My Kinda Dog - Dog Training & Behaviour

My Kinda Dog - Dog Training & Behaviour Let's build the life you've been dreaming of with your dog. Hi! My name is Giulia, and I’m a qualified and experienced dog trainer.

Giulia Danielis · Accredited Canine Behaviourist & Dog Trainer · Bristol
Expert, ethical, 1-to-1 support for puppies, adolescent and adult dogs — and scentwork classes too. I help dog guardians understand, communicate, train, and thrive with their dogs. Your pet’s welfare and wellbeing are always my top priority, and that’s why I use a reward-based training approach that’s designed to build and gr

ow your dog’s confidence and skills. My training strategy focuses on rewarding your dog for the behaviours you like, and on managing your environment in a way that helps your dog make the right choices. This is the most effective way to avoid and reduce undesired behaviours and set you and your dog up to succeed.

I am now on a break with no access to email, phone, or social media. In case of an emergency, please remember that your ...
02/09/2026

I am now on a break with no access to email, phone, or social media.

In case of an emergency, please remember that your vet should always be your first port of call. Most vets are happy to discuss over the phone whether your dog needs to be seen straight away, so it is always worth giving them a call.

For existing clients, please refer back to the notes and information provided if you have any questions about how to follow certain protocols or exercises.

For new enquiries, I will reply as soon as possible on my return. Please note that I normally operate with a waiting list, though spaces do become available from time to time.

I also wanted to mention that moving forward I will be reducing the number of new clients I take on, in order to prioritise my studies, an exciting new opportunity I will be sharing more about soon, my current clients, and my scentwork practice.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. See you soon!

This is why I don't recommend random "puppy play dates". I know. I know. But before you label me as "fun police", please...
26/08/2026

This is why I don't recommend random "puppy play dates".

I know. I know. But before you label me as "fun police", please hear me out.

One of the first things I see people do when they get a new puppy is desperately search for other puppies and dogs to meet in the park.

And I completely understand why. We want our dogs to be social, to have friends, to enjoy other dogs.

But in my experience, when these sessions aren't managed properly, they can create more problems than they solve.

Either the puppy gets overwhelmed and starts to become anxious and fearful around other dogs, or they become so boisterous that they learn this is just how we play with everyone.

And the moment you need them not to play, because maybe you are in a rush because you need to get back to work, that's when frustration kicks in.

And frustration, anxiety, and fear are three of the biggest drivers of what we call "reactivity".

So then you have a dog that barks and lunges towards other dogs, and people are often surprised because they were so sociable as a puppy.

But actually, it makes complete sense. They were never taught that another dog doesn't always mean full-on play.

If I could do one thing differently with my own dog, before I was a professional and knew better, it would be this. I wouldn't take her to the park for random unmanaged meetings. I genuinely think it creates more problems than it does good.

So what's the alternative?

This week I ran a group session with Rin and Bessie, two incredibly sociable, everyone-is-my-best-friend puppies with very similar play styles. I matched them deliberately.

Crucially, both had done a lot of work independently before we brought them together. They already had some skills, which is why today went so well.

Here is what we actually did:

We started with coexisting rather than greeting.

Treats scattered on the floor (with both pups at a distance) to keep noses busy and bodies calmer.

Moving in arcs rather than straight lines.

Both puppies aware of one another, both learning that another dog nearby doesn't automatically mean "game on".

We practised recall away from each other. Not because we didn't want them to play, but because coming away doesn't mean the fun is over. It means we are just having a little break. And then back we go. That is such an important thing for a puppy to learn.

We watched their body language. Are they still enjoying this? Is the play getting too fast, too frantic, with no natural breaks? That is when we step in, not to stop the fun, but to help them regulate and come back down again. Because at this age, they simply cannot do that for themselves.

And then we let them play. Properly. Chasey chase, one on top of the other, squishing themselves underneath. Absolute joy to watch.

And then we settled near each other again.

Because all these skills matter: knowing how to play with another dog, and knowing how to just exist calmly near one another too.

Both clients said the same thing afterwards: it is so much harder to do this in a park where other people won't listen, won't move their dog, won't be on the same page.

Working with someone who is actually on board, and puppies who are a good match for one another, makes all the difference.

Rin and Bessie were absolutely brilliant. And so were their owners. They put in the work before today, and that is exactly what made today possible.

As it was such a success, I have decided to organise more group sessions - but these will only be open to previous/existing one-to-one clients to make sure we all get the most out of it.

I don't have a set structure for these as of yet, as they will likely be shaped around you and your dog and their needs.

If you are a previous/existing client who would love to be added to my list for these, give me a shout!

And if you are not currently on my books but you would like a one-to-one approach to work on the things that matter to you and your puppy/dog, with the option to include group sessions with other dogs when the time is right, I would love to hear from you.

