Dog & Cat Behavior Training FAQs

Common questions asked about Alana Stevenson’s dog and cat behavior services and training methods.

What areas do you service?

With over 20 years of experience in dog and cat behavior training—and a practice formerly based in Boston and New York—Alana Stevenson provides behavior consultations and positive dog training online across the United States, Canada, and internationally.

Her international clients have included those in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, and Malawi. She is committed to providing services in areas where qualified, humane behavior professionals may be limited and outdated or aversive methods are still commonly used.

In-person training and consultations are currently available in the Burlington, Vermont area.

Dog and cat behavior consultations are available in one-, two-, and three-hour formats with set fees. Most sessions are online. In-person consults range from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the service—cat behavior, dog behavior, or dog training. Rates are kept affordable to support a wide range of clients, including those in underserved areas where animal behavior professionals and humane dog trainers may be limited. Please reach out directly for current pricing.

Yes. Virtual dog and cat behavior consults are available internationally via Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Meet. Clients only need internet access and the ability to use PayPal. Support has been provided to clients in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Turkey, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, and Malawi. Learn more about online dog and cat behavior consults.

For all behavior consultations, clients receive a follow-up check-in after two weeks and are welcome to ask questions or reach out for feedback during this time.

For cat behavior problems, one- to two-hour online follow-ups are recommended to maintain progress and build on the initial guidance.

For dog behavior problems, one- to two-hour virtual follow-up sessions are recommended to maintain progress and implement new training skills. If clients are local, in-person training sessions may be recommended. Dogs often present multiple training challenges that benefit from ongoing support. For instance, a dog who resource guards may also be fearful of strangers and aggressive on leash when passing other dogs. See the next Q&A for more about dog behavior and training follow-up.

Clients typically benefit from 1 to 5 follow-up sessions depending on the behavior and training problems. Dogs often present with multiple behavior issues, which are frequently interconnected. Addressing one problem often reveals others. A dog with separation anxiety might also be leash-reactive, fearful of strangers, and chase the resident cat. Foundational skills such as recall (coming when called) and giving attention help with overall improvement. Regular online follow-ups help clients make faster progress, develop new skills, and build confidence.

For cats, food, treats, and a variety of toys are used—along with anything the cat enjoys. Environmental enrichment and strategic placement of resources are key components of feline behavior modification.

For dogs, 6-foot nylon or fabric leashes (5/8–3/4″ wide), flat collars, and front-connection or standard harnesses are used. Basket muzzles and, on occasion, head halters may be recommended for reactive or aggressive dogs. A variety of food is used, including what some may consider “people food.” Long leads and extra-long leashes are used for distance training, and cross-body bags or waist packs are recommended for carrying treats.

Puppies can begin training as early as 8 weeks old when positive, science-based methods are used. The outdated “6-month rule” is tied to correction-based techniques that rely on force—such as shock collars and choke chains. Humane, positive training is safe and effective for dogs of all ages.

Yes. Older dogs are fully capable of learning unless they are in the late stages of life and primarily resting due to age-related decline. In many cases, adult and senior dogs learn faster than puppies. They may have established habits, but this comes from experience—not a lack of ability.

Discounts may be offered to rescue groups that regularly refer clients or for foster animals under a rescue’s care. Rates are kept affordable to support dog and cat owners—without compromising the quality of professional help provided.

If a consultation isn’t possible right now, free and low-cost resources are available on the website to help with dog and cat behavior problems:

While behavior can often be significantly improved, it’s not ethical to promise or guarantee that a behavior issue will never reoccur. Behavior is influenced by many factors—including environment, timing, consistency, medical conditions, sleep, weather, human body language, hormones, diet, emotional triggers, sounds, scents, and the presence of other animals or people. How accurately and consistently techniques are applied also affects results.

Professional guidance greatly increases the chances of success and helps prevent common mistakes that often make behavior problems worse.

Shock, prong (pinch) collars, and choke chains work by causing pain and discomfort to suppress behavior. Humane, science-based methods focus on trust, cooperation, and clear communication. Off-leash training results are more reliable when taught with positive reinforcement. Dogs should feel safe and be willing participants when learning—not forced into compliance.

Choke and slip collars can cause physical injuries, including damage to the spine, trachea, and esophagus. Pinch or prong collars may cause bruising, open wounds, and skin lesions. Shock is hard to regulate, increases fear and stress, burns the skin, and creates unpredictable behavior that can lead to aggression.

For more information:

Clickers are rarely used when training dogs and are not used with cats. Instead, clients are taught how to improve timing and use verbal markers. Many people find it challenging to use the clicker correctly while also delivering treats and managing both the leash and their dog.

However, clickers can be helpful for shaping behavior and for teaching tricks or complex tasks. Instruction in clicker training is available upon request.

For more, read:

Crates are not recommended as a primary management tool. Gates—both walk-through and free-standing—are preferred.

Crates can be used temporarily and for specific situations, but should not be relied on long-term. A crate is a cage—not a natural den—and should be introduced gradually. Overuse of crating, such as during work hours and again overnight, can result in dogs being confined 14 to 18 hours a day. This often contributes to behavior problems, including hyperactivity, excessive jumping and barking, inability to settle, attention-seeking, and phobias.

Most crates are too small to allow for healthy movement. Walk-through and free-standing gates provide more space and flexibility while also allowing dogs greater freedom.

Board-and-train is not provided. It’s more effective long-term and more rewarding for the dog when clients train their own dogs. Dogs form the strongest bonds with their primary caregivers. When clients are involved in their dog’s training, they build essential communication skills and gain the knowledge and confidence to address behavior and training challenges as they arise.

Anti-bark collars and devices are not recommended. Suppressive equipment may reduce barking temporarily, but it often creates additional behavior problems—and in some cases, makes barking worse. Barking is best addressed by identifying the underlying reasons for it.

Alana is a fan of rescue and has a fondness for mixed-breed dogs and cats, since they’re truly one of a kind. Specific breeds are not recommended, as most breed stereotypes are misleading or behaviorally inaccurate—including certain breeds labeled as hypoallergenic or good family dogs.

Purebred dogs and cats are primarily bred for physical features, not temperament or personality. Many behavioral traits attributed to specific breeds are actually common to all dogs and cats, and are shaped largely by learning, environment, and individual genetics—not breed type.