Lucy Parkes - Dogs in Translation

Lucy Parkes - Dogs in Translation Helping humans to understand their dogs and dogs to feel understood. A dog’s behaviour is their language.

When we slow down, listen, and understand what they’re trying to tell us, we create a relationship built on trust, clarity, and connection 💕🐾 Almost all problem behaviour in dogs can be seen as an attempt to communicate and - when viewed in the right context - there is a positive intention behind that behaviour. This may be difficult to comprehend when your dog is destroying your home, resorting t

o aggressive behaviour, dragging you around the park or refusing to eat his breakfast! Things do begin to make sense however, as we begin to truly understand the world from our dogs perspective and recognise the motivation behind these and other problem behaviours. Understanding what is being communicated and then communicating back again, is at the heart of Dog Listening.

Training is valuable — it gives us tools, structure, and a shared language with our dogs. But there are elements of a re...
09/04/2026

Training is valuable — it gives us tools, structure, and a shared language with our dogs. But there are elements of a relationship that training alone cannot fully create.

Trust and respect.

While these can grow as a by-product of kind, positive training, they are not guaranteed outcomes. Many dogs learn to “do the right thing” in certain environments — in a class, with food present, or when the situation feels predictable. But when pressure rises, when instinct takes over, or when the environment changes, those behaviours can fall away.

This is why some dogs appear “well trained” in one moment, yet pull on the lead, ignore recall, or react strongly in another.

Because in those moments, the dog is not drawing on training — they are drawing on what they believe to be true.
And that belief is shaped by something deeper than training alone.

By gently and kindly taking responsibility for the key areas of your dog’s life, you become the decision maker — the parent, provider, protector — that they can trust. When you repeatedly step up in a way that makes sense to your dog, they are able to step down, soften, and allow you to lead.

This is trust and respect in action.
This is who you can be for your dog.
Trust and respect are not behaviours we can cue or reinforce in isolation. They are built over time through consistent, calm, and clear leadership — where the human becomes a steady point of guidance, safety, and decision-making.

You cannot train a dog to trust you.
But you can live in a way that allows trust and respect to grow 💕🐾

"I first met Lucy in May 2023 when she came to assess my two-year-old Border Terrier cross. I was struggling with multip...
31/03/2026

"I first met Lucy in May 2023 when she came to assess my two-year-old Border Terrier cross. I was struggling with multiple issues and had sought advice from numerous trainers and behaviorists, but the results never lasted—I kept encountering new challenges along the way.

Lucy has a calm, kind, and non-judgmental approach, and the Amichien Bonding method founded by Jan Fennell made complete sense to me. She has continued to support us whenever I’ve faced obstacles (and there have been quite a few!). Through working with Lucy, I’ve learned a lot about myself and how my own actions impact my dog’s emotional state. I’ll admit, many of the problems I’ve encountered were due to me not fully following the approach!

Thanks to Lucy, I now have a much deeper understanding of my dog’s needs, and we continue to make adjustments so we can enjoy a fun and fulfilling life together. I only wish I had found her sooner!

Thank you, Lucy, for making my boy’s life less stressful and for helping me better understand both dogs and myself. I highly recommend Lucy to anyone looking for lasting, meaningful change in their relationship with their dog."

www.dogsintranslation.com

Lovely informative review 💕🙏🏼🐾'We took on our dog after his previous owner sadly died, very suddenly. He came to us dire...
25/03/2026

Lovely informative review 💕🙏🏼🐾

'We took on our dog after his previous owner sadly died, very suddenly. He came to us directly from the RSPCA kennels a few days after his human Mum had passed. His world had been absolutely turned upside down in a matter of days. He was clearly, and understandably, traumatised, unhappy and fretful. He was rescued from Romania, as a puppy, by his previous owner.

He didn't know us but soon became rather attached to me. He would growl at my husband. Particularly if I was in the kitchen and hubby came in. As far as visitors were concerned, he just did not want to let anyone in our home. He would not stop barking and lunging. Even when removed to another room. Taking him out for walks was a nightmare. He would lunge at anyone and everything. Cyclists, other dogs, just people walking. We thought we were doing the right thing taking him out and about. Exercise and mental stimulation.
We were getting to a point of not knowing what to do. We just wanted him to be happy.

As a last resort, we contacted Lucy.
She came to our home after taking some details of the issues with our boy's behaviour.
Lucy seemed to have a calming influence on our lad more or less straight away. She was with us for approximately 4 hours and we worked through her various methods. We had no idea that we had probably been making things worse with all the walks. We were just overwhelming him. Lucy was also on hand after our session for back up or if we had any questions. It did take a good few months for his behaviour to improve. Lucy did say it would. You do have to put the work in! Lucy gives you all the tools you need to help you. Without her knowledge, we couldn't have done it.

