Ripple – rescue dog. Breed “Cockerpoo”. Issues – owner directed aggression, anxiety, inconsistent reactivity, lack of socialisation or early training.

Ripple looks like the sweetest dog, rescued by a young couple, he was their first dog together. Unfortunately shortly after they re-homed Ripple he started to show some serious behavioural issues, including quite serious aggression towards the owners, resulting in several biting incidents. It is fair to say that Ripple’s behaviour was putting him at serious risk.

After careful assessment and discussion with Ripple’s owners, it became clear that Ripple had had little if any appropriate training or socialisation by his previous ‘owners’ (always a little murky with a dog that is re-homed.) His behaviour was quite logical for Ripple, it got him what he wanted, perhaps more importantly he didn’t have to do the things he didn’t want to do – such as come inside when told, or get off the comfy sofa and so on.

His owners were give a detailed report with clear guidance on how to put in place a program of changes and behaviour modification strategies that would help Ripple learn how to behave. Clear boundaries, a secure crate, a house lead and initially the use of a pair of heavy duty bite proof gauntlets, that allowed the owners to handle Ripple when he was fighting (biting) in response to being removed from furniture, away from visitors etc. as they strove to uphold the new boundaries they had agreed to.

Although not immediate, these changes have led to significant changes in Ripple’s behaviour, he is a much more relaxed and better behaved dog, as he feels secure and comfortable in an environment and relationship with clear rules and boundaries.

We are still workington his out of the house behaviour – some inconsistent reactivity, but he and his owners are so much happier and he is no longer at risk.

Flame – Rescue dog, Breed – German Shepherd cross. Reactivity towards dogs – inconsistent. Anxiety.

Flame is a small GSD cross – possibly collie? She found her way to South West GSD Rescue having been found as a stray in Essex. Rescued in December 2025, her behaviour at hoe is generally very good, with some initial settling in issues, which are part of the re-homing process.

However her behaviour out of the house, especially her reactivity towards other dogs was a major issue and was putting her new home at risk, as her behaviour was becoming relentless and depressing for the owners. Various attempts at socialising and mixed walks had not gone as planned and her behaviour appeared to be getting worse. (Which can happen as rescue dogs settle into their new family and environment.)

We supported Flame’s owners in partnership with SWGSD Rescue, in developing a program of desensitisation and socialisation. Initially we assessed Flame on a solo walk, then introduced our stooge dog Milo and implemented a series of parallel walks. As Flame adapted to these experiences, we introduced new environments, new dogs for parallel walking, whilst monitoring her response.

As Flame steadily improved – with the occasional backward step and bad day, we moved to small group work, introducing Flame to a number of different dogs and environments. Eventually Flame was able to join one of our BDW’s for a walk with several dogs and their owners she had never met.

After an initial difficult start Flame became far more relaxed and was able to interact with other dogs without reactivity. She can be seen in the video below.

Toby – Rescue Dog, Breed – Doberman, Issues including – Hyperactivity, Hyper reactivity, Anxiety, Aggression toward unfamiliar dogs.

Toby is a stunning Doberman, his early history is unclear as a rescue dog and it is fair to say, he has been one of the most challenging dogs I’ve worked with.

Initially assessed by another Behaviourist, who diagnosed anxiety and aggression and recommended drugs to medically relieve his behavioural issues. Unfortunately this prescription wasn’t helping Toby, who still displayed high level of anxiety and an inability to self regulate his behaviour. He was very quickly overstimulated and took a long time to ‘come back down’.

Our work with Toby initially revolved around several key areas – regular exercise both at home and on walks in quiet environments. A focus on desensitising him to a range of dogs and allowing him to slowly develop acceptable social relationships. Finally we targeted his lack of impulse control and inability to regulate his reaction to overstimulation.

We moved him off the SSRI medication as this had not and was not helping his behavioural issues.

Over time we saw a steady improvement in Toby’s behaviour and anxiety levels, as he became calmer and more relaxed and happier. He reacted less, for shorter periods of time and ‘came down’ quicker.

However some elements of Toby’s behaviour remain highly challenging – particularly his inability to regulate elements of his behaviour and his lack of impulse control and following extensive research and consultation we Identified Toby as having OCD – this is a very challenging and hard to treat condition and after much consideration we have re-started medication but a higher level as the cause of OCD and resulting behaviour issues are the result of more significant issues with the structure and function of the Brain.

In general terms I am not a proponent of regular medication for behavioural issues, but very occasionally, you will encounter a dog that for ‘some reason’ has significant neurological issues and some time only appropriate medication can provide the window of opportunity required to help coach, train and modify the dogs behaviour.

Striker, Breed Cane Corso, Issues – lack of early socialisation and training, unable to interact with unknown dogs safely due to lack of manners and high energy approach.

Baloo, Breed – St Bernard, issues – owner anxiety, missed socialisation due to medical issues, partial blindness, over-protective, anxious, reactive towards people and dogs.

Boris, rescue dog, Breed – Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Issues – overprotective of house, lack of early socialisation and training, over-enthusiastic approach to other dogs.

Mihska, Breed – Malamute, Issues – adolescent challenging of boundaries, lack of recall, inconsistent reactivity, challenging attitude towards owner.

Flo, Breed – Giant Schnauzer, Issues – Giant Puppy, Young Children, Over stimulated and overexcited, resistant to early training.

Margo & Tilly, Litter Siblings, Breed English Bull Terriers, Issues – prevention of Litter mate syndrome behavioural issues

Jackson, Rescue dog, Breed German Shepherd (x Malinois?) Issues – Highly dog reactive, high level of dog on dog aggression.

Milo, Breed Chihuahua X Pomeranian, Issues – anxiety, excessive barking, over excitement.

Eric, Rescue Dog, Breed Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Issues – Anxiety, refusal to walk, becoming stressed and hiding on walks.