"Not because I think I know better than vets, but because I think dog owners deserve conversations that go beyond 'take this tablet' or 'never use medication'. Like most things in dog training, I suspect the truth lives somewhere in the middle." Let's get something out of the way before you decide whether to keep reading. I'm not a vet. I'm not a veterinary behaviourist. I can't diagnose anxiety disorders, prescribe medication or tell you whether your dog should be taking it.

Ironically, I'm writing this because I can't sleep. It got me thinking about something I spend a surprising amount of time talking to clients about: sleep. Not obedience. Not lead walking. Not recall. Sleep. It isn't the most glamorous topic in dog training, but I genuinely believe it's one of the most overlooked pieces of the puzzle. If you've ever told me your dog is reactive, anxious, constantly "on," or struggles to settle, one of my first questions is usually: "How much

One of the questions I get asked nearly every day is: "Can you give me some tips for my dog's behaviour?" The answer is usually yes. If your dog is pulling on the lead, barking at other dogs, jumping up at visitors, ignoring recall, or stealing socks like they're valuable treasure, I can probably give you a few tips that might help. But here's the thing. They're just tips. Useful? Potentially. Helpful? Sometimes. A solution? Never. Dog on a computer The internet has made dog

I swear if I spend five minutes on social media, I'll see: "STOP doing this with your reactive dog!" "Why every trainer is wrong about reactivity." "The one thing your trainer doesn't want you to know." By video number twelve, I'm half convinced every dog in Britain is a snarling, lunging, spinning tornado attached to a lead. Apparently there are only two things in dog training now: reactivity and telling everyone else they're doing reactivity wrong. I get it. Reactivity is h

This might upset a few people, but here goes… Your dog does not need two walks a day simply because someone on Facebook said so. Before anyone reaches for their pitchfork, I'm not saying dogs should never be walked. Walks can be fantastic. New places, opportunities to sniff, explore and spend time together all have value. What I'm saying is that walking isn't the be-all and end-all of dog ownership, and for some dogs, more walks aren't necessarily the answer. Somewhere along

Understanding the Challenges of Rescue Dogs I work with rescue dogs nearly every day. I see their fear, anxiety, and the emotional damage caused by poor handling and bad advice. The truth is, these dogs often suffer due to a system that claims to protect them but frequently fails. The dog rescue system in the UK is broken. This may upset some people, but after years of working with rescue dogs, I can say it confidently. What makes it even more frustrating is my background as