"He knows he shouldn't do it".I can see why it feels that way.You buy them high-quality food. You invest in training, to...
25/08/2026

"He knows he shouldn't do it".

I can see why it feels that way.

You buy them high-quality food. You invest in training, toys, and a warm bed.

You do absolutely everything for them.

And then? They do THAT thing.

The exact thing you have asked them a thousand times not to do.

It feels completely personal. Like they are doing it on purpose just to annoy you.

But dogs don’t have the same sense of morality or ethics that we do. They don’t understand "good" or "bad" behaviour in a moral sense.

They simply learn through consequences:

🦘 Jumping up gets them attention.
📦 Barking at the postman makes the postman go away.
🥺 Sitting and looking cute gets them a treat.

They aren't waking up in the morning thinking, "I’m going to get on their nerves today." They aren't plotting against you or acting out of spite.

They are just doing what has worked for them before. And I can promise you it’s not personal, even when it may feel like it is.

Here is my top tip: rather than getting stuck on what your dog does that you don't like, think about what you want them to do instead.

Now you have a positive behaviour to reinforce and work towards. You will feel more motivated, less frustrated, and you'll see real results.

What is "THAT thing" your dog does?

Let me know in the comments and let's brainstorm a replacement behaviour together!

Do we expect more from our dogs than we do from other people?On a daily basis, I get people tailgating me, shouting, and...
22/08/2026

Do we expect more from our dogs than we do from other people?

On a daily basis, I get people tailgating me, shouting, and verbally abusing me.

For what?

For driving at the speed limit.

I am not even joking.

The rage and frustration I see coming from adult human beings every single day is quite unsettling.

Once, stuck in traffic, I watched someone in my rear-view mirror actually biting their phone. Their phone.

And yet, we expect puppies and dogs to cope perfectly and behave beautifully in so many situations.

A young puppy struggling to be alone at night?

“Why won't they just settle?”

A rescue dog not coping with traffic?

“They need to get used to it.”

A dog expected to pass inches from an unfamiliar barking dog on a narrow pavement?

“Why did they react?”

An anxious dog expected to sit quietly through a chaotic family gathering?

“They're being naughty.”

If they can't cope, we call them “naughty", “stubborn", or even “bad".

And yet, we humans can't even cope with someone driving at the speed limit.

So, the next time your dog barks, lunges, runs away, jumps up, has a "meltdown", or otherwise “loses the plot” because they are struggling emotionally, I'd like you to remember the person biting their phone.

Because if beings who are supposed to be rational, who sat a test, passed it, hold a valid driving licence, and know that speed limits exist (and have to be respected) can struggle to regulate themselves when things don't go their way...
..maybe we could give our dogs a little more grace when they struggle too.

“A dog trainer’s dog is their business card.”I’ve seen this statement on multiple profiles over the years, and for a lon...
20/08/2026

“A dog trainer’s dog is their business card.”

I’ve seen this statement on multiple profiles over the years, and for a long time I wasn’t sure I agreed with it.

But actually, I do.

Just perhaps not in the way it’s usually intended.

Because I often see this statement alongside videos of dogs doing incredibly "impressive" things. Sometimes things that I would actually consider unsafe or inappropriate.

Dogs walking off lead on pavements, for example.

Putting dogs into incredibly difficult environments and expecting them to cope because “look how well trained they are”.

I think that sets an unrealistic standard for a lot of people.

It’s a bit like comparing a professional athlete with someone who goes to the gym twice a week because they want to feel healthy.

Your dog doesn't need to be perfect (spoiler alert: no dog or human is!).

They need to be understood and well supported.

And this is where I actually do believe that my dog is my business card.

I am extremely proud of the work I have done with Ruby over the years.

Not because she can do impressive tricks (although she can also do that!) or because she can perform perfectly in every environment.

But because I have put so much work into helping her feel safe, comfortable, confident and able to cope with the things that matter to us.

That has meant focusing on our priorities, rather than trying to tick some imaginary list of things a “perfect” trainer's dog should be able to do.

You will never see me walking Ruby off lead on a pavement.

You probably won't see me taking her somewhere incredibly busy just to demonstrate how well she can settle (I would probably be the one struggling!).

And I'm not particularly interested in making her do things simply because they look impressive on social media.

Instead, some of our goals have been things like this:

- Making friends with other dogs.

In the past, Ruby has been described as a reactive dog.

When she was younger, she was attacked by several dogs. So I am not surprised that this made her wary of dogs rushing into her space.

But one of the things I've really wanted for her was to have positive experiences with other dogs again. Being able to see them without getting stressed, and to have regular friends.

And she now has regular dog friends at her boarder's, as well as dogs we go for walks with.

