Edinburgh Holistic Dogs

Edinburgh Holistic Dogs Dog Trainer and behaviourist specialising in Foreign Rescue dogs and Reactive dogs. Seeing the owners become proud of their dogs achievements too.

Edinburgh Holistic Dogs is a dog training service set up in 2017 by Suzanne Gould. The business aims to provide Calm Confidence for Foreign Rescued and Reactive Dogs. Specialising in training for Foreign Rescue Dogs and Reactive Dogs which is inspired by my personal history of adopting Old English Sheepdogs and after realising there is an increasing number of adopted dogs, whose owners are strugg

ling. Working with rescued dogs has earned me the name of The Rescue Dog Ranger™

I show owners how they can transform their lives with their dogs, the training provided isn’t your typical obedience style instead I focuses on confidence building, strengthening communication and how to handle stressful situations. Training is done on a 121 basis, I am known for my relaxed and friendly approach when working with dogs and their owners. I always share own experiences with my dogs both the good and the embarrassing too. I am driven by the need to help fellow dog owners who want the best for their dog and are stuck on how to go about it. The common problem I come across is the lack of support and help new owners get from the place they rescued their dog, this in turn causes unnecessary problems or escalates easy problems to solve into something more intensive. I absolutely love seeing the relationship between owner and dog grow, become stronger and deeper.

A happy Nim and Ally in their favourite place!
09/09/2026

A happy Nim and Ally in their favourite place!

Ever find yourself out on a walk with your dog, when that sudden knot in your stomach appears because you can see dogs a...
09/09/2026

Ever find yourself out on a walk with your dog, when that sudden knot in your stomach appears because you can see dogs ahead of you? You have moments before your dog explodes with barking and lunging... Your training is ongoing and you've worked your socks and paws off, but the reactivity still remains, What do you do?

When a dog barks, lunges on the lead, or suddenly gets snappy, it is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "We just need to train more," or "Why can’t my dog just be calm like the others?"

We have all been there and the walk anxiety is very real.

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, so here is a gentle thought to consider: have you ever wondered if your dog’s big reactions might actually be coming from physical discomfort?

Dogs are brilliant at masking pain. They rarely give a clear yelp or an obvious limp. Instead, a ni**le in their back, sore joints, or a rumble in their tummy simply drains their patience. When a dog is uncomfortable, their ability to cope with daily life drops right down—and suddenly, that passing dog or bicycle feels impossible to ignore.

If your dog is a former street dog or foreign rescue, old untreated knocks, early nutritional gaps, or long-term tension can still be lingering in their body today.

Keep an eye out for these subtle signs at home:

⭕️ Restlessness at night or constantly getting up to swap sleeping spots.
⭕️Hesitating for a second before jumping into the car or heading up the stairs.
⭕️Backing away or ducking their head when the harness comes out.
⭕️Sitting awkwardly off to one hip rather than square on both feet.
⭕️Being touchy around their lower back, paws, or hips.

Your dog isn’t trying to make your life difficult; they might just be struggling to feel comfortable in their own body.

Have you ever spotted a sudden change in your dog’s mood or noticed a quirky habit they have developed? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s chat! ⬇️

Feeling stuck with your dog’s behaviour and not sure what the right next step is?This Friday morning, I’m opening up my ...
08/09/2026

Feeling stuck with your dog’s behaviour and not sure what the right next step is?

This Friday morning, I’m opening up my calendar for a limited number of free, 20-minute 1:1 Zoom chats to help you figure out a clear way forward.

These calls are designed for you if:

🐾 You feel stuck in a rut managing your dog's behaviour and need fresh perspective
🐾You’re overwhelmed and don't know what direction to take next
🐾You suspect underlying pain or physical discomfort might be playing a role in how they act
🐾You simply have a specific question about your dog and want professional guidance

We’ll spend 20 minutes talking through what’s going on, answering your questions, and exploring practical options to best support both you and your dog moving forward—no pressure, just clear advice.

Spaces are limited since it’s for this Friday morning only.

Book your space here: https://tidycal.com/edinburghholisticdogs/20-minute-chat

"My dog is just stubborn."It is one of the most common things heard from loving humans when their Romanian rescue or for...
07/09/2026

"My dog is just stubborn."

It is one of the most common things heard from loving humans when their Romanian rescue or former street dog refuses to listen on a walk or freezes on the pavement.

In reality, your dog isn't ignoring you. Biologically, they simply cannot learn right now.

