Walkies Dog Behaviour & Training

06/09/2026

Have your walks become more about avoiding other dogs than actually enjoying them?

You cross the road when you see one coming. You change your route. You’re constantly looking ahead, checking for dogs around corners or worrying about an off-lead dog appearing.

When you live with a reactive dog, it’s surprising how quickly this can become normal.

Good management is important, but if walks are becoming stressful or the places you feel able to go are getting smaller, it might be time to get some help.

You don’t need to wait until things get worse.

My six-session Reactivity Programme is designed to help you understand what’s driving your dog’s reactions and give you practical, individual support to make walks feel more manageable and enjoyable again.

If this sounds familiar, you can find out more about my Reactivity Programme on my website, or get in touch and tell me a little about your dog 👇🏻

https://walkiesdogbehaviourandtraining.co.uk/tell-me-about-your-dog

https://walkiesdogbehaviourandtraining.co.uk/reactivity-package

03/09/2026

Lovely Ralph had his first puppy session today ❤️

His family wanted some help with puppy nipping, particularly with young children in the family.

One of the things we talked about was that puppy biting isn’t always simply about needing to teach them not to bite. Ralph gave us some lovely examples today of how tiredness, excitement and even being touched when he wanted a little more space could all make him more mouthy.

We also saw how quickly something as simple as using his nose to search for a few treats helped him slow down and settle.

So alongside starting some useful puppy skills – recall, a hand touch and teaching the children to “be a tree” when Ralph gets excited – we talked about rest, chewing, sniffing, giving him choices and using a stairgate when everyone needs a bit of space.

Puppy training is about so much more than teaching a puppy to sit. It’s about getting to know the puppy in front of you and helping them develop the skills they’ll need as they grow. 🐾

https://walkiesdogbehaviourandtraining.co.uk/puppy-program-bookings

03/09/2026

What to know before hiring a dog trainer or behaviourist – how to choose one you can trust, red flags to avoid, and how to raise a concern.

02/09/2026

Loose lead walking with Tuppence 🐾

We started by building foundations in the paddock, before moving into quieter areas where we could begin adding a little more distractions.

Now we’re starting to take those same skills onto the pavements where she normally walks.

This is such an important part of training - layering skills, rather than expecting dogs to learn everything at once.

Every new environment adds another layer of difficulty. More smells, sounds, movement, traffic, people and distractions, but by building those skills somewhere easier first and then gradually adding complexity, we can give her the best chance of being successful at each stage.

Tuppence is making great progress and has gone from bouncing everywhere on a tight lead to loose lead walking 🤩

27/08/2026

What if a dog looks calm… but actually isn’t coping?

When I first met Margaux, she wasn’t barking, lunging or making a fuss. She was quiet.

But quiet doesn’t always mean comfortable. Margaux was shut down.

Her progress began when we stopped asking more of her and took the pressure away. No expectation to get out of the car, walk somewhere or be brave. Instead, we let Margaux set the pace.

Her story is a lovely reminder that being safe and feeling safe aren’t always the same thing — and sometimes progress begins when a dog knows they’re allowed to say no.

I’ve written about Margaux’s journey here:

Margaux was a profoundly shut down rescue dog who struggled to feel safe at home and out in the world. Read how choice, veterinary support and carefully paced behaviour work helped her begin to explore again.

26/08/2026

Our lovely Doug has come safely through his spinal surgery today ❤️

He’s awake and recovering, and I can’t quite describe the relief of getting that call. So incredibly grateful to the wonderful team at Granta Vet Specialists for taking such good care of him 🙏 With any luck he will be home later this week ❤️‍🩹

26/08/2026

Happy International Dog Day ❤️

Let’s see your lovely dogs in the comments 🥰

Here’s Peggy, Doug, Archie, Rosie & Bill ❤️

25/08/2026

This is great news for clients.

We’re delighted to share some extremely positive news regarding insurance cover for behavioural treatment provided by INTODogs behaviourist members.
Following our recent application and the additional information provided, Petplan has confirmed that clients can now claim under their behavioural illness cover for treatment provided by Association of INTODogs LTD members who hold the title of Certified / Accredited Canine Behaviourist.
This means that where one of our clients holds a qualifying Petplan policy with behavioural illness cover, they may be able to claim for eligible behavioural treatment you provide, subject to the terms and conditions of their individual policy.
Petplan has confirmed that INTODogs will be added to its list of accepted associations when its Terms and Conditions are next updated.
We have also been advised that the same approach will apply to other pet insurance brands underwritten by Allianz where behavioural illness cover is provided. This currently includes LV Pet Insurance.
Please note that Petplan and Allianz regularly review their accepted associations and acceptance criteria. While we are very pleased that INTODogs members are now accepted, this arrangement remains subject to ongoing review.

23/08/2026

My professional accreditation with the Association of INTODogs has been renewed for 2026/27, after submitting evidence of more than 40 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) from the past year.

I’m an Accredited Canine Behaviourist – Knowledge & Skills Assessed (ACB-KSA), and that “assessed” part is important to me.

Dog training and behaviour is still unregulated in the UK, so anyone can call themselves a trainer or behaviourist. Qualifications matter, but so does having your knowledge and skills independently assessed, continuing to learn and being accountable to professional standards.

My Level 5 qualification in Canine Behaviour sits alongside my professional accreditation with INTODogs, and through INTODogs I’m also a member of ICAN (International Companion Animal Network) and the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter.

Behind all of those letters and logos is a commitment to ongoing learning, welfare-led practice, professional standards, and working alongside vets and other professionals when needed.

Really pleased to have renewed for another year, and proud of what these certificates represent - not just qualifications, but a commitment to continuing to learn and to doing the best we can for the dogs and people we work with. ❤️🐾