The assessment is a 4 part process:

1. Initial Information Gathering

When you first contact Layne, you'll be asked for some key information about your dog and the behaviour you're experiencing. Initial enquiries are handled by email or WhatsApp, allowing important information to be recorded accurately and Layne to determine the most appropriate service for you and your dog. If a behaviour assessment is recommended, Layne will offer you the next suitable appointment, or a later date if this works better for you. Your appointment is secured once payment has been received. 

2. Behaviour History Review & Analysis 

You'll then receive a link to complete your dog's Behaviour History Form online. This provides Layne with the detailed background needed to prepare for your dog's individual assessment. The information is reviewed in advance so that the assessment can be planned around your dog's behaviour, circumstances and needs.

3. In-person Observation & Assessment

This element to the assessment is generally carried out at your home, allowing Layne to observe your dog within their everyday environment. Aggression and reactivity assessments are usually held at a suitable training venue, providing an appropriate environment for careful observation and assessment. The location of every assessment is considered according to the individual dog and their behavioural needs. If alternative arrangements would be more appropriate, Layne will discuss these with you beforehand.

During the 2-hour observational assessment, Layne will observe your dog and help you understand their body language, behaviour, motivations and responses. Together, you'll explore what is contributing to the behaviour, what your dog needs in order to progress, and the factors that are currently preventing that progress.

4. Full analysis and written report

Following the assessment, you'll receive a comprehensive behaviour report, including essential management strategies designed to minimise risk, reduce stress and support your dog's wellbeing.

Behaviour Programmes become available following the in-person assessment, once Layne has a clear understanding of your dog's individual needs. Where ongoing support is recommended, you'll be able to secure your Behaviour Programme and future session dates following the assessment.

Built From the Assessment. Designed for Your Dog

A Behaviour Programme isn't a generic training plan. It is individually designed following Layne's assessment and brings together everything learned through your dog's history, behavioural analysis and in-person observation. The programme considers the whole dog — including personality, learning preferences, cognitive ability, stress tolerance, physical health and potential limitations, established behaviour patterns, previous experiences, lifestyle, play style, breed traits, age and hormonal influences.

Just as importantly, the programme considers you. Your confidence, experience, lifestyle and capacity to practise are taken into account so that the strategies you're given are realistic, achievable and sustainable in everyday life.

More Than Training

Behaviour is rarely influenced by one factor alone. Layne draws upon a range of modern, ethical approaches, including behaviour modification, play-based training, body awareness and practical management strategies. Rather than focusing only on stopping unwanted behaviour, the programme works to support the dog's emotional, mental and physical wellbeing, creating the conditions in which learning can take place and better choices become possible.

You'll learn how to recognise what your dog is communicating, manage situations confidently and understand the mechanics behind changing behaviour. Through demonstration, coaching and hands-on practice, you'll learn the techniques with Layne before applying them between sessions. As your dog progresses, the programme can develop with them rather than remaining fixed to a predetermined training plan.

How Many Sessions Will My Dog Need?

The recommended length of your Behaviour Programme is determined following the assessment. This means Layne can recommend support based on what your dog genuinely needs rather than prescribing the same number of sessions to every dog.

Progress can be influenced by:

• the complexity and history of the behaviour

• your dog's capacity to learn and cope

• physical health and wellbeing

• how consistently management strategies can be implemented

• opportunities to practise between sessions

• your individual goals and the level of ongoing support required

Some dogs and their people may need more support than others. The aim is to give you the skills, understanding and confidence to continue making progress beyond your sessions with Layne.

Looking at the Whole Picture

Where appropriate, Layne works alongside veterinary and other canine professionals so that factors beyond training can be investigated and supported.

If your dog has previously received training or behaviour support without making the progress expected, the assessment provides an opportunity to look more deeply at what may have been overlooked or what could be preventing progress. Rather than simply trying another training technique, Layne considers the information gathered across the assessment and identifies where a different approach, further investigation or additional professional support may be beneficial.

By bringing assessment, management, behaviour modification, training and, where necessary, multidisciplinary support together, your Behaviour Programme gives you a clear path forward — with the aim of creating safer behaviour, greater emotional regulation, improved responsiveness and a better quality of life for both you and your dog.