We now have a calm, relaxed, well adjusted, much quieter dog. He is absolutely fine with people visiting and making a fuss of him and loves going out and about! He has also become more sociable with other dogs. A pleasure to have around and is clearly a much happier and contented dog. Just what we wanted for him. ❤️
Thank you Lucy. 😊'

Reactivity. Separation anxiety.What's the message behind the behaviour?Two labels we hear so often… and yet beneath them...
22/03/2026

Reactivity. Separation anxiety.
What's the message behind the behaviour?

Two labels we hear so often… and yet beneath them are dogs who are simply struggling to feel safe.

A reactive dog is saying:
“I don’t feel safe… so I have to handle this.”

When we look beyond the behaviour itself, we begin to see that lunging, barking, snapping, or over-the-top reactions aren’t signs of a bad, unfriendly, or difficult dog—they are signs of a dog who is overwhelmed, uncertain, and carrying too much responsibility.

A dog who cannot settle when left alone is saying:
“I don’t feel secure… I don’t know how to cope without you in sight.”

Becoming unsettled as you prepare to leave, following you from room to room, pacing, whining, and then barking as you go… these are all signs of a dog who is struggling to feel safe when left alone.
A dog who cannot settle without a human present is a dog who needs to trust that you know what you’re doing—and that all is well, whether you are in sight or not.

When we begin to understand the emotional story underneath the behaviour, our approach gently shifts. We move away from correction or control, and towards creating safety, clarity, and trust.

Through calm, consistent guidance—stepping into the role of parent, provider, and protector—we help our dogs to feel safe and secure, allowing them to step down and relax whatever the situation or circumstance.

And when that weight lifts…
we often see the reactivity soften,
the anxiety ease, and a quieter, more settled dog begin to emerge 🐾

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone—and support is here.

Lucy
Dogs in Translation 🕊️

22/03/2026

★★★★★

The Hidden Pressures Dogs Face Living in a Human World 🐾We adore our dogs — but many people don’t realise how often dogs...
16/12/2025

The Hidden Pressures Dogs Face Living in a Human World 🐾

We adore our dogs — but many people don’t realise how often dogs are quietly coping, not truly thriving - until they are experiencing significant behavioural issues.

Here are some of the most common pressures dogs face living alongside us:

1️⃣ Expectation to Be Social
We often assume dogs should:
• like every person
• like every dog
• enjoy busy parks
• relax in cafés and pubs

But just like humans, not every dog is social or comfortable in every setting — and that’s okay 🐕

2️⃣ Noise & Unpredictable Environments
Dogs hear far more acutely than we do.
Fireworks, traffic, DIY tools, slammed doors…

What feels like “background noise” to us can be overwhelming or frightening for them 💥

3️⃣ Not Enough Downtime
Dogs need 12–18 plus hours of sleep a day.
In busy homes, many never reach deep, restorative rest because:
• children or visitors interrupt them
• they keep an eye on their humans and follow them around
• noises keep waking them — leading to hypervigilance or reactive barking

Chronic sleep loss = chronic stress.

4️⃣ Being Misunderstood
Most dogs communicate stress through subtle signs, such as:
• lip licking
• yawning
• turning away
• freezing
• sniffing
• walking away

People often miss these cues and only notice behaviours like excessive barking, snapping, reactivity or shutting down once the dog is already overwhelmed.

Other signs of stress and pressure can include:
panting, pacing, resource guarding, excessive attention-seeking or controlling behaviour, compulsive patterns, intra pack tension, excessive pulling on the lead, or difficulty cooperating. The list is long — and always meaningful 🐾

5️⃣ Pressure-Based Training
Shouting, “corrections,” lead jerks, dominating behaviour, intimidating postures, gadgets and gizmos.

These methods create stress and anxiety, even if a dog appears obedient on the surface. Worst case scenario, they create fear and pain and completely destroy trust and respect in their human caregiver.

Taking the time to gently and kindly communicate to your dog how you would like them to behave and giving them a good reason to cooperate is the way forward ✅

6️⃣ Human Emotional Pressure
Dogs absorb the emotional atmosphere around them.
They pick up on:
• our stress
• our conflict
• our rushing
• our tension

In an ideal world we'd all be 'zen' 🧘‍♀️😊 But the reality is we're all busy, stressed and often overwhelmed - and our dogs can end up joining us in that state too!

