Four Positive Paws

Four Positive Paws Certified Canine Behaviourist specialising in Fearful, Anxious and Reactive Dog Behaviour.

I am passionate about canine welfare, education and raising awareness about having the best quality of life possible for and with our dogs. My philosophy is based on the teachings of Sheila Harper who taught me how to educate and co-habit with my own and others dogs with the utmost of respect for the individuals that they are. I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of dogs and owners wi

th great success and I continuously see the benefits and rewards of a natural and intelligent approach to consent and relationship based education. Dogs can often be our greatest teachers if we stop, observe, listen, understand and act upon their needs.

I just need a day off.Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed and simply need to take some time for ourselves.This is also tru...
06/08/2025

I just need a day off.

Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed and simply need to take some time for ourselves.

This is also true for our dogs.

Do you give your dog a day off?

What might that look like?

It could simply be a walk free day.

A day off from a walk could offer relief for a dog that struggles or has big reactions.

A day off from training can give our dogs an opportunity to relax and switch off.

All dogs are individual and have different needs. Many dogs will benefit from a day off to rest, sleep and recuperate.

Have you considered a walk free day for you and your dog?

I don't want to walk my dog anymore!Getting support so that you can enjoy walks with less worry.What clients experience:...
05/08/2025

I don't want to walk my dog anymore!

Getting support so that you can enjoy walks with less worry.

What clients experience:

"I couldn't recommend a better, compassionate and experienced trainer. I took on a 16 month old large breed dog whose previous training resulted in lunging, over stimulation and very little impulse control or ability to listen. In just 4 training sessions and a lot of practice I'm amazed at the results and my better understanding of my dogs psyche and needs. So pleased I chose Dawn"

My behaviour programmes are an opportunity to create change so that walks can feel enjoyable and relaxed.

To find out more or book a space email or drop me a message.

Could today be the change you've been looking for?

🌿 How Do I Know If My Dog Feels Safe on Walks? 🌿It can feel almost unthinkable that our dogs might not feel safe on a wa...
04/08/2025

🌿 How Do I Know If My Dog Feels Safe on Walks? 🌿

It can feel almost unthinkable that our dogs might not feel safe on a walk.

A walk is supposed to be a time to connect and relax but for some dogs, walks can be challenging, overwhelming, or even scary.

🐾 You might notice clear, visible signs of fear like:
• Crouching or cowering
• Tail tucked tightly
• Shaking or lying down
• Trying to hide
• Excessive panting (not due to heat or exercise)
• Barking, lunging, or snapping

But fear isn't always obvious. Sometimes, it's not so clear.

🐾 Subtle signs your dog may be feeling uneasy:
• Hesitating to leave the house
• Slowing down or stopping suddenly
• Sniffing intensely or delaying progress
• Lying down or “planting”
• Furrowed brow or rapid blinking
• Lip licking, yawning, or other displacement signals

None of these signs exist in isolation. Always consider the whole dog in front of you and the context in which their behaviour appears.

💭 So why might a dog feel anxious or fearful on walks?

Every dog is different. It might be:
• A newly adopted dog adjusting to a new world
• A previous scary encounter on a walk
• Underlying health issues
• A lack of confidence or coping strategies

💚 Here are three ways you can support your dog right now:

1️⃣ Observe and adjust
Be flexible. Small changes can make a big difference.

2️⃣ Choose the right time and place
Try quieter times or different routes. Notice how your dog responds.

3️⃣ Take a rest day
Skip the walk and try a calming enrichment activity at home or in the garden instead.

🌼 One of the kindest things we can do is listen to our dogs and support them at their pace.

Walks don’t have to be perfect.
They just need to feel safe.

✨ Take your time.
✨ Slow things down.
✨ Create a menu of worry free walks.
✨ Offer decompression breaks and rest.

Over time, with the right support, your dog can feel safer and more confident outdoors and you’ll both enjoy relaxed walks so much more.

You’re not alone in this 💛

💬 Does this resonate with your experience? You’re not alone, feel free to share what walks are like for you and your dog.

WELCOME TO AUGUST AND A VERY SPECIAL OFFER!I’m currently running a special August offer with two flexible options:🌿 Opti...
01/08/2025

WELCOME TO AUGUST AND A VERY SPECIAL OFFER!

I’m currently running a special August offer with two flexible options:

🌿 Option 1: Initial Behaviour Consultation £125
A full 1.5-hour session where we take a deep dive into your dog’s behaviour, what’s triggering the behaviour, why it’s happening, and how to start changing it.
You’ll come away with:
✅ A personalised written plan you can begin using straight away
✅ Clear guidance on what’s driving the behaviour
✅ A calmer, more confident path forward

This is ideal if you’d like to understand the why behind the behaviour and want a full strategy to follow at home and on walks.

🌿 Option 2: Three Practical Sessions for £147 within a 15 mile radius of RH19. Further away? No worries this can be delivered on line. Online sessions are calm, focused and just as effective plus, they give you space to practise at your own pace with expert guidance
Three focused 45-minute sessions designed to give you hands-on tools and strategies for improving behaviour in real-life situations.

You’ll get:
✅ Practical help you can put into action straight away
✅ A simple written guide tailored to your dog
✅ Coaching and feedback as you practise new techniques

This is a great choice if you want support with everyday situations like barking, pulling on the lead, reactions to other dogs and people or over enthusiasm with visitors and prefer guidance.

This isn't simply training, it is behaviour support with expertise specialising in fearful, anxious and reactive behaviours.

If either of these options feels like a good fit or if you’d like help deciding do get in touch for a free discovery call or, if you're ready, arrange a convenient date to get started.

