The Cognitive Canine | Canine Behavioural Rehabilitation

THE COGNITIVE CANINE

Our Practice

Apply

THE COGNITIVE CANINE

Our Practice

Apply

Begin your Application

BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE. REAL CHANGE.

Behaviour is rarely

the problem.

It is often

the symptom.

__________

The Cognitive Canine exists to investigate, understand, and rehabilitate

complex canine behaviour through evidence-informed behavioural science.

Every behaviour has a cause. Our role is to uncover it.

BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE. REAL CHANGE.

Behaviour is rarely

the problem.

It is often

the symptom.

__________

The Cognitive Canine exists to investigate, understand, and rehabilitate

complex canine behaviour through evidence-informed behavioural science.

Every behaviour has a cause. Our role is to uncover it.

WHO WE ARE

A different kind of

behavioural practice.

We investigate the cause.

Every behaviour has a reason.

We look beyond the outward

behaviour to identify the

underlying cause before

designing a rehabilitation plan.

Evidence-informed.

Every recommendation is grounded

in behavioural science and adapted

to the individual dog.

No one-size-fits-all programs.

Evidence-informed.

Every recommendation is grounded

in behavioural science and adapted

to the individual dog.

No one-size-fits-all programs.

Lasting rehabilitation.

We aren't interested in temporary

management. Our goal is meaningful

behavioural change that improves

quality of life for both dogs

and their families.

Lasting rehabilitation.

We aren’t interested in temporary

management. Our goal is meaningful

behavioural change that improves

quality of life for both dogs

and their families.

COMPLEX CASES. THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS.

For the dogs

others

couldn't help.

________

Many of the families we work with have already

worked with trainers, attended classes, or

tried behaviour plans without lasting success.

Our work begins where traditional training

often ends. Rather than managing behaviour,

we investigate why it developed and build a

rehabilitation plan around the individual dog.

COMPLEX CASES. THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS.

For the dogs

others

couldn’t help.

________

Many of the families we work with have already

worked with trainers, attended classes, or

tried behaviour plans without lasting success.

Our work begins where traditional training

often ends. Rather than managing behaviour,

we investigate why it developed and build a

rehabilitation plan around the individual dog.

COMPLEX CASES. THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS.

For the dogs

others

couldn’t help.

________

Many of the families we work with have already

worked with trainers, attended classes, or

tried behaviour plans without lasting success.

Our work begins where traditional training

often ends. Rather than managing behaviour,

we investigate why it developed and build a

rehabilitation plan around the individual dog.

01 Apply

Complete a behavioural application so we can

understand your dog, your behavioural concerns,

your household and your goals.

──────────────────────────────

02 Case Suitability Consultation

Every application is personally reviewed.

Suitable applicants are invited to a complimentary

phone consultation where we discuss your goals,

answer questions and determine whether our

behavioural rehabilitation model is appropriate

for your case.

──────────────────────────────

03 Initial Behavioural Assessment

Your first appointment lasts approximately

2–3 hours. We investigate behavioural history,

observe your dog’s environment, identify

contributing variables, implement immediate

management strategies and begin developing

your personalised Behavioural Rehabilitation Plan.

──────────────────────────────

04 Behavioural Rehabilitation

Accepted clients enter a minimum six-month

Behavioural Rehabilitation Program consisting

of monthly rehabilitation sessions, ongoing

guidance between appointments and continual

refinement of the rehabilitation plan as

behaviour changes.

YOUR JOURNEY

Behavioural

rehabilitation

begins long

before the

first appointment.

We accept a limited number of behavioural

rehabilitation cases to ensure every client

receives the time, planning and ongoing

support they deserve.

YOUR JOURNEY

Behavioural

rehabilitation

begins long

before the

first appointment.

We accept a limited number of behavioural

rehabilitation cases to ensure every client

receives the time, planning and ongoing

support they deserve.

YOUR JOURNEY

Behavioural

rehabilitation

begins long

before the

first appointment.

We accept a limited number of behavioural

rehabilitation cases to ensure every client

receives the time, planning and ongoing

support they deserve.

01 Apply

Complete a behavioural application so we can

understand your dog, your behavioural concerns,

your household and your goals.

──────────────────────────────

02 Case Suitability Consultation

Every application is personally reviewed.

Suitable applicants are invited to a complimentary

phone consultation where we discuss your goals,

answer questions and determine whether our

behavioural rehabilitation model is appropriate

for your case.

──────────────────────────────

03 Initial Behavioural Assessment

Your first appointment lasts approximately

2–3 hours. We investigate behavioural history,

observe your dog's environment, identify

contributing variables, implement immediate

management strategies and begin developing

your personalised Behavioural Rehabilitation Plan.

──────────────────────────────

04 Behavioural Rehabilitation

Accepted clients enter a minimum six-month

Behavioural Rehabilitation Program consisting

of monthly rehabilitation sessions, ongoing

guidance between appointments and continual

refinement of the rehabilitation plan as

behaviour changes.

01 Apply

Complete a behavioural application so we can

understand your dog, your behavioural concerns,

your household and your goals.

