A relaxed dog leaning calmly against its pet parent in warm golden light at home, showing relief after a Phoenix dog behavior consultation
certified canine behaviorist

Initial Dog Behavior Consultation, Assessment & Evaluation

Professional insight, immediate safety guidance, and a written roadmap for aggression, reactivity, anxiety, fear, separation anxiety, resource guarding, bite history, panic, and dogs fighting in the same home.

When your dog is growling, lunging, snapping, biting, guarding, panicking, or fighting with another dog in your home, more guessing is not what you need. You need to understand what is actually happening, why it is happening, what has to change right now to keep everyone safe, and what a realistic path forward looks like. That is exactly what this consultation is built to give you.

No shock. No prong. No fear.

You work directly with Will himself, never an assistant or a junior trainer.

Will Bangura, certified canine behaviorist, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona

Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB

CBCC-KA  Â·  CPDT-KA  Â·  FDM  Â·  FFCP

Will Bangura is a Certified Canine Behaviorist, Applied Ethologist, and behavior consultant specializing in severe dog aggression, reactivity, anxiety, fear, phobias, separation anxiety, and complex canine behavior problems. With more than 35 years of experience, he works with pet parents throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area and worldwide through virtual behavior consultations.

Will is Arizona's only CAB-ICB Certified Canine Behaviorist through International Canine Behaviorists, and one of only three professionals in the United States to hold this credential. He holds a Master of Science degree in Psychology and completed postgraduate studies in canine cognition through Harvard University.

In addition to his behaviorist credentials, Will is certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as both a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). He is also a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP) and certified in Applied Ethology through Kim Brophey's Family Dog Mediation (FDM) program.

Will is the founder of Phoenix Dog Training, host of the Dog Training Today podcast, published author, public speaker, and expert witness in dog behavior and aggression cases. His work focuses on evidence-based, force-free behavior modification that addresses the underlying emotional causes of canine behavior problems rather than simply suppressing behavior through punishment.

M.S.Psychology
CAB-ICBCertified Canine Behaviorist
CBCC-KACertified Behavior Consultant Canine
CPDT-KACertified Professional Dog Trainer
FDMFamily Dog Mediator
FFCPFear Free Certified Professional
before you schedule

Watch This Before You Schedule

In this short video, Will explains what the Initial Behavior Consultation and Assessment covers, what it is designed to accomplish, what it is not, and how to choose the right starting point for your dog.

Will Bangura explains what happens in an initial dog behavior consultation
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what it is

A Professional Behavior Assessment

The Initial Dog Behavior Consultation, Assessment, and Evaluation is the professional starting point for serious behavior problems. It is where a certified canine behaviorist looks closely at your dog's history, triggers, body language, patterns, environment, and safety risks, and builds a clear picture of what is driving the behavior.

Together, we work through the questions that matter most.

  • Why is my dog doing this?
  • What is making it worse?
  • What do I need to stop doing right now?
  • What is the safest way forward?
  • What should happen first?

You leave with real understanding and a written plan, not a list of commands, and not a quick fix.

what it is not

Where Serious Behavior Is Finally Understood

This is not a dog training lesson. It is not obedience work. It is not a one-time fix. It is not ongoing training, and it is not ongoing behavior modification. It is not a board-and-train evaluation, and it is not an attempt to push your dog through an entire treatment plan in a single appointment.

Serious behavior problems like aggression, reactivity, and severe anxiety are emotional. They are not a matter of disobedience. Before anyone can help your dog change, the behavior has to be properly assessed and understood. That assessment is what this consultation delivers.

scope of practice

Why a Certified Canine Behaviorist Is Different

Good trainers do valuable work. The question is not who is better, it is which kind of professional matches what your dog actually needs.

Dog trainer

Teaches obedience, manners, and household skills. Best when your dog is fundamentally comfortable.

Behavior consultant

Addresses behavior beyond manners with assessment and a plan. Cannot diagnose medical conditions or prescribe.

recommended for serious cases

Certified canine behaviorist: Will Bangura

Aggression, anxiety, reactivity, fear, phobias, separation anxiety, resource guarding, and dogs fighting in the home, with veterinary collaboration when medical or medication support is relevant.