Yesterday she met two new dogs, and we even ended up going back to their house and spending time in their garden (this was a planned meeting; we don't just show up in random gardens, by the way!). They may not be best friends yet, but she was comfortable and relaxed around them.

I'm so happy with this, especially because this followed a Labrador unexpectedly rushing up to her, and having to walk past a couple of other dogs barking at her on narrow paths. She coped so well with all of this, and none of these encounters ruined the walk.

This matters to me far more than "producing" a perfectly behaved dog in a staged situation.

- Being comfortable at the vets.

This has been a huge priority for us.

Ruby has previously found the vets difficult, and I've worked really hard on helping her feel more comfortable there.

She can now have vaccinations without being physically restrained and without behavioural medication on board. And we're currently working towards a voluntary blood draw.

Will she eventually be able to have a blood draw without calming medication?

I don't know. Maybe not, and that's okay for me.

We're working towards making it easier and more comfortable for her, rather than deciding that she must be able to do it without medication.

(And just to be very clear on this: there is absolutely no shame in using behavioural medication when a dog needs it, no matter what the internet is telling you).

- Being comfortable in the car.

We're probably never going on a European road trip.

It's not a priority for us, so I'm not spending hours training for something we don't need.

She is now comfortable travelling to the places we actually need to go.

That's enough.

- Scent detection.

I do scentwork with Ruby because I know how much she enjoys it and how beneficial it is for her.

You may have seen me working on passive indication with food distractions.

I'm not doing it because it looks good on camera.

I'm doing it because I know the work is good for her, and because it has massively boosted her confidence in so many unrelated situations.

I'm doing it because it has made a positive difference to her life.

And actually, I think that's the bit I want people to take away from this.

Your dog's progress doesn't have to look impressive to anyone else.

Maybe your biggest achievement this year is that your dog can walk past another dog without barking and lunging.

Maybe it's that they can have their nails clipped.

Maybe they can settle while you have a friend over.

Maybe they can go into the vets without panicking.

Maybe they've made their first dog friend.

Maybe they can get into the car without becoming distressed.

Maybe they can simply recover quicker when something goes wrong.

Those things might not look spectacular (I mean, they do to me, but dogs look spectacular to me most of the time because why not!), but they can be life-changing for a dog and our relationship with them.

So yes, I do think a trainer's dog is their business card.

But for me, the question isn't:

“How impressive is your dog?”

It's:

“What have you done to help your dog have a better life?”

And that's the kind of training I want to represent.

19/08/2026

"But harnesses cause pulling."

This is absolutely not true.

Yes, a harness may make pulling more comfortable for your dog. But that is very different from the harness causing the pulling.

Your dog was pulling before the harness. The harness just means they are not damaging their throat while they do it.

A few things worth knowing:

1) Only training teaches a dog not to pull. There is no piece of equipment on the market that substitutes for that. Not a harness, not a head collar, not anything else.

2) Resorting to equipment that causes pain and discomfort around the neck (prong collars, slip leads used punitively, choke chains) is not going to teach your dog a great deal about what you actually want them to do. It may suppress the pulling temporarily. It will not build the skill.

3) In my experience, dogs walk significantly better when they feel comfortable in their bodies. Cooper is a great example. As soon as we switched from a slip lead to a harness, his walking improved. Not because the harness magically fixed his recall, but because he was no longer uncomfortable and he could focus on taking in other information from his owner and his environment.

Would you deadlift in a corset? Me neither.

Comfort matters. Equipment matters. And training, done properly, at your dog's pace, is what actually creates change.

If you would like some support with loose lead walking, visit my website to find out more.

18/08/2026

Who doesn’t love a puppy bundling over them as they walk through the door?

But what about when they’re no longer a tiny fluffy bundle?

When they’re a fully grown dog launching themselves at your visitors, biting their sleeves, knocking over your nan?

This is why starting early with some simple protocols around visitors makes such a difference.

And just to be clear: this is not about stopping your dog from greeting people.

But there is a difference between a dog who is happy to see and greets visitors in a way that works for everyone, and a dog whose greetings make you dread having people over.

So here is what I recommend instead:

🚧 Give your puppy something to do when visitors arrive. A lickimat, a kong, or a little chew behind a pen or baby gate to keep them busy while you answer the door, get your guests settled, and make a cuppa.

Then, when everyone is calm, bring your puppy out to say hello - if they want to do so!

🧠 Start as you mean to go on. Puppies’ brains are like sponges. Whatever they practise now, they will keep practising. The time to introduce good habits is before the jumping becomes a problem. This is where teaching them to settle around distractions, alongside the management explained above, can be extremely helpful!

🗒️ Explain to your visitors how you’d like them to interact with your puppy and what you are trying to achieve long-term. It’s important that your puppy approaches people in their own time and of their own accord and that people respect them and their space!

