My Kinda Dog - Dog Training & Behaviour

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My Kinda Dog - Dog Training & Behaviour Dog Trainer & Behaviourist in Bristol
💙 Taking the confusion out of dog training
⭐ 1,000+ dogs trained
đŸ¶ Training since 2017 Hi!

My name is Giulia, and I’m a qualified and experienced dog trainer. 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 grow 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.

The confidence. The conviction. The completely unsolicited advice. 😂These are all things people have genuinely said to m...
24/10/2026

The confidence. The conviction. The completely unsolicited advice. 😂

These are all things people have genuinely said to me about dogs over the years.

And yes, the spaniel story really happened. 💀

The thing is, bad advice isn’t always harmless. It can create unrealistic expectations, encourage unsafe decisions or damage the relationship we’re trying to build with our dogs.

What’s the most ridiculous dog training advice YOU’VE ever received?

Please tell me in the comments. I need to hear these stories! 👇💙

22/10/2026

We do love a good rug around here!

Better grip, comfier resting spots and a more comfortable surface for training!

Slippery floors can be particularly challenging for older dogs and those with joint or mobility issues, so sometimes a simple, non-slip rug can make a real difference to their everyday comfort.

It’s not always about doing MORE with our dogs.

Sometimes it’s about making their environment work better for them.

“It’s not punishment. It’s communication.” 👀Something I often hear when people defend the use of choke chains, prong col...
21/10/2026

“It’s not punishment. It’s communication.” 👀

Something I often hear when people defend the use of choke chains, prong collars and electric shock collars.

And here’s the thing.

Yes, aversive methods CAN work.

They can suppress behaviour. That’s precisely why people use them.

But for an aversive correction to discourage a behaviour, it needs to be something the dog wants to avoid.

And just because a method changes behaviour doesn’t automatically mean it’s necessary, appropriate or good for the dog’s welfare.

There are two things I think we should be asking ourselves:

- If we can successfully teach the same skills without relying on aversive corrections, why would we choose to use them?

- And what ELSE might the dog be learning from those corrections?

Because dogs don’t necessarily make the associations we intend them to make.

A correction delivered when another dog is nearby might reduce pulling, but it could also contribute to the dog developing negative associations with other dogs.

And even when a behaviour stops, that doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying fear, frustration or excitement has gone away.

Behaviour suppression and behaviour modification aren’t always the same thing.

As a dog trainer and behaviourist, I’m interested in more than simply getting a dog to stop doing something.

I want to understand WHY they’re doing it, teach them useful alternatives and support their emotional wellbeing.

Just because we CAN use pain or discomfort to influence behaviour doesn’t mean we SHOULD. 💙

20/10/2026

The ONE thing that will stop your puppy biting?

I wish I could tell you there was a magic trick! đŸȘ„

But if you’re currently living with a tiny land shark, here’s something I really want you to know.

Puppy mouthing is a NORMAL part of development.

It’s part of how puppies explore the world, play and interact with their environment.

But that doesn’t mean you just have to put up with being bitten all day!

The thing is, not all puppy biting happens for the same reason.

Your puppy might be:

✅ Overtired and struggling to switch off.

✅ Overexcited or frustrated.

✅ Feeling worried or overwhelmed.

✅ Experiencing pain or discomfort.

✅ In need of the toilet (yes, really! đŸ’©).

And sometimes, several of these things are happening at once!

That’s why advice like “just redirect them onto a toy” or “ignore them when they bite” isn’t always particularly helpful.

Because what works for one puppy might not be what YOUR puppy needs.

When I work with puppy owners, we look at the bigger picture: their routine, sleep, environment, emotional wellbeing and what might be driving the behaviour.

Then we can work out how to meet their needs, provide appropriate outlets for mouthing and help them learn other ways to interact.

Because the goal isn’t just to stop the biting. It’s to understand your puppy. 💙

👇 Struggling with puppy biting? Comment PUPPY below and I’ll get in touch to discuss how I can help!

19/10/2026

Does your puppy think EVERY dog they see is their new best friend? đŸ‘€đŸ¶

There’s a common misconception that puppy socialisation is all about meeting and playing with as many dogs as possible.

But there’s SO much more to it than that!

Now, don’t get me wrong. Positive, well-managed play with suitable dogs can be incredibly valuable! It can help puppies develop social communication skills, learn about appropriate interactions and gain experience navigating different social situations.

But playing isn’t the ONLY skill we want our puppies to develop.

Because in everyday life, our dogs are going to encounter other dogs all the time. And they won’t always be able to say hello!

That’s why learning to simply coexist with other dogs without needing to interact is so important.

Take these two lovely puppies, for example. 💙

During our training outing, we worked on helping them share the same environment, sniff, explore and enjoy their surroundings without expecting them to play together.

We’re helping them learn that they can:

💙 Notice another dog without having to approach.

💙 Enjoy their surroundings in the presence of other dogs.

💙 Move away or create distance when they need to.

💙 Share a space without being expected to interact.

Socialisation isn’t about avoiding other dogs OR making your puppy meet every dog they see. It’s about helping them develop the skills and confidence to navigate the world around them.

And that’s exactly the kind of real-life learning I love incorporating into my one-to-one puppy training programmes in Bristol.

Does your puppy want to say hello to every dog they meet? 👇

Have you ever been told to put your hands in your puppy’s food bowl while they’re eating?Or to take their food away and ...
16/10/2026

Have you ever been told to put your hands in your puppy’s food bowl while they’re eating?

Or to take their food away and give it back, just to make sure they won’t become possessive?

It’s advice that’s been around for years, often given with the best intentions.

But here’s the problem.

Imagine you’re enjoying your dinner and somebody keeps reaching into your plate, moving your food around or taking it away.

