Dog Training and Behavioural Support

Training and Behavioural Support

We are delighted to have introduced D4Dog Training and Behaviour Support. Our approach is simple and underpins everything we do, our goal is straightforward;– 

Happy Dogs, Happy Owners, Happy Days.

Understanding the causes of unwanted behaviour however, is often far from simple – that is why we have created the Holistic approach to better understand the dog, its owners, its environment and history – as summarised in the diagram above. Prospective clients are asked to complete a client questionnaire and the initial face to face assessment usually takes 60-90 minutes, but often longer inmate complex cases. Clients are then given a written report outlining the assessment, the issues discussed and the proposed approach to resolve the unwanted behaviour. The report also provides considerable guidance and advice as our goal is to enpower clients to work with their dogs. Training sessions are then planned with the owners as required.

To date have worked with over 200 different dogs including St Bernards, Cane Corso’s, Bulldogs, English Bull Terriers, Staffies, Vizla’s, German Shepherds, Cockerpoo’s, Jack Russells, Dachshunds and a wide variety of mixed and cross breeds, Rescue dogs from the UK and Overseas, including; Romanian, Cypriot, Greek, Serbian and Macedonian, covering a broad range of issues, from supporting recently rescued dogs settle into their new homes, to reactive dogs, aggressive dogs, territorial dogs, hyper-active dogs and adolescent dogs.

D4dogs are recommended/referred to clients for support for Behavioural issues by a number of local Vet practices in Newton Abbot and Torbay, including Bay Vet Group and Medivet Torquay. Rescues based in Devon and the South West of England, including Foredowne Rehoming, SWGSD Rescue and Euphoria Dog Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Behaviourists including Ruth Owens, as well as our past and current clients.

In 2023 I completed the IMDT Level 3 Learning, Motivation and Reinforcement – Understanding and Working with Canine Behaviour, which provided a useful introduction to academic study in Canine Behaviour. This was followed in 2024 by attending a 4 day workshop at the Kennel Club with the CIDBT and completing the Advanced Higher Certificate In Canine Behaviour Practice & Aggression Studies which is more focused on the areas of Dog behaviour I am interested in working with. In 2025 I attended a 2 day CIDBT workshop – Breed Specific Behaviour for the Dog Professional.

In 2024 we began working with South West GSD Rescue who use a local kennel to board dogs if no foster homes are available, initially we helped by walking the dogs, but have expanded that to include assessment, training/behavioural support and follow on support for adopters.

Here we have a 3 year old Bully/Staffy cross, who has had various trainers and behaviourist in the past – most advocating a positive punishment approach to controlling her unwanted behaviour and training. We have quickly demonstrated that she responds far more quickly to positive reinforcement – reward and equipment such as prong collars are not necessary.

We want to help dogs and owners enjoy each and every day, in order to do that some owners and dogs require more support, this may be as a result of the issues created by the lock down, which limited the opportunities for owners to socialise new puppies and dogs. Rescue dogs whose history may be a little unclear and in some cases perhaps a little traumatic, or as we recover from the pandemic, dogs that have become used to constant human company may need assistance with adopting to extended periods of time alone. 

We are seeing quite a few dogs who are struggling to adapt to the new post pandemic world, especially as owners are having to spend more time at work and working from home becomes less usual. 

We are also seeing the consequences of dogs that were bred to cash in on the boom in dog ownership triggered by the pandemic, where less attention has been paid to good breeding in the rush to cash in on the opportunities available.

Winston a young Miniature Dachshund – we are working with his owners to help him become habituated to a broad range of experiences, environments and dogs. To help him develop into a well mannered and calm adult dog.

We have particular experience with Rescue dogs from Eastern Europe, including Romanian, Serbia, Greece, Cyprus and Macedonia. These dogs have particular needs and issues which we are able to help owners understand and manage or resolve.

Milo is our own Romanian import, we are his 3rd or 4th owners since he came to the UK. So we are talking from a personal as well as a professional perspective, when discussing dogs with Eastern European origins.

We know that every dog is unique and that every situation and issue is specific to that dog. We adopt an holistic approach to training and behaviour work, seeking to understand the individual dog, their owners, the generic and specific issue(s), the environment and background and the desired outcome or resolution. 

Drawing on the latest developments and research into dogs and their behaviour, including genetics, behavioural psychology and the growing field of Canine Science. We use positive reinforcement, combined with a control and management approach to support owners and their dogs to successfully resolve the concerns they have.

We have been highly successful at resolving a broad range of issues including ‘on lead reactivity’, ‘poor recall’, ‘lack of socialisation – including lockdown dogs’, ‘over arousal’, ‘anxiety & fear related behaviour’ and ‘general aggression’.

Breeds we have successfully worked with include; German Shepherds, Dachshunds, (XL) Bully’s, St Bernard’s, Labrador’s, Mastiff’s, Malamute’s & Husky’s and a broad range of cross breeds including Eastern European rescues with live stock guardian traits,

Reading List

Keeping up to date with the latest developments in Canine Science is important as modern science and especially genetics is revealing remarkable insights into dog evolution, behaviour and breeds. Equally it requires a strong grounding in the classic works of Dog Behaviour such as Coppinger, Miller, Donaldson and Lindsay.

Meet Your Dog – K Brophey & R Coppinger – Highly recommended, if you want to understand your dog better, in my opinion this is the best book to help you begin to do so.

What Your Dog is Thinking – Dr S Cohen-Hatton & D Wells – Also highly recommended

The Pitfall Placebo – Karen Delise

Unleashed (The Phenomenon of Status and Weapon Dogs) – S Harding

Real World Dog Training – T Williams

Aggression in Dogs – Brenda Aloff

The Culture Clash – J Donaldson

The Other End of The Leash – P McConnell PHD

The Power of Positive Dog Training – P Miller

How Dogs Think – S Coren PHD

How to Speak Dog – S Coren PHD

Decoding Dogs: Inside the Canine Mind – E Furlong

Easy Peasy Doggy Squeezy – S Mann

Don’t Shoot The Dog – K Pryor

The Domestic Dog – J Serpell et al

Dogs – R&L Coppinger

Handbook Of Applied Dog Behaviour & Training – S Lindsay

Dog Bites – D Mills & C Westgarth ed

The Genius of Dogs – B Hare & D Woods