.
Dog behaviorists aren’t always trying to alter the pet’s behavior, such as to encourage or discourage a particular action (i.e. tail wagging), but rather seeking to help pet owners understand how to interpret their dog’s communication.
Dog Behavior is evaluated based on environmental factors, including but not limited to:
Physical Location at the Time of the Behavior
Environmental Noises and Stimulus
Social Interactions
(with people or pets)
Presence or Absence
of the Dog’s Owner
Other aspects a dog behaviorist is responsible for taking into consideration include the dog’s age, breed, health, history of neglect or trauma, and the pet’s unique personality type.
Dog Behaviorist vs Dog Trainer Overview
Now that you have a better understanding of what a dog behaviorist does, let’s take a closer look at dog trainers.
Dog trainers typically work hands-on with the dog and its owner(s) both separately and together. The goal of a dog trainer is typically to correct ‘bad’ behaviors and/or teach dogs certain desirable actions or traits. Dog trainers will often teach ‘tricks’ such as handshaking, rolling over, etc., as well as commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, and more.
Examples of Training Techniques Employed by Dog Trainers
Reinforcement
This strategy works by discouraging or encouraging a behavior through reinforcement techniques. For example, if a dog listens to the command ‘sit’, it may be given a treat or affection. Over time, the dog learns that it receives a positive outcome when it listens to such commands, thus positively reinforcing ‘good’ behavior.
Pack Mentality
By their very nature, dogs are pack animals. This can be leveraged to the owners’ advantage in order to modify behaviors. Owners are positioned as the ‘alpha’ of the pack, and the use of strict boundaries (such as not letting pets ‘lead’ you on walks, or jumping on furniture) reinforces their alpha status. In other words, what the ‘alpha’ says goes.
Other aspects a dog behaviorist is responsible for taking into consideration include the dog’s age, breed, health, history of neglect or trauma, and the pet’s unique personality type.
The role requires years of experience, and a natural intuition with regard to pets, people, and the environment. Dog behaviorists aren’t always trying to alter the pet’s behavior, such as to encourage or discourage a particular action (i.e. tail wagging), but rather seeking to help pet owners understand how to interpret their dog’s communication.
Licensing Requirements
Dog Training Licensure
In the United States, dog trainers are not required to have any type of licensing in order to market themselves as a trainer and to carry out services. However, some trainers may opt to undergo training and education that may result in certifications.
Dog Behaviorist Licensure
Similar to trainers, no specific licensures or certifications are required to become a dog behaviorist. However, dog behaviorists often have significant experience (years to decades) and/or education that better prepares them to fulfill their role.
For example, Man-K9’s training director has more than 40 years of experience, with a long and documented track record of achieving results for pet owners, police departments, and organizations.
Man-K9 Certifications
- California P.O.S.T Certified Police K9 Evaluator
- California P.O.S.T. Certified Instructor
- Police K9 Trainer (the only civilian Police K9 trainer in San Diego County)
- DEA Certified (the only trainer in San Diego County)
- Kennel Tech Certified
- Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (AKC)
- And more...
Man-K9 Awards
- The Friends of Animals award from the North County Humane Society
- Head dog trainer for leading facilities in the region, including: San Diego Humane Society, San Diego Obedience Club, and North County Humane Society
- Handlers and their K-9’s from Man-K9 have earned honors including: Top Dog Award, Judges Choice Award, 1st place in Obedience, 1st. place in Agility, 1st. place in Area search, 1st place in Building Search, and 1st place in Protection
Dog Trainer vs Dog Behaviorist
Let’s recap the major similarities and differences between these two roles.
- Dog trainers tend to be hands-on while dog behaviorists may be both hands-on as well as observational.
- Trainers are unconcerned with the ‘why’ behind a dog’s actions and more so concerned with simply correcting the behavior. Behaviorists, by contrast, seek to understand the reasoning or motivations behind a dog’s actions.
- Neither profession is required by law to have any specific type of training, education, or certification, however, it is not uncommon for either to proactively seek out certifications.
- Both trainers and behaviorists may work on either short-term or long-term with pets
- Both roles may work with good as well as bad behaviors
- Each may involve the owner individually and together with their dog when working to uncover the reasons behind the behavior as well as to correct or influence the dog’s behavior(s).
Our Testimonials
Kaitlynn Aguirre
In May 2021, I got our beautiful little princess a Rottweiler named Lily. Man-K9 has been there from the beginning and continues to train, love, and help take care of Lily in the best ways possible. I highly recommend working with Man-K9 for all you dog training needs.
Bonnie Inglis
I wanted a trained companion dog that would be able to adjust to our family life. With two young kids and two cats that had not been around dogs, it was important to me to find just the right dog. Not only did they raise up the perfect addition to our family, they have done a wonderful job training us how to handle him properly. He is just the best and has impeccable manners.
Joey Salowich
I got my German Shepherd puppy from Man-K9 and now I have a best friend for years to come! I couldn’t be happier with how simple/easy they made the whole process and they give such great detailed instructions and tips on how to best take care of your pup! Not to mention my dog from Man-K9 is absolutely beautiful and well-behaved. Couldn’t be more pleased with my puppy from Man-K9 and would gladly do business with them again in the future!
Hamp Atkinson
Laurie at Man-K9 is the BEST! We got our lab puppy, Marley, from them and Laurie was there for us from start to finish! We will be coming back for training soon! Thank you Laurie and thank you Man-K9!