Reactive Dog Training

13/11/2026

Just because your dogs don’t fight doesn’t mean living together is always good for them.

I’ve recently made the decision to give Dot and Logan more time apart.

Not because they’ve been fighting. They haven’t.

But, because I’ve started noticing changes in Logan’s behaviour that I don’t particularly like.

He’s become more skittish in certain situations, he’s started resource guarding around Dot (he does it with digger but much more mild and communicative), and he’s developed some unusual behaviours, including licking up his own urine.

Now, I can’t say for certain what’s driving all of this. There are several possible contributing factors, including his neutering, which I’ve also been questioning.

But, I do know that Dot is an intense dog to live with.

And, whilst Logan has been brilliant for her, I’ve started wondering whether their relationship is quite as beneficial for him.

He’s still young. He’s still developing.

And he deserves the opportunity to grow in confidence without constantly having to navigate another dog’s intensity.

Sometimes the dog who appears to be coping is the one we need to pay more attention to.

So, I’m making changes, giving them more individual time, and watching how Logan responds.

Because good management isn’t just about preventing fights.

It’s about recognising when the environment we’ve created might not be meeting everyone’s needs.

And sometimes, even as a professional dog trainer, that means questioning your own decisions.

If you live with multiple dogs, have you ever noticed one behaving differently when the other isn’t around?

I’d love to hear your experiences. 👇

10/11/2026

If every walk involves scanning the environment, avoiding triggers and desperately hoping your dog won’t react, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Because repeatedly putting your dog into situations they can’t cope with isn’t necessarily helping them improve.

Your dog needs more than exposure. They need the skills, confidence and emotional capacity to cope with what they’re experiencing.

Stop measuring progress by how far you’ve walked.

Start measuring it by how well your dog is coping around what they’re actually seeing. 🐾

03/11/2026

🎆 FIREWORKS HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE YEAR. SO WHY ARE WE STILL WAITING UNTIL NOVEMBER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM?

Every year, around the same time, my feed fills with advice on how to help dogs who are terrified of fireworks.

And I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but…

You’re probably too late to resolve the problem this year now. 🫠

The bloody things are already going off, and they’ll likely continue right through until New Year

I get it. It’s awful watching your dog struggle. I’ve been there myself.

But, here’s something I think the dog training industry needs to be much clearer about…

MANAGEMENT IS NOT THE SAME AS BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION.

Most of the advice you’re seeing online right now is about managing your dog’s distress, reducing the intensity of their reactions and helping them feel safer.

And, that’s absolutely worthwhile.

But it isn’t the same as addressing the underlying fear.

If you genuinely want to make significant progress with your dog’s firework fears, ideally you should have started working on this back in April or May.

Not when the first rocket goes off! 🚀

Or…

You could have nerves of steel and do what I eventually did with Skye five years ago that went against ALL of the usual advice around fireworks

I’m a rebel, I know 😂

DISCLAIMER: That’s our personal story, NOT professional advice or something I’m suggesting you replicate!

But, it was a major turning point for us, and Skye’s firework problems became a thing of the past in two seconds flat.

For now, though?

Speak to your neighbours. Close the curtains. Turn the TV up. Create somewhere your dog feels safe, and speak to your vet if they’re really struggling.

Your priority right now isn’t fixing your dog. It’s helping them feel as safe as possible through a difficult season.

And, please don’t feel pressured into trying every training technique you see on social media while fireworks are exploding outside.

There is a time for training, and there is a time for management.

Right now, for many dogs, it’s management.

But next year?

You’ve got months to prepare, build confidence and work on changing how your dog feels about those noises.

Because the best time to address firework fears and noise sensitivities isn’t November.

It’s the months when there aren’t any fireworks going off.

Stay safe, look after your dogs, and do what you can to get through the season. 🫶🏻

02/11/2026

Logan had a little bark at them last night but seemed to settle quickly

But, I’m hearing the same reports of very stressed out animals during the bangs and it brings back all of the times we were in the same position with Skye

Thankfully, she ended her days not caring about fireworks but we had many years where I genuinely thought she was going to keel over and collapse of a heart attack!

Let’s hope the government bans the sale to the general public soon or at the very least, only sells the quiet ones.

It really is a pointless activity!

