Feline Behaviour Consultations

Feline Problem Solving and Behaviour Modification Virtual Consultation 2-Session Package

BOOK NOW

• $125
• Private (conducted virtually)
• Booked on an appointment basis
• 2 Sessions, 60-90 Minutes first session, 60 minutes second session

Our Problem Solving and Behaviour Modification Consultations are specifically designed to offer training and support to you and your cat where needed the most. As we offer these services as virtual consultations, you and your cat are able to participate from the comfort of your own home. Common behavioural issues we can help with include:

• Litter box problems
• Scent marking (spraying)
• Chronic hiding or fearfulness
• Play aggression
• Aggression toward people
• Aggression toward other animals in household
• Destruction of furniture or clothes
• Loud and continual meowing
• Obsessive grooming

You can expect your first session to take the form of a discussion with the trainer to determine the causes and functions of the behaviour. During this time the trainer will also be observing your cat via your video call session after which you will receive a management and training plan by email. You will then book a follow up session to review progress, practice any mechanical skills or training techniques prescribed in the presence of the trainer and receive follow up instructions where appropriate. Two sessions are provided within a flexible 2 month window from date of purchase.

Feline Problem Solving and Behaviour Modification Virtual Consultation Single Session

BOOK NOW

• $80
• Private (conducted virtually)
• Booked on an appointment basis
• 1 Session, 60-90 Minute Consultation

This service is a 60-minute consultation to determine the functions of the problem behaviour and provide you with a management and behaviour modification plan. You may work through your plan independently, or book additional follow up sessions to work through the plan with your trainer. As with all of our Feline Training Services, our sessions are conducted virtually so you and your cat are able to participate from the comfort of your own home. Common behavioural issues we can help with include:

• Litter box problems
• Scent marking (spraying)
• Chronic hiding or fearfulness
• Play aggression
• Aggression toward people
• Aggression toward other animals in household
• Destruction of furniture or clothes
• Loud and continual meowing
• Obsessive grooming

Feline Problem Solving and Behaviour Modification 60-Minute Follow-up Training Session

BOOK NOW

• $60
• Private (conducted virtually)
• Booked on an appointment basis
• 1 Session, 60 Minute Consultation

These sessions are available for cats and owners with a pre-existing relationship with our training department. For example, these sessions are available to those returning for additional sessions to work through a training plan after completing a consultation session with our trainers, or for cats that have been adopted from THS. This is so that we can ensure we are able to give you the best service by already knowing your cat’s history. These sessions will allow you and your cat to work through any new struggles that may have developed since that last time we saw you and still allow you to receive comprehensive and dependable care for the well-being of your cat! These sessions are also conducted virtually to ensure your cat can learn in the comfort of his or her home.

Feline Problem Solving and Behaviour Modification 30-Minute Follow-up Training Session

BOOK NOW

• $45
• Private (conducted virtually)
• Booked on an appointment basis
• 1 Session, 30 Minute Consultation

These sessions are available for cats and owners with a pre-existing relationship with our training department. For example, these sessions are available to those returning for additional sessions to work through a training plan after completing a consultation session with our trainers. These 30-minute sessions are intended to provide hands on coaching and criteria setting for owners working through specific replacement behaviours. They can also be purchased and used for a bit of coaching while working on new tricks! These sessions are also conducted virtually to ensure your cat can learn in the comfort of his or her home.

Stress Free Training for Veterinary Visits

BOOK NOW

• $80
• Private (conducted virtually)
• Booked on an appointment basis
• 1 Session, 60 Minute Initial Consultation and Goal Setting Session, Additional Session Packages Available Through Consultation and Discussion With Your Trainer

If your cat is nervous and stressed out at the vet, or if you would like to train your cat to participate cooperatively in ongoing treatments and/or husbandry care, our Low Stress or Fear Free Certified trainers can help you with a step by step plan and coaching to achieve your goals. The initial 60-minute consultation determines your cat’s baseline comfort level at the vet office or during at home husbandry care and provides an opportunity to review your cooperative care training goals and break them down into manageable chunks and priorities. Your initial consultation will include a personalized training plan to achieve prioritized goals. During your consultation and based on your wishes, your trainer will suggest an affordable package of weekly or bi weekly follow up sessions or you may work independently with your cat through the initial goals and book additional 30 or 60 minute sessions as needed. We have a great deal of experience working with cats in our clinics, and we can help with*:

• Desensitization and counter conditioning to handling and light restraint
• Desensitization and counter conditioning to injections
• Desensitization and counter conditioning to routine blood draws
• Desensitization and counter conditioning to glucose panel draws
• Desensitization and counter conditioning to eye drops and ear drops
• Cooperative Nail Trims
• Cooperative Stationing Behaviours
• Carrier Training
• Dental Care
• Various other behaviours/procedures
• Low stress approaches to immediate care needs

*Note: Some behaviours require consistent commitment and training by owners over time to achieve end desired goal in advance of procedures.

