Initial Dog Training Consultation

If you are looking to begin training your puppy or dog, this is where meaningful, lasting change starts. At Woofology, the first session is not about quick fixes or surface-level solutions. It is about gaining a clear understanding of your dog, identifying the root causes of behaviour, and setting both you and your dog up for long-term success.

Whether you have a new puppy, ongoing behavioural concerns, or require support with reactive dog training, this consultation provides the foundation for everything that follows.

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What Happens During Your Initial Dog Training Consultation

This session is typically around two hours in duration and is designed as a deep, structured assessment.

It does not focus heavily on hands-on training. Instead, it focuses on understanding why your dog behaves the way they do.

Over four years of hands-on experience have shown that long-term results are built on solid foundations. Without addressing those foundations, training can be inconsistent or ineffective.

During your initial consultation, we will:

Identify triggers

Assess stress levels

Examine reinforcement patterns

Review lifestyle and enrichment

Create a structured plan

Your consultation includes assessment of three core areas:

1. Psychology

This includes your dog’s learning history and previous experiences.

Has pulling been unintentionally reinforced?

Has barking resulted in distance from triggers?

Has fear been mislabelled as aggression?

Understanding past learning events allows us to reshape behaviour using ethical, reward-based methods.

2. Biology

Behaviour is influenced by physiology and hormones.

We explore:

Diet and nutrition

Energy levels and routine

Cortisol and stress responses

Natural calming strategies

Many dogs are fed high-carbohydrate diets that cause energy spikes and crashes, which can worsen reactivity, impulsivity or over-arousal. Improving nutrition alone can significantly improve outcomes before formal training even begins.

Where appropriate, guidance aligns with recognised animal welfare standards such as those outlined by the RSPCA and DEFRA animal welfare codes.

3. Physiology

Pain and discomfort are often overlooked contributors to behaviour.

We assess for:

Musculoskeletal discomfort

Possible underlying health concerns

Movement patterns

In reactive dog training cases, discomfort can be a primary trigger. A dog that associates play or proximity with pain may appear aggressive when they are actually protecting themselves.

If veterinary input is required, you will be advised accordingly.

Online First, With In-Person Follow Ups

Your initial dog training consultation is typically delivered online.

Why?

The majority of this session is conversational and analytical. We are reviewing history, routines, diet, environment and behaviour patterns in detail. This does not require physical presence.

Benefits of starting online:

No travel stress for your dog
More flexible scheduling
Faster access to expert support
Reduced waiting times
Cost saving within training packages

If you strongly prefer the first session in person, this can be arranged. However, most owners quickly realise that the online format delivers the same depth and clarity.

Follow-up sessions are delivered in person across Longbridge and the surrounding areas, particularly where practical training and controlled exposure work is required.

Puppy Owners, Start Correctly From Day One

If you have a new puppy in Longbridge or nearby, your initial dog training consultation focuses on prevention.

We cover:

Routine and sleep
Toilet training
Bite inhibition
Socialisation planning
Diet and growth support
Calmness and transitions

Group classes at Woofology are only available after completing structured one-to-one training. This ensures every dog entering a group setting has solid foundations and positive emotional responses.

This approach supports long-term behavioural stability and confidence.