When a dog perceives the world as overwhelming or unfamiliar, their nervous system instantly flips from a learning state into a survival state. Adrenaline and cortisol flood their system, triggering fight, flight, freeze, or fidget. The parts of the brain responsible for problem-solving, impulse control, and taking cues effectively power down.

For a rescue dog who has a street dog heritage, unfamiliar urban sights, passing traffic, or sudden noises in Edinburgh can trigger that survival threshold in an instant.
▪️ You might spot obvious signs of an overwhelmed nervous system:
▪️ Barking, lunging, or growling on the lead
▪️ Frantic attempts to bolt or hide behind you
▪️ Shaking or trembling
Refusing high-value treats they would normally devour at home

However, street dog stress is often remarkably subtle:
▪️ Constant environmental scanning (hypervigilance)
▪️ Rapid panting despite cool Scottish weather
▪️ Dilated pupils, tight lips, and a tense body
▪️ Frantic, displacement sniffing of the ground
▪️ Repeated lip-licking, yawning, or sudden body shake-offs
▪️ Grabbing treats roughly or repeatedly dropping them

Real, lasting behaviour change only happens when a dog feels genuinely safe. Pushing a dog through training when they are over threshold does not teach resilience it simply rehearses stress and deepens reactive neural pathways.

If your rescue dog is struggling to settle into Edinburgh life, take the pressure off. Help them feel safe first; the learning will follow.

Need guidance tailored to your dog’s unique background? Book a free call to discuss how my bespoke 1-2-1 behaviour programmes can support you and your dog. Link below.

Love a DIY Dog wash The Dog Port Ally is generally less enthusiastic about it and prefers people to know it was done aga...
05/09/2026

Love a DIY Dog wash The Dog Port

Ally is generally less enthusiastic about it and prefers people to know it was done against her express wishes 🤣🤣🤣

A gentle reminder from one tired human to another: it is completely okay if life gets in the way of your dog’s behaviour...
03/09/2026

A gentle reminder from one tired human to another: it is completely okay if life gets in the way of your dog’s behaviour plan.

Frequently, I hear from clients who feel guilty because a busy week or an unexpected curveball meant they couldn’t follow through with our training plan. You know what I always say? It is totally fine.

The absolute last thing I want is for you to feel overwhelmed by an invisible list of things you "SHOULD" or "MUST" be doing. Dog behaviour modification is not about rigid perfection; it is about building a sustainable life together. When things go sideways, we strip the plan back to simple management so you can both breathe and cope. When your cup is full again, we pick right back up.

Right now, life is throwing quite a bit at me personally. My CFS/ME is having a flare-up, which significantly caps my energy. On top of that, facing an unsustainable rent hike means I am navigating the stress of an impending house move, alongside family health worries. I am definitely not operating on full power, and I am having to practice what I preach: managing expectations, prioritising rest, and not letting worry take over.

When you find yourself in the thick of it, try sorting your day into three simple buckets:

100% essential: The bare minimum needed to keep everyone safe, fed, and functioning.

Nice to do: Helpful, but nobody suffers if it is skipped or only half done.

Can wait: Put it down completely until you have the capacity.

If all you can do today is give your dog a long-lasting chew, scatter some food in the garden, and rest on the sofa together, that is enough. You have to take care of yourself first before you can pour into anyone else.

Be kind to yourself this week. You are not alone in this.

Meet Churro he's a handsome rescue from Spain. He struggles hearing and seeing big vehicles. This wee soul is a very fri...
02/09/2026

Meet Churro he's a handsome rescue from Spain.

He struggles hearing and seeing big vehicles.
This wee soul is a very friendly and happy boy.

I know he will be smashing his training with his human.

Meet Lady! ❤️❤️❤️Isnt she gorgeous!? What breed do you think she is? She is a friendly soul and a genuine softy. ...
31/08/2026

Meet Lady! ❤️❤️❤️

Isnt she gorgeous!?
What breed do you think she is?

She is a friendly soul and a genuine softy.

Happy National Dog Day!! Share your favourite photos below 🥰🥰🥰 🐶
26/08/2026

Happy National Dog Day!!

Share your favourite photos below 🥰🥰🥰

🐶

Meet my new favourite Alou! She is a gorgeous Romanian rescue who is a wee bit anxious and barks at unfamiliar dogs. Her...
25/08/2026

Meet my new favourite Alou!
She is a gorgeous Romanian rescue who is a wee bit anxious and barks at unfamiliar dogs.

Her favourite thing in the world is sniffing and if the opportunity presents itself chasing rabbits and squirrels!

😍❤️🥰

Address

Edinburgh
EH65LD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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