Fortunately, we don't have to be completely calm all of the time to have a positive impact on our dogs behaviour.
If we emanate 'all is well' intermittently throughout the day and especially when our dogs have become heightened or anxious, we can lead by example and bring them back down into a calm and relaxed state 🕊️

Ergo: taking care of our own mental and emotional wellbeing can have a positive impact on our dogs 🙏🧘‍♀️🐕

7️⃣ Pain or Medical Stress
Dogs are experts at masking pain.
Joint issues, dental problems, gut discomfort, skin irritation…

Chronic stress, anxiety and overwhelm can manifest as physical discomfort and ultimately disease. Recognising the early signs of mental and physical dysregulation and stress can keep our dogs on track for a happy healthy life ❤️


Dogs Are Masters at Masking
They try so hard to fit into our world — quietly, patiently, with unbelievable loyalty. But a dog who looks “calm,” “good,” or “obedient” may actually be overwhelmed or in functional freeze 💔

Many dogs are struggling on multiple levels and when they become overwhelmed it can manifest as behaviour that we'd rather not see. We label this behaviour naughty or difficult rather than viewing it as a cry for help 😢

Often, by the time behaviours like aggression, reactivity, lack of cooperation, or separation distress appear, a great deal of water has passed under the bridge!

Problem behaviour rarely comes out of nowhere and when we look at a dog's life and truly understand the 'hidden' pressures that they have been exposed to, it all begins to make sense.

Through understanding and accurate communication we can transform our dog's lives. When we recognise what our dogs are truly experiencing, we can support their needs, reduce stress, and prevent overwhelm-related behaviours, illness and disease.

From this place of empathy and awareness, our dogs can genuinely thrive — and enjoy the safe, fulfilled, joyful lives they deserve 💕🐾

www.dogsintranslation.com

Fireworks: From Awe to Awareness 💔I remember, as a small child, sitting on my dad's shoulders, watching fireworks burst ...
06/11/2025

Fireworks: From Awe to Awareness 💔

I remember, as a small child, sitting on my dad's shoulders, watching fireworks burst above the local playing field. I was filled with a mix of awe and fear — my little hands gripping tightly around his neck — but the joy and excitement of everyone around me soon made me loosen my hold and join in the wonder.

As I grew older, like so many others, I came to look forward to Bonfire Night. I loved the colours, the patterns, and that shared moment watching them with family and friends, that creates a sense of connection and community. The collective “oohs” and “aahs” strengthen that shared emotional experience, which our brains interpret as joy and belonging

Fireworks stimulate our senses all at once — the bright bursts of color, the deep rumble in the chest, and the scent of smoke in the air. The intensity and unpredictability of these sensations trigger the release of adrenaline and dopamine, the same “feel-good” chemicals involved in excitement, anticipation, and pleasure. It’s a mini rollercoaster for the brain.

But for the past 20 years, I’ve had a different perspective. As a Professional Dog Listener, I’ve worked with hundreds of dogs who live with anxiety and PTSD — and for many of these dogs, and their human caregivers, fireworks season (which now seems to span several months!) isn’t magical at all. It’s traumatising.

For these dogs, every bang triggers a powerful physiological and emotional response — their heart races, muscles tense and cortisol floods their system. Some tremble uncontrollably, pant, hide, or even try to escape, putting themselves and others in danger. And their owners, watching helplessly, feel that distress too — the heartbreak, the exhaustion, the worry.

Fireworks may fill us with awe and excitement, but for many families with dogs, they bring weeks of fear and sleepless nights. What’s a thrill for one can be trauma for another 💔

So this year, as the sky lights up, let’s remember those who hide beneath it.

Let’s spread compassion and work towards a future where we consider the needs and wellbeing of our more sensitive neighbours — both two-legged and four-legged. 🐾

By encouraging the use of quieter fireworks and organised displays over a shorter, more predictable period, we can make a world of difference to so many lives.

No one likes the thought of our beloved dogs, wildlife and other domestic animals suffering in fear. Together, we can build a world where everyone feels seen and heard and where celebrations can be enjoyed safely and joyfully and without causing anyone fear or distress ❤️



🌿 Understanding Your Dog’s Threshold: Why It Matters 🐶💛Every dog has a threshold — the point where they move from calm, ...
03/11/2025

🌿 Understanding Your Dog’s Threshold: Why It Matters 🐶💛

Every dog has a threshold — the point where they move from calm, curious and cooperative to stressed, fearful, or reactive.
Understanding where that line is for your dog is one of the most important parts of building trust, confidence, and calm cooperation.

👉 What is a threshold?
A threshold is your dog’s personal “tolerance limit” for a situation, sound, person, or experience.
When they’re under threshold, they can think, learn, and engage calmly.
When they’re over threshold, their brain is in survival mode — and no amount of cues, treats, or training will land.

👉 Every dog is different.
Some dogs can stroll through a busy market happily. Others might find that same environment completely overwhelming.
Genetics, early experiences, health, personality — and your relationship together — all play a part.

👉 Why this matters for training and behaviour:
🌿 Staying under threshold keeps learning possible.
🌿 Pushing too fast can cause setbacks or reactive behaviours.
🌿 Repeatedly overwhelming your dog can lead them to develop undesirable and unsafe behaviours.

