One to one, on your walks.
I come out to you and we work on it where it actually happens. You get a plan for your dog and homework for the week. Barry's dog was walking with another dog after two sessions.
One to one dog trainingReactive dogs
Reactive dog training in Market Harborough.
Does your dog bark, lunge or kick off at other dogs or people? Then you know how stressful walks get. Some owners end up walking at silly o'clock to avoid everyone. Others hand the lead to whoever's strongest.
You're far from the only one. Six of my 30 Google reviews are from owners of reactive dogs.
Owners I have helped
What owners came to me with.
Iggy, a 3-year-old Lab, was so reactive to dogs and people that his owners only walked him in the early hours. Copper had been reactive to people and dogs on the lead since he was rehomed at 9 months. His owners couldn't walk him round their village. Kola lunged at dogs and pulled so hard that only one of his owners could hold him. Rebecca's 5-year-old growled and snarled at other dogs on her patch. Barry's German Shepherd cross couldn't walk alongside another dog.
How I help
Dog training for reactive dogs, three ways.
Residential, with me.
Your dog lives with me for 1 to 4 weeks and is out every day around other dogs. Oakley came home after a week and Iggy after two, and both owners say the reactivity was gone.
Residential dog trainingGroup walks, to keep it going.
Once things are better, walking with a pack keeps your dog used to other dogs.
Group dog walksHow I train.
Fair, clear and consistent. I use reward and positive reinforcement heavily, alongside appropriate boundaries and clear communication when needed. Training is tailored to the individual dog rather than following one rigid method.
I train you too, because your confidence on the other end of the lead matters.
What owners say
Owners who used to dread walks.
“Finn has helped us enormously with Marge and her anxiety around other dogs. If we are being honest Finn has trained myself and my husband and has showed a great amount of patience. We all knew from the start it was the owners that needed more confidence :-) he has given us this in spades. Marge is now walking fabulously on her lead, mixing with other dogs and able to enjoy our confidence when out walking.”
“My dog Noosa doesn't usually get along with strangers but since Fins training has become very sociable. Highly recommend!”
Questions
Reactive dogs, answered.
How do I calm a reactive dog on a walk?
Honestly? It depends on your dog: what sets them off, and what you're doing on the other end of the lead. That's why I don't hand out general tips. I come out, watch your dog on a walk, and put a plan together for you. Then you get homework for the week, so you're practising the right thing between sessions.
Can a reactive dog go on Doggy Bootcamp?
Yes. Oakley and Iggy both came to me on a residential because they were reactive.
How long will it take?
Every dog's different. Barry's dog was walking with another dog after two sessions. Copper's owners were three sessions in when they called him "a completely different dog".
Where do you offer reactive dog training?
I'm based in Market Harborough and cover Great Bowden, Lubenham, Foxton, East Farndon, Great Oxendon, Clipston, Theddingworth and Desborough. Somewhere else? Ask me.
Tell me what sets your dog off.
Send me a WhatsApp, with a video if you can get one. I'll tell you how I'd help.