Hels4Dogs

11/07/2025

Let me introduce you to Eevee. She is a wheaten terrier, she’s an older girl, 8, and she has some medical things going on. She’s had quite a bit of pain in her back and she struggles to handle things in her day to day life. 
 
Her owners were really struggling with 2 things - walking her out and about in the village they live with, where she will bark and react to other dogs. She also has a more explosive reaction when she hears visitors, passersby, delivery men, or even her owner returning home. 
 
Hannah had tried a lot of different things, equipment, methods and had been struggling to do what was an awesome solution to many of the issues they were experiencing in the home - train her to target a mat instead of reacting at the window.
 
During the programme, we were able to work through so much of this, get on top of Eevee’s pain, which was a huge barrier to her learning, and just generally make everything feel a LOT easier. 
 
Hannah trained new behaviours, implemented the right techniques for her and Eevee and made sure we were tracking, measuring and looking at our progress at every point.

Hannah was able to see the results that she needed to from the programme, and better yet, understand why Eevee was struggling with things.
 
The funny thing… Hannah was also an online training sceptic, and it’s safe to say that she’s now a total convert!

If you need help, if you feel like you want a deeper, more detailed, and open approach to your dog’s behaviour then don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Message me the word September and I’ll get all the details to you!

08/07/2025

There is so much conflicting and confusing advice out there on how to tackle your reactive dog’s behaviour, but one of the biggest things I hear dog owners asking is:

“Am I rewarding them when they bark at another dog”

“If I feed them treats while they’re barking, will I reward it?”

Let’s get into it.

Rewards and punishment are ways of increasing or decreasing the likelihood of behaviour happening. We learn that as children, if your parents ever sent you to your room for being naughty (punishment), or promised you something if you did the thing they asked you to do (Reward).

But, that was when you were actively thinking about cause and effect. The outcome or the consequences of your actions. This is the same for dogs too. They do things, we give them feedback for the things that they do, cause and effect.

(Read more:
https://helenawoodfield.odoo.com/blog/hels4dogs-1/rewarding-your-reactive-dog-are-you-rewarding-the-barking-31)

07/07/2025

Hels4Dogs is my attempt at making dog behaviour advice accessible, in a way that empowers owners, in a way that prompts thinking and reflection on our own dogs.

My main goal with my business is to give you the skills to not need me anymore. To know how to handle things, to know how to make good choices and decisions, and to feel confident that they are right for your dog!

I work to share knowledge, to guide you and to teach you what will work for your dog.

Vet referrals are a standard part of my practise, I will always insist on making sure we take a holistic, deep approach where we leave no stone unturned. It’s so important we know our dog’s position fully!

Anything you’ve done or advice you’ve taken in the past is just that - in the past - I will never judge or make comment on anything. Your journey is yours!

I am here to support, advise, mentor and help you and your dog make the progress you need to!

If this sounds like something you and your dog could benefit from, then drop a 🔥 in the comments!

02/07/2025

Why do I insist that even the most caring and dedicated owners take time away from their reactive dogs?

When I had Huxley I would sit in another room from my parents every day, with him, alone, with only him for company.

I loved him, I didn’t mind. But I felt lonely, I didn’t spend any time with my family really because he couldn’t be around their dogs. I felt angry that they had dogs that could do it all, and it prevented me from doing things with them…or anyone for that matter.

So why do I urge people to take time away?

Because we are only human 🤗 we are emotional, caring, loving and supportive human beings that have to care for dogs with extra or complicated needs.

This might be something some of us do regularly but it might not be.

It’s a valid, healthy thing to do.

It doesn’t have to be days on end. It can be taking a walk on your own. Being in nature without them or just taking time with family or friends.

Reset, get perspective, come back to them and start fresh.

💫

25/06/2025