Article as appeared in the Languedoc Sun, December 2008

Victoria James - Animal Behaviourist and Trainer, has had a diverse career working in marine parks, zoos and owning her own pet behaviour practice including work with dogs, to Bottlenose Dolphins and Patagonian Sea Lions!!

The series of books she has written, entitled ‘Know Your Pet or More Importantly Make Sure they Know You!’ focuses on dogs, cats, horses, birds, small mammals, reptiles and fish.

She is in the process of opening her practice in the Languedoc area and is excited about bringing her skills and modern approaches to France!

She tells me animal behaviour is an evolving science, providing effective, ethical treatments for behavioural problems; efficient techniques for shaping behaviour and decreasing unwanted behaviour, helping to improve animal management.

Her primary aim is to increase animal welfare, giving clients a toolkit, focussed on treating causes, rather than treating unwanted behaviour directly with unethical approaches like shaking bottles filled with stones, loud noises, choke chains, prong collars etc.

Victoria’s Toolkit

• Know your pet, this allows you to understand and support your pet’s requirements.
• Provide an Appropriate Environment
• Introduce pet training, using kind, modern methods e.g. clicker, target training, which provides: 

a) Enrichment (mental & physical stimulation)
b) Bonding between pets and owners.
c) Ability to train pets to feel happy and accept health checks, like brushing teeth, injections, examinations, utilising minimal to no restraint, less stress for pets, vets and owners!
d) Behavioural management (e.g. recalling your dog from another dog or greeting guests calmly).

• Providing Enrichment (Toys etc).

She says that the toolkit encourages problem solving, ability to make decisions, natural behaviour (feeding, climbing, burrowing, ability to prowl etc) helping to prevent/treat behavioural problems. It promotes good health, preventing disease/illness, which can lead to behavioural problems, training of desirable behaviour; pets understanding of boundaries and effective owner-pet communication and relationships. This means happier pets and owners, which she loves to see!!

Experiencing behavioural problems with your pet - just want to spice up your pet’s life?  Victoria says ‘give the toolkit a try!’

Victoria James BSc (Hons),
Animal Trainer & Behaviourist

Tel: +33 (0)4 93 36 79 09
Tel: +33 (0)6 89 19 50 88
Email: victoriaspettraining99@yahoo.co.uk

Victoria James BSc (Hons),
Animal Behaviourist & Trainer

Victoria James, BSc (Hons) (Licence),
Dresseuse et Conseillère en Comportement d’animaux

Tel: +33 (0)4 93 36 79 09
Mobile/Portable: 0033 (0)6 89 19 50 88
Email: victoriaspettraining99@yahoo.co.uk