Veterinary behaviorist

Medical diagnosis and prescription medication for the most severe medical complexity. Very limited availability.

choose your consultation

Choose Your Consultation

Virtual Initial Behavior Consultation

$295conducted live by video

A complete professional behavior assessment and evaluation with Will Bangura. Includes a full review of your dog's behavior history, triggers, and safety concerns, an assessment of the likely contributing factors, immediate management priorities, and a clear treatment direction. Includes a written Behavior Assessment and Treatment Roadmap after your consultation. Available to families locally, nationally, and internationally.

Schedule Virtual Consultation Â· $295

In-Home Initial Behavior Consultation

$495conducted in your home

Everything included in the virtual consultation, conducted in your home with Will Bangura, with direct evaluation of your dog in its own environment. Includes the professional behavior assessment, safety planning, treatment direction, and the written Behavior Assessment and Treatment Roadmap. Available throughout the Phoenix metro area. Availability is limited.

Schedule In-Home Consultation Â· $495

Free 15-Minute Call

Not sure which option fits your situation? Schedule a free 15-minute call. We will briefly discuss what is happening and help you choose the right starting point.

Book a Free 15-Minute Call

Both consultations include the same professional assessment, safety planning, and written roadmap. You work directly with Will himself.

what's included

What You Receive

  • A thorough review of your dog's behavior history
  • A close look at triggers, patterns, body language, and safety concerns
  • A professional assessment of what is likely driving the behavior
  • Immediate management and safety recommendations you can put to use right away
  • A clear direction for what should happen next
  • A written Behavior Assessment and Treatment Roadmap
  • Coordination with your veterinarian when medical or medication support may be appropriate

Everything above is included in your consultation fee.

who it's for

Who This Consultation Is For

This consultation is for pet parents facing serious or complex behavior concerns, including aggression, reactivity, barking and lunging, growling, snapping, bite history, resource guarding, separation anxiety, fear, panic, phobias, stranger danger, dogs fighting in the same home, and fear at the veterinarian or groomer.

It is also for families who have already tried other approaches and seen no real change. Many serious behavior problems persist for one reason: the underlying cause was never properly assessed. This is where that finally happens.

why will bangura

Why Families Choose Will Bangura

Will Bangura is a certified canine behaviorist with more than 35 years of experience in the most serious and complex behavior cases. He is Arizona's only Certified Canine Behaviorist accredited through the International Canine Behaviorists (ICB), and he holds advanced credentials in canine behavior, applied ethology, and fear-free handling. He is a published author, a podcast host, and an expert witness in canine behavior.

There is a real difference between someone who teaches obedience and a behaviorist who assesses and addresses the emotional drivers behind aggression, anxiety, and reactivity. For serious behavior problems, that difference is everything.

When you schedule, you work directly with Will himself. You are never handed off.

after your consultation

What Happens Next

After your consultation, Will will walk you through what he found, explain the recommended direction for your dog, and describe what continued behavior work would involve if it is needed. You decide together what makes sense from there.

The consultation gives you the assessment, the clarity, and the roadmap. It is the foundation everything else is built on.

questions, answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a dog training session?

No. It is a professional behavior assessment and evaluation conducted by a certified canine behaviorist. It is the starting point for serious behavior problems, not an obedience lesson.

Will my dog be fixed in one consultation?

No. The purpose of the first meeting is to assess the problem correctly, address immediate safety, and build the right plan. Serious behavior change happens over time, on the foundation this consultation creates.

Should I choose virtual or in-home?

Both include the same assessment, safety planning, and written roadmap. In-home adds direct evaluation of your dog in its own environment. If you are unsure, book a free 15-minute call and we will help you choose.

Do you work with aggression and bite cases?

Yes. Aggression, bite history, reactivity, and severe anxiety are among the cases Will works with most.

Do you work with veterinarians?

Yes. When medical or medication support may be appropriate, Will coordinates with your veterinarian.

What if I have already worked with someone else and nothing changed?

That is common, and it is often because the underlying cause was never properly assessed. This consultation is designed to find it.

get started

Start With Clarity, Safety, and a Plan

If your dog's behavior is affecting your safety, your stress, your daily life, or your bond with your dog, the next step is a professional assessment with someone who understands what is really happening.

Schedule your Initial Dog Behavior Consultation and Assessment with Will Bangura, and begin with a clear picture and a real plan built for your dog.

Schedule a Consult