And notice something about this photo: the pen is actually open. This puppy has the choice to come out or stay in and enjoy their lickimat. We are not locking them away. We are giving them something so good to focus on that staying put is the preferred option, which gives you time to get on with settling your guests.

The goal is not a dog who never interacts with your visitors, but interactions that are safe and appropriate for all the involved.

If you would like some support with this or any other puppy challenges, visit my website (link in bio) to find out more.

17/08/2026

Thinking of letting your puppy and cat just sort things out between themselves?

Here's why I'd recommend against it, and what to do instead.

An overenthusiastic puppy jumping on a cat can frighten them enough that they never want to be in the same room again. Your puppy could get scratched.

And both animals can start rehearsing behaviours you really don't want.

A puppy learning that chasing the cat is brilliant fun, or a cat learning that the puppy is something to be afraid of and defended against.

So instead of chancing it, here's what I recommend:

🚧 Management first. Baby gates, closed doors, a house line or long line on the puppy while you are supervising. Make sure your cat has plenty of hiding spots and high places where they can escape if they need to. There is absolutely no shame in using management. It protects both animals while you do the work.

🎯 Target training for both. Teach your puppy to go to their bed or touch your hand on cue. Teach your cat to jump to a specific spot. This gives you a way to move either animal calmly and kindly when needed.

🐾 Work on recall. A reliable recall means you can call your puppy away from the cat before things escalate.

🧠 Teach them to coexist calmly. This is the bit people often skip, and it is arguably the most important. Settle training and enrichment are brilliant here. Which is exactly what you can see in this video. Bessie on one side of the barrier with her snuffle mat. Romeo on the other with his lickimat. Both calm. Both occupied. Both learning that being near each other is perfectly fine.

That is where we want to get to. Not forcing interaction. Not hoping for the best. Just two animals learning to share a space at their own pace, with good things happening for both of them.

If you are navigating a multi-pet household and would like some support, visit my website to find out more.

16/08/2026

No shame in using a long line.

I have lost count of the times I was told not to keep Ruby on a long line when she was a young adolescent still learning her recall.

In a busy urban park. Next to an A road. 🚗

One man in particular delivered this advice with extraordinary confidence.

His dog, at that precise moment, had absolutely no interest in coming back to him and made that very clear to everyone present. 😂

I think about him sometimes.

Anyway. This is why I tell my clients to ignore random unsolicited advice at the park.

Because I have also lost count of the times I have seen dogs running out of that same park off lead, crossing the road, chasing cats, causing chaos. 😬

If your dog doesn't have a reliable recall, leads and long lines exist for exactly this reason.

Please don't risk your dog's safety or the safety of other dogs, pets, wildlife, and people around you.

To build a solid recall:

🧠 Understand what motivates your dog. Food, toys, running around with you? Be creative and find what they genuinely love to work for.

🎉 Make coming back worth it. Pay them well. Coming back to you should always predict something good.

🔒 Use management to prevent them from rehearsing running away and ignoring you. Every time they do it, it gets more practised.

🌳 Hire a secure field in the meantime. It gives your dog off lead freedom while you build the skill safely.

And a reminder that some dogs don't go off lead in public for various reasons and they have wonderfully happy and fulfilling lives. ❤️

Off lead time matters, but it is not the only measure of a dog's quality of life.

Use the tools available to you. Ignore the unsolicited opinions. Keep your dog safe while you do the work properly.

Visit my website and blog to find out more about recall training.

I absolutely love working with Ziggy and her owner! They are a perfect example of why being proactive and seeking suppor...
15/08/2026

I absolutely love working with Ziggy and her owner!

They are a perfect example of why being proactive and seeking support before things feel too overwhelming is so worth it.

Let me say this again: having a professional support you and your dog is not a failure.

Dogs are obviously very popular pets, but they are still living beings who belong to a completely different species.

And unless you spend all day working with and learning about them, I fail to understand why society expects you to just figure it out on your own.

I have a PT to help me with my fitness goals.

I have had several business coaches to guide me in building and running a business.

A therapist to support my mental health.

A mechanic to keep my car in working order.

Getting the right support is not a weakness.

It is NORMAL and WISE!

And the right support can make a difference more quickly than people expect.

Yes, lasting change and new habits take time and consistency.

But progress can start happening much sooner than that.

After our assessment, Ziggy's owner reported that walks around their neighbourhood were already easier to manage.

And after our first follow-up, they had their best-ever dog walker pick-up!

While Ziggy still got excited when the dog walker arrived, she was able to engage with one of the protocols we had discussed earlier in the day.

That is what proactive support looks like.

If you would like that kind of support for you and your dog, visit my website or send me a message on WhatsApp to find out more.

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