The Dog Witch: Whole Health for Healthy Behaviour

The Dog Witch: Whole Health for Healthy Behaviour Educator of people, Advocate for dogs. supporting healthy, happy, Dog, Human relationships.
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Join me online on the 12th December at 7pm. I'll be talking through how to keep your golden oldie happy and healthy for ...
08/12/2025

Join me online on the 12th December at 7pm. I'll be talking through how to keep your golden oldie happy and healthy for as long as possible and some ideas for a doggie bucket list. Hope to see you soon xx 🌟🌲

06/12/2025

🎄✨ Give the Gift of Inspiration! ✨🎄
Looking for something more meaningful than socks or chocolates?
🎟️ Our Early Bird Conference Tickets are now available — the perfect Christmas gift for animal lovers and changemakers.
📅 Join us in 2026 for a gathering of compassion, knowledge, and community.
🎁 Buy now at the special early bird price and wrap up a gift that lasts far beyond the holidays. https://www.thedogwitchwholehealthandbehaviour.com/the-canine-wellness-conference

I speak slightly out of turn here, because I don’t have children of my own. And I’m always mindful of how it can feel wh...
05/12/2025

I speak slightly out of turn here, because I don’t have children of my own. And I’m always mindful of how it can feel when someone without that lived experience offers advice to parents. But sometimes, those of us who aren’t sleep-deprived can offer a fresh perspective.

If I were a parent, one of the most important things I’d want to teach my children is consent. Not just for their physical safety, but for their emotional wellbeing. For their growth into kind, empathetic, and understanding humans.
Now let me be clear: I don’t believe dogs should be our children’s teachers. Or therapists. Or ours, for that matter. That’s a whole other conversation about choice and consent. But if we do live with dogs and children, we’re sitting on a beautiful opportunity, one that’s often missed.

We can teach children about consent through our dogs.
I’ve asked children I know—including my goddaughter—questions like:
• “Would you want someone to touch you without asking first?”
• “Do you expect people to listen when you say no?”
• “How can we tell when someone’s uncomfortable, even if they don’t say it out loud?”
• “What does ‘no’ look like in body language or facial expression?”
• “What is inappropriate touch, and how do we navigate that?”

These are big questions. But children get it. Often more quickly than adults.
And once they do, we can gently transfer that understanding to the dogs in their lives.

Because I see it all the time: children picking dogs up without warning. Hugging tightly. Leaning over them. Using them as playthings. Not out of malice, but out of a lack of awareness. These are teaching moments. Not scolding moments. Not blame moments. But moments to pause and ask: “How would you feel if someone did that to you?”

When things go wrong between children and dogs, it’s never the fault of either. It’s our collective failure to teach consent, empathy, and understanding.
And here’s the hopeful part: when we do teach it, children rise to the occasion. They’re curious. They’re open. They want to do right by the beings they love.
I know life is chaotic. We’re all stretched thin. But teaching consent, across species, is a gift. One that saves time, energy, and heartache down the line. One that builds safer homes, stronger relationships, and more emotionally intelligent humans.
It’s a gift we should all be privy to.

🎄 12 Days of Christmas on the Canine Wellness CircleFrom 8th to 19th December, we’re celebrating the season with somethi...
04/12/2025

🎄 12 Days of Christmas on the Canine Wellness Circle
From 8th to 19th December, we’re celebrating the season with something truly special—12 consecutive days of Guest Hour magic.

Each day, we’ll welcome back one of our incredible guests for a 30-minute slot, offering you a Christmas gift of knowledge—a moment of insight, connection, and inspiration.
These aren’t lectures. They’re conversations. Each guest will share something close to their heart, and then we open the floor for questions, reflections, or simply listening in. It’s relaxed, warm, and full of the spirit of community.
🎁 Topics include:
• Our dogs are not from the movies
• How to honour our dogs
• How to keep ourselves mentally safe
• The amazing bag game for co-operative care
• The power of sensory awareness
…plus so much more.
Whether you join for one day or all twelve, you’ll be part of something joyful, compassionate, and deeply human. It’s our way of bringing the Circle together to celebrate what matters most—connection, kindness, and shared learning.
So grab a cuppa, pop on something cosy, and come join us. Let’s make this season one to remember.

Exciting Announcement: Canine Wellness Triage with Rebecca HanlonI’m thrilled to share something new with you all. Over ...
03/12/2025

Exciting Announcement: Canine Wellness Triage with Rebecca Hanlon

I’m thrilled to share something new with you all. Over the years, I’ve seen how overwhelming it can be for guardians and professionals alike to find the right support for dogs. That’s why I’ve developed a new approach: Canine Wellness Triage.
What is it?
Canine Wellness Triage is about understanding the many different options available to support dogs, and guiding guardians to the right pathway. It’s not limited to one profession or one method. Instead, it’s about creating networks, connecting expertise, and making sure families (including those on lower incomes) get focused, effective help without professionals carrying the burden alone.

