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Why Choose McKaynine Behaviour? Qualified & Experienced McKaynine's behavioural services are provided by experienced professionals with formal qualifications in canine behaviour and training. McKaynine owner Shannon McKay MSc CBCC-KA® has worked professionally with canine behaviour since 1998 and was the first canine behaviourist in Africa to achieve international CBCC-KA® certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Nadine Whittal has many years of experience across numerous canine activities and holds a prestigious DipCABT from COAPE International. Science-Based Behaviour Modification Our approach is informed by modern behavioural science. We look at the function and motivation behind behaviour rather than simply attempting to suppress what the dog is doing. Welfare Comes First Behaviour modification should improve a dog's wellbeing, not simply make unwanted behaviour disappear. We use humane, evidence-based approaches and do not rely on punishment for a "quick fix". Practical Solutions for Real Life A behaviour programme has to work in your home and your everyday life. Our recommendations are designed to be realistic, achievable and sustainable for both dog and owner.
1. Understand the Behaviour: We begin by gathering a detailed history of your dog's behaviour, environment, routines, previous training and the situations in which the problem occurs. 2. Identify What's Driving It: Behaviour is communication. We look beyond the behaviour itself to understand the emotions, learning history and environmental factors that may be contributing to it. 3. Develop a Practical Plan: You'll receive clear, realistic strategies tailored to your dog and your household. Depending on the case, these may include behaviour modification exercises, training, management strategies and changes to the environment. 4. Ongoing Support: Behaviour change takes time. Follow-up sessions allow us to assess progress, troubleshoot difficulties and adapt the programme as your dog develops.
Image: Snapdragon Pictures
Behavioural Training Best suited to dogs that need individual training and support but do not require a full behavioural consultation. This may include: · Moderate reactivity, anxiety or fear · Difficulty coping in group training classes · Poor focus or engagement · Excessive barking or destructive behaviour · Everyday behaviour/nuisance problems not adequately addressed in a standard training class · Reactivity or aggressive behaviour where there is no bite history First session: 1 hourFollow-up sessions: 30 minutes Behaviour Consult Recommended for more complex or serious behavioural concerns, including: · Aggression towards people, dogs or other animals · A history of biting · Severe reactivity or fear · Separation-related distress · Resource guarding of food, toys, people or space · Difficulty adjusting to changes in environment or routine · Severe fears of particular objects, sounds or situations · Compulsive or repetitive behaviours · Behavioural concerns requiring veterinary involvement Initial consultation: 1½ hoursFollow-up: 30 minutes within 10 days Home Puppy Classes Obedience Canine Good Citizen Dog Sport Behaviour Problems FAQ's About Us Meet The Team Instructor Courses Online Help Schedules Contact T&C's Privacy Policy
© McKaynine (Pty) Ltd t/a McKaynine Training Centre - Established 1999
Company Registration
Nadine Whittal DipCABT (COAPE) Randfontein - online consults also available nadine@mckaynine.co.za Shannon McKay MSc CBCC-KA (unavailable until October) shannon@mckaynine.co.za
Contact Us
Dog Behaviour & Behavioural Training Help for Behaviour Problems That Need More Than a Training Class Every dog is an individual. Sometimes the challenges they face go beyond what can (or should) be addressed in a standard group training class. McKaynine Behaviour provides professional behavioural training and consultations for dogs experiencing problems such as reactivity, fear, anxiety, aggression, resource guarding and difficulty coping with everyday situations. Our approach focuses on understanding why the behaviour is happening, then developing practical strategies that help both dog and owner make meaningful, sustainable progress.
Not sure which you need?  Contact us with a brief description of the problem and we'll help you choose the most appropriate service.
Behavioural Training or Behaviour Consultation? Not every behaviour problem requires the same approach. reactive dog lunging at another dog
Behaviour Problems We Can Help With Our behavioural services commonly assist owners with: Dog-to-dog reactivity Reactivity towards people Aggression Fear and anxiety Separation-related problems Resource guarding Excessive barking Destructive behaviour Difficulty coping with visitors Problems introducing dogs or other pets Specific fears and phobias Compulsive or repetitive behaviour Over-arousal and difficulty settling Behaviour problems are rarely about a dog being "bad".  Fear, frustration, anxiety, previous learning and the dog's environment can all influence behaviour. Understanding the cause allows us to develop a more effective solution.
