The Dog Whisperer

Many of us have pets.  Several of us love dogs. But have we ever wondered what goes on in a dog’s mind? We know that canines are obedient, faithful, loving and extremely trustworthy. But have we ever stopped to wonder whether or not our pet has emotional issues? If we wish to understand the psyche of our pet more than what we can see on the surface, then make an appointment with Bangalore’s very own ‘Pet Counsellor’- Natasha Chandy.

Remember the movie Dr. Dolittle, the hit comedy where actor Eddie Murphy could understand and talk to animals? Though the film might have appeared a tad over the top with its excess comic timing and hyperbolic dialogue, this canine counsellor can, in real life, literally essay Murphy’s role, minus all the comedy and movie gloss! It is her business to look into the emotional and mental well-being of an animal, a job Natasha says she loves, simply because she loves animals and feels in tune with them.

Dog behaviour is like any other discipline, in that if it is studied and practised you can acquire a greater understanding of it. Also like other disciplines, the depth of study and practice are integral to the understanding. There are several specialists versed in practical dog training and there are some academics versed in the theory of canine behaviour, but very few in India have combined practical training skills with academic study in the way that Natasha has.

For the last three years she has been offering consultancy into the many facets of canine behaviour and training. Sometimes even the best of our dogs need professional help to get through difficult situations. Behavior issues like aggression, separation, anxiety, hyperactivity, phobias, even nuisance behaviors like jumping up or incessant barking are the dog’s way of saying that they are not in a happy place. Sadly, many owners are left with no option but to cage their dogs where they end up having to spend the rest of their lives.

As with humans, dogs will need professional help to preserve the relationship between the family and their beloved pet. By taking a detailed history and a proper behavior evaluation, this canine counsellor is able to customize behavior modification programs to help address specific issues faced by dogs and sometimes by their owners too.

What made you decide to become a Pet Behaviour Counsellor?

Natasha: I always wanted to work with animals, but as I was growing up there was no direction on how to do this. So I did not focus on Pet Behaviour Counselling. Instead I studied zoology so I could understand more about animals, then I did an Arts course in journalism thinking that I might write about animals, following which I did a film-course hoping that I could work with a wildlife channel, but none of this panned out for me. The only thing I was certain of was that I wanted to work hands-on with animals. I began reading up about animal behaviour, spoke to zoo-keepers and park rangers. Somewhere down the line I realized that there was a career in animal behaviour counselling.

However, there were no courses that could teach you the subject in India. I went to California, where I found a course, only to realize that I needed to also learn and study that country’s animal welfare laws before I could take up the course. I spoke to professors who were teaching the course and they all advised me to do a short-term certification / course and learn more from hands-on experience. It was a confusing time for me, but the only thing I was certain of was that I was now determined to make this my career.

Tell us where you did your Pet Behaviour Counselling course and when did you complete it?

Natasha:  I found a course in Mumbai run by Shireen Merchant, a Pet Behaviour Counsellor herself, as well as a dog trainer.  It was a month-long course of active training with her. Apart from learning specifics, this was a hands-on course where I got to watch Shireen working with dogs.  According to experts these are the best kinds of courses to do, as Pet Behaviour Counselling, apart from being a science, is also an instinctive job. One needs to understand the psyche of the animal and empathize with it before trying to handle a problem.

How does Pet Behavioural Counselling differ from ‘Obedience Training’?

Natasha:  Obedience training applies to all dogs of all ages. But counselling comes into play only when the human feels that there is some behavioual need in the dog that needs to be addressed. With obedience-training one is taking precautions before a problem occurs, whereas counselling is needed when a dog has never had a human hand approach him and hence needs to be guided to allow this to happen. Issues like separation anxiety, phobias and anger are dealt with during counselling.

Give us some examples of what you would do on an average day?

Natasha:  When I am dealing with a case I first prefer to meet the dog and its owner in their home. I assess the situation and then decide how to manage the problem. Sometimes I find that when I have to deal with first time pet-owners, I need to educate them on pet management before taking the session any further.

I board dogs, so sometimes my day is spent tending to them, walking them, playing with them and spending quality time with them. When I am training a dog, a large chunk of my time is taken up by daily training sessions.
So you see, my day is full.