What’s happening next?
Starting January, the Canine Wellness Circle will host monthly gatherings for professionals across the dog care world—trainers, behaviourists, nutritionists, vets, groomers, T-Touch practitioners and more.
• Together, we’ll learn how to apply triage in practice.
• We’ll explore how to connect with each other and look further afield for support.
• We’ll build a collaborative framework that lightens the load for professionals while giving guardians confidence and clarity.
Why join?
• Be part of a pioneering approach that’s set to reshape how we support dogs.
• Learn practical triage skills that help you guide clients to the right care.
• Connect with a diverse network of professionals who share your values.

If you’re passionate about dogs, community, and making care more accessible, this is your invitation. Join the Canine Wellness Circle and be part of the first wave of professionals learning and shaping Canine Wellness Triage.

More details will be shared soon—let’s make 2026 the year we change the way dog care works, together.

https://www.thedogwitchwholehealthandbehaviour.com/caninewellnesscircle

The Canine Wellness is Only ÂŁ10 per month and has a huge library on holistic dog needs plus LIVE sessions with industry professionals, all kept in a recorded Library.

Cold, dark evenings are made for snuggling up with a blanket, a hot drink, and some truly great conversations. That’s ex...
02/12/2025

Cold, dark evenings are made for snuggling up with a blanket, a hot drink, and some truly great conversations. That’s exactly what you’ll find in our recorded live sessions from 2025, now available for just £10 per month. Access to all of this plus the library, sage gatherings, LIVE online events, Food Hub and more......

And let’s be clear: it’s not cheap because it’s not good. It’s affordable because I believe in grassroots movements, community, and education that everyone can access. Many people have told me how surprised they are at how much is on offer for such a small price. While other platforms charge three times as much for far less, we’re proud to keep things accessible without compromising on quality.

What can you catch up on from this year?
Here’s just a taste of the conversations waiting for you:
• Ness Jones – Secure attachments and why they matter
• Roger Abrantes – Beyond behaviourism: the history of dog training and philosophy
• Tracy Brind – Botanical self-healing
• Victoria Shepherd – Games in grooming
• Marc Bekoff – Debunking myths in animal behaviour
• Holistic vet Vicky – Vaccines explained
• Tom Candy – Behaviour problems discussed
• Kat Hall BVS – How to approach vets with confidence
• Tom Sandberg – Insights from a 30-year study in raw feeding
• Caroline Griffith – Nutrition and Canine Flow
• Vet Day – Parasites and prevention
• Dr Teresa Tyler – The ABTC and professional standards
• Irene Perret – Romanian rescues and their unique challenges
• Sally Lewis – Gait and behaviour links
• Dean Marks – Grief for our dogs, and in our dogs
• Mark Skelly – Scent work foundations
• Deb Bennison – Pathways to becoming a clinical animal behaviourist
• Emma Gower – Protecting our own energy as guardians and professionals
• Emma Cox – How to support ourselves through stress

✨ For just £10, you’re not only supporting affordable education—you’re joining a movement that values compassion, science, and community.

So why would you wait until the New Year? You could also buy the subscription for a year for your loved one, just message me for details 07799350300

✨ Happy 1st of December! ✨This time of year often feels like winding down—more couch time, more mince pies, and then the...
01/12/2025

✨ Happy 1st of December! ✨
This time of year often feels like winding down—more couch time, more mince pies, and then the guilt that fuels New Year’s resolutions (including promises to do more for our dogs). But why wait?
You can enjoy your mulled wine, hot chocolate, or a cosy cup of tea and still be doing something wonderful for your dogs.
🎄 The 12 Days of Christmas on the Canine Wellness Circle 🎄https://www.thedogwitchwholehealthandbehaviour.com/caninewellnesscircle

From 8th–20th December, we’re bringing you 12 days of incredible guests, each offering a fun, 30‑minute slot packed with life‑changing insights on sharing life with your dog.

These are warm, friendly gatherings with industry‑leading experts who leave egos at the door and simply want to share their passion—for dogs, and for community.

