From problem
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Qualified animal behaviourist based in Stellenbosch
Hello, my name is Nancy! I am a COAPE Certified Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) having graduated with my Diploma in Animal Behaviour (DipCABT) from COAPE in 2022. I currently offer training and behaviour consultations for both dogs and cats, for problems ranging from house training and basic leash manners to reactivity and aggression. I am based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, but also offer virtual consults.
My approach to training and behaviour modification uses reward-based and force-free techniques to build trust and teamwork between you and your animal. I have a passion for the role of choice and consent in treating fear-related behaviours such as reactivity and aggression, and using these to build an animal's confidence and ability to cope with the world they live in.
In addition to individual behaviour consultations, I have teamed up with Lenke Elferink to form No Ordinary Dog School (NODS) and run puppy classes in Stellenbosch. I also have the pleasure to be the resident behaviourist for Vineyard Dog Agility, as well as offering group reactivity classes in Stellenbosch. I am a lecturer and tutor for COAPE International and play a role in keeping our courses updated with the latest science in animal behaviour. Finally, I contributed a chapter to Karin Pienaar's "Mood Matters", a book dedicated to the role of animal emotionality in the treatment of behaviour problems.
(See more reviews here)
"Nancy has been absolutely pivotal in helping me with my adopted JRT Spottie. She has fear-based reactivity and it was so bad we could not walk past other dogs at all without her having to attack based on her fear. Nancy has been so amazing in giving us the right tools to work with this challenge. We are now getting within 10 meters and Spottie does not react at all. I am forever thankful to Nancy!"
Yolande and Spottie
Paarl, May 2025
"Nancy has an exceptionally calm, natural approach to animal behaviour. The notes and suggestions she gave us about our cats’ tumultuous relationship were incredibly effective and implementable even in our busy house!"
Bronwyn, PJ, Asta, and Mushroom
Stellenbosch, Apr 2025
"I was very nervous having Ty off-lead. Nancy organised a number of social walks and we soon learnt that Ty had good intentions when meeting new dogs except his excitement would sometimes startle the other dog (not all dogs enjoy a boisterous play bow at first greetings). She has taught me how to approach walking with other dogs and encourage calm and neutral on-leash greetings. It is very reassuring to have her professional guidance." s
Sarah and Ty
Somerset West, Oct 2024
"Nancy has been the silver lining in our tumultuous journey with our Milly Pup. We had spent thousands on training prior to meeting Nancy, and saw minimal improvement with Milly's fear-based aggression. We were hesitant to try someone new, but Nancy has been the best decision we have made for our Milly. Nancy has given us so much hope, and we can't express our gratitude sufficiently. We will forever be indebted to Nancy."
Caitlin, Ewald, Brandon, and Milly
Cape Town, Dec 2023
If you are interested in help with training or behaviour, you can fill out this consultation form and email it to me at nancy@barktobasics.co.za, and I will get back to you with a suggested plan of action. Depending on what you and your animal would like help with, this could involve a home visit, a private training class, a group reactivity class, or a full behavioural consultation followed by a comprehensive plan to support you and your animal over the coming weeks and months.
It can be a fuzzy line but broadly speaking, training focuses on teaching an animal to perform a particular exercise, such as sit, lie down, stay, or something more involved like running an agility course. Behaviour tends to refer to situations where hard-wired or instinctive behaviour is involved, like prey drive, or behaviours involving big feelings such as barky "reactive" behaviour or aggressive behaviour that is driven by fear. In a behaviour consultation we focus on understanding and addressing the underlying emotions that drive a behaviour in order to achieve long-term success.
Yes! Lenke Elferink and I have teamed up to form No Ordinary Dog School (NODS). Our puppy classes are based in Stellenbosch and are appropriate for puppies of all shapes and sizes, as long as they have had their second set of vaccinations.
I work in Stellenbosch and the surrounding areas. Consultations outside of Stellenbosch may include an additional travel fee. I also offer online consultations and training via Zoom.
Luckily, yes! Dogs and cats can learn at any age, and that includes developing social skills or addressing problem behaviours such as fearfulness, reactivity, and aggression.
Absolutely - I can help with problem behaviours for cats, including spraying, scratching, aggression towards people or other animals, fearfulness, or integrating a new cat into the family.
| Behaviour consultation | 90-120 mins as needed | R1200-R1600* |
|---|---|---|
| Includes: post-consult behaviour plan, vet report if required, on-going support via phone or email. | ||
| Behaviour follow-up sessions | 60 mins | R350-R500* |
| Packages available. | ||
| Group classes for reactivity | 60 mins (per class) | R1000 for 4 classes |
| Training, good manners, and life skills | 60 mins | R350-R500* |
| Packages available. | ||
| Puppy classes (NODS) | 6 classes of 45 mins | R1200 for 6 classes |
| Puppies must have had at least two sets of vaccinationss to join puppy classes. | ||
* Exact price will depend on the behaviour being addressed. Travel fees not included.
If cost is a barrier, feel free to reach out - we can explore a plan that works for you.
Finding a qualified and experienced animal professional isn't always easy. I maintain a list of animal professionals who have appropriate qualifications throughout South Africa and the rest of the world. Whether you are looking for a dog or cat behaviourist, local puppy classes, agility training, veterinary physiotherapy, or something else, please click the map below to find qualified professionals in your area.
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