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What To Expect
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What's the difference between dog training and behaviour modification? Dog training generally teaches skills such as walking on lead, recalls and stays. Behaviour modification addresses underlying behavioural or emotional problems such as fear, reactivity, anxiety and aggression. My dog is aggressive. Should I attend obedience classes? Dogs showing significant aggression or severe reactivity are generally better assessed individually before entering a group class. Contact us and we'll advise you on the safest and most appropriate starting point. Can you fix aggression in dogs? Behaviour modification is not about promising a "cure". We assess the factors contributing to the behaviour and develop strategies to improve safety, change emotional responses where possible and help owners manage their dogs successfully. Do you work with reactive dogs? Yes. Reactivity towards dogs, people or environmental triggers is one of the behaviour problems we commonly address. The appropriate programme depends on the cause and severity of the behaviour. Do you offer online behaviour consultations? Yes. Some behaviour cases can be assessed and supported effectively online, depending on the nature of the problem and the information required. Will you recommend medication for my dog? Behaviour professionals do not prescribe veterinary medication. Where we believe medical factors or behavioural medication should be considered, we may recommend that you discuss this with your veterinarian. How many sessions will my dog need? Every case is different. Some problems respond relatively quickly, while complex or long-standing behaviour problems may require ongoing support. We'll discuss expectations after assessing your individual dog. Do you use punishment to stop problem behaviour? Our approach focuses on understanding the cause of behaviour and using humane, evidence-based training and behaviour modification. We do not rely on punishment as a quick fix for behavioural problems.
Not Sure Where to Start? Tell us briefly what's happening with your dog and we'll help you determine whether behavioural training, a behaviour consultation or one of our regular training programmes is the most appropriate next step.
Behaviour Problems
Company Registration
Image: Snapdragon Pictures
(C) McKaynine (Pty) Ltd t/a McKaynine Training/Centre Established 1999
Navigation Contact Us
Nadine Whittal DipCABT (COAPE) Randfontein - online consults also available nadine@mckaynine.co.za Shannon McKay MSc CBCC-KA (unavailable until October) shannon@mckaynine.co.za
Dog Behaviour & Behavioural Training Help for Behaviour Problems That Need More Than a Training Class Every dog is an individual. Sometimes the challenges they face go beyond what can (or should) be addressed in a standard group training class. McKaynine Behaviour provides professional behavioural training and consultations for dogs experiencing problems such as reactivity, fear, anxiety, aggression, resource guarding and difficulty coping with everyday situations. Our approach focuses on understanding why the behaviour is happening, then developing practical strategies that help both dog and owner make meaningful, sustainable progress.
Behavioural Training or Behaviour Consultation? Not every behaviour problem requires the same approach. reactive dog lunging at another dog Behavioural Training Best suited to dogs that need individual training and support but do not require a full behavioural consultation. This may include: · Moderate reactivity, anxiety or fear · Difficulty coping in group training classes · Poor focus or engagement · Excessive barking or destructive behaviour · Everyday behaviour/nuisance problems not adequately addressed in a standard training class · Reactivity or aggressive behaviour where there is no bite history First session: 1 hourFollow-up sessions: 30 minutes Behaviour Consult Recommended for more complex or serious behavioural concerns, including: · Aggression towards people, dogs or other animals · A history of biting · Severe reactivity or fear · Separation-related distress · Resource guarding of food, toys, people or space · Difficulty adjusting to changes in environment or routine · Severe fears of particular objects, sounds or situations · Compulsive or repetitive behaviours · Behavioural concerns requiring veterinary involvement Initial consultation: 1½ hoursFollow-up: 30 minutes within 10 days
Not sure which you need?  Contact us with a brief description of the problem and we'll help you choose the most appropriate service.
