Roxanne Fontanarosa Dog Behaviour Consultant

08/09/2025

Ever wish you could truly understand what your dog is trying to tell you?

Dogs are constantly communicating through their body language from a subtle tail wag to the way they hold their ears or shift their weight.

Learning to read these signals can:

🟢 Help you spot stress before it escalates
🟢 Strengthen the bond you share with your dog
🟢 Make day-to-day life together so much easier

If you’ve ever thought “I just wish my dog could talk!” — this blog is for you. ❤️

👉 https://www.dogtrainingandbehaviourconsultant.co.uk/dog-training-tips/understanding-dog-body-language

Discover how to recognise what your dog’s body language really means and start building an even deeper connection today.

📌 For more expert advice and support, visit: www.dogtrainingandbehaviourconsultant.co.uk

Understanding Dog Body Language: The Subtle Signs You Might Miss 28 May Written By Roxanne Fontanarosa When we share our lives with dogs, it’s easy to assume we always know how they feel. After all, wagging tails mean happiness and growling means anger… right? Well, not always. Dogs are incredib...

26/08/2025

Larry the dachshund smashed his loose lead walking today 👏 Even with all the tempting scents, sights and sounds around him, he kept his cool and showed just how much progress he’s making. 🌟

It’s not about perfection, it’s about practicing in the right environments and celebrating the wins along the way 💛

18/08/2025

Meet Teddy, the adolescent Labrador who’s full of beans (and easily distracted by… well, just about everything!). Like many young dogs, Teddy finds it hard to keep his cool on walks and can end up pulling his owner from one exciting thing to the next.

Today, we focused on teaching Teddy some essential self-control exercises to help him stay calmer and more connected to his handler. Rather than pushing on around a busy walking circuit, we looked at what really matters in training: the right environment for effective learning.

Every dog is different, and sometimes it’s not about the distance covered, but the quality of the training space. For Teddy, that meant moving to a more manageable location within Chadderton Park, where he had just enough challenge to practise his new skills without feeling overwhelmed.

With patience, consistency, and the right setting, even the most easily distracted dogs can learn to walk with focus and confidence. 💛

18/08/2025

Louie had some unexpected company on his training walk today… his feline fan club decided to tag along! 🐾🐱

While Louie was busy practising his training, the cats clearly thought they’d join in with the lesson. Who says training walks are just for dogs? 💁‍♀️🐕

Always nice to see such purr-sistent support from the sidelines!

12/08/2025

I’m so proud of Dottie and her wonderful caregivers! 💛 Since December, they’ve stayed consistent and committed, and their hard work is really paying off.

It’s been amazing to see her grow calmer and more confident with visitors. Perseverance (and a bit of guidance!) really does make all the difference. Well done, team Dottie! 🐾

‘We’ve been working with Roxanne since December as we have reactive/ worried dogs. If there’s any advice I would’ve wished to have taken up the help of Roxanne much earlier, she’s really helped us with practical tips and training to help her be much calmer with visitors so that she can self regulate herself. Her supporter knowledge has been amazing. Highly recommend her.’

05/08/2025

I recently finished a behaviour support package with Oscar and Ralph, and I’m so pleased with how far they’ve come.

Their owners shared a lovely review, saying the boys are getting on so much better now and things feel calmer at home.

It’s always such a joy to see positive change like this 🐾

If your dogs are struggling to live peacefully together, I’m here to help.

05/08/2025

“Why is my dog doing that?!”

Whether it’s barking at thin air, chewing the furniture, or refusing to walk past that one tree it can be frustrating, confusing, and sometimes even embarrassing. 😫

But here’s the thing: your dog’s behaviour isn’t bad. It’s communication.
And when we start to see it that way, everything begins to make a lot more sense.

I’ve just written a new blog post all about this to help you understand what your dog might be trying to tell you, and how we can respond in ways that support trust, connection, and calm.

If you’re someone who wants to be able to understand and learn more about your dog, this one’s for you.