💔 Signs Your Dog May Be Struggling

🐾 Excessive barking in the house or garden
🐾 Separation anxiety or distress
🐾 Food issues — refusing meals or obsessing over food
🐾 Digging, chewing, or eating non-food items (stones, socks, slugs)
🐾 Resource guarding — food, toys, beds, or people
🐾 Nipping, mouthing, biting - trying to control others
🐾 Excessive lead pulling, poor recall, bolting, reactivity, or defensive behaviour
🐾 Excessive grooming, chewing paws, tail chasing

These aren’t signs of a “naughty” dog — and they can be signs of chronic stress and overwhelm ☹️

🌟 What to Do When You Notice These Signs

1️⃣ Pause and Assess
What could be causing your dog to feel stressed and overwhelmed? 🤔
Hint: it’s usually ‘too much’ of something!
🌿 Too much noise, movement, stimulation, or attention (inside or outside the home)
🌿 Too many dogs or people approaching too quickly and/or threateningly (as perceived by you or your dog)
🌿Too much change
🌿 Too much inconsistent guidance and control
🌿 Too much anxiety or excitement that isn’t responded to appropriately
🌿Too much control over resources including human caregivers and visitors

2️⃣ Remove Pressure
Simplify their world and reduce exposure to high-stress situations.

3️⃣ Go Back to Basics
Build the good foundations of leadership. Gently and kindly take control of the key areas of life and lead by example.

4️⃣ Create Calm
Provide safe, quiet spaces for your dog to rest and decompress.

5️⃣ Reward Calm Cooperation
Reinforce relaxed behaviour and mirror the energy you want to see.

6️⃣ Seek Professional Help
If stress reactions are chronic or persistent please reach out.

Every dog has a threshold — that point where calm curiosity turns into stress or reactivity. When we listen to our dogs behaviour and learn to recognise the signs of stress and overwhelm we can lead with quiet confidence, allowing our dogs to relax, trust, and follow our guidance.

✨ Dog Listener – Dogs in Translation
Helping humans understand dogs, and dogs feel understood 🙏🐾

Dogs don't use words, but their actions say everything 💕🐾
17/10/2025

Dogs don't use words, but their actions say everything 💕🐾

Your Dog Is Communicating - Are You Listening? Understanding your dog's behaviour can reveal how they are feeling about ...
09/10/2025

Your Dog Is Communicating - Are You Listening?

Understanding your dog's behaviour can reveal how they are feeling about life and give insight into undesirable behavioural issues. Behaviour can serve as a means of communication; observing a dog's actions both within and outside of their home, can provide valuable insights into their emotional state and sense of security.

When introduced to a new environment, whether as an adult or a puppy, a dog begins to evaluate their surroundings and assess the individuals they encounter there. If they remain in the household, they continue to observe both the people and other dogs as well as the environment itself. It can take months for your dog to truly settle in and during this time your dog is forming perceptions about its new environment and the people within it.

Your dog observes you closely, noting how and when you respond to them and how you interact with the world around you both. Your management of important areas of life such as food and safety are closely observed. Your reactions to events such as visitors, the postman, barking dogs in the neighbourhood, thunder, fireworks, traffic, and interactions with people and other dogs, shapes the way that they see the world and influences their behaviour. Some dogs are even more observant than others and are watching everything you do. It can seem like they never take their eyes off you!

How much control over daily life your dog feels they must have, will depend upon how comfortable they are allowing you to lead, keep them safe and provide for them.

A dog that controls your attention, invades your space, and dictates food or play times could be trying to take charge. Excessive barking, sniffing, scent marking, pulling on the lead and reactivity, can be signs of a stressed dog that feels responsible for protecting both itself and you.

Some dogs seem to do a remarkable job of leading their family group, often exhibiting minimal behavioural issues, though it’s easy to underestimate their stress levels. However, for certain dogs—particularly Highly Sensitive Dogs (HSDs)—the demands of leadership can become overwhelming, potentially resulting in stress-induced behavioural issues.

Problems like excessive pulling on the lead, poor recall, reactivity and aggression, separation anxiety, compulsive behaviours, food issues, excessive barking, stealing, digging, and chewing paws can all be a response to the dog’s lived experience and be seen as a form of communication. Understanding these signals allows you to respond effectively and guide your dog towards more desirable behaviours and good mental wellbeing.

Dogs have a language, and you can learn it. By communicating in a way that makes sense to them, you can reassure them that you are in charge and in control and that ‘all is well’ – we are safe. By understanding how they feel about the world around them and their role within it, you can shape their lives so that they remain within their tolerance levels for stress and new experiences, allowing them to relax and fully cooperate with you in all areas of life 🥰🐾

Address

The Old Cottage, Church Street, Weston Longville
Norwich
NR95JU

Opening Hours

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Friday 8am - 7pm
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Telephone

01603 881626

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