It is my passion, my mission, the ethos behind my life as a dog trainer. & behaviourist
I think dogs deserve to be happy and free from fear and anxiety. You want the same for your dog or you wouldn’t be reading this. Dogs don’t live long lives compared to us humans and their happiness whilst they are among us ultimately lies in the hands of their guardians (that’s you).
When dogs develop behavioural problems involving fear and anxiety, especially those who overflow and explode into aggression I understand that it is emotional for their owners too. They are upset and sad for their dog, frustrated by a behaviour they can’t control, embarrassed when it happens in public. They get angry with their dog, and often angry at the reactions of other people when it happens, then guilt for feeling angry with their dog. It is a rollercoaster of emotions on a daily basis.
People sometimes forget that dogs are dogs. Dogs are amazing animals who give us unconditional love. We expect too much of them; we expect them to behave like rational human beings with our gift of reason and forethought instead of what they are; dogs, instinctive animals who need our guidance and support to live in our world.
My job is to help you to help your dog grow in confidence together, to teach you how to change how your dog feels about the approach of a stranger, teach them not to be worried when a dog runs up to them when they are trapped on a lead and can’t escape, not to get angry when their human takes their prize off them and not to panic when their beloved guardian walks out of the door and leaves them alone.
Dogs are everything we’ve wanted them to be, and they do amazingly well in our human environment. Yet we still ask for more and expect them to be perfect despite frightening experiences they have had in the past or genetically inherited anxiety because they were born in a puppy farm to a scared frightened mum.
Building optimism, resilience, confidence and calmness in your dog’s life will help your dog deal with their daily struggles.
My job is to help you understand how your dog communicates their emotions, fears and frustrations and to teach you how to communicate with your dog in a way she understands so you can help her overcome them and teach her that everything isn’t as scary as it seems right now.