I don’t just walk your dog.
I can help modify their behaviour.
Does your dog bark and/or lunge at other dogs, especially when on lead?
Is your dog nervous around people when out on walks?
Is your dog overly excited and wants to greet everyone?
Do you find yourself always apologising for your dog’s behaviour?
Do you feel like you need a rest after every walk with your dog?
I can help.
Hi. I’m Sarah. I am the proud owner of a reactive German Shepherd Dog called Scout. I’m also a qualified canine behaviour specialist.
I spent way too long feeling embarrassed about my dog’s behaviour, constantly apologising, crying after walks and mourning the loss of the ‘normal’ dog I thought I was getting. But when a trainer once said to me, ‘your dog just has big feelings about the world’, something clicked. Once I understood Scout – a lockdown dog – was just nervous, anxious and lacking self-confidence, I could no longer feel anger or frustration. She needed my help and guidance to get through her issues and enjoy the world, sniffari after sniffari. Fast forward a few years and her reactivity – though still there – is less frequent and at a manageable level. She even has multiple dog friends of all shapes and sizes. Our journey together has been life changing. And now I help others navigate the world of reactivity, one walk at a time.
I’m a dog walker with a difference. Each walk isn’t just a mindless walk around your neighbourhood or an off-lead, out-of-control romp in the countryside. I only ever walk one dog at a time – your dog gets my full focus. And I only use positive enforcement, reward-based training, practicing how to get passed triggers (e.g. other dogs, cats, people, bikes) or greet positively (if that’s possible). I also offer ‘de-sensitisation’ walks in the local countryside to give your dog a break from the stresses of their triggers.
How i work
Meet & Greet
Before our first walk together, I need to meet and get to know your dog. This first, complimentary, meet-and-greet session is just 30 minutes and is best done in your home or somewhere your dog feels comfortable meeting new people. Some dogs don’t like people coming onto their territory, so I’m happy to meet in a local park at a quiet time of day. This is really just time for your dog to sniff me out and for me to assess his/her level of reactivity.
Intro Walk
During our first walk I will get to know their threshold level. This means I need to take them somewhere they will see their triggers, and I will have to approach them safely, to find out at exactly what distance and in what situations their reactivity presents. Once that’s established, we can focus on behaviour modification, e.g. practicing ‘walk on’, ‘let’s go’ or ‘find it’ to either get them past or away from difficult situations or distract them through sniffing. After this first session, I give you a full debrief on the approach we will take moving forward and I constantly adapt to the needs and progress of your dog.
Moving Forward
You can book as many walks with me per week and decide whether to have them all take place locally, or mix it up with some countryside decompression sessions.
Rates
I charge £20 for a single session. Each session is one hour. I also offer a three-session package of £55 that includes two walks around your local area, working at a safe distance from your dog’s triggers, as well as a walk in the countryside where they are unlikely to see their triggers so they can relax and de-stress safely.
Travel & insurance
I’m fully ensured, abreast of canine law, and have a full, clean driving license. I have a secure box to transport dogs up to the size of a German Shepherd. Or a ‘dog seatbelt’ for dogs that can sit in the backseat.
Treats & poo bags
I always carry poo bags and extra treats. But I recommend supplying your own treats, as you know best what your dog likes. However, these should be ‘high value’ as well as easy to dispense. No wet and juicy chicken breast please.
Leads, collars & harnesses
I recommend using a harness with front and back attachments and a double-ended lead. For really reactive, larger breeds a head collar is also a good tool to have on hand. I can supply these, but it’s always best for your dog if they can use what they’re used to.
next steps
If you’ve read this far, I guess you’re still interested. Before booking a meet-and-greet session, please fill out the form below telling me more about you, your dog and your goals for their behaviour. Remember that modifying behaviour takes time. It’s not trick training or obedience. It’s re-wiring your dog’s brain. If you think you can ‘cure’ your dog’s reactivity in a couple of weeks, then think again. But with patience and care, you can create a more relaxed dog, the dog that I know you see, and the dog that you want the world to see.
Once I’ve received your completed form, I will contact you via email to book that first meet-and-greet session. You’re not obliged to continue after that point and I, too, may also not be able to work with your dog if they don’t respond or engage with me. But hopefully we both get on and we can walk our way to a happier dog.
