PROFESSIONAL, QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED + ACCREDITED dog behaviourist
Dog behaviour support veterinary referral service in York, Harrogate, Wetherby & North Yorkshire…
for cases of aggression, reactivity, anxiety or fearfulness.
In-person support available in York Thirsk Harrogate Knaresborough Easingwold Ripon Wetherby ...and more!
working in partnership
experienced, ethical & professional
Clinical Animal Behaviourist
In line with APBC and FABC Codes of Practice, a client's registered Veterinary Surgeon is always consulted before I work with them on a behavioural issue. This also applies to clients who contact me directly.
I believe it is important for behaviourists and vets to work in partnership, in the best interests of the client and their dog, as you will see from my testimonials from referring vets, shown at the bottom of this page.
I understand that it can be hard to choose a behaviourist. Regulation of the industry began with the formation of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) in 2010.
However, it is currently still not illegal for non-accredited, unqualified people to offer behaviour services or call themselves a 'behaviourist'. Of course, advice from an unqualified person can do more harm than good.
I can help you with…
-
Problem Behaviour Towards People
FOR DOGS THAT SAY ‘STOP THAT!’ BY BARKING, GROWLING OR SNAPPING AT PEOPLE
Suitable for: ‘resource guarding’, dislike of handling, issues with family members (including children) and aggression towards visitors. -
Problem Behaviour With Other Dogs
FOR DOGS THAT SAY ‘GO AWAY!’ TO OTHER DOGS BY BARKING, LUNGING OR SNAPPING
Suitable for: dogs that are reactive to other dogs, are worried by unfamiliar dogs or get over-excited/ frustrated when meeting other dogs. -
Problems Due to Anxiety/ Fearfulness
FOR DOGS THAT SAY ‘OH NO!’ BECAUSE THEY’RE WORRIED BY THINGS THEY FACE IN LIFE
Suitable for: fear of sounds (eg. gunshot/ fireworks), worries about going out on walks, fear of vet visits, car travel problems and similar.
-
Puppy Training and Problem Prevention
FOR PUPPIES WHO NEED TO LEARN ESSENTIAL SKILLS THAT MAKE THEM A JOY TO LIVE WITH
Suitable for: puppies under 6 months of age, who would benefit from personalised support, including those living alongside young children.
-
School Dog Guidance and Assessments
FOR DOGS WHO SPEND TIME IN SCHOOLS OR NEED AN INSURANCE ASSESSMENT
Suitable for: schools looking for ‘school dog’ guidance and training or schools that need to have a dog formally assessed for insurance purposes.
-
Child Adoption or Fostering Assessments
FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE ADOPTION/ FOSTERING PROCESS
Suitable for: people who want to welcome a child to their family through adoption or fostering (privately or through the local authority).
I’m Gretta Ford…
Learn a bit more about me
Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB)
ABTC Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor
Full Member of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) + Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC)
Peer-reviewed research paper on canine behaviour published in ‘Behavioural Processes’ Journal
Guest Lecturer in Clinical Animal Behaviour - Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh
YOUR OPTIONS
to refer a patient
If you’d like to refer a patient to me for behavioural support, you can choose to either complete an online referral form or download a PDF document to complete, scan and return, along with the patient’s clinical history.
Online Referral
Complete the referral online by clicking on the button below. You will also be asked to upload the patient’s clinical history or this can be sent over by email if you prefer.
PDF Download
Download the referral form by clicking on the button below. Once complete, please scan this and email it to me (address is on the form), along with a copy of the patient’s clinical history.
YORK
∘
EASINGWOLD
∘
THIRSK
∘
WETHERBY
∘
HARROGATE
∘
KNARESBOROUGH
∘
SHERIFF HUTTON
∘
LEEDS (N, NE, E, NW)
∘
NORTHALLERTON
∘
MALTON
∘
TADCASTER
∘
BOSTON SPA
∘
YORK ∘ EASINGWOLD ∘ THIRSK ∘ WETHERBY ∘ HARROGATE ∘ KNARESBOROUGH ∘ SHERIFF HUTTON ∘ LEEDS (N, NE, E, NW) ∘ NORTHALLERTON ∘ MALTON ∘ TADCASTER ∘ BOSTON SPA ∘
FEEDBACK FROM OTHER REFERRING VETS
Collaborative and evidence-based approach
Invaluable and reliable... the 'go to' specialist
"Having worked with Gretta for several years, we have found both the prompt service given to owners in need of help with their pet's behavioural problems and responses to our requests for advice invaluable and reliable. Gretta became very well known amongst our clients for her training and tackling of behavioural issues. She was the 'go to' specialist in our area and having Gretta available to refer cases to was always reassuring."
Julie Turner BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS
My first choice for all behaviour referrals
"I have worked with Gretta on a number of cases of dogs with challenging behavioural problems. She is an excellent and very knowledgeable behaviourist and, before she moved to Yorkshire, she became my first choice for all behavioural referrals. As an added bonus, clients love her too! I am already missing having her in Hertfordshire and am struggling to find someone that can match her standards of professionalism and knowledge."
Dr Mike Groombridge MRCVS
Extremely professional... highly recommend
"It's an all too familiar line we hear from clients - 'I've been to see a behaviourist' but there has been no communication with the vets! Gretta is one of the exceptions: extremely professional and works with the vets as a 'team' for that pet. We were lucky to have Gretta in our area - she kept us updated and was always there for advice. Feedback from clients was always very good. I would highly recommend her for any behaviour referral."
Dr Melanie Taylor BVetMed, MRCVS, MVetSci