Your Dog Isn’t Your Adversary, Don’t Train Him Like One.
“Hi Joan, it has been almost 2 full years since you worked with us and our rescued golden, Marja. We are ever grateful that you drove across the GTA to educate us. You changed our lives completely! Marja continues to have her doggy friends and her doggy enemies, but we totally ‘get’ her most of the time now. Our fear has gone. Her fear is rare. Homemade liver treats go on every single walk and they work! What a difference those three hours made to our fur-baby and us. Thank you!!! Just wanted you to know that we are in a good place now. Hope you are too!”
– Jane & Michael, and Marja
Joan Weston, MA Ed., IAABC-CBC, FFCT
Canine Behaviorist & Founder
Here to Help with All of Your Dog’s Needs
We work with all types of behavioural problems from the simple to the complex. Whether it’s aggression, anxiety, or anything in-between, we are here to help. We never turn a dog away because of breed or temperament. If there is a way to help you and your pup, we will work together to find it. Even when you don’t love your dog’s behaviour, we know that you still love your dog.
Fangs But No Fangs uses tools and techniques that both you and your dog will feel good about. I do not use shock collars, choke chains, or anything that relies on using pain or fear to compel behaviour. While these techniques may have been the standard in years past, we now understand the harm that they may cause. And if you know better, you do better. When you act with compassion and intelligence, great things can happen for you both.
“I can’t believe it’s been 2 months since our training session together! I just wanted to give you an update on S. The anxiety medication has been working great for us. It’s allowed us overcome so much. We are going on walks together!! Which I thought would never happen (we couldn’t even leash her). She’s been traveling in the car, playing with other dogs, she’s letting other people pet her (mostly just my family). She finally becoming a normal, happy dog. We are working hard on training good walking habits and trying to work with her on when people come over and not barking. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you again. You really gave us the push we needed! “
– L, Dog Owner
In-Home Personalized Behavioural Consulting for Dogs and Their Families
We can help to modify or change your dog’s unwanted behaviours using scientifically proven techniques that are both humane and effective.
Regular In-Home Behavior Consultations
Virtual Behavior Consultation
Puppy Prep Consultation – 60 Minutes
ITREAT Protocol Shelter Training
Services For Rescues
Behavioural Assessments, Reports, Muzzle Order Or DD Appeals
Animal Shelter Assessments
Expert Witness Court Testimony
Professional Development Training
Telephone Behaviour Consultations
Public Seminars
Baby Prep
Decades of Experience working with all types of Dogs
Hundreds of Success Stories.
I continue to work with my dog with all the strategies you suggested! I just wanted to share a “success” she had this morning. We were waiting at the park for a friend to arrive when all of a sudden a dog came charging out of a car towards her – it was not barking but I was not sure what my dog’s reaction would be – so we started to walk and feed treats and she did not react at all!!! No barking, quite calm!!!! I will continue to work with her and we continue to go to Scholars in Collars for advanced brain games!! I have told many dog owners about the help and training we got from you!! Thank you again!
– C, Dog Owner
We are so glad we signed up for Scholars in Collars classes! We loved our classes with Joan and Shannon, our great instructors. They were patient, informative, helpful and we enjoyed their sense of humour and even a few laughs. L got even more excited with Joan but think she was so happy with the class content, fun and stimulation. We have had her since July 2023 and she has learned a lot. With the class training she seems closer giving us more trust, love and a stronger bond. Thank you for your assistance with equipment and for the best training program we have ever been to.
– J&E, Dog Owner
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does It Work?
Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step on the road towards helping you and your dog.
- Once you complete and return the forms, you will receive several appointment options.
- When you choose a date, you will also receive a 125-page Behavior Manual which includes training exercises, resources, and more, and a confirmation letter with details on how to prepare for the meeting and recommended equipment that you may order for purchase. Note: Equipment purchases are optional and never required for any consult.
- The consultation a 90-minute session at your home. It’s a combination of problem-solving, hands-on training, and coordinating the next steps. We start by sitting and talking through some of the details and issues from the forms while your dog gets comfortable with me. Then we begin to hash out the program, training techniques, and hands on work. We will work together as a team to frame our approach using methods and strategies. You know your dog, I know behavior, and we BOTH have something to contribute. I will never knowingly talk down to you or try to make you feel that you are to blame or that you are the problem. You are the solution. We are a team.
- After the consult, you will receive a set of notes including an AI Summary and bullet point notes of our discussion.
- You are entitled to lifetime free e-mail support and follow up. I am happy to review short e-mail video as part of this support at no charge.
- You may always book follow-up 1-hour consults, 30–45-minute leash walk follow up, or phone or virtual follow up appointments.
Why We Don't Offer Training Packages
You may have noticed that FBNF does not offer packages combining consults and training sessions. Here’s why:
Most of the time, these “package deals” costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and clients rarely end up getting full-value for their money. Selling someone multiple sessions of private behavior modification training before even meeting them or their dog is little more than a cash grab, and not in your best interest. Every owner and their dog are unique, and their personalities, lifestyle, and skills are unlike any other. This is why I structure the consults and follow-up visits to be affordable and flexible as single services. This way, you only pay for the training that you need and want, and you aren’t forced to try to guess how many sessions you’ll need before you even begin.
Thanks to the in-depth and personalized information that you receive during the 90-minute consultation combined with the free follow up e-mail option, most clients do not feel the need to book any follow up visits. Other owners prefer to take a few weeks to absorb the information and then book one or two one hour follow up sessions to fine tune their hands-on work. The important thing is that either way, it’s up to you. You know your own needs and learning style; what you choose to buy should be your money and your choice.
About the Forms
You may wonder why you are being asked to fill out such a long form when your problem seems pretty straightforward. Some of the reasons that I ask you to provide these answers are:
- Your dog’s behavior is influenced by many things, some which may seem obvious and others that may not. Having all the information gives me a more complete picture.
- Many owners say that after completing the forms, they have gained insight into themselves and their relationship with their dog.
- By having you fill out this form prior to meeting, I am able to provide you with the most effective consultation for your money. Look, I know that booking a behavior consultation isn’t cheap. And unlike other trainers or consultants, who will book an appointment based on an e-mail or phone call, I want to have as much information as possible beforehand. That way you’re not wasting money and time during the session giving the Behaviorist information that they should already have. This form lets us both hit the ground running.
Better Behaviour, Happier Dogs
