Writtle Pet Behaviour Clinic
We offer animal training and clinical animal behaviour services for dogs, cats and rodents. Our team are committed to helping pets and their guardians live happier, more harmonious lives together.
We offer animal training and clinical animal behaviour services for dogs, cats and rodents. Our team are committed to helping pets and their guardians live happier, more harmonious lives together.
Our Clinical Animal Behaviourists are registered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council. They're supported by our final year BSc Animal Management (Pet Behaviour and Welfare) students.
Are you having problems with your pet’s behaviour? Maybe you just want to get them off to the best start?
We work with members of the public in and around Chelmsford who are concerned about their pet’s behaviour. Through clinical assessment and the development of bespoke treatment packages we help to reduce and, where possible, resolve these issues. Our students also get the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
Our clinic is equipped with a comfortable consultation room, a large indoor training hall and two fully-fenced adjoining outdoor paddocks.
Whether you've noticed a sudden change in your pet’s behaviour or have been worried about it for some time, we can help you understand the likely reason and how to start changing it.
You're invited to book a free, no obligation call with us to discuss your concerns and ask any questions that you may have. This call is often with one of our students under the supervision of a qualified behaviourist.
After the call we'll send you everything you need to get started:
Payment is made via ARU's online shop by following our link and entering the amount you've been quoted.
The veterinary referral form needs to be signed by your vet and returned to us before we can start working with your pet. Once we have your completed paperwork and payment we can schedule your package, so you have all your session dates booked upfront.
If, having spoken with you, it is our opinion that your pet has a training need rather than requiring behavioural therapy, we will make this recommendation to you. One-to-one training sessions can then take place at the clinic.
All behavioural packages include:
After each session you'll receive a written summary of the discussion and a description of recommended training for you to practice at home.
At the end of your package you may wish to continue with another package of support, or you may feel you've made sufficient progress to complete your time with us. At this point we will provide a summary to your vet. Please note we may need to have ongoing contact with your vet throughout your programme.
Working with us will help you to understand why your pet is demonstrating the problematic behaviour, and with this understanding you'll be able to apply ethical training techniques which teach your pet new coping strategies. You'll benefit from:
We want you to feel fully supported, therefore after each consultation you'll receive a written summary document which outlines the key points of discussion and instructions for recommended training.
At the clinic we're able to help you with both training and behavioural needs. If you're concerned about an existing behaviour that your dog is showing then our behaviourists will look to help you understand the reasons why the behaviour is happening and what can be done to change it.
If during the complimentary call it is apparent that your pet does not have a behaviour problem, but rather needs basic training, you will not require veterinary referral and we will discuss this with you during the call. If you are interested in group classes or specialist classes we can provide information on these on request.
Group classes do run here at the university via Mutts N Pups Dog Training, and these can be helpful for dogs that are sufficiently relaxed around other dogs and strangers to learn in a group setting. If this is something which you are interested in, and we agree that this will be appropriate for your dog at the current time, then we will provide further information on request.
Yes we encourage anyone who is likely to be involved with your pet's training to join the call should they want to.
Following the call we'll send you all the relevant information so that you can ask your vet to refer your pet to us, after which we'll get you booked in.
Consultations are booked as a block of sessions (usually five) and at fortnightly intervals which we believe provides the best level of support for you, while also giving your pet time to respond to the training between visits.
Although we can never guarantee how a pet will respond to behavioural therapy, we will advise you during the complimentary call which package of sessions we feel best meets your pet's needs. At the end of your package you'll be invited to decide whether you feel sufficient progress has been made towards your desired goals to discontinue support, or whether you would prefer to continue with an additional package.
Sessions usually take place in person at the ARU King's Lodge Campus, Writtle, where we have exclusive use of both inside and outside facilities. We may offer to work with you online if circumstances require, for example for dogs that are fearful of car travel.
Sessions typically last for an hour, and we have both morning and afternoon timeslots available.
No, we do not offer home visits, however in some cases we do recommend remote consultations which will take place over Microsoft Teams.
A consistent approach to training is important when working to achieve behavioural change, so we encourage all family members to attend the sessions where possible.
The training techniques which we recommend primarily focus on helping your dog to make informed decisions, therefore you'll need to bring some food treats to help them learn. If you're using any equipment, other than what they will be wearing such as a muzzle or head collar, then please bring these with you too.
During your complimentary call we'll discuss with you your concerns regarding your pet's aggression. We have facilities that allow us to keep pets separated from other animals and people, allowing us to work safely with animals that are uncomfortable with proximity to others.
In each session we will be seeking to understand what factors are causing your pet to show unwanted behaviours, and once these are understood we will create a treatment plan which contains targeted management and training strategies. The rate at which your pet is able to progress is likely to be influenced by a number of factors, but we expect to see a steady reduction in the incidence of problem behaviours. Progress may not always be linear.
The University is a big place, and although we will give you directions to find us you can also give us a call on 01245 424151 should you have any difficulties finding us on your first visit.
Our most popular package consists of five fortnightly sessions and costs £350. If having spoken with you we feel that an alternative package is more appropriate, we will provide a revised quote.
If your insurance policy provides you with cover for behavioural therapy, then you should be able to make a claim. To find out if your policy includes this cover, please check your policy or contact your provider.
Following your complimentary call you'll be provided with a link which takes you to the ARU online shop. Here you will enter the amount that you are paying, depending on the package which has been agreed. Please be aware that as payment is taken online we are only able to accept payment by card.
If in the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your appointment, we ask that you give us as much notice as possible by emailing the clinic at [email protected]. We will endeavour to re-arrange the appointment for you but do require at least 48 hours notice in order to reschedule. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the appointment may result in you losing that session.
Please be aware that refunds are not available for monies already paid unless your package has been cancelled by us.
Before working with your pet, it is important that we do not overlook a medical or physical condition which is contributing to the problematic behaviour. For this reason we provide you with the form that your vet will need to make the referral to us.
As part of the diagnosis process we'll ask your vet for your pet's clinical history so that we can build a clear picture of any factors which may have contributed to the onset of problematic behaviours.
When working to achieve behavioural change it's important that we take a holistic approach to your pet’s behaviour. Ensuring that your pet is receiving a consistent message from anyone who is involved with them will be important.
As a teaching establishment we're keen for our students to be involved in all aspects of running the clinic. This means that you may speak with them during calls, have them observing your consultations or taking part in training exercises.
We will risk assess any hands-on involvement that our students have with the pets who visit the clinic. Students are supervised at all times by experienced clinical animal behaviourists. We appreciate your patience with our students as they learn and gain confidence.
Students are not yet qualified to ascertain the cause of behavioural issues or provide recommendations for treatment; these roles are undertaken by qualified and experienced clinical animal behaviourists. Please bear this in mind when talking to students and be patient with regards the limitations of their role. A behaviourist will always be on hand to discuss such matters.
King's Lodge Campus, Lordship Road
Writtle, Essex, CM1 3RR