To everyone setting off unnecessary fireworks tonight and in the future of these festive seasons… is the thrill of bright lights in the sky really worth it?

Every burst and explosion that brings you excitement, sends an animal into a state of panic and fear.

For each moment you spend admiring the display, another animal might suffer a heart attack, or worse, lose its life.

Every laugh and cheer during your night of loud entertainment can cause an animal to hyperventilate and endure extreme stress.

Thankfully, my dogs aren’t bothered by these anymore, but I know of many who still are

Please consider the real consequences of these moments of fleeting joy.

01/11/2026

🐾 GOT SOMETHING NEW FOR YOU!

Hey everyone! 🥰

I’m launching something I think you’ll love!

The No Walk Playbook is packed with fun, practical exercises you can do at home with your dog, covering training, enrichment, confidence building and cooperative care.

Perfect for those days when the weather’s rubbish, life gets in the way, the fireworks never end or you just can’t face another reactive dog walk!

I’ve been using these exercises with my own dogs over the years and they’ve been brilliant for keeping them mentally stimulated without the pressure of having to head outside

Fancy adding a few more skills to your toolbox? ❤️

👉 https://reactivedogtraining.co.uk/the-no-walk-playbook/

We start on Monday 🐾

31/10/2026

Remember. Never give up on your dreams ✨

25/10/2026

🐾 CAN'T OR DON'T WANT TO WALK YOUR DOG TODAY?

Storm Austin and Boela has left us with pouring rain and wild winds this weekend!

I can't say I blame you or your dog for not wanting to go out in it!

Maybe it's something else that's been lingering longer than the upcoming winter and weather and your dog is reactive or you just can't face another walk spent scanning the horizon for other dogs?

Maybe you're poorly, exhausted, short on time, or simply fancy a Sunday at home.

But, then if you're anything like me, you take one look at your dog and the guilt starts creeping in. 😅

"They're going to be bored."

"They haven't had enough exercise."

"I should really take them out."

I've said all of that too!

But, here's something I wish more dog owners understood...

Your dog's wellbeing isn't measured in miles walked, each day.

There are so many opportunities for dogs to learn, explore, problem-solve, use their noses and enjoy interacting with us, without us having to leave the house.

And no, that doesn't mean spending a fortune on enrichment toys or turning your living room into an obstacle course!

And, I am 100% physical exercise for dogs too, but if the weather, your mental health or just your mood is increasing your procrastination on days, this is why I've created something new for you 🥰

Introducing THE NO WALK PLAYBOOK!

30 short, practical video lessons showing you how to turn ordinary household objects and a few minutes of your time into genuinely enjoyable and tiring activities for your dog.

We're covering:

🐕 Body Awareness — teaching your dog to move, balance, turn, target and develop new skills.

🐾 Cooperative Care — making grooming, nail care and everyday handling something your dog can actively participate in and make things a lot easier for the vet or groomer visits!

👃 Scent Work — I've been asked so much for this so lets give your dog's nose a proper job to do

🧠 Play & Problem-Solving — encouraging curiosity, creativity and engagement that helps with confidence, calmness and a genuine better relationship together

And, here's the exciting bit...

I'm not waiting until every video is finished before opening the doors.

I'm inviting you to join me as a FOUNDING MEMBER, so you can learn and practice the activities with your dog each week, as I create them.

The first lessons will be released on Monday 2 November, with more added progressively over the next month, until all 30 are available.

Each video is only around 3–5 minutes long so no complicated equipment, no homework and no rigid schedule that you have to 'keep up with'.

Just you, your dog and a whole collection of things to try whenever a walk isn't on the cards.

💚 This is an absolute steal and a one-off payment of only £37 which will include all 28 core lessons and both bonus lessons as they're released.

Also to note, whilst I specialise in reactive dogs, this is going to be great for ALL dogs and their owners

Because sometimes staying at home can be just as interesting as going out.

Fancy joining us?

👇 Get your founding member place here:

https://reactivedogtraining.co.uk/the-no-walk-playbook/

And tell me in the comments... what's the biggest reason you sometimes skip a walk with your dog? 👀

22/10/2026

Something I wished more people did with their dogs 🐕 🫶🏻

15/10/2026

It’s incredible! 🤩