Natalie's Canine Behaviour Services

17/08/2025

15/08/2025

Spot on The Secret Dog Walker 😂

15/08/2025

To all the amazing pet carers and professionals out there…….

we have made it through another heatwave week! 🥵🙌🏼

High five to every single one of you showing up, day after scorching day, with the huge responsibility of caring for someone else’s VIP (Very Important Pet)

👏 Well done for advocating for their wellbeing.

🌅 For getting up early to walk them before the heat kicks in.

🌙 For stretching your day so you can squeeze in safe evening visits.

🔥 And for keeping your cool (somehow!) when you see another mindless person walking their dog in the midday sun. 😤

I salute you! 💪🐾

It’s Friday, and if you’re lucky enough to have the weekend off, pour yourself something cool and delicious. You’ve earned it. Cheers! 🥂🍦🍹☕️🧋🧉

23/07/2025

Personal space? Never heard of it🥴

23/07/2025

Brilliant. 🤩
There is so much to think about when asking for a dog to walk beside us.
Loose lead walking is something that is difficult for most dogs when you consider all the things mentioned here!

Have a read. It’s not just hearsay, or someone’s opinion. It’s researched data.

If you would like help with lose lead walking, or any other dog related issues you may be dealing, please feel free to get in touch.

Written by:
Jo-Rosie Haffenden - The JRH Academy

Loose lead isnt natural. Biomechanically, dogs are built to move faster than us. Dogs choose to shift to a natural trot and on average walk at 2.5 - 4 mph (Hildebrand, 1966) where us naked monkeys on the otherhand average 2-3 mph walking (Kirtley, 2006). Do you know what 2.5 feels like? You should!

Because the mismatch alone creates tension — physically with the lead and emotionally in the relationship. Infact Dogs Trust found 30% of owners considered it a reason to rehome.

Now add in breed differences with research by Fischer & Lilje (2011) suggesting that Different breeds have different locomotive profiles based on original function. Malinois and Vizslas who are bred to move, track, cover ground; hearding breed like kelpies and collies who are bred to arc out infront; scent hounds like Beagles and Bloodhounds - designed to follow their noses with purpose, drive and speed; and of course breeds like Huskies who are literally bred and built to pull - it’s in the actual job description.

Its not a suprise that Rooney & Cowan (2011) found Lead tension and restricted gait was specifically a negative welfare marker for working breeds.

So when we expect all dogs to plod beside us through a park at human pace, ignoring smells, distractions, and natural instinct…we’re arent asking for a behaviour: We’re asking for the dog to restrain their pace, suppress their instincts, and constantly self-regulate.

In my opinion loose lead is one of the three essential skills I believe every dog pro needs to understand in depth - gait, drive, motivation, mechanics, assessment, different technique and exercise, consequence gradients and all.

Because when you understand what you’re really asking for,
you stop calling it stubbornness
and start training it like the advanced skill it actually is. And this leads to way better pet dogs with way happier relationships. ###

18/07/2025

Up and out early again today to beat the heat. Walks started at 6am!

And these lovely lot are enjoying a little treat of frozen Oralade curtesy of Aunty Ami ❤️
Safe to say they loved it 🥰

04/07/2025

This is the last post I promise 😆

It’s official…..

Congratulations to Natalie Neal who is now an APBC Full CAB Member! Natalie has successfully completed our assessment process. Want to find out more? https://bit.ly/3KxKGaF

03/07/2025

There’s going to be a fair few posts on this….sorry 😆.

02/07/2025

🎉 Big News! 🎉

After 5 years of hard work, dedication, and a lot of learning, I’m incredibly proud to officially share that I am now a qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist! 🐾🥳

I’m honoured to be a Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC and a Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the The Animal Behaviour and Training Council.

These are not just titles, they represent years of study, casework, assessments, and continuous development in the field I love.

It’s been a journey full of challenges, growth, sweat, and tears, and I couldn't have done it without the amazing support from family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and of course, all the dogs and owners I’ve worked with along the way. 💛

Thank you to everyone who have supported me, your encouragement and belief in me have meant the world.

I’m so excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to continue supporting as many dogs and their humans as possible. 🐶✨

Here’s to the next chapter! 🚀

23/05/2025

Do you know a dog that looks like it’s owner? Does your dog like dressing up? Waggy tail or have any tricks? If so please come and join us at the Fun Dog Show tomorrow afternoon, registrations from 1.45. Raising funds for Medical Detection Dogs and HBO Flower Festival. See you there!

20/05/2025

If you’re a dog owner, especially one with children, or thinking about bringing a dog into your life, I highly recommend reading The Canine Commandments: Be Happy and Safe with Your Dog (2nd Edition) by Dr. Kendal Shepherd, Vet and Animal Behaviourist

This fantastic read offers clear, compassionate guidance for both adults and children on how to interact safely and respectfully with dogs. It’s written in a simple, accessible way and includes great tools like:

✅ The famous Ladder of Aggression
✅ Quizzes and learning objectives to support thoughtful discussion
✅ Practical insights for current or prospective dog owners

What I love most is how it challenges common myths about dog behaviour. Some lovely quotes from the book:

🗣️ "Aggression is an external expression of internal conflict, and arises out of a complex mix of instinctive and learned responses to the environment."

🗣️ "If dogs or people get angry and aggressive, it is often because they feel threatened. It is not because they are 'the boss', nor does it make them 'the boss'."

🗣️ "Dogs have simply no idea of our human concepts of right and wrong and certainly do not choose what to do based on whether we think their behaviour is good or bad."

This book is a brilliant resource for adults with children to learn and understand dogs better and build a safer, more loving bond. 🐾❤️

15/05/2025

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) is a network of friendly and professional practitioners who collaborate extensively with vet-led teams, focusing on a variety of species such as dogs, cats, horses, small mammals, reptiles, birds, and other animals.

Come and take a look: https://bit.ly/3yHTeJI......