Feline Group Tricks Training Classes

BOOK NOW

• $120
• Group Classes (conducted virtually)
• Weekly Consecutive Classes
• 4 weekly classes, 45 Minute Classes

Join us and fellow cat lovers in our Virtual Training Hall from the comfort of your own home. Our Tricks Training classes are designed specifically to grow the human-animal bond and provide joyful enrichment for your cat in a virtual group setting. Through trust and team work you and your cat will face fun new challenges and have the opportunity to learn and practice impressive tricks that are great enrichment and can also be transitioned in some cases to practical use in cooperative care or conditioning applications. You will learn about targeting, shaping, luring and capturing and how these foundations make training that much easier. These sessions are conducted virtually to ensure your cat can learn in the comfort of his or her home and are structured in tiers to cover first some basic foundations and then more advanced tricks at the intermediate and advanced level.

Note: new group class sessions are scheduled regularly. If you don’t see it on our booking platform, check back regularly for new scheduled groups.

Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, PhD
Director, Behaviour

Dr. Ellis is the Director, Behaviour at the Toronto Humane Society. Prior to joining the Toronto Humane Society position, she served as Nestlé Purina’s leading authority on feline behaviour in her role as a Behaviour Scientist in their research and development division. She earned her PhD in Animal Welfare at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, where she conducted research on methods for reducing stress in shelter cats. Her work has been published widely in peer reviewed journals and she has presented at many national and international conferences, particularly on feline stress and elimination behaviour. She is currently in the process of writing a chapter on feline behavioural assessment for a new edition of the leading textbook on the behaviour and welfare of shelter animals.

Beverley McKee, BA, ACDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer
Manager, Public Training Services and Care Support

Beverley is the Manager, Public Training Services and Care Support at the Toronto Humane Society. She is an Associate Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She is also a Fear Free Certified Professional, holding an Animal Trainer Certification through Fear Free Pets. Prior to joining the Toronto Humane Society, Beverley owned and operated a successful dog training and dog walking company in Toronto’s west end, and chaired an informal 600-member strong collective of professional dog walkers with a focus on professional and positive reinforcement handling skills development. She currently serves as a Member at Large on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Shannen McNee
Feline Enrichment Specialist

Shannen began her career working with cats in our shelter as a Feline Enrichment Specialist, providing daily enrichment, conducting assessments and carrying out behaviour modification training for some of our more challenging cats to set them up for success in their adopted homes. In her current day to day, Shannen meets with cat owners virtually both locally, nationally and internationally via video conferencing to provide thorough assessments, management and training solutions to cat owners from the comfort of their homes. She also provides plans for low stress cooperative veterinary and husbandry care training and coaching, and runs our fun and enriching virtual group training classes. Shannen is an Affiliate member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Fear Free Shelter Graduate, and holds a Low Stress Handling Silver Level Certification from Low Stress University which carries on the legacy of Dr. Sophia Yin.

Virtual Setup

• We conduct our training sessions via video calls using free and easily accessible video conferencing platforms. After booking your session, your trainer will send a link to access your training session.
• Be sure to be online and signed into the conferencing software designated by your trainer no less than 5 minutes before your session.
• Have bite-sized training treats or any other equipment recommended by your instructor on hand prior to beginning your consultation or group class session.

Acknowledgement

• You acknowledge and recognize that the role you play in your animal’s training is integral to achieving desired results. You acknowledge and agree that there is no guarantee that your animal will achieve the desired level of training despite the best efforts of Toronto Humane Society. You further understand and agree that any service or product recommended by Toronto Humane Society is not a guarantee of satisfaction with that product or service.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

• Private classes may be cancelled and rescheduled with your trainer within 4 months of the date of purchase
• We are unable to reschedule missed group class appointments
• Refunds will only be issued due to extenuating circumstances

Contact Us

If you would like more information on our training services, please email training@torontohumanesociety.com or give us a call at 416-392-2273 ext. 2145.