About Family Dog Behaviorist

Behavior modification in Delray Beach

Family Dog Behaviorist is the practice of Jane Katz, MA, a dog behaviorist in the Delray Beach area of Palm Beach County who works with families to build a unique behavior modification plan for each dog. Her specialty is dogs that show aggression, anxiety, reactivity to people or dogs, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, and guarding of food or people. Drawing on her experience as a psychotherapist, she applies psychological techniques to understanding and changing dog behavior and teaches owners to read what a behavior means, whether a dog needs more exercise, new skills or relief from boredom.

How she works

Using positive reinforcement, praise and patience, she gradually exposes a dog to what it fears at low intensity, pairs it with irresistible treats and redirects its focus to create a positive experience. Focus skills include sit, stay, drop it, fetch it and go to place, and she also teaches good manners, come, leash walking, house training and settling on a favorite spot. She describes the behavior work as a short-term program, with improvement within a few weeks of practice, and coaching calls may be part of it.

What to ask

Ask where sessions take place, how many sessions a plan usually needs, and what the program costs.