What are the opening hours?

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

Edinburgh Holistic Dogs

Home
United Kingdom
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh Holistic Dogs

Dog Behaviourist specialising in Foreign Rescue dogs and Reactive dogs. Understanding the whole dog is key to creating lasting change.

Providing bespoke behaviour programmes, including wellbeing and functional movement assessments. Edinburgh Holistic Dogs is a dog training service set up in 2017 by Suzanne Gould. The business aims to provide Calm Confidence for Foreign Rescued and Reactive Dogs. Specialising in training for Foreign Rescue Dogs and Reactive Dogs which is inspired by my personal history of adopting Old English Sheepdogs and after realising there is an increasing number of adopted dogs, whose owners are struggling. Working with rescued dogs has earned me the name of The Rescue Dog Ranger™

I show owners how they can transform their lives with their dogs, the training provided isn’t your typical obedience style instead I focuses on confidence building, strengthening communication and how to handle stressful situations. Training is done on a 121 basis, I am known for my relaxed and friendly approach when working with dogs and their owners. I always share own experiences with my dogs both the good and the embarrassing too. I am driven by the need to help fellow dog owners who want the best for their dog and are stuck on how to go about it. The common problem I come across is the lack of support and help new owners get from the place they rescued their dog, this in turn causes unnecessary problems or escalates easy problems to solve into something more intensive. I absolutely love seeing the relationship between owner and dog grow, become stronger and deeper. Seeing the owners become proud of their dogs achievements too.

03/11/2026

🎆 FIREWORKS NIGHT IS ALMOST HERE – IS YOUR DOG READY?

For many dogs, the 5th of November (and unfortunately the surrounding nights) can be a frightening experience. The sudden bangs, flashes and vibrations can leave them feeling anxious, unsettled and desperate to find somewhere safe.

While we can't control when fireworks go off, there are things we can do to help our dogs feel more secure.

🐾 Plan your walks carefully.
Try to get your dog's main walk done during daylight hours, well before fireworks are likely to start. Keep them on a secure lead, even if their recall is normally brilliant. A sudden bang can frighten even the most confident dog.

🏡 Create a safe space.
Give your dog somewhere quiet and comfortable to retreat to. This might be their usual bed, a cosy corner or a covered crate if they already enjoy using one. Let them choose where they feel safest rather than insisting they stay in one place.

🔊 Reduce the noise and flashes.
Close the curtains, keep windows shut and put the television, radio or some familiar background noise on to help soften the sound of fireworks.

🦴 Offer calming activities.
Licking, sniffing and chewing can help some dogs settle. Try a stuffed food toy, a lick mat or a favourite chew, but don't worry if your dog isn't interested. A frightened dog may be too stressed to eat.

❤️ Be there for your dog.
If your dog comes to you for reassurance, give it to them! You won't reinforce fear by offering comfort. Equally, if they'd rather hide away, respect their choice and give them space.

🚪 Check your security.
Make sure doors, windows, garden gates and fences are secure. Take extra care when opening the front door, as frightened dogs can try to escape unexpectedly.

💊 Speak to your vet if needed.
If your dog has struggled badly with fireworks in previous years, don't wait until the night itself. Your vet can discuss appropriate support, including medication where necessary.

And one really important thing…

Don't force your dog to face their fear.

Fireworks Night isn't the time to try to get them used to loud noises. The priority is helping them feel as safe and comfortable as possible.

Every dog is different. Some will happily sleep through the evening, while others will need a lot more support.

If your dog finds fireworks frightening, I'd love to know what helps them cope. Share your tips in the comments🐾

02/11/2026

🪨 📄 ✂️ BEING THE ROCK SUCKS. PAPER BEATS IT EVERY TIME.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?

When you've got a reactive dog, it's easy to become the rock.

You brace yourself when you spot another dog approaching. You tighten the lead, hold your ground and prepare for the reaction you just know is coming.

You become rigid, tense and focused on getting through the situation.

But here's the thing…

Your dog might already be struggling, and becoming the rock doesn't necessarily help either of you.

So what if you tried being the paper instead?

Paper is flexible. It moves. It adapts.

Instead of standing your ground, you create distance.

Instead of insisting your dog walks past a trigger, you change direction.

Instead of waiting for a reaction, you notice the early signs that your dog is uncomfortable and give them the space they need.

You're not avoiding the problem. You're making a choice that helps your dog feel safer and gives them a better chance of learning.

And the scissors?

Think of those as the tools you use to cut through the pressure. Rewarding calm observations, teaching useful skills and building your dog's confidence at a pace they can cope with.

Living with a reactive dog isn't about winning every encounter or proving you can handle every situation.

It's about recognising when to change your approach.

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is stop being the rock.

So next time you're out with your dog, ask yourself…

🪨 Am I standing firm because I think I have to?

📄 Or can I be flexible and make a better choice for my dog?

