Bettina Alfaro specialises in the socialisation and rehabilitation of rescue dogs with problem behaviour and also offers private one-to-one training lessons in regard to unwanted behaviour.

Her work with rescue dogs includes both, working in rescue centre kennels or with the respective foster homes and taking dogs with behaviour issues into her own home for behaviour modification and assessment.

Common problems are issues such as jumping up on visitors, pulling on the lead or house soiling and more serious cases such as separation anxiety and resource guarding, or dog-on-dog aggression in multiple dog households. Obviously the chances of being rehomed increase considerably for dogs with basic manners and without any behaviours that might result in them being relinquished again because the new owner cannot cope. Bettina finds this aspect of her work most rewarding.

One-to-one in house appointments are supposed to help new owners to build a good relationship with their charges, Bettina also works with dog owners who think of relinquishing their dog because of behaviour problems. Often management and training can help the dog stay in the original family.

Bettina is also currently studying for her BA (hons) degree in dog behaviour and training with the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour & Training.