Is life with your dog harder than you imagined? Is it all feeling too much?
You love your dog (though sometimes it might not feel that way, and that's okay). You want to give them the best life possible. You did everything you could to raise a well-mannered, sociable, happy dog. And yet, you're struggling with their behaviour and don't know what else to do.
Perhaps your dog didn't have the the best start in life through no fault of either theirs or yours. Some events are outside of our control and a single bad experience can have a lasting impact. You worry that your dog is beyond help and that you'll never have the relationship you dreamed of.
You've done more training, bought more books, sought advice online, watched those TV shows, and had no end of unsolicited advice from friends, family and dog guardians you don't even know! And yet, you, and your dog, are more confused than ever.
Life with a reactive, fearful or anxious dog can put an emotional strain on your relationships - not necessarily just the one with your dog! It can leave you feeling isolated, embarrassed, frustrated and overwhelmed.
I've been where you are and I'm here to help you turn that around, and to find the fun, joy and peace in your relationship.
For dogs who: lunge, growl, snap or bite towards unfamiliar or familiar dogs, humans or other species whether inside or outside of the home.
For dogs who: are fearful of sounds, worried by touch/handling or grooming, scared of vet visits or car trips, wary of visitors and new situations.
For dogs who: are defensive in order to protect something (i.e.food, bed, person) they value from being "stolen" by people or other animals
Foe dogs who: dig, chew, shred items in the home, sometimes when left alone, potentially causing harm to themselves in the process.
For dogs who: bark frequently over long periods of time, bark at everyday sounds, bark during the night, or bark for sustained periods.
For dogs who: are always on-the-go, spinning, jumping, following you everywhere, wanting to play all the time or otherwise get your attention.
A dog's behaviour is usually driven by their emotions. It's my job to diagnose the cause of your dog's behavior and the emotions behind it. A behaviour questionnaire, your dog's vet records and our first consultation will help us to discover why your dog is feeling the way they do.
A dog's needs are not always as obvious to us as we might think. There is a lot of misinformation out there which could inadvertently be setting you and your dog up for conflict and misunderstanding. As an expert in canine behaviour, I can help you identify and meet the needs of your particular dog, helping them to feel safer and more relaxed.
Understanding the "why" of behaviour goes a long way towards getting the relief you are searching for. When you can see things through the eyes of your dog, it's easier to feel compassion for them. You'll be motivated to make changes which will start to bring them relief so that they feel less compelled to express themselves so strongly.
Safety is at the forefront of my advice, that includes safety for you, your dog, and myself. We all need to feel safe in order to make any progress. Fearful and reactive dogs will not do well with strangers to their home and in such cases initial consultations are conducted via Zoom or similar platforms.
* Please note that lasting behaviour change takes time to implement and further follow up consultations and behaviour support may be required.
* Please note that lasting behaviour change takes time to implement and further follow up consultations and behaviour support will usually be required.
Tell me about your dog and the specific issues you'd like help with.
I'll send you everything you need to start the process including an online payment and booking link.
Relax in the knowledge that this service delivers expert guidance and compassionate support to enhance your dog's life and your own. Together, we'll create a positive, lasting impact.
Please reach me at lynne@canineconscious.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Good question! In short - I recognise the importance of emotional support for you, the dog parent; someone who knows how hard it can be living life with a sensitive dog, how it feels when everything you try seems to fail and who understands the emotional toll it can take.
The relief that comes when someone understands what you're going through and what your dog is going through is HUGE! They are not a bad dog, you haven't made them this way. Just like humans, dogs are unique individuals, and your relationship is unique. My approach is to help you to understand the dog's needs and your needs; addressing both brings strength, balance and joy to the relationship, allowing you to enjoy your life together.
Ongoing support over several weeks gives you the opportunity to ask questions when putting skills into practice, to get feedback and advice when you face hurdles or challenges, and to maintain momentum. It helps to build the competence and confidence you need to succeed.
As you are probably aware by now, there are NO guarantees in life. Dogs are living, breathing indivduals whose behaviour is the result of a complex mix of internal and external influences. I would be wary of anyone who claims to guarantee behavioural change using only kind and ethical methods.
What I can guarantee is that I will listen to you, and support and guide you. And I'm confident that the skills I share with you will bring you relief, deepen your understanding of your dog and empower you to move forward in a more positive way. Consequently, many issues simply fade away.
While I do offer In-Person consultations in the local area, online works particularly well as my focus is on supporting you with the tools and strategies that you need so that you can help and support your dog.
In cases of fear-based behaviour, including aggression, the initial consultation will be online for welfare and safety reasons.
Interestingly, when the pandemic forced dog trainers and behaviorists to offer their services online they were surprised at the many advantages over face-to-face meetings:
My aim for you is that you will feel a sense of relief almost immediately. My focus is on helping release some of the pressures and constraints you've been under and to give you and your dog some much-needed breathing space and time to de-stress. Approaching change from a place of calm is so much more beneficial for effective learning.
Ultimately there are no quick-fixes and each dog-parent relationship will respond differently. Improvement is rarely a steady and continued upward progression, there will be hiccups and plateaus along the way and that's perfectly normal. The skills that both you and your dog learn will improve and strengthen your relationship and enable you to enjoy life whilst you continue to grow and develop together. We never stop learning.
My services are individually tailored to you and your dog's specific needs.
if you are unsure whether a service is right for you and your dog, or you don't see the help you require listed, please get in touch to discuss. If I am unable to help you, I will usually be able to refer you to someone who can.