Reactive Dogs


transform your reactive dog
from manic and panicked to calm and collected

Does your dog think ‘Uh-oh!’ as soon as they step outside?

There are lots of reasons why dogs growl, bark and lunge.

Some are rescue dogs, some had a bad experience in their past, some learn it from their mother or are genetically predisposed to it.

And some, well, some we need to find out more to be able to say exactly what makes them do what they do.

And that’s what I’m here to help with.

Your dog is barking and lunging in the street.

People give you funny looks and make comments about your ‘aggressive’ dog.
It's stressful, embarrassing and isolating.
You can’t join the gaggle of dog parents in the park and you’re starting to dread your walks.

I’ve been where you are.

I wanted a ‘take everywhere’ dog. One who could come with me to café’s, markets, pubs and on adventures.

Ellie joined me aged 2.5yrs, and like a lot of rescue dogs during the first 6 months she seemed calm, quiet and gentle.

Around 6 months in, Ellie started to charge, bark and lunge at other dogs. This timeline is typical with rescue dogs, it’s when they start to feel more comfortable in their new home.

With dogs lovingly brought up at home, it can start to surface when they reach social maturity and their behaviour changes. As their confidence grows, so does their desire to tell you how they feel. And as their nearest and dearest, you, lucky you, start to see the ‘real’ them.

Like all ‘reactive’ dogs that label really doesn’t do Ellie justice. She is so, so much more than her few moments here and there of Tasmanian-devil impressions.

She is loving, attentive, polite, and so calm in the house. She will sleep at home for hours. She’s never chewed anything, never toileted in the house, doesn’t bark at noises outside, lives happily alongside my cat… she really is the perfect pooch.

We’ve done lots of work and now Ellie can join me on most of my adventures.

The outbursts, which used to happen multiple times a day, are now down to maybe once a month or so.

I still take care to manage her exposure to things she used to dislike, because too much stress can set her back. There are certain things I will always do for her: careful management of her environment, skip walks if we had a busy day the day before, lots of enrichment and calming activities at home. But with careful planning, a never-ending bag of chicken and eyes like a hawk to spot potential issues, there are very few times now where she thinks ‘uh-oh!’ on our daily walks.

She is happy and I am happy. We enjoy our walks together.

So, when I say I work with reactive dogs, I don’t just work with them.

I live, breath, sleep and eat with one. I walk in your shoes, I feel the humiliation, guilt, worry and distress when they have an outburst. I also feel the love, joy, pride and contentment that comes with sharing a home with one. They are far more than just a reactive dog. They are your family.


Can I fix it?

Your dog doesn’t need to be ‘fixed’. They are fabulous. They are also struggling. We know that because the freezing, staring, barking and lunging tells us. These are outward expressions of how your dog feels inside. We don’t want them to feel that way. It hurts to see them distressed. And you want to do something, to help them.


Can I improve it? Almost certainly.

You will have tried lots of things already. Other trainers, books, Facebook groups. You probably already know that there’s no magic-wand solution. What we can do is use effective techniques to build your relationship, create a strategy to deal with the outbursts in the short-term and put a training plan in place so you can continue to work on change in the long-term.


I have a plan. It’s effective, it’s structured, it’s a tried and tested pathway. And it’s right this way.


What can you expect from me?

If you choose to work with me to get support for your reactive dog, you will have:

  • A structured, easy to follow plan, updated after each session with next steps

  • Strategies for preventing and managing unwanted behaviour

  • Training techniques which change your dog’s emotional response and teach them how to think differently

  • Emotional support throughout your journey

  • The knowledge that once you’ve completed the programme, your dog is the best they can be. And you have done all you can for them.  

    How does that sound?

This service is for you if:

  • Your dog growls, barks or lunges at dogs, people, traffic… or anything else

  • You feel like there’s more to your dog’s behaviour than meets the eye

  • You want to know you’ve done everything you can to support your dog

  • You believe in training with love, using kind, ethical, science-backed methods

  • You know that easy, 'magic wand' solutions simply don’t exist

  • You’re prepared to put time and effort in to transforming your dog

Choose your level of support

Basic Consultation

£595

We will go through the history and reasons for your dog’s behaviour and I'll show you some practical exercises to work on at home and on your walks.

This package includes:

  • 2-hour initial behaviour consultation in person

  • Written report and action plan

  • Liaison with your vet

  • Support for 12 weeks on email/WhatsApp

  • 1-hour follow-up, in person/ on zoom, after 12 weeks

By the end of our programme you will understand your dog better and know what to do to make life better for them.


Full Support Programme

£1,495*

* value over £1,800 if purchased separately

Includes ALL of the Basic Package PLUS:

+ 6 x fortnightly 1-hour bespoke 1-1 training sessions

+ Unlimited 15-min phone/zoom catch-ups

+ Option to self record how-to videos from our session

+ Dog Behaviour 101 on Body Language

+ Customised Shopping list

By the end of our programme you will understand your dog better, have tailored solutions in place to deal with any eventuality and you will know no matter how far they’ve come that you’ve done the absolute best for them. They will be the very best they can be.


Within the London North/South Circular, services are delivered in-person.

Nationwide consults take place via Zoom.

What happens next?