Accepting our Dogs reactive behaviourWhen we first experience a big reaction from our dog it can be a shock.Often there ...
01/08/2025

Accepting our Dogs reactive behaviour

When we first experience a big reaction from our dog it can be a shock.

Often there is hope that it was a one off or our dog just didn't like a particular dog or person.

Then we experience more big reactions to more things that trigger our dog.

What happens next?

Denial, despondency, disappointment, frustration, anger, guilt, overwhelm, worry, stress. These are all normal responses to a dogs big reactions.

Keep the dog, give the dog back, rehome the dog privately, try and find a rescue space or PTS.

I have been fortunate to experience well skilled dogs that could read other dogs and people well and I have also been fortunate to experience highly sensitive dogs that had less coping skills and bigger reactions to multiple triggers.

This is why I am so passionate about supporting people to navigate the journey and life with a dog that has big reactions.

I understand how it can feel when we realise the dog we thought we would live with turns out to be very different from our expectations.

Rescues are full, many dogs are loosing their lives or being passed around to homes that are only going to be temporary.

Life with a dog that has big reactions doesn't have to be terrible. It is possible to discover what can work and enjoy our dogs for who they are.

Is change possible? Absolutely.

Is there a quick fix, magic wand, immediate turnaround? Not really.

Some changes can be quicker when we pause and consider what our dog needs.

We may need to shift our expectations for a while and work with our dogs basic need to feel safe.

When we create that foundation of safety we can start to work a little more with our dogs to support them and develop their skills.

We also need to learn new skills and behaviours so that we can be the person our dog needs too.

If you are feeling stuck or just want to reach out to discuss how you can get help and support for you and your dog I am only a DM away.

Why does it not feel safe to walk your dog?If walks feel tense, overwhelming, or unpredictable you’re not alone. Reactiv...
28/07/2025

Why does it not feel safe to walk your dog?

If walks feel tense, overwhelming, or unpredictable you’re not alone.

Reactive behaviour isn’t just about training. It’s about feeling safe for both you and your dog.

Sometimes it’s not about “fixing” behaviour. It’s about slowing down, building trust, and developing coping skills together.

🐾 Need support with walks that feel more manageable and less stressful?

Message me for a free call to get started.

One very nervous dog reminded me: we all need safety to grow, dogs and humans alike.She trembled at the sight of every d...
27/07/2025

One very nervous dog reminded me: we all need safety to grow, dogs and humans alike.

She trembled at the sight of every dog, human and car and her guardian was so determined, reading, practising, pushing through.

There were tears shed from exhaustion and frustration from going it alone.

At the end of our first session, they were feeling more relaxed, relieved and confident.

I saw my own reflection in them: overwhelmed, under‑resourced, and pouring out without refilling my own cup.

That day I reviewed my approach:
• More space in my diary
• Clear response times
• Regular reset breaks

That very nervous dog gained confidence and her person rediscovered the fulfilment of putting the oxygen mask on first so that she could support her own needs and her dogs too.

If you’d like calm, compassionate support and guidance from a behaviourist that embraces self care, send me a message or book a free discovery call below.

We all need a bit of a reset from time to time.When our dogs struggle in busy environments or feel uncomfortable around ...
26/07/2025

We all need a bit of a reset from time to time.

When our dogs struggle in busy environments or feel uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs it can take a lot of energy and resources to simply cope and tolerate that walk.

We LOVE decompression, calming, fulfilling and resetting walks so that the dogs are able to switch off alert mode and switch into engaging with their natural skills and senses.

Redefining and redesigning our walks can feel strange at first. We might need to rethink what we consider a 'normal' walk.

When we can open our minds to the options and possibilities of discovering walks matched to our individual dogs needs it can be a game changer.

Some walks might seem boring to us but may be full of great scent for our dogs to explore like a Car Park or Industrial Estate out of hours.

Having peace of mind, taking pressure off ourselves and our dogs can be hugely beneficial for well being, getting back in balance and enjoying a relaxed, calm and fulfilling time together with less worry.

We have a few special walks that are out of the ordinary. The dogs love exploring the environment and love spending time just observing them and sharing some lovely connections.

Walks are both physical and emotional exercise. You might be surprised in the difference a decompression walk can make for an over stimulated, fearful or worried dog.

I have observed improved quality of rest and sleep, calmer responses to visitors, less frequent or intense barking, pulling on the lead virtually disappearing and better choices being made.

I am passionate about supporting people to enjoy safe, relaxed and fulfilling walks with dogs that can have big reactions, feel concerned or are building confidence around things they may find difficult.

Why is walking my dog so stressful?It’s meant to be an enjoyable part of your day… but walking your dog leaves you feeli...
24/07/2025

Why is walking my dog so stressful?

It’s meant to be an enjoyable part of your day… but walking your dog leaves you feeling tense, frustrated, or embarrassed.

You’re not alone if you’ve asked:

“Why does my dog lunge at other dogs?”

“Why is the lead always so tight?”

“Is this normal… or am I doing something wrong?”

These are big questions and you don’t have to figure them out by yourself.

If this sounds familiar, gentle support is here when you're ready.

Address

East Grinstead

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+447941517571

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I am passionate about canine welfare, education and raising awareness about having the best quality of life possible for and with our dogs. My philosophy is based on the teachings of Sheila Harper who taught me how to teach my own and others dogs with the utmost of respect and treat them all as individuals. I have had the privilege of working with many people and dogs over the years and I am continuously seeing the benefits and rewards of a natural and intelligent approach to teaching and learning. Dogs can often be our greatest teachers if we stop, observe, listen, understand and act upon their needs. Dog behaviour, communication and wellbeing are what I have studied and qualified in. My learning will be lifelong.