👉 Join all 12 or dip into the ones you fancy.
👉 Collect 3 points every time you join.
👉 The person with the most points wins a prize worth over £100:
• A gift from West Country Pets
• A 1:1 session with me
• A free month on the Circle
So why not swap a few cosy evenings in for something that nourishes both you and your dog? 🐾

“Guilty” Dogs and the Trouble with AnthropomorphismWe often label dogs as feeling things like guilt, spite, or stubbornn...
30/11/2025

“Guilty” Dogs and the Trouble with Anthropomorphism
We often label dogs as feeling things like guilt, spite, or stubbornness, but many of these assumptions come from anthropomorphism: the act of attributing human emotions or intentions to non-human animals.
Anthropomorphism isn’t always bad. In fact, it can help us empathise and ask better questions. But when we confuse human emotions with canine communication, it can lead to misunderstanding, and unfair expectations.
Take the classic “guilty look.”
Many dogs appear “guilty” after doing something we don’t like. But guilt isn’t what’s happening. What we’re seeing is appeasement behaviour, a response to our tone, posture, or frustration. The dog isn’t reflecting on a moral mistake. They’re reacting to our emotional state.
And let’s pause for a moment:
Just because we think something is bad doesn’t mean it is.
• Foraging through bins? That’s survival behaviour.
• Sniffing our crotch? That’s how dogs gather social information, just like they do with other dogs.
• Chasing rabbits? Entirely natural.
• Jumping up to sniff our breath and eyes? That’s connection-seeking, not disobedience.
These aren’t “naughty” behaviours. They’re dog behaviours. And while we can absolutely teach alternatives, we also need to show more patience and acceptance for who they are.
Honestly, I’m still amazed at how much we expect from our dogs, and how incredibly well they do in such a human-centric world. And it’s only getting harder:
• Our lives are busier
• Our streets are louder
• Their freedom is more restricted
And yet, when they act in ways we don’t like, we often respond with frustration, assuming they “know better.” But they don’t. They’re just trying to navigate a world that wasn’t built for them.
So let’s meet them with more understanding. Let’s teach with kindness, not punishment. And let’s remember: if we choose to share our lives with dogs, we owe it to them to learn how they truly think, feel, and communicate.

If you would ever like to understand this more please pop in and have a chat with me on Mondays at Holsworthy Pets

I’ve been part of the training and behaviour sector for nearly a decade now. I’ve seen so many professionals working tir...
29/11/2025

I’ve been part of the training and behaviour sector for nearly a decade now. I’ve seen so many professionals working tirelessly, studying, refining, advocating. And yet, when I’m on the shop floor, I don’t see a huge shift in how the general public understands dogs. In fact, I’m seeing more confusion, more outdated ideas, and more disconnect than ever.

It’s made me ask some uncomfortable questions.
Why, when we’re working so hard to get the message out, is it not landing where it matters most? Why are we still seeing dogs misunderstood, mislabelled, and mishandled in everyday life?
I think part of the answer is this: we’re stuck in an echo chamber.
As trainers and behaviourists, we tend to work with the people who already believe in what we do. The ones who seek us out. But that’s a tiny slice of the community. And let’s be honest, many of us are priced out of reach for a large portion of the public. We’ve become a specialist service in a world that desperately needs general understanding.

And in our push for regulation and standards, important as that is, have we drifted into elitism? Have we climbed so high on our professional horses that we’ve lost sight of what’s happening on the ground?

Yes, we deserve to be paid well. We’ve poured years into education, spent thousands on CPD, and carry the emotional weight of care work. But “should” isn’t always reality. Nurses, carers, support staff, they all should earn more too. The truth is, care work has never been fairly valued in our society. That’s a fight worth having, but it’s a big one. And it needs a wider lens.

Personally, I’ve slashed my prices. Not because I don’t value myself, but because I do. I want to reach the people who need help but can’t afford it. I want to leave this world knowing I contributed, even in small ways. That’s selfish, in a way. When I’m on my deathbed, I won’t be counting money, I’ll be remembering the moments I made a difference.

Now, I’m not saying every professional should drop their rates. But maybe we can all ask: What can I give without expecting something back?
• A talk at a local school
• A free workshop at your library
• A few volunteer hours for a rescue
• Letting an aspiring ethical trainer shadow you
• Offering reduced rates for charities or community groups

Let’s stop being afraid of what others might “take” from us. Let’s remember why we’re here in the first place: for the dogs and their humans. If money is your main driver, this probably isn’t the job for you.

I have deep respect for the professionals in this field. But I do wonder, has our fight for regulation pulled us away from the places where real change happens?
Because change doesn’t always start in policy. Sometimes, it starts in a pet shop. Or a school. Or a quiet conversation with someone who’s never heard our message before.
Let’s not forget the ground we stand on.

It’s nearly here! Time is running out to register for the upcoming summit, Decoding Fear & Anxiety Summit - December 202...
28/11/2025

It’s nearly here! Time is running out to register for the upcoming summit, Decoding Fear & Anxiety Summit - December 2025.