What kind of animal issues have you had to deal with and why do they occur?

Natasha:  Everything from potty-training, destroying property, chewing, vocalizing, misbehaving with new people—these are the kind of problems that dogs face. They occur because owners do not have enough time to spend with their pets.

Tell us about one of the most difficult cases you’ve had to handle?

Natasha:  Sometimes re-homing dogs can be the most traumatic thing to do. There were two dogs in a family, extremely well-behaved at most times, except when on a leash. The owner’s son unfortunately had cancer and hence the family was unable to look after its pets. Finding them a new home was one of the hardest things I had to do.

I’ve also noticed that most often, when I have to deal with dogs in counselling, they happen to be of the Labrador Retriever breed or the Indian hound. I feel the behavioural aspect is deteriorating in these bloodlines due to bad breeding or in-breeding. Breeders must take note of this and stop these offensive practices immediately.

Do you think more youngsters should look at Pet Behavioural Counselling as a career option?

Natasha:  Absolutely, there is a lot of scope to learn in this field and it can be very fulfilling too. Like my mentors told me, the best way to learn is to plunge in and get your hands dirty. But let me warn you, if you’re looking to make money, this is not the profession for you. Take it up only if you genuinely love animals and want to help them in everyway you can.

Is your profession emotionally and financially rewarding?

Natasha:  It is emotionally rewarding; it can be extremely draining as well. Sometimes you meet extremely absurd people who own pets but don’t know what to do with them. Those are the times I feel like taking the dog and running away!
The profession is not financially rewarding. If you’re looking to make money then you need to look elsewhere. This is not the job for you.

What skills are required for a career in Pet Behavioural Counselling?

Natasha:  You need loads of patience to deal with both the dog and its owner. I think people skills are extremely important in a career such as this; you have to learn to be diplomatic while dealing with pet owners. Then I think its necessary to understand timing—when to address a certain problem and how. And finally physical stamina is mandatory as you’re dealing with an animal that has endless energy resources. So make sure you’re in good shape yourself.

Do you go to your clients or do your doggy-clients come to you?

Natasha:  For the first meeting usually the owner and his pet, come to my place.  Post that, I go over to their home or sometimes we chose to meet in a neutral location like a park. It all depends on a situation and what I need to achieve with the dog on that day.

What is it about your job that gets you smiling in the morning?

Natasha:  Puppy training! I absolutely love it when first time pet owners, who do not know what you can do with their pups, get all excited and overwhelmed when they see their pet obeying or heeding to a command. It’s a wonderful feeling of achievement. The expression on the owner’s face is priceless.
Bonding with dogs is another aspect that never fails to bring a smile to my face. I love watching two dogs interact with each other. It’s a very rewarding experience to watch them overcome their hang-ups and play with each other.

Have you ever been bitten by a wayward dog?

Natasha:  A dog that was staying with me in my boarding facility bit me. He was a huge ‘resource guarder’—most dogs understand that humans won’t take away their things, but sometimes they don’t know this and get aggressive. This guy mistook one of my actions and thought I was going to snatch away his toy. He lunged at me and bit my hand, but I really can’t blame him because it wasn’t his fault. I should have understood his insecurity and tried to deal with him in a different manner.

How about telling us a little bit about yourself?

Natasha:  Well, I’ve not had much time to do things that I like since I started working full time. It’s been dogs, dogs and more dogs for me these last three years.
I love to read and am very fond of music; I used to be part of a choir for five years. I want to say I like to travel, but unfortunately haven’t been able to do much of that recently. Had I not taken up a profession with animals I would probably have worked with children. I hope I can do both these together some day, because I think kids and animals make the perfect combination and there’s a lot of scope for therapeutic work in this field.

Rate your job on a scale of 1 to 10.

Natasha:  I would say 12! You have to know by now that I absolutely adore what I do and there’s no way I could regret my choice

This was a delightful time with Natasha, as she opened my eyes to interesting insights I gained about dogs. It is always refreshing to meet someone passionate about what she is doing!  Cheers, Natasha!

If you need help with your dog, Call her on +91 9632221061 for an appointment.