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.

Walk free days.Have you tried a walk free day?It might feel strange or uncomfortable or even unthinkable to miss a walk ...
31/05/2026

Walk free days.

Have you tried a walk free day?

It might feel strange or uncomfortable or even unthinkable to miss a walk or two.

Of course it depends on our individual dogs and their own needs and to a large degree by our own beliefs too.

Years ago I wouldn't have considered missing a walk for my dogs.

I had been told that my dog needed at least two walks of at least an hour each day so I followed that regime.

When I broke my foot I had to reduce the number of walks and the distance covered.

I could be out with my dog but we pottered together so we could still be out for a while, just not 'walking' in the traditional sense.

What I noticed, was my dog behaving more calmly on our walks, her sleep was deeper and more frequent, she was visibly more relaxed and she was able to cope with unfamiliar dogs better.

We didn't want or need 'friendly' dogs getting into our personal space and that was still problematic, not only because she felt uncomfortable and unsafe with a dog in her face but I also had to be careful because of my foot.

As I healed physically, my dog was healing emotionally with those different styles of walk.

Going slower meant I could observe more, I could see and feel the changes in her, it deepened our connection and made a big difference to our relationship.

I have fostered and adopted many dogs and they have all benefitted from a day off. Not a missed walk or a walk replaced by an activity, simply a whole day off.

A day off gives our dogs the opportunity to switch off, just like we need to (although we may need some practice with this ourselves).

Switching off enables our bodies and minds to recalibrate. It gives our nervous system an opportunity to regulate, it gives us a breather from a life that can feel pretty hectic at times.

I continue to reflect and schedule time for myself to decompress. It isn't something I find easy but I do experience the benefits when I do either pause or at least slow down a little.

When I slow down and pause, my dogs also have the opportunity to do the same.

Perhaps you already have walk free days and give your dogs a day off. If not, you might like to try it and see how it works out for you and your Dog.

Not another boring post about our dogs welfare and well being in the heat wave in the UK.Super simple things you can do ...
26/05/2026

Not another boring post about our dogs welfare and well being in the heat wave in the UK.

Super simple things you can do instead if it suits your dog.

Enjoy hanging out with your dogs at home, doing nothing in particular and observe them sleeping, snoozing and lying flat out to keep themselves comfortable.

Got a hot home because of the sun and no shade? I grabbed myself some great blackout curtains on line and they really make a huge difference to the indoor temperature.

First thing in the morning all windows closed and curtains drawn. Feels a bit odd when it is so sunny outside but I am not a fan of this heat either. Anything that can help me and my dogs feel comfortable is a priority.

Walks are either going to be at around 5 am to 6 am or they are given a miss. This is especially important for older, younger and Brachycephalic (flat faced dogs) like our Frenchie's, Pugs and Bulldogs.

Just because a dog isn't collapsing, fitting or suffering from heatstroke doesn't mean the dog is okay and feeling safe.

Journey's in the car for us right now are not happening unless it is an emergency trip to the vet.

Air con can fail, windows open in this heat means just a lot of warm air blowing around and can make driving a bit of a pain (can't hear a thing with those windows down).

Disappointment is better than disaster. It can be really disappointing when we may have booked a ticket for a dog show or an event, if we have planned on taking our dogs with us to a Fete or a food fayre and the weather heats up.

What can you do?

Adjust arrangements so that your dog can stay at home with a trusted family member, friend or professional.

One person stays at home with the dog while others in the family can go ahead with the original plan.

Sell or gift your ticket to a person that will appreciate the offer (who doesn't have a dog to take with them).

Reschedule or sacrifice going and do something else instead.

Would you change plans if the weather was really cold, wet and windy and torrential rain?

This isn't a lecture about hot weather welfare, just a few simple thoughts to share with you.

Changing habits.Changing habits often takes time.We need to become conscious of our thoughts and behaviours so that we c...
12/05/2026

Changing habits.

Changing habits often takes time.

