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.

31/08/2026

This is what socialising reactive dogs really looks like.

Lilo the Chihuahua and Lucci the Pomsky were both meeting helper dog Alfy for the first time. Lilo can be very reactive to unfamiliar dogs, and Lucci had previously been identified as male dog aggressive. Here, I am using an ACE Free Work set up to help facilitate relaxed behaviour and take the pressure off social interactions.

Nothing dramatic happens in this reel, and that is the point. No barking, no lunging, no panic. Just three dogs coexisting, and respecting each other’s space. These are real results, and this is exactly what progress should look like. Uneventful, low pressure, and built on trust.

I often hear about large “reactive dog” classes in Nottingham using choke chains and electric collars, with photos of dogs lined up looking shut down. They might not be reacting, but they are not relaxed, and that is not emotional safety.

At Pawsitive Dog Behaviour, we do things differently. We put in the groundwork before dogs ever meet in person. We only give them what they can cope with, and we work on a one to one basis, often in the local area as well as at my training facility. That is why we get results that translate to the real world.

Group classes might be cheaper, but what we offer, and the results we achieve, are worlds apart.

Get a free initial consultation using the link in my bio.

31/08/2026

This is Bobby, a loveable Boxer mix. When we first started, Bobby would bark and lunge forcefully at unfamiliar dogs. With his power and size, that was a real safety concern, but look at him now.

In this reel, Bobby is walking on lead as he is introduced to a Cocker Spaniel puppy. He stays relaxed, does not fixate on them, and enjoys some time off lead. When the puppy becomes overexcited and jumps up at him, Bobby remains composed and copes beautifully.

As you can see, we are not relying on treats or distractions, and we certainly are not using harmful outdated traditional obedience-style training. This is what real progress looks like once we start addressing the root cause that is stopping them from learning they are safe in situations where they tend to overreact.

This is a clear example of what socialising reactive dogs should look like, relaxed and enjoyable. With our Pawsitive Dog Behaviour approach tailored to each dog and family, we build trust and confidence that lasts.

Get a free initial consultation using the link in my bio.

30/08/2026

This is what socialising reactive dogs really looks like.

Lilo the Chihuahua and Lucci the Pomsky were both meeting helper dog Alfy for the first time. Lilo can be very reactive to unfamiliar dogs, and Lucci had previously been identified as male dog aggressive. Here, I am using an ACE Free Work set up to help facilitate relaxed behaviour and take the pressure off social interactions.

Nothing dramatic happens in this reel, and that is the point. No barking, no lunging, no panic. Just three dogs coexisting, and respecting each other’s space. These are real results, and this is exactly what progress should look like. Uneventful, low pressure, and built on trust.

I often hear about large “reactive dog” classes in Nottingham using choke chains and electric collars, with photos of dogs lined up looking shut down. They might not be reacting, but they are not relaxed, and that is not emotional safety.

At Pawsitive Dog Behaviour, we do things differently. We put in the groundwork before dogs ever meet in person. We only give them what they can cope with, and we work on a one to one basis, often in the local area as well as at my training facility. That is why we get results that translate to the real world.

Group classes might be cheaper, but what we offer, and the results we achieve, are worlds apart.

Get a free initial consultation using the link in my bio.

28/08/2026

Here’s Digby showing exactly what real progress looks like. A pushchair appeared suddenly from around the corner, a family was walking alongside, and people were also on the opposite side of the road. This is the kind of situation that used to startle him every time.

Now look at him. Relaxed and able to walk on without reacting. He even gives a perfect shake off right after seeing the pushchair, showing that he can let go of that bit of tension naturally.

This is what a real result looks like. As you can see, Digby is showing he can truly cope because we are not relying on training treats or distraction for him not to overreact.

Digby and his family are a brilliant example of what is possible when we focus on emotional wellbeing instead of surface behaviour.

Get a free initial consultation using the link in my bio.

26/08/2026

This is Digby, a small sausage dog with a big personality and a wonderful family who have been working hard to support him.

Here you can see Digby calmly walking out from the house and crossing the road on a windy day, with no lunging, no barking, and no reacting to passers by. For a dog who has often found the start of a walk overwhelming, this is a huge moment.

Windy weather is tough for reactive dogs. Moving leaves, shifting scents, and sudden noises make the world feel busier and harder to process. Digby shows that with consistency, safety, and trust, progress is possible even when conditions are not ideal.

This is what real reactivity results look like, small steps built on understanding, patience, and emotional safety.

Get a free initial consultation using the link in my bio.

24/08/2026

Lucci is a Pomsky rescue who came from a traumatic background. He had been used as a stud dog and then surrendered. He arrived carrying stress, uncertainty, and strong guarding behaviour around high value items.

Today you are watching Lucci and his companion dog Lilo playing with treat balls side by side with no signs of resource guarding. No growling. No panic. No grabbing and running off to hide. This is huge for this little dog.

You can also see that when Lucci is unsure he goes to his family for reassurance. That is exactly what we want. That tells us he is starting to believe his people keep him safe. He does not have to defend everything on his own any more.

This did not come from punishment or taking things off him. This came from safety work, consent, and trust. His family have been consistent, respectful, and patient. The result is a dog who can play in company without going into defence.

If you are living with resource guarding or protectiveness with toys, beds, people, or space, this is what progress can look like.

Get a free initial consultation using the link in my bio.

23/08/2026

Hearing your reactive dog might actually be in pain is hard. When they’re lunging, barking, growling, pulling or panicking, you think “reactive” — not “their body hurts.”
But reactivity can be a nervous system under pressure, and pain in the back, neck, shoulders or hips can be a hidden driver. Dogs are incredibly good at masking discomfort, and subtle movement changes can often be picked up through gait analysis.
I’ve completed the IAAT Canine Conformation & Gait Analysis course, building on my BSc (Hons) in Canine Behaviour and years of experience. Looking at the whole dog is essential — behaviour, movement and physical health all matter.
A multidisciplinary approach alongside your vet and physio can help uncover what’s really driving your dog’s behaviour.
Could your reactive dog be hiding pain? Yes — and it’s worth investigating.
Get our FREE reactivity guide via the link in bio 🐾
WelfareFirst DogTrainingUK

21/08/2026

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.

19/08/2026

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.

17/08/2026

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 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 panicing 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.

Address

26 Mensing Avenue, Cotgrave
Nottingham
NG123HY

Telephone

+447852725259

Website

Alerts

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

Contact The Business

Send a message to Pawsitive Dog Behaviour Consultancy:

Shortcuts

Share

Category