Get access to more than 15 hours of educational information and actionable tips to help your dog stay calm and anxiety free when faced with their triggers.

My friend Ness Jones has brought together more than 15 world-class speakers on fear and anxiety in our canine companions and how to resolve it.

Yes, this is a paid product but is well worth the $47 US price tag for the more than 15 hours of education information and actionable tips you will receive.

The inaugural Decoding Fear & Anxiety Summit will be released on December 1 (Australian) or November 30 (Northern Hemisphere) and then you’ll gain access to expert speakers

from around the world as well as the free gifts they are providing you!

These speakers have so much wonderful knowledge to share.

Topics include:

Shifting from Surviving to Thriving

Helping Your Anxious Dog with Husbandry & Vet Care

The Gut-Brain Connection

Building Resilience

Body Language, Stress, & Trigger Stacking

Emotional Learning

Music as Medicine

and so much more …

Click below to register https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.decodingyourcanine.com%2F%3Faffiliate%3DXVqW4p&data=05%7C02%7C%7C5491cecd0d164b6beb1508de1b4c3c65%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638978211813333389%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FxcYAObva7CNEQW5ehLvIQ0YNw8IAbZilKFAVBguNb8%3D&reserved=0

Guest Hours on the Canine Wellness Circle aren’t webinars. They’re not lectures. They’re conversations—a chance to meet ...
27/11/2025

Guest Hours on the Canine Wellness Circle aren’t webinars. They’re not lectures. They’re conversations—a chance to meet and chat with people from across the canine world in a space that’s welcoming, curious, and deeply human.
Each session centres on a topic close to our guest’s heart. They’ll share a little about what they do and why it matters to them—and then the floor opens. You’re invited to ask questions, share reflections, or simply listen in. And if you’re feeling nervous, that’s okay. Many people start off quietly, but in my experience, it doesn’t take long to feel at home. The Circle is full of kind, thoughtful people who genuinely want to connect.

This week, we’re joined by Caroline Griffith—leader of the Natural Dog Expo and a brilliant mind in the world of canine nutrition. But this time, Caroline is bringing us something a little different: Canine Flow.
Canine Flow explores the emotional and energetic wellbeing of dogs, helping us understand how stress, trauma, and human energy can shape behaviour. It’s a deeply intuitive approach that invites us to see dogs not just as bodies to feed or train—but as sentient beings with emotional landscapes of their own.
Whether you’re new to this way of thinking or already exploring holistic care, you’re warmly welcome.

🌿 A Little About Me 🌿I often forget that not everyone who follows me knows who I am, so here’s a little introduction.My ...
25/11/2025

🌿 A Little About Me 🌿
I often forget that not everyone who follows me knows who I am, so here’s a little introduction.
My name is Rebecca Hanlon, and I chose the name The Dog Witch to reflect my holistic way of working. For me, dog care isn’t about focusing on just one aspect, it’s about seeing the whole picture. I believe that when we approach things with nuance and compassion, we can support our dogs so much better.

That’s why I now focus on triage work: meeting your dog for a minimal fee, then guiding you toward the professional who will suit your needs best. I know how overwhelming it can feel to navigate all the options, so I take that part of the journey off your shoulders.

To do this well, I’ve built a broad foundation of knowledge:
• Levels 2, 3, 5, and 6 in dog behaviour, training, and psychology (including Ofqual-accredited DGI)
• NVQ 3 in Health & Social Care, plus 20 years in human mental health
• Level 4 Diploma in Teaching
• Level 3 Certificate in Canine Nutrition, currently studying the Ofqual Level 3 Diploma with Caroline Griffith
• Ongoing studies in herbalism, Zoopharmacognosy, and natural living for dogs
• Specialist certifications in aggression (including Michael Shikashio)
• A “silly amount” of CPD hours every year!

I’m also proud to work at Westcountry Pets, where I bring my behaviour and nutrition knowledge to support customers directly.

But my biggest passion? Making education accessible. I want to break down the “us and them” divide and reduce the intimidating elitism that can creep into this field. That’s why I created the Canine Wellness Circle, a community where guardians and professionals learn together, without hierarchies. It’s a safe space to feel heard, share knowledge, and embrace the truth that none of us will ever know it all.

After living inSpain for 4yrs and gaining some amazing knowledge in foreign rescue, I now live on my mums farm with our 3 Podencos, Harry, Dustin and Mathila and our little wild rescue rat widget and of course my husband, Andrew. Who thankfully loves our animals as much as I do.

Thank you for being here. I’m excited to keep learning, sharing, and growing alongside you.

Address

Bradworthy

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447799350300

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