Zoe Willingham Dog Behaviourist

23/07/2025

🐾✨ Why We Need to Help Fearful Dogs During Grooming ✨🐾
Every dog deserves to feel safe and comfortable, especially during grooming sessions. If your furry friend is worried or scared, it’s important to remember that a good groomer will always prioritise their well-being. They will stop immediately if your dog shows signs of distress and work with you to understand the root of the fear.
A compassionate groomer will guide you through gentle, positive training techniques to help your dog overcome their anxiety. It's a team effort—patience, kindness, and understanding can make all the difference!
If your dog is fearful or if you are a groomer working with fearful dogs, contact Zoe now for her groomer programme designed to help dogs become happy, confident at the groomers.
Let’s be the voice for scared dogs, helping them feel secure and loved. Because every pup deserves a grooming experience that builds trust, not fear. 💙🐶

https://www.zoewillinghamdogbehaviourist.co.uk/contact

21/05/2025

How do behaviour consultations work in 2025?

This is probably one of the best things to come out of the pandemic, allowing more dogs to get the help they need in the right way.

Click here to read why behaviour work is carried out like it is https://www.zoewillinghamdogbehaviourist.co.uk/post/why-online-dog-behaviour-consultations-via-zoom-are-more-effective-than-in-person-visits

04/03/2025

Noise phobias in dogs seems to be a rising issue I am contacted about. Heres some information to help you with your next steps with your noise phobic dog.

If you’ve ever seen your dog tremble, hide, or frantically pace during a thunderstorm or fireworks display, you’re witnessing a noise phobia in action. Noise phobias are extreme, irrational fears of certain sounds, and they can have a profound impact on a dog's well-being and quality of life. Un...

24/02/2025

It was a pleasure to do this article for The Metro last week. I love doing their expert pieces. Last weeks was how our dogs show they love us - page 11- click below

https://metro.co.uk/newspaper-daily-edition/2025-02-20/MTA/single/11

16/02/2025

When I got asked about my real job!

Anyone that knows me will laugh about this blog! 🤣

The other day, someone asked me what I did for a living. A pretty standard question, right? But it was followed by something that threw me off guard—“So, that’s your hobby? Not your real job?” They were referring to my work as a dog behaviourist, and while it was said without malice, it made...

11/02/2025

This is almost the question I dread when someone see's me and asks, how do I stop my dog barking? Expecting a 30 second answer to solve all the issues! Here is a blog with a bit more information and why its so important to understand the causes before implementing behavioural changes.

Dogs barking is one of the most natural and common forms of communication. Whether it’s in excitement, fear, or to alert their owners of something, barking is a normal part of dog behaviour. But when barking becomes excessive or disruptive, it can be frustrating for both owners and dogs alike. Und...

05/02/2025

03/02/2025

It’s dog training education month in February - here’s my interview with the bbc today about training and behaviour and why it’s so important.

22/01/2025

It's been a busy start to the year, and one common theme I am seeing is owners having lived with really dangerous or long standing behaviour problems before reaching out for help. These dogs are the lucky ones because they are getting help, but what about those being rehomed or euthanised.

Take a look at my latest blog with guidance to help you decide when 'okay' is not enough. I hope this helps someone know there is no need to suffer in silence

When “Okay” Is Not Good Enough: Why You Should Intervene Early in Your Dog’s Behaviour

21/11/2024

Are you worried about your dogs behaviour? Things don't have to be difficult, there is always a way to make life better for you and your dog.

As a behaviourist I can help you with complex behavioural needs such as

✅Reactivity
✅Separation anxiety
✅Human or dog aggression
✅Noise sensitivity and barking
✅Anxious scared dogs
✅Resource guarding
and much more

Contact me here for help and advice https://www.zoewillinghamdogbehaviourist.co.uk/contact

22/08/2024

15/04/2024

Let's talk pain...

As a qualified and accredited behaviourist i spend my time off work, well working! Doing hours and hours and hours of CPD so i have the most up to date knowledge and ability to help your dog in the best way possible. My latest CPD was a course devised by leading vets with a specialisation in pain and its management.

One of my obsessions is helping identify if animals are feeling pain or discomfort because research suggests that many behavioural problems are exacerbated by pain.

I see so many referrals or second opinions where dogs have seen a trainer or their owners have been trying to follow you tube videos to find one really big factor has been missed and that is pain.

I remember a few years back working with a young dog with separation anxiety only to find she had crippling arthritis at 2 years old. Her owners were so grateful i was able to refer my findings in our behaviour sessions to the vet to help recognise the pain she was in.

So if your dog is displaying behaviour problems or just strange behaviour there could be more to it. Contact me to find out how i can help https://www.zoewillinghamdogbehaviourist.co.uk/contact