Choose your perfect package

Decide whether you’d prefer to opt for the Basic Consultation or the Full Support Programme.

Tell me all about your dog

I'll send you a behaviour questionnaire, to collect some background information about you, your dog and your challenges.

Organise your vet referral

I will also send a simple form for your vet to complete. This is important as medical issues can affect your dog’s behaviour.

I’ll create a plan, just for you

I will design a bespoke, tailored 1-1 solution to suit you, your dog and your lifestyle.

We help your dog, together

You get to enjoy your dog, knowing you’ve done everything you can to give them the very best life.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

FAQs

  • The result you get will depend on a number of things including your dog’s background, genetics, learning history, and the time and opportunities you can offer them through training. All dogs respond differently. What you will know is that once we’re done working together, your dog will be the very best they can be. Don’t compare yourself to others. We will be thorough and have worked through all the possibilities, so you’ll know there’s no stone left unturned. You can be content knowing the dog you have has reached their full potential.

  • Working with your vet as part of a team allows us to address any potential underlying health issues which may be contributing to your dog’s behaviour. This is the most effective way to understanding your dog. Because it’s so important it is also a requirement of the organisations I’m a member of APBC and FABC.

  • As the proud dog-parent to a reactive dog myself, I know how much work you have to put in to supporting them. If you’re confident in your ability to do that work yourself then the basic programme will suit you. Most often though, you’ll need the support of an experienced trainer to help guide you as you move through the different stages of the training. That’s why I offer 1-1 bespoke training sessions as part of a full support programme, so we can work together to put the skills you learn in to practise.

  • Most of my clients come to me having seen several other trainers. Instantly this tells us something. Your issue is not a simple training issue. If it was, you’d likely have got to the bottom of it already. Your dog’s behaviour is complex and the reasons behind it will take real insight to unpick. Together we are going to deep-dive in to all the areas of your dog’s life, to find out why they do what they do, and what you can about it. This is not a one-size-fits-all training plan. We will take a holistic approach looking at physical, mental and emotional solutions for your dog’s behaviour.

  • I will always be honest about what I think is possible for you and your dog. I won’t know that until we’ve done the initial consultation. Your outcome will depend on how well you can manage your dog’s environment, how much time you have for training, and how your dog responds to it. Everyone’s journey is unique to them and it’s important not to compare your journey to someone else’s. What I can tell you, is that together, we will make sure your dog is the very best they can be.

  • You probably found your way here because you’ve been dealing with this problem for a while. If your dog is reactive; growling, barking or lunging, it’s very unlikely to go away on its own. In fact, what tends to happen is the more your dog practises the unwanted the behaviour, the more likely they are to do it again in future. As with many challenging behaviours, dogs tend to grow into them, rather than out of them! Seeking help sooner is always better.

  • You probably spend a lot of time preparing for walks, planning your schedule and avoiding certain days/parks/times of day with your dog already. The difference is, now, you’ll know what you’re doing is right and you’re working towards a goal. Yes, there will be some exercises to practise. But if you already spend a good part of your day thinking, reading and obsessing over your dog’s behaviour, it probably won’t add much time to your day. Instead, we’ll use the time you were already spending, and make it more constructive. You will have a structured plan, broken down into stages, and we’ll work through it together step-by-step. Outside of our sessions you’ll need about 15mins per day to prep and practise the exercises. And the rest will happen during walks or time you’re already spending with your dog.

  • We can extend the time it takes to complete your programme to allow for holidays. Just let me know during our first session.

  • I am available Monday-Friday 10am-5pm on email and WhatsApp throughout your 12-week programme. I will answer any questions you have and keep your training on track. You can send videos on WhatsApp and I can offer feedback on your training, or insight in to your dog’s behaviour. If you’re on the full support programme you will also have fortnightly phone or video calls with me.

    I respond to emails within 3 business days, and reply to WhatsApp same business day. WhatsApp messages sent out of hours will receive a reply the following business day.

  • You should start to see changes in your dog’s behaviour within 2 weeks of our initial consultation. How quickly they progress after that will depend on how well you can manage your dog’s environment, how much time you have for training, and how well your dog responds. If your dog has been practising their unwanted behaviour for a long time, then it can take a lot of repetition to see lasting results. But don’t worry, I’ll be here to help you through it.

  • Sometimes dogs behave differently when they’re in a group than when they’re with you, so this will depend on your dog. If your dog walker is having the same troubles walking your dog as you are, then yes it will help to get them involved so that you’re consistent with your training.

  • I’d like to meet all your family members during our initial consultation. Your dog will respond better if you’re consistent in your training, and that means everyone who trains and walks them doing the same thing. This programme will get you all on the same page and working consistently with your dog.

  • It’s not uncommon for dogs to have more than one problem behaviour. The reasons for them and the solutions to them could be quite different. If you’re reactive dog barks at people and also at dogs or traffic, then we can deal with both of those at the same time. If you’re struggling with, for example, reactivity and separation issues, it’s best to pick one area to focus on at a time. Those behaviours will have very different causes and solutions and will each require dedication and focus from you.

    If you’re not sure where to start or how to decide, pop a call in the diary here and we’ll work it out together.

Are you ready to transform your dog from manic and panicked to calm and collected?

Still have questions? Book a call here