If you're struggling with your dog's reactions on walks, get in touch. I can help you understand what's happening and find practical ways to make walks more manageable for both of you.

Book a free call https://tidycal.com/edinburghholisticdogs/30-minute-free-consultation

30/10/2026

Your dog isn't being naughty. They're having a hard time.

When your dog barks, lunges or growls at another dog, it's easy to focus on what they're doing.

But reactivity is an emotional response, often driven by fear, anxiety or frustration.

Your dog isn't choosing to be difficult. They're reacting to something they’re struggling to cope with.

And that's why simply trying to stop the barking doesn't address how your dog is feeling.

The takeaway? You can't change how your dog reacts without addressing why they're reacting. Focus on the emotion behind the behaviour, not just the behaviour you can see.

If your dog struggles with reactivity, get in touch. I can help you understand what's driving their behaviour and how to support them. Email [email protected]

29/10/2026

“You can love your rescue dog completely and still find life with them difficult.”

Admitting that life with your Romanian rescue dog is hard can feel uncomfortable.

You chose to adopt them. You wanted to give them a better life. You may have spent months researching, preparing and hoping that everything would fall into place.

So when walks become stressful, visitors are difficult or your dog struggles with everyday situations, you might feel guilty for finding it challenging.

Perhaps you worry that other people will judge you. Maybe you've stopped going to places you used to enjoy because you're anxious about how your dog might react.

You can love your dog deeply and still need help.

Those two things can exist together.

You don't need to have all the answers, and you don't need to wait until things become unbearable before asking for support.

My role is to help you understand your dog's behaviour, explore the factors that may be influencing it and create a practical plan tailored to your lives.

You'll also have access to me between sessions, so you can ask questions and check in as things arise rather than feeling that you have to work everything out alone.

There is no judgement here. Just a genuine desire to help you and your dog.

If you'd like to talk about what you're experiencing, book a free call with me. You don't need to prepare a perfect explanation. Just tell me what's been difficult, and we'll take it from there.

28/10/2026

Meet Ice. 🐾

He's a four-year-old rescue dog who started life on the streets of Turkey. But behind some of his worrying behaviours was something nobody had expected.

Ice's human fell in love with him while visiting Turkey and, with the help of a local rescue, began the process of bringing him home.

It wasn't a straightforward journey. Ice needed months of treatment for an untreated abscess, including prolonged courses of IV antibiotics, before he was finally well enough to travel to Scotland and settle into his new life alongside his human and canine sibling, Ziggy.

Although Ice settled into his new home, his human began noticing some worrying behaviours.

He would snap when hands approached him or when people moved past him too quickly. He appeared anxious and easily startled, particularly when he wasn't sure what was happening around him.

When we started working together, I wanted to understand what might be contributing to these behaviours, rather than simply focusing on how to change them.

Because behaviour doesn't happen in isolation.

I took a holistic look at Ice's health, wellbeing and daily life, and several things stood out.

💤 Sleep & Rest

Ice wasn't getting enough sleep during the day. We introduced changes to help him feel more settled and encourage the quality rest his body needed.

🍎 Diet & Gut Health

Ice had been experiencing ongoing gastrointestinal problems. Working alongside his veterinary team, we simplified his diet to help identify what he could tolerate and monitor his digestive health.

🐕 Movement & Physical Health

During my functional movement assessment, I noticed signs of hind limb lameness and possible spinal discomfort, both of which warranted further veterinary investigation.

But there was something else that concerned me.

As I observed Ice, I noticed that he struggled to track treats when they were thrown and had difficulty following the movement of hands.

His pupils also appeared unusually large and didn't seem to respond to changes in light as I would expect.

These observations raised concerns about his vision.

I documented everything in my health and wellbeing report to his veterinary practice, and asked if further investigations should be considered to rule out an underlying eye condition.

His vet promptly referred him to the ophthalmology team at the Dick Vet Hospital.

After several hours of thorough testing, which Ice coped with remarkably well considering his discomfort around hands near his face, the specialists discovered something unexpected.

👀 Ice had glaucoma in both eyes.

At just four years old, this wasn't a diagnosis anyone had anticipated.

Glaucoma causes increased pressure inside the eye, which can be extremely painful and can affect vision.

Ice was started on treatment to help reduce the pressure, and since then, the changes in his behaviour have been wonderful to see.

He's noticeably calmer.

He's resting and sleeping more.

He's showing fewer signs of anxiety and is more responsive to his human when out on walks.

We still have his possible hind limb discomfort and digestive health to investigate and monitor, but addressing his eye condition and giving his body time to rest has been a significant turning point.

And this is exactly why I believe in looking at the whole dog.

When a dog is snapping, reacting or appearing anxious, it's easy to focus on the behaviour we can see.

But what if they're struggling with pain?

What if their vision is compromised?

What if poor sleep, digestive discomfort or difficulties with movement are contributing to how they're feeling and responding to the world?

