Gooddoggie

01/06/2026

Check out my latest video on YouTube... Assessing Dog Behaviour: 10 Crucial Things I Look For (That Aren't the Problem Behaviour)!

When I start with a new client, the thing they want me to see most is the actual behaviour they want to change. That makes sense, but there are things we should be looking for when assessing your dog that reveal way more about what is actually going on.

In this video, I break down the 10 specific elements I look for during a behaviour assessment to help me fix the problem.

We will cover:
- Related Behaviours: How scent marking or window barking achieve the same territorial goals.
- Point of Awareness: The moment your dog's "thinking brain" is still active and ready to learn.
- Threshold: Why your dog is 100% reliant on instinct once the unwanted behaviour starts.
- Preferred Calming: How your dog naturally chooses to settle after a trigger.
- What Makes it Better/Worse: Identifying specific locations or times of day that influence progress.
- Overdue Needs: Using Maslow’s Pyramid to find gaps in social or play needs.
- The Rewardable Moment: Finding the "dips" in the waves of behaviour to reinforce brilliance.
- Rewards vs. Motivators: Learning the difference between what starts a behaviour and what celebrates a choice.

By the end of this video, you'll know exactly what to notice so you can understand the problem and form a real training plan.

You might also be interested in these blogs: https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/blog

Also check out my Free Reactive Behaviour Support Group:
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A rescue dog and trauma specialist; Caroline has been solving canine behaviour and training problems since 2004. Over the past 20 years she has tried and tested her own set of techniques that are designed to help you restore balance and calm to your dog, in a kind and positive way.

When I start with a new client, the thing they want me to see most is the actual behaviour they want to change. That makes sense, but there are things we sho...

31/05/2026

You've both worked really hard and made great progress. Thank you so much for your lovely recommendation, it was my pleasure.

29/05/2026

Aversive trainers will tell you that reward based training doesn't work. But why are they saying that when reward based trainers are telling you that, it absolutely does. and it's a great way of helping a dog get over or change their behaviour! I'll tell you...

28/05/2026

Need help with your dogs behaviour?

Whatever the problem, I can help...

https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/quote/

26/05/2026

My dog barks at other dogs because...

Wrong answers only - go...

25/05/2026

Most of the dogs I work with; maybe as many as three quarters are reactive, and most of those are reactive to other dogs. Every case is different; every dog has a different story to tell, a different life lived, a different personality.

They are all different, but what connects all these dogs is that there is very rarely a straightforward solution. and this is why they come to me. Almost all of those dogs have had some kind of help prior to meeting me. Maybe they've simply tried some tips and ideas from the internet, some have seen trainers in classes, or some have seen behaviourists.

When I meet a dog for the first time, I'm looking for the underlying cause of behaviour, but almost always it has evolved into more than one thing, regardless of how it started. Very rarely can you describe a dog as simply fear-reactive, or frustration-reactive, or excitement-reactive, or aggressive-reactive,

👉If a dog has been reactive for a while, it's likely that their social need has become desperately overdue. So that will be impacting the behaviour they show me on that day.

👉Most people don't respond to the situation in the way our dogs would expect or prefer, so it's also very likely there is some frustration mixed in there too.

👉As to the root cause, even if it wasn't caused by a frightening experience, it is likely that your dogs behaviour has triggered a negative reaction at some point - either from the other dog, the other dogs owner, or perhaps even your own reaction, or the lead/collar you are using. So they'll no doubt be an element of fear present too.

Clues often happen before or after the reactive behaviour fully triggers, so I’m always watching out for that, and sometimes they emerge later when the overriding emotion has settled. Either way, I find a way to find it!

And we haven't even got started on the original event that kicked this all off. That could've been anything, and if your dogs been reactive for a while, it might even be a long forgotten memory for your dog, that has left behind a learned habit that makes the dog feel safe, but they've no idea why anymore.

👉Maybe something happened at a time they felt especially vulnerable, and they over reacted at the time - rescue dogs and teenagers are vulnerable to this. So too are dogs that are sick or in pain.

👉Or, maybe there was a bad experience that haunts them anytime they suspect a dog is nearby.

They are all so different, but no matter what, the solution starts by finding a rewardable moment to build from. That’s not so easy when all these things are triggering your dog at the same time. Things can escalate quickly, and sometimes it’s easier to spot than other times, but I'll find it – I’ve been practising for well over 20 years!

We’ll make the most impact by focusing on the element that's impacting the behaviour the most (fear, frustration, excitement, aggression), so we’ll focus on that the most. But I'll build in some games and techniques that will address the other factors too, so they are ready when we need to include them in the main strategy.

Going at the dogs pace, in this way, helps the dog in the three most important ways: by increasing trust, confidence, and resilience. Unpredictable situations suddenly become predictable. Expectations start to change. Things that once scared them, start to trigger curiosity! And frustration melts away.

Sound good?

There are three ways I can help you with your reactive dog (all 1-1).

👉The best option is with a full support behaviour package. I’ll assess your dog, and coach you through the process in our follow up sessions and via support in-between. You’ll see progress happening, we’ll tweak as we go for best progress, and you’ll get support between sessions when things don’t go to plan!

👉If that’s not an option, you could just have the assessment session, you’ll learn where your dog is at, what he needs from you, the bones of a plan that you can work through on your own.

👉Or you could book a power hour where I’ll get you started with some techniques and tips – for best results you’ll need a few of these, (but there is no commitment) to address all the needs as they change, but it’s a great place to start.

👉Or there's secret option four - a combination of all three!!

For more info, get in touch: https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/quote/

24/05/2026

Spaces available on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday! Last week I tackled reactive behaviour, recall, and prey drive! I can't wait to see what challenges you'll give me this week in your private Power Hour sessions at North Inch, Perth and Baxter Park, Dundee.

If you haven't considered one before, these sessions are brilliant for getting training started, refresher sessions, support, and troubleshooting problems.

Book yours now...

https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/power-walks-in-dundee-and-perth-expert-answers-in-just-60-minutes/

23/05/2026

Being a very good boi is ex-haust-ing! Loving all the treats and clicks though 🤷. Well done Max on a brilliant power walk at Baxter Park 👏💪🏆

23/05/2026

Did you know..? There are four ways I can help you with your dogs reactive behaviour, depending on how much support you need!

👉If you are a good researcher, then option one is to make use of all my blogs and videos. You'll be able to find loads of information and tips so you can make your own training plan knowing that my advice won't conflict with itself!

👉If you need a bit of extra guidance, you could add a power hour or two to option one. Power hours give you the chance to talk about your ideas and progress, get some external eyes, specific tips and support too.

👉If you would prefer a more detailed plan that you can work through in your own time, with the back up of behaviourist support then my new Reactive Dog Rehabilitation: Roadmap to Recovery is the answer. The step by step guide to reactive behaviour rehab comes with WhatsApp support so you can get tweaks and support whenever you need it.

👉Or, if you'd prefer me to assess your dog, make a bespoke plan, and support you through every step, via zoom or in-person. Then a full support training package is the best option for you.

Check out my top links here: https://www.gooddoggie.co.uk/reactive-dog-help/