Behavior intake: what to ask before the first session

Send it before the first session

Ask clients to complete the intake when they book, not at the door. Reading it beforehand lets you plan the setup, decide whether the first session should be at home or somewhere else, and spot anything that needs a vet’s input first.

What to ask

• Household: who lives with the dog, the ages of any children and other pets.
• The dog: age, breed or mix, how long they’ve had the dog and where it came from.
• Health: the vet, medications, injuries, allergies and foods the dog can’t have.
• Behavior history: what they want help with, when it started and what they’ve tried.
• Triggers: what upsets or excites the dog, and what the dog does then.
• Bite history: any bites, growls or snaps, with what happened just before.
• Previous training: classes, trainers and the equipment they use now.
• Goals: what success would look like for them.

Ask about bites without blame

Clients sometimes play down bite history because they fear judgment. Say why you ask: you need it to plan safe sessions. Ask about specific events (when, who, what happened before, whether anyone was hurt) rather than “Is your dog aggressive?”, which invites a yes or no.

Leave medical questions to the vet

Pain and illness can change behavior. Your intake should collect health information, but diagnosing is a vet’s job. If a problem started suddenly, or the dog seems uncomfortable, suggest a vet check alongside training and note that you did.

Keep it current

An intake is a snapshot. Ask clients to tell you when something changes, such as a new medication, a move or a new baby, and keep the earlier answers so you can see what changed and when.