We need to become conscious of our thoughts and behaviours so that we can start to make changes.

One thing I find really helpful is to choose one small change and stick with it so that the change becomes sustainable.

Then introduce another small change to build on the foundation of the first steps.

It is human to want big changes fast. It is possible to do that but how sustainable is it?

Do we get into a cycle of hope and determination, failure to sustain then rinse and repeat?

I heard a lovely thing yesterday. We don't win or fail we win or learn.

There are parallels with our dogs behaviour and how they learn.

For positive learning to happen, we need to optimise the likelihood of success in a least stressful way.

How well do we learn when under pressure, while trying to meet expectations of ourselves and others or with tight time lines?

Are our expectations of ourselves and our dogs realistic?

Compassionate learning includes self compassion, taking our time and recognising our achievements one small step at a time.

I personally love learning.

I enjoy it most when I have the time needed and some autonomy.

I love teaching, coaching and mentoring too and I enjoy it most when that journey creates curiosity, light bulb moments and success that is aligned with an individual persons values.

Changing habits, learning new skills and feeling a sense of achievement can be a real boost for us and our dogs too.

A tribute to my first Rescue girl. We learned so much from each other, alongside each other, together.

What if walks didn’t have to feel so stressful? 💛One of the biggest shifts I see with reactive dogs isn’t just about the...
08/05/2026

What if walks didn’t have to feel so stressful? 💛

One of the biggest shifts I see with reactive dogs isn’t just about the dog’s behaviour it’s about changing the way we think about walks altogether.

So many people feel trapped in the idea that a “good walk” has to mean:

• a long route to tire a dog out and at least two walks of an hour.
• a set destination because that is how a walk 'should' be.
• passing lots of dogs and people so that the dogs learn how to behave better or get used to it.
• trying to “push through” difficult situations because that's what we've seen other people do.

But for many reactive or overwhelmed dogs, that kind of walk can feel exhausting and stressful for both ends of the lead.

Sometimes calmer, more successful walks come from slowing everything down.

Choosing quieter places.
More sniffing.
Less pressure.
Less rushing from A to B.
More realistic expectations.

A quiet industrial estate.
A graveyard or nature reserve.
A short decompression walk instead of a long stressful one.

Redefining walks doesn’t mean giving up or that we are failing our dogs or depriving them of what we think we 'should' be doing.

It means starting to walk in a way that works better for the dog in front of you and for you too 💛

That’s exactly why I created my
“Redefining Your Walks with Your Reactive Dog” online course

To help you:

💛 Get curious about the different types of walk that can be explored.
💛 Manage those tricky, unwanted interactions with 'friendly' dogs.
💛 Create more manageable walks that you can enjoy

Because life is busy and overwhelming enough already, everything is broken down into small, bite-sized sections that you can come back to whenever you need them.

✨ Today is the FINAL day to get 25% off with code MAYDAY26

The course is usually £47 and the offer ends tonight.

If you’d like the details, just send me a DM and I’ll happily send the link over 💛

I just want to be able to walk my dog without feeling anxious the whole time.This is something I hear a lot.Why? Because...
07/05/2026

I just want to be able to walk my dog without feeling anxious the whole time.

This is something I hear a lot.

Why? Because living with a reactive dog can feel exhausting and unpredictable.

It can take the pleasure out of the walks we just want to enjoy.

💛 Why does my dog have big reactions?
💛 What can I do to make my walks better?
💛 Will things ever change?

I’ve created a course that helps you find these answers and more. It is packed with practical steps that can be put in place right away.

The May Bank Holiday offer ends on Friday.

I’ve added the details in the comments if it feels like the right time for you to take back control of your walks, feel more confident and boost your skills.

Misconceptions and expectationsOne of the biggest misconceptions about reactive dog behaviour is that the actual walk is...
05/05/2026

Misconceptions and expectations

One of the biggest misconceptions about reactive dog behaviour is that the actual walk is the main problem.

However, did you know that, often the stress can start before you even leave the house?