Would that make you feel more comfortable about them approaching?

Probably not!

And for some puppies, repeatedly interfering with their food can have the opposite effect to what you’re hoping to achieve.

Instead of learning that people approaching their bowl is a good thing, they may start worrying that their food is about to disappear.

This can contribute to resource guarding, where a dog displays behaviours intended to maintain access to something they consider valuable.

Your puppy doesn’t need to learn that you can take their food whenever you want. They need to learn that they don’t have to worry about losing it.

💙 Build trust. Not conflict.

Have you ever been given this advice about your puppy?

Your puppy was an absolute superstar in puppy class. 🌟But now you’re wondering why they seem to have forgotten everythin...
15/10/2026

Your puppy was an absolute superstar in puppy class. 🌟

But now you’re wondering why they seem to have forgotten everything they learned!

Here’s something I wish more puppy owners knew.

Learning a skill in one environment doesn’t automatically mean your puppy can use it everywhere else.

And that’s not because they’re stubborn, naughty or deliberately ignoring you.

Dogs need opportunities to practise their skills in different situations, with appropriate support and at a level they can comfortably manage.

I spent years teaching puppy classes, and I know just how valuable a well-run class can be.

But I also know that some of the biggest challenges families face happen outside the classroom.

When visitors arrive. When another dog appears on a walk. When you want to enjoy a coffee. Or when your puppy finds the world a little overwhelming.

That’s why my approach to puppy training focuses on preparing you and your puppy for everyday life, not just teaching a collection of “commands” (though I prefer to call them “cues”!).

💙 Have you found that your puppy behaves differently at home, in class and out on walks? I’d love to hear about it!

Your puppy was an absolute superstar in puppy class. 🌟But now you’re wondering why they seem to have forgotten everythin...
15/10/2026

Your puppy was an absolute superstar in puppy class. 🌟

But now you’re wondering why they seem to have forgotten everything they learned!

Here’s something I wish more puppy owners knew.

Learning a skill in one environment doesn’t automatically mean your puppy can use it everywhere else.

And that’s not because they’re stubborn, naughty or deliberately ignoring you.

Dogs need opportunities to practise their skills in different situations, with appropriate support and at a level they can comfortably manage.

I spent years teaching puppy classes, and I know just how valuable a well-run class can be.

But I also know that some of the biggest challenges families face happen outside the classroom.

When visitors arrive. When another dog appears on a walk. When you want to enjoy a coffee. Or when your puppy finds the world a little overwhelming.

That’s why my approach to puppy training focuses on preparing you and your puppy for everyday life, not just teaching a collection of “commands” (though I prefer the word “cues”!).

💙 Have you found that your puppy behaves differently at home, in class and out on walks? I’d love to hear about it!

I've been prodded and manipulated by more than one physiotherapist over the last couple of weeks because I've been exper...
08/10/2026

I've been prodded and manipulated by more than one physiotherapist over the last couple of weeks because I've been experiencing significant pain in my knee.

On examination, quite a lot looks fine.

I have a good range of motion. My knee can be moved and manipulated without an obvious pain response. And if I absolutely HAD to run or make a sudden movement in an emergency, I probably could (though I'd rather not find out, and just the thought of having to do it makes me queasy!).

But I'm still in pain. Enough that I've had to cancel and rearrange work.

And it hasn't just affected my ability to move normally and work.

I've been more on edge. A little more irritable. Things that wouldn't normally bother me have bothered me more.

The other day, a sudden noise startled me. My whole body tensed and immediately my knee hurt.

And it made me think about the dogs I work with.

How often do we hear that a dog has been "cleared" because they didn't react when their legs or joints were examined in a consult room?

Or assume they can't be in pain because they're still running, jumping or chasing a ball?

Yet if you applied those same criteria to me right now, you might conclude that I'm fine too.

But I'm not.

The difference is that I can communicate this and tell my physiotherapist exactly how I feel.

Our dogs can't.

For them, pain might look like becoming more irritable. More sensitive to noise. Worried about being approached or touched. Less tolerant of things they previously coped with.

Don't get me wrong, a physical examination is important. But it's one part of the puzzle, not the whole picture.

That's why it's often important to look at other factors (movement, gait, muscle and coat changes, behaviour and what you're seeing at home) and work alongside your vet and trainer or behaviourist to investigate further.

Just because your dog doesn't look like they're in pain doesn't necessarily mean they aren't.

Sometimes, a change in behaviour is one of the first clues.

One month to Bonfire Night 🎆If this is your puppy or adolescent dog’s first fireworks season, you might be wondering whe...
07/10/2026

One month to Bonfire Night 🎆

If this is your puppy or adolescent dog’s first fireworks season, you might be wondering whether taking them to a fireworks display would help them “get used to” fireworks.

I wouldn’t recommend it.

There’s a big difference between careful, gradual exposure and putting a young dog into an environment they may find overwhelming.

And a fireworks display isn’t just about the bangs.

There may be flashes of light, vibrations, unfamiliar smells, crowds, excited people and very little opportunity for your dog to move away if they’ve had enough.

Even a “silent” display can still involve many of these things.

For a puppy who is shy or unsure of people, strangers approaching and trying to say hello can add even more pressure. And for a very sociable puppy, it can be a great opportunity to practise expecting to greet everyone they see!

My preference? Leave your puppy at home with someone they know and trust.

And use the next few weeks to prepare gradually instead.

I’ve put together a completely free Young Dog’s Fireworks Plan to help you do exactly that, from introducing sounds carefully and preparing your home to planning for the night and knowing what to do if your dog becomes worried.

🎆 Download your free copy here 👇
https://mailchi.mp/0525e9ff44b8/fireworks

And if you know someone heading into their first fireworks season with a puppy or adolescent dog, send this their way. 💗

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