👉 https://www.dogtrainingandbehaviourconsultant.co.uk/dog-training-tips/why-your-dogs-behaviour-isnt-bad

Let me know what you think once you’ve had a read. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Expert dog training and behaviour advice from a qualified, ethical behaviourist in Greater Manchester. Positive reinforcment training tips for reactive dogs, nervous & anxious dogs, dog aggression, and puppy training.

01/08/2025

🧿 Back from Crete… and thinking about dogs who need a holiday too 🧿

I’ve just returned from a lovely break in Crete - a chance to rest, reset and breathe. And while I was soaking up the calm, it really got me thinking…

🧠 Just like us, dogs need time to decompress. Especially those who are anxious, reactive, or struggling with big emotions. These “stress holidays” can be incredibly therapeutic, helping dogs feel more secure, less overwhelmed, and more able to cope with day-to-day life.

A stress holiday doesn’t mean a fancy trip away it means removing pressure and reducing triggers. Here’s how you can create a break for your dog:

🐾 Use a private hire dog field
Perfect for reactive dogs who struggle with off-lead freedom around others. These spaces allow dogs to run, sniff, and play without the constant stress of other dogs or people.

🏡 Dial things back at home
Reduce busy walks. Focus on enriching activities in safe spaces like the garden or indoors. Snuffle mats, scatter feeding, and puzzle toys are great ways to stimulate without stress.

👀 Avoid overwhelming environments
For dogs who are fearful or aggressive towards people or other dogs, a temporary break from public spaces can be helpful. Use quiet walking routes, or skip walks entirely for a few days in favour of mental enrichment at home.

🧸 Offer plenty of rest
Overstimulated dogs often need more sleep than we realise. Create a quiet, cosy place in the house that’s just for them, where they can fully relax.

🎯 Meet them where they’re at
Stress holidays are about adjusting expectations. Training can wait. The goal is to help your dog feel safe, not to push them beyond their limits.

✨ Giving your dog a break from stress isn’t spoiling them, it’s supporting their emotional wellbeing. Just like we sometimes need a week away to reset, our dogs need that too.

If you’re not sure where to start, or if your dog would benefit from a decompression plan, I’m always here to help. Let’s give them the space they need to feel safe again. 💛

01/08/2025

Today is so to celebrate here is a photo of Pippin my rescue Chihuahua cross 🐕

Show me your mutts! 🐶

16/07/2025

🌟 Little Louie is absolutely smashing it! 🌟

Louie is a gorgeous Sheltie who has been finding the world, especially other dogs a bit overwhelming. His reactions on walks often came from a place of big emotions he didn’t yet know how to manage.

In today’s training session Louie made some brilliant choices. 💛

Since his wonderful caregiver started putting the training plan into practice, there’s been a noticeable shift. Louie is now calmly walking past other dogs. No barking, no lunging, just steady little paws and a more relaxed outlook on life.

It’s never about “fixing” the dog it’s about helping them feel safer, more understood, and giving them the tools to cope. And Louie is showing us just how capable he is when he’s supported in the right way. 🐾

I’m so proud of him and of the commitment and compassion shown by his person. 💫

15/07/2025

🌸 Feeling very grateful today 🌸

I never expect gifts from clients, the work I do is reward enough. But today I received the most beautiful surprise: a stunning bouquet of flowers and a thoughtful card from one of my lovely clients. 💐💌

It honestly means the world. Knowing that the support and guidance I offer has such a positive impact is the best kind of reinforcement for me. I’m so touched and thankful. 🥹💛

10/07/2025

🐾 Oscar & His Mum 💛

There’s nothing quite like the bond between a dog and their person, and Oscar is clearly in his happy place, soaking up every second of cuddle time with his mum 💕

These quiet, gentle moments say so much. Oscar loves being close to her, and it’s easy to see the feeling is mutual. Their connection is strong, trusting, and full of warmth.

It’s always such a joy to witness relationships like this. Dogs bring so much to our lives - comfort, laughter, love and with the right care and understanding, we bring just as much to theirs.

Here’s to the power of companionship and those quiet, heart-melting moments 🐶✨

Show me your special moments with your dogs 🥰