What can happen?
You and your dog anticipate what might happen based on previous experiences.

Worry about who you might see because of your dogs big reactions and how that can make you feel.

The feeling that can feel icky because you need to be on alert the whole tine.

Pressure can start to build, up, emotions can feel negative and the walk can start to feel unpleasant.

When we start to reduce the pressure instead of just trying harder to manage the behaviour and reacting when our dog reacts the walks can start to feel more manageable.

This is what I guide you through step by step in my course.

It isn't about perfection or prevention, it's about creating and redefining your walks so that you feel more in control, less worried and more relaxed over time.

I understand how walks can feel when we are truly concerned about our dogs behaviour. It doesn't feel nice at all.

It can be such a big relief when we start to gain confidence, start to accept where we are now and have hope for the future.

Details of the offer are in the comments.

04/05/2026

Worried about Walks with your Dog?

If walks with your dog feel stressful, unpredictable or worrying you're not alone.

I work with many dog guardians who love their dogs but feel on edge before and during walks because of their dogs reactions to people, other dogs or the environment.

You might be:
! Avoiding certain routes or times of day
! Scanning for triggers
! Second guessing if you're doing the right thing

Reactive behaviour can really take the enjoyment out of something that should feel simple and pleasurable.

That's why I've created;
Redefining Walks with your Reactive Dog online course.
It's designed to help you:

💛 Understand what’s really going on for your dog
so that you can stop second-guessing yourself and feel more confident in how you handle situations on walks.

💛 Feel calmer and more prepared before you head out
so that walks feel less stressful and you’re not constantly on edge or tensing up about what might happen.

💛 Take small, realistic steps towards safer, more manageable walks so that you and your dog can start to enjoying being out again in real life situations.

Everything is based on real life situations you're likely to experience on walks so you can do what feels practical and best for you and your dog.

And, if you're busy and don't have much time, it's broken down into short, bite sized sections including video's, activities, worksheets and guides.

You can learn what you need when you need it without information overload.

It's a simple, affordable way to start making walks feel easier, especially if you're not quite ready to invest in 1 2 1 support.

For the May Bank Holiday, I'm offering:
25% off (usually £47) for the next 5 days.

If you'd like the link or want to see if it's a good fit for you, just send me a message or drop a YES in the comments.

I also offer in-person support locally if you're looking for more tailored help.

Dawn at Four Positive Paws.

Have your walks changed with the change in weather?I find this time of year increases sensory input for our dogs.More pe...
01/05/2026

Have your walks changed with the change in weather?

I find this time of year increases sensory input for our dogs.

More people out walking, joggers, cyclists, dogs, children walking the dog, hedge cutting, lawn mowers etc.

Even cats sunning themselves on pavements and gardens.

There is more scent around, more sounds, more things to navigate.

The walking routine might change and for some dogs that can be a struggle due to less predictability and increased anxiety or stress with less tolerance.

So what can we do to keep walks calm, relaxed and enjoyable?

Grab a cuppa and reflect on walks that might need to be changed. It might be the time you walk, the distance you cover or the location.

Create a seasonal walking menu so that you can choose easily which walks will work best for you and your dog on any given day.

Be prepared to make adjustments if your favourite walk doesn't work right now because of the weather.

Reflect on the walks and do more of what works well for you and pause the walks that are not working for now.

I'll share a recent walk where I chose a different time that I thought would work well. The walk was a challenge because there were a lot of cats around sunning themselves, there were more people walking their dogs and we spotted a nearby herd of Deer (in a Suburban walk).

On reflection the walk was a stretch for me and for my dog.

It wasn't as enjoyable as I thought it would be so I felt over stretched.

What have I done about it?

Made a small adjustment to the time I walk so that we can enjoy the walk more.

Do you have a different walking plan for the changes in seasons?

29/04/2026

Starting up something. On lead walks can be awesome. Safe, Secure, Connected.

Address

East Grinstead

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

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+447941517571

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