Pawsitive Dog Behaviour Consultancy

Pawsitive Dog Behaviour Consultancy Natalie specialises in helping reactive and aggressive dogs feel safe, transforming behaviour with a holistic evidence-based approach.

Natalie is a seasoned Holistic Dog Behaviourist specialising in addressing reactivity and aggression issues across all breeds and rescues. With over eighteen years of experience and qualifications at levels five and six and professional accreditation at the highest level with the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), Natalie has dedicated her career to helping dogs and

their owners build harmonious relationships. Based in the UK, Natalie offers her expertise online worldwide and in person to dog caregivers and professionals alike. Her journey into the field of dog behaviour began in 2007, with a deep-rooted passion for understanding canine behaviour and helping her first-ever heart dog overcome the behavioural challenges associated with reactivity. This subject has continued to be an obsession all this time. Throughout her career, Natalie has worked with thousands of dogs, including rescues, police dogs, and cases referred by veterinarians and other professionals. Her approach is rooted in applied neuroscience for affective behaviour, focusing on a holistic, force-free, coercion-free, positive-based methodology. Natalie believes in investigating and addressing behavioural issues at their root cause, delving into sleep, nutrition, exercise, socialisation, and freedom from pain and discomfort. By prioritising the emotional wellbeing of companion dogs and their caregivers, she empowers them to navigate life's challenges confidently together, overcoming behavioural issues.

17/06/2026

Some people, and even some trainers, claim reactivity specialists are telling their clients to never walk their reactive dog again. That is not a solution and it is not what experienced and suitably qualified reactivity specialists are doing.

Taking a break from walks can be valid. If your dog is running away from the harness, jumping up and down uncontrollably, cowering, barking at every passer by through the window, or already wound tight before you even reach the door, that dog is telling you they cannot cope with that environment today. Forcing them out anyway does not build resilience. It teaches them that you ignore their discomfort.

This is not about never going outside again. This is about not knowingly walking them into situations that will flood them with stress when their body is already past their limit.

Choosing a sofa cuddle, scent games in the house, play in the garden, or foraging instead of a street walk on a bad day is protective care. It is not the cure for reactivity. No experienced and suitably qualified behaviourist is claiming your reactive dog is now fixed because you avoided every trigger.

Access my free reactivity guide using the link in my bio.

15/06/2026

Some people, and even some trainers, claim reactivity specialists are avoiding every reactivity trigger like other dogs forever and calling that a plan. That is not a solution and it is not what experienced and suitably qualified reactivity specialists are doing.

The aim is not to avoid every single trigger for life. The aim is to stop putting the dog into situations they cannot cope with on purpose and calling that behaviour help.

Picture this. You are scared of spiders. Your best friend takes you by the hand and walks you into a small room full of spiders every single day. Would you feel less afraid of spiders next week. Of course not. You would just learn that your friend does not keep you safe and keeps putting you in scary situations.

Dogs learn the same lesson about us.

If we give the dog space from scary things, their body can relax and process what just happened. We are teaching them that we notice what they find hard and we respond. That is the start of trust. That is the start of change.

Access my free reactivity guide using the link in my bio.

12/06/2026

This clip is speeded up, but in real time, the most important thing I give my own reactive dogs is space and time 🌿

This is especially true for Harley, my Romanian rescue street dog wearing the pink muzzle, who used to be overtly reactive towards strangers, especially men wearing high-vis clothing. For context, Harley came to live with me after a serious bite that put somebody in hospital, making it unsafe for her to be rehomed with the general public 🐾

As you can see, I am not using food to distract them. I am not putting them under pressure to keep walking or move closer. I am not asking them to perform behaviours like sit or “look at that” 🧠

Instead, I am giving them enough distance and support to process what is happening. If they had struggled, I would have had no problem turning around and walking the other way 🌱

Giving dogs the distance from triggers and the time they need is not avoidance. It is working at a pace they can cope with, so they can assess, recover and stay connected without escalating into defensive behaviour, such as barking and lunging 🐾

This is what real-life support looks like. It is not about making the dog look obedient. It is about helping them feel safe enough to cope with everyday life 🌍

This is exactly why my holistic approach looks beyond behaviour. When we understand the dog’s emotional state, physical comfort, history, stress load and coping capacity, we can create meaningful, long-term change 🧠

The right assessment and support with a level six qualified behaviourist changes everything for reactive dogs

Get my free reactivity guide or book a free consultation using the link in my bio 📘

10/06/2026

Some people, and even some trainers, think reactivity specialists are claiming that support for a reactive dog is just emptying a bin bag of dog treats into a panicking dog. I promise that is not what is happening.

Yes, we may use treats to build predictability and safety when a dog feels worried by using pattern games. We use food to support natural behaviour like sniffing and foraging, which helps the nervous system relax after stress.

What we are not doing is trying to bribe panicking dogs into not overreacting. We are not saying “sit” or “look at me” every time the dog sees a trigger, because you cannot train away fear with a cue. That style of obedience-led work is old-fashioned, and it does not resolve the reason the dog is reacting in the first place.

Food might be a helpful part of behaviour change. Food is not the solution. Any suitably qualified behaviourist with real experience in reactivity knows that.

Access my free reactivity guide using the link in my bio to see how my team gets real sustainable behaviour change.

05/06/2026

🛡️ Muzzle training, safety and choice.

Bonnie is a young Labrador showing early signs of reactivity. While it is normal for puppies at this age to overreact, Bonnie shows excessive fear responses around unfamiliar people, which are not typical adolescent responses and show she is not coping. We are introducing a muzzle as part of her reactivity plan. All dogs should be happy to wear one for veterinary procedures. Sessions are short, with Bonnie choosing to place her nose in the container. This keeps handling predictable and reduces stress. We are working with her vet so these skills support veterinary handling and allow potential medical contributors to her reactivity to be investigated. 🐾🌿

✨ Help your reactive dog with the free guide in the link in bio.

03/06/2026

👋 Hand targets, passive handling builds Trust.

Bonnie is a beautiful adolescent Labrador, struggling with reactivity and finding some unfamiliar people a great source of anxiety. Puppy antics can be expected at this age, however Bonnie’s responses are driven by fear and she does not feel safe, even with an amazing family helping her. Hand targets let her move herself into position, which reduces restraint, builds confidence, and keeps interactions relaxed. We are working alongside her vet to make handling easier and to explore potential medical causes of her reactivity. 🐶

✨ Help your reactive dog with the free guide in the link in bio.

31/05/2026

Meet Lucci, the little Pompsky with the biggest heart 💛 After a traumatic start in life, imported as a stud dog and ending up in rescue, he’s finally learning what love, safety, and play really mean. This moment shows his first real play with his family, a huge step for a dog who once lived in survival mode.

His new family are doing an incredible job helping Lucci rebuild confidence and trust. This is proof of what’s possible when a dog is given the chance to heal. 🌿🐾

Get my free reactivity guide in the link in the bio and learn how to start helping your dog today.

Address

26 Mensing Avenue, Cotgrave
Nottingham
NG123HY

Telephone

+447852725259

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