Island Canine Consulting

5.0

(12) 12 reviews

Our Booking PolicyNeed to make a change? Please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations are non-refundable. See our full policy for more info. All Assessments take place at the client's home unless otherwise agreed upon.

Services

Discovery Call

15 minsFree

We specialize in aggressive behaviours and reactivity. This call determines if your case falls within our scope of practice and prepares you for the assessment process. We review the severity of the behaviour to ensure you are matched with the correct level of support.

Important: We operate on data, not guesswork. Specific training protocols are only provided after we have analysed the function of the behaviour during a comprehensive in-home assessment.

Comprehensive Behavioural Assessment

1 hr 30 mins$150

We begin by establishing immediate safety management. In this session, we analyse your dog's history and daily routine to pinpoint the variables driving the reactivity or aggressive behaviour. We then build a customized management strategy to prevent future incidents and set the stage for behaviour modification. Our priority is data accuracy and animal welfare.

Note: Duration is outcome-based. We conclude when the safety protocols are established and your dog needs a break (approx. 1–2 hours).

Coaching & Protocol Adjustment

1 hr$100

Prerequisite: For established clients who have completed the Comprehensive Behavioural Assessment.

Behaviour change is a dynamic process. In this session, we review the data from your initial plan to determine if your dog is ready to advance. We refine your mechanical skills, adjust environmental antecedents (triggers), and introduce the next stage of criteria to ensure continued progress. Our goal is sustainable behavioural growth, while strictly ensuring your dog remains under threshold to prevent sensitization.

Note: We work until the new protocols are fluid and you feel competent in the exercises. Duration is outcome-based (typically 30-60 minutes).

Team

About

Aggression is not a character trait; it is a response to the environment. Island Canine Consulting is the premier resource on Cape Breton Island for modifying reactivity and aggressive behaviours.

Drawing on six years of frontline experience in SPCA enforcement and dog bite investigation, I bring a forensic level of detail to behaviour modification. We do not just manage symptoms; we investigate the root cause.

Our protocols are strictly LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) . We use evidence-based, trust-building methods to resolve conflict without using fear or pain.

We start where the problem lives. Our initial assessment is always conducted in-home to observe your dog’s behaviour in their natural context, ensuring the safety plan works for your specific reality.

+1 902 536 6565

mconner@islandcanineconsulting.com

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Reviews

12 reviews

Oz Willebrand
·
Matt helped us to socialize our rescue dog in a daycare setting. He taught her how to go to a kennel and relax when she was overstimulated.
It’s hard to find someone that understands the need of the dog and he’s great at that.
Thanks for all you do.
Oz Willebrand
·
Matt took his time to get to know us and our dog. We’re hopeful that he can help us with our dog in day care setting.
Nadine Paruch
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We had our initial call this AM with Matt and feel hopeful that he can help with our pup's behavior (or misbehavior!) What he said made sense, he seems extremely knowledgeable, and we appreciate his approach. We are excited to continue on this path with him.
Patricia MacDonald
·
Matthew is very knowledgeable in the area of dog behaviour and motivations (e.g., psychology). He takes his time to get to know your dog and the issues you are are having, develops a plan to address those issues, and then guides you through it step by step. Highly recommend!
Michele Burchell
··from Google
I was so impressed with how knowledgeable Matthew Conner is in his craft. I'm so encouraged my little pup will get over her struggles in no time with his help. He gave me so many fantastic ideas to help me help her. He was so patient with me and so friendly. I would %100 recommend Island Canine Consulting to anyone having some difficulties with their dog. Thanks a bunch Matthew.
Rose Scotland
··from Google
Incredibly impressed with the scientific approach (great review of first year of university Psych for me). Kind, empathetic, intelligent, and GENTLE approach to training which is exactly what we were looking for - no physical punishment like prong collars etc. Looking forward to working with Matthew (and hopefully Camp K-9 as well) in the future and on our homework with Praline. Already noticing incremental improvements!