The Canine Behaviourist

30/06/2026

Finding the right help for your dog in Portugal shouldn't be a guessing game.

If you've moved here with a dog, or adopted one since arriving, you already know how hard it can be to find professional support you can actually trust.

Recommendations get lost in translation. Qualifications are hard to verify. And explaining a behavioural concern clearly, in a second language, adds a layer of stress most of us don't need.

That's exactly the gap we work in.

The Canine Behaviourist offers clinical, evidence-based behavioural support in English, right here in the Centre/North of Portugal. No guesswork, no language barrier, and no mess, just a clear, properly assessed plan for you and your dog.

Whether it's reactivity, anxiety, or something you can't quite put your finger on yet, get in touch and let's talk it through.

24/06/2026

Bon dia!

We're currently accepting new clients.

If you've been thinking about getting some support for your dog — whether that's persistent reactivity, behaviour that's escalating, or something you just can't quite figure out — now is a good time to get in touch.

The first step is an initial behavioural assessment, where we take the time to properly understand your dog, your situation, and what's actually going on before anything else.

Based in the Viseu region surrounding areas and working with dogs and their owners in both English and Portuguese.

We also offer online consulting.

Send us a message to find out more or to book.

23/06/2026

Bon Dia amigos! 🇵🇹

What to expect from your initial consult with The Canine Behaviourist

Your first session is a full clinical assessment not just a chat.

Here's what you get:
👁 Initial observation — I watch your dog before anything else

📋 Behavioural assessment — full history and context gathered

🔍 Behaviour diagnosis — understanding the why behind the problem

🛡 Management plan — practical steps to keep things safe while we work

🎯 Immediate training plan — evidence-based exercises to start straight away

📚 Resources — tailored to your dog and your situation

✅ Every assessment also includes a written Individual Behaviour Plan (IBP) for each problem behaviour, plus an online follow-up call to go through them together.
And the support continues after your session — free regular check-ins included, because real change takes time.

Got a dog you're struggling with? Let's start with a proper plan.

📩 Message me to book your initial consult.

18/06/2026

Things have been quite for a while on here, this is due to having to put the business on the back shelf for a while as we set up in Portugal.

Things are starting to move forward now and we are aceepting new clients again.

We also are planning to release details for the new community group project "Fun with Dogs Viseu" this is a community training group "pay what you can" offering a safe place to meet up weekly, have fun with our dogs while working on training life skills for you and your dog.

More info to follow

15/03/2025

Why do the most dramatic dog trainers—those using harsh corrections and "tough love"—gain massive followings, while ethical, science-based trainers often struggle for attention? The answer lies in psychology: fast results, entertainment value, and a fascination with dominance all play a role in what goes viral. But is what’s popular actually what’s best for dogs?

This article dives into the hidden reasons behind the rise of extreme trainers—and how we can shift the focus back to humane, evidence-based training. Let’s talk about it! ⬇️

The Psychology Behind Dramatic Dog Training If you’ve spent any time on social media or watching dog training content, you’ve probably notic...

12/03/2025

🐶 Your Dog’s Tail Wag Might Be Telling You More Than You Think! 🔬

Did you know that a wag to the right means something totally different from a wag to the left? Or that dogs might actually smell time passing? ⏳👃

Science has uncovered some mind-blowing facts about how dogs think, feel, and communicate. If you love geeking out over canine behavior, you won’t want to miss this! 🧠🐕

Read more here 👉 http://thecaninebehaviourist.blogspot.com/2025/03/geeky-canine-behavior-facts-backed-by.html

What’s the coolest dog fact you know? Drop it in the comments! 🐾

12/03/2025

What does the science tell us about adverse training methods?

The Science Behind Dog Training: Why Aversive Methods Might Not Be the Best Choice If you’ve ever dived into the world of dog training, yo...

12/03/2025

🐶 Dogs' Unique Ability to Read Human Emotions: The Left-Gaze Bias Explained 🧐

Dogs have developed a fascinating ability to understand human emotions through a behavior known as the left-gaze bias. This means that when dogs look at human faces, they instinctively focus more on the right side of the person's face—the area that expresses emotions more vividly. Interestingly, this bias is specific to human faces; dogs do not exhibit the same behavior when looking at other dogs or inanimate objects.

In contrast, rhesus monkeys display a left-gaze bias towards both human and monkey faces, but not towards inverted faces, indicating a broader application of this behavior. This suggests that the left-gaze bias in dogs is a specialized adaptation, likely developed through domestication, to enhance communication and bonding with humans.

Understanding this unique behavior can greatly enhance our training methods and improve the holistic well-being of our canine companions. By recognizing that dogs are attuned to our facial expressions and emotional states, we can tailor our interactions to be more positive and supportive, fostering a deeper bond and a happier, healthier life for both us and our furry friends.

Have you noticed your dog responding to your facial expressions or moods? Share your experiences below! 🐕👇

12/03/2025

Training and behaviour content coming soon