Does your dog bark, lunge, growl or snap at other dogs on walks?
Or maybe they run away upon the sight of another dog?
You're in precisely the right place...I can help you enjoy your walks together!
It can be difficult to know how best to help a scared dog. Some options you may have considered are
Picking your dog up
Dragging them past the 'scary' person/dog/object
Stroke and reassure your dog whilst holding on to them tight
Aborting the walk and giving up on the idea of enjoying your walks together
The trouble is that none of these options help lessen the fear or give your dog the opportunity to learn how to be confident.
There is another way
But there is another way.
Build their confidence.
Improve their emotional regulation.
Develop other choices, healthier choices.
One of the first dogs I worked with, a chocolate cockapoo called Coco, was so afraid of other dogs she would simply run all the way home at the first sight of another dog. It was heart-breaking. If her Mum managed to prevent Coco slipping her harness, Coco would be shaking and crying, begging to get away.
Honestly, I felt a bit out of my depth as I was only new dog walker. I knew I loved animals and I could see how scared she was. I did not have a step-by-step plan guaranteed to help Coco but I was determined to help her.
So I took baby steps with Coco, discovered a new way to encourage her to walk without dragging her, even when she is too scared to take treats.
I built up some trust and got to know her body language signals telling me when she was doing okay and when she needed a break.
We played games together designed to relieve stress, reward behaviours I wanted like coming to me for support and improving her ability to think when she was scared rather than just reacting.
Within a matter of months, Coco was enjoying her walks to the park! She was able to say hello to other dogs and even began to make a couple of doggy friends! After a year, they didn't need me anymore. Coco was a happy girl and when she was worried, she would go to her mum for help, not run all the way home!
Coco and her Mum could now enjoy their walks together.
Your dog has the ability to build their confidence too!
You can go for a stroll in the park on a sunny day and see your dog play and be happy. Isn't that why we get our dogs? To enjoy them being silly, rolling in the grass, racing around and wrestling with their friends.
Building Trust with Coco
What's included in the 1-2-1 training package?
Gathering information from you prior to our first session to help me plan and make the most of our time together.
Analysis of any relevant video footage, prior to our first session.
An in-person (or online) consultation in which we'll explore the issue you're having, and start to put together a bespoke plan of action.
Your written action plan with practical and pragmatic guidance to tackle the issue. With step-by-step instructions and videos to support you all the way.
The confidence that you can stop worrying about conflicting advice and, instead, follow a plan written by an expert, personalised to you and your dog.
Direct WhatsApp support to address any queries, so that you can have timely guidance and reassurance when you need it.
The practical and realistic advice that you need so that you know exactly what to do when you encounter tricky situations in the real world with your dog.
An ethical approach, based on up-to-date scientific research and years of experience working with other dogs and their owners facing similar problems.
A deep understanding of your unique dog and the struggles that they’re facing so that you can support them in a way that further enhances your relationship.
3 x 45 minute in-person (or online) follow-up session every two weeks for six weeks to help with the practical implementation of the plan and trouble-shoot any issues.
Investment: £240
saving over £60 compared to paying per session
Travel to your home is included for EH postcodes.
Surrounding areas will incur a travel charge for in-person sessions.
Online sessions are an option.
You can choose to pay for each session individually at a cost of £99 for the initial assessment and training plan and £69 for each follow-up session if your prefer.