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What To Expect 1. Understand the Behaviour: We begin by gathering a detailed history of your dog's behaviour, environment, routines, previous training and the situations in which the problem occurs. 2. Identify What's Driving It: Behaviour is communication. We look beyond the behaviour itself to understand the emotions, learning history and environmental factors that may be contributing to it. 3. Develop a Practical Plan: You'll receive clear, realistic strategies tailored to your dog and your household. Depending on the case, these may include behaviour modification exercises, training, management strategies and changes to the environment. 4. Ongoing Support: Behaviour change takes time. Follow-up sessions allow us to assess progress, troubleshoot difficulties and adapt the programme as your dog develops.
Behaviour Problems We Can Help With Our behavioural services commonly assist owners with: Dog-to-dog reactivity Reactivity towards people Aggression Fear and anxiety Separation-related problems Resource guarding Excessive barking Destructive behaviour Difficulty coping with visitors Problems introducing dogs or other pets Specific fears and phobias Compulsive or repetitive behaviour Over-arousal and difficulty settling Behaviour problems are rarely about a dog being "bad".  Fear, frustration, anxiety, previous learning and the dog's environment can all influence behaviour. Understanding the cause allows us to develop a more effective solution.
· · · · · · · · · · · · · canine behaviour testimonial cane corso canine behaviour testimonial reactive australian shepherd
Why Choose McKaynine Behaviour? Qualified & Experienced McKaynine's behavioural services are provided by experienced professionals with formal qualifications in canine behaviour and training. McKaynine owner Shannon McKay MSc CBCC- KA® has worked professionally with canine behaviour since 1998 and was the first canine behaviourist in Africa to achieve international CBCC-KA® certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Nadine Whittal has many years of experience across numerous canine activities and holds a prestigious DipCABT from COAPE International. Science-Based Behaviour Modification Our approach is informed by modern behavioural science. We look at the function and motivation behind behaviour rather than simply attempting to suppress what the dog is doing. Welfare Comes First Behaviour modification should improve a dog's wellbeing, not simply make unwanted behaviour disappear. We use humane, evidence-based approaches and do not rely on punishment for a "quick fix". Practical Solutions for Real Life A behaviour programme has to work in your home and your everyday life. Our recommendations are designed to be realistic, achievable and sustainable for both dog and owner.
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Not Sure Where to Start? Tell us briefly what's happening with your dog and we'll help you determine whether behavioural training, a behaviour consultation or one of our regular training programmes is the most appropriate next step.
What's the difference between dog training and behaviour modification? Dog training generally teaches skills such as walking on lead, recalls and stays. Behaviour modification addresses underlying behavioural or emotional problems such as fear, reactivity, anxiety and aggression. My dog is aggressive. Should I attend obedience classes? Dogs showing significant aggression or severe reactivity are generally better assessed individually before entering a group class. Contact us and we'll advise you on the safest and most appropriate starting point. Can you fix aggression in dogs? Behaviour modification is not about promising a "cure". We assess the factors contributing to the behaviour and develop strategies to improve safety, change emotional responses where possible and help owners manage their dogs successfully. Do you work with reactive dogs? Yes. Reactivity towards dogs, people or environmental triggers is one of the behaviour problems we commonly address. The appropriate programme depends on the cause and severity of the behaviour. Do you offer online behaviour consultations?  Yes. Some behaviour cases can be assessed and supported effectively online, depending on the nature of the problem and the information required. Will you recommend medication for my dog?  Behaviour professionals do not prescribe veterinary medication. Where we believe medical factors or behavioural medication should be considered, we may recommend that you discuss this with your veterinarian. How many sessions will my dog need? Every case is different. Some problems respond relatively quickly, while complex or long-standing behaviour problems may require ongoing support. We'll discuss expectations after assessing your individual dog. Do you use punishment to stop problem behaviour? Our approach focuses on understanding the cause of behaviour and using humane, evidence-based training and behaviour modification. We do not rely on punishment as a quick fix for behavioural problems.