If your dog pulls on the lead or rushes out of the door, it’s not just frustrating, it’s a missed opportunity to set the tone for a calmer walk. I break down a simple, step-by-step method to help you transform those first moments from chaos into calm connection. With a little patience and leadership, you’ll see real progress in just a few days.

Jumping up might seem playful at first, but it can quickly become an embarrassing or even risky behaviour, especially with larger dogs or elderly visitors. I’ll show you how to calm this down using simple, consistent training that rewards polite greetings and sets clearer boundaries. With the right approach, your dog can learn to greet people calmly, making life easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Used properly, a crate can become one of the most valuable tools in your dog's life, offering a sense of security and helping with sleep and house training. But when misused, it can encourage neglect and become a crutch for poor training. I’ll walk you through how I introduce crates to both puppies and adult dogs, with practical advice that helps your dog love their crate and use it in all the right ways.

It might sound simple, but calmly leading your dog through a doorway can change everything. I’ll show you how to reset the tone from the moment you reach for the lead, teaching your dog that patience and calmness open the door, not chaos and pulling. This one shift can bring real transformation to your walks, behaviour at thresholds, and the overall feel of your relationship.

It might feel unnatural at first, but learning when to ignore your dog can be one of the most powerful tools in your kit. I use selective ignoring to help dogs break cycles of attention-seeking that feed anxiety and stress. It’s not about being unkind, it’s about being clear, calmness gets results, not demand behaviour.

Many owners unknowingly create a whirlwind of excitement when they come home, only to wonder why their dog keeps jumping up and going wild. I teach owners how to greet their dogs in a calm, canine-appropriate way, helping to lower the emotional temperature and avoid reinforcing unwanted behaviours. A calmer greeting creates a calmer dog, and it all starts with us learning a bit of self-control.

Some people shy away from using food in dog training, thinking it's bribery, but I see it as smart motivation. Dogs, like us, do things for a reason, and using food can be a powerful way to reinforce good behaviour, especially with recall and heelwork. When used thoughtfully, food builds connection, sharpens focus, and can turn a disengaged dog into a willing partner.

For many dogs, fireworks are a living nightmare, and I’ve seen just how much distress they cause in my work. Too often, owners try to comfort their dog with human-style reassurance, which sadly can make things worse. I help owners understand how to offer calm, confident leadership instead, alongside simple, drug-free steps to make fireworks season more bearable.

Not every dog needs a marathon run, and over‑exercising can be just as harmful as under‑exercising. I help owners find that sweet spot of moderate and varied activity, like ball play, hiking, cycling, even water work, tailored to age, breed, and lifestyle. Together, we build a sustainable fitness routine that keeps your dog engaged, well‑behaved, and happily balanced.

Aggression towards people is one of the most serious issues I deal with because the consequences can be devastating, not just for you, but for your dog too. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, even seemingly minor incidents like barking or jumping up can lead to legal action, and in some cases, seizure or destruction of the dog for more serious behaviours. I help owners understand the risks, navigate the law, and develop practical, humane strategies to manage and reduce aggression safely.

Dog-to-dog aggression is the most common issue I help owners with, often rooted in poor socialisation, genetics, or trauma from past attacks. These behaviours don’t just appear from nowhere, and with the right understanding and approach, including careful muzzle training, we can make real progress. I guide owners through the process of rebuilding trust and calm around other dogs, one steady step at a time.

If your once-pleasing garden is being turned into a crater, you're not alone, destructive digging is a common issue I help resolve. In this post, I explain how understanding the stages of digging, sniffing, scratching, then full-on excavation can help us design a tailored plan that addresses both root causes and damage control. With guided supervision, mental stimulation, and creative problem-solving, we can preserve your garden and protect your bond with your dog.

Not all dog behaviourists are created equal, and I often meet clients who have sadly been misled by flashy titles and poor methods. In this post, I share advice on how to properly vet a trainer before they enter your home and handle your dog. With transparency, experience, and a commitment to your dog’s welfare, I welcome tough questions to ensure you're choosing the right person for the job.

Bringing a new baby home is one of life’s most joyful milestones, but it can also turn your dog’s world upside down if you're not prepared. In this post, I share practical, proven ways to help your dog gently adjust to the big change and avoid behavioural issues before they start. With some early planning and calm guidance, it’s absolutely possible to have a relaxed dog and a happy baby living under the same roof.

Chewing and destructive behaviour in dogs can feel overwhelming, but with the right insight, it’s often easily resolved. In this article, I explain the common reasons dogs chew, from teething and boredom to anxiety and overstimulation, and give practical, tried-and-tested ways to manage and redirect it. With a little detective work and some sensible adjustments, you can protect your home and support your dog in becoming calmer and more content.

Barking is normal dog behaviour, but when it becomes excessive, it can cause stress, neighbour complaints, and even legal trouble. In this post, I walk you through the many reasons dogs bark, how to calmly reduce unwanted barking, and what to do if you’re either receiving or facing complaints. With the right insight and some structured help, barking can be managed in a fair and balanced way that benefits both you and your dog.

If your puppy is biting, nipping, or becoming too rough, you’re not alone, and you’re right to take it seriously early on. In this post, I explain why puppies mouth and how to calmly but firmly stop it before it becomes a lasting problem, while also offering guidance on more serious adult dog aggression. With the right approach, you can set respectful, black and white rules that lead to a calm, trustworthy and well-mannered dog in any home.

Struggling with a dog that gets stressed, aggressive or overexcited in the car? I’ve tackled these problems many times and can show you how to turn car travel from chaos into calm. From motion sickness to barking fits, protective behaviour or outright refusal to get in, I offer step-by-step advice to help your dog become a relaxed travel companion.