──────────────────────────────

02 Case Suitability Consultation

Every application is personally reviewed.

Suitable applicants are invited to a complimentary

phone consultation where we discuss your goals,

answer questions and determine whether our

behavioural rehabilitation model is appropriate

for your case.

──────────────────────────────

03 Initial Behavioural Assessment

Your first appointment lasts approximately

2–3 hours. We investigate behavioural history,

observe your dog’s environment, identify

contributing variables, implement immediate

management strategies and begin developing

your personalised Behavioural Rehabilitation Plan.

──────────────────────────────

04 Behavioural Rehabilitation

Accepted clients enter a minimum six-month

Behavioural Rehabilitation Program consisting

of monthly rehabilitation sessions, ongoing

guidance between appointments and continual

refinement of the rehabilitation plan as

behaviour changes.

WHY REHABILITATION

TAKES TIME

Meaningful

behavioural

change takes time.

──────────────────────────────

Behaviour is the product of learning, emotion,

physiology and environment.

Meaningful behavioural change cannot be achieved

through a single appointment or a handful of isolated

lessons.

Lasting rehabilitation requires observation,

implementation, refinement and time.

WHY REHABILITATION

TAKES TIME

Meaningful

behavioural

change takes time.

──────────────────────────────

Behaviour is the product of learning, emotion,

physiology and environment.

Meaningful behavioural change cannot be achieved

through a single appointment or a handful of isolated

lessons.

Lasting rehabilitation requires observation,

implementation, refinement and time.

_______

No one-off

appointments.

_______

Behaviour cannot be fully

understood in a single meeting.

Our first appointment begins the

investigation—not the conclusion.

_______

No one-off

appointments.

_______

Behaviour cannot be fully

understood in a single meeting.

Our first appointment begins the

investigation—not the conclusion.

_______

No quick fixes.

_______

We don’t promise immediate

change. We build sustainable

behavioural change that lasts

beyond training..

_______

No quick fixes.

_______

We don’t promise immediate

change. We build sustainable

behavioural change that lasts

beyond training..

_______

Individual

rehabilitation plans.

_______

Every rehabilitation plan is built

around the individual dog,

household and behavioural history.

_______

Individual

rehabilitation plans.

_______

Every rehabilitation plan is built

around the individual dog,

household and behavioural history.

THE BEHAVIOURIST

_________________________

Not every behavioural

concern requires

rehabilitation.

But when it does,

experience matters.

Benjamin McGill, B.C.C.B., is the founder and Clinical Behaviourist of The Cognitive Canine, a behavioural rehabilitation practice specialising in aggression, fear, anxiety and complex canine behaviour. Rather than focusing on obedience, Ben's work begins by understanding why behaviour occurs. Every rehabilitation plan is developed through careful behavioural analysis, considering the emotional, environmental and behavioural variables influencing each individual dog. His approach combines evidence-informed behavioural science with decades of practical rehabilitation experience. Before specialising exclusively in canine behaviour, Ben worked in behavioural health supporting children on the autism spectrum and adolescents receiving treatment for chemical dependency. That foundation in behavioural intervention continues to shape the structured, compassionate rehabilitation model that defines The Cognitive Canine today.

Ben has worked extensively with families, rescue organisations, working dogs and complex behavioural cases throughout Australia and the United States.

Today, he combines academic study, behavioural science and practical experience to help families navigate some of the most challenging canine behaviour cases with clarity, confidence and lasting change.

SELECTED CREDENTIALS

Board Certified Canine Behaviorist (B.C.C.B.)

Director of Behavioral Rehabilitation
Canine Stroke Foundation

Psychological Science
Western Kentucky University

Former Behaviour Therapist

American Kennel Club Evaluator

Therapy Dogs United Evaluator

Author
A Is For Aggression

Behaviour changes when

we understand

its function—not simply

when we tryto suppress it.

Behaviour changes when

we understand

its function—not simply

when we tryto suppress it.

THE BEHAVIOURIST

_________________________

Not every behavioural

concern requires

rehabilitation.

But when it does,

experience matters.

Benjamin McGill, B.C.C.B., is the founder and Clinical Behaviourist

of The Cognitive Canine, a behavioural rehabilitation practice

specialising in aggression, fear, anxiety and complex canine behaviour.

Rather than focusing on obedience, Ben's work begins by understanding

why behaviour occurs. Every rehabilitation plan is developed through

careful behavioural analysis, considering the emotional, environmental and

behavioural variables influencing each individual dog. His approach combines

evidence-informed behavioural science with decades of practical

rehabilitation experience. Before specialising exclusively in canine behaviour,

Ben worked in behavioural health supporting children on the autism spectrum

and adolescents receiving treatment for chemical dependency.

That foundation in behavioural intervention continues to shape the structured,

compassionate rehabilitation model that defines The Cognitive Canine today.

Ben has worked extensively with families, rescue organisations, working dogs

and complex behavioural cases throughout Australia and the United States.

Today, he combines academic study, behavioural science and practical

experience to help families navigate some of the most challenging canine

behaviour cases with clarity, confidence and lasting change.