By looking at Ice's sleep, diet, movement, posture and everyday behaviour, I was able to identify concerns that needed further veterinary investigation.

And by working collaboratively with his veterinary team, Ice was able to receive a diagnosis and treatment for a condition that might otherwise have gone unnoticed for longer.

I'm absolutely delighted for Ice and his human. Seeing him become more comfortable, settled and confident is what this work is all about.

If you share your life with a rescue dog who seems worried, reactive or easily startled, please don't assume it's simply a training issue.

Sometimes we need to look beyond the behaviour to understand what a dog is trying to tell us.

If you'd like support understanding your dog's behaviour and wellbeing, send me a message. I'd love to help you explore the bigger picture.

27/10/2026

Hello! I thought it was time for a little re-introduction, especially if you're new around here!

I'm Suzanne, the person behind Edinburgh Holistic Dogs, and I specialise in helping humans with foreign rescue dogs, former street dogs and dogs who struggle with reactive behaviour.

If you've ever found yourself dreading walks, worrying about how your dog might react, or feeling judged by other people because of your dog's behaviour, you're exactly the kind of person I love helping.

Perhaps you've adopted a rescue dog who is finding their new world a little overwhelming. Or maybe your dog barks, lunges, struggles around other dogs or people, or finds everyday situations difficult.

You want to understand your dog better, feel more confident when you're out together and enjoy the life you'd imagined sharing with them.

That's where I come in.

My approach to behaviour is a little different because I don't just look at what your dog is doing. I want to understand WHY they're doing it.

Behaviour doesn't happen in isolation, which is why I take a holistic approach, looking at everything from your dog's sleep, diet and general health to their movement, posture and daily experiences.

After all, how can we expect a dog to learn and feel comfortable if there are other things affecting how they feel?

I offer a bespoke 1-2-1 behaviour programme, designed around your individual dog, your lifestyle and what you'd like to achieve together.

We start with an in-depth look at your dog's life before working together over five sessions to develop practical management strategies, build confidence and help your dog feel more comfortable navigating everyday life.

And you're not left to figure everything out between appointments. You'll have ongoing support, training resources and the opportunity to ask questions as we go.

One of the things that's really important to me is that you feel supported too.

Living with a dog who struggles can be emotionally exhausting, particularly when it feels as though everyone else is enjoying relaxed walks and café visits while you're constantly watching for the next trigger.

I'm not here to judge you or your dog. I'm here to help you understand what's going on and find a way forward that works for both of you.

Because ultimately, it's not about creating the 'perfect' dog. It's about helping your dog feel safer and more confident, while giving you the knowledge and confidence to enjoy your life together.

If you're in Edinburgh and would like support with your rescue or reactive dog, I'd love to hear from you.

Send me a DM with a little information about your dog and what you're finding difficult, and we can explore whether my programme is the right fit for you.

Suzanne
Edinburgh Holistic Dogs 🐾

26/10/2026

“Why can’t my dog just be like the others?”

I hear this more often than you might think (I have probably uttered the phrase more than once on my journey with my dogs)

You love your Romanian rescue dog. So why can something as simple as a walk sometimes feel so difficult?

Perhaps your dog barks at other dogs, freezes when they hear a noise, struggles with unfamiliar people or finds busy places overwhelming.

You might find yourself watching other dogs walking calmly beside their humans and wondering what you're doing wrong.

I want you to know something: you haven't failed your dog.

Many Romanian rescue dogs have experienced a very different world before coming to live with us. We may know little about their early experiences, and we can't assume that what looks like a training problem is simply a lack of training.

Your dog may need help feeling safe, learning to navigate their new environment or coping with things they find overwhelming.

That's why I look beyond the behaviour itself. I want to understand your dog's individual needs and what might be influencing how they feel and respond.

My bespoke 1-2-1 programme is designed around you and your dog, helping you understand each other and work towards a more relaxed life together.

You don't have to figure it all out alone.

If you're struggling with your Romanian rescue dog, I'd love to hear your story. So book your free call, and let's talk about how I can help. Link below.

23/10/2026

I collected my award last weekend.

'Specialist Dog Training Service of the Year'

Thank you to Prestige Awards and of course to all my lovely clients and their wonderful dogs.

It is always rewarding to see the journeys my clients go on to get to the relationship they want with their dog. It is also never straightforward, but hard work pays off.

I love working with foreign rescue dog and also dogs who are reactive, they are some of the best dogs around, just waiting to feel safe and listened too.

If you'd like support, book a free chat with me and we can talk about what is going on for you and your dog.
🐾 🐾 🐾

https://tidycal.com/edinburghholisticdogs/30-minute-free-consultation

22/10/2026

Happy girls 🐾🐾🐾

Address

Edinburgh
EH65LD

Opening Hours

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

Website

https://tidycal.com/edinburghholisticdogs/30-minute-free-consultation, https://edinburghholisticdogs.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Edinburgh Holistic Dogs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.