The term 'reactive dog' is very common. It means a dog who cannot cope when a trigger is present; who overreacts to people, dogs, traffic, kids, bikes (really anything!) This can lead to dogs staring, avoiding, lunging, growling, barking, snapping and even biting towards their trigger.
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This can make dogs walks a chore, requiring owners to constantly scan the horizon for triggers, and it can be heart-breaking that others often don't see the snuggly, calm, playful, intelligent side of our dog.
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​If this sounds familiar, then you are in the right place. Together we can build your dog's resilience (strength and the ability to cope) in the often worrying world they have found themselves in.​​
"Karen is wonderfully patient with our little terrier who is anxious around other dogs. He has come on so well with her help and we will continue with her suggestions. She is available to speak to if we have a problem which is very reassuring."
Dot with Jack the Terrier
How I can help you...
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Relax, unwind and enjoy your dog walks.
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Save money on buying different dog training equipment in the hope one works!
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Stop avoiding people and dogs when out walking and/or having visitors.
Pet Insurance
As I am a full member of the APBC many pet insurance companies will cover my fees when working on behavioural issues. Please get in touch with your company to ask. Pet insurance companies will reimburse you (often minus your excess) after our sessions are complete.
Every day I guide and support owners to help their dog overcome reactivity issues. I offer behavioural sessions where I create you and your dog a tailor-made plan to follow that fits in with your schedule to set you and your dog up for success.
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​The internet, social media, friends, family, and neighbours often give you conflicting advice leaving you confused and unsure where to start. Let me guide you all the way.
Session Goals
Goal one - we want to address the root of your dog's reactive behaviour by changing their emotions response. If your dog feels positive, calm and comfortable around their triggers reactions will reduce/stop.
This goal is achievable however I have had a reactive dog and I know life it not perfect! You and your dog will be in situations that may be too hard for your dog too soon (which causes a reaction) even despite your best efforts to set your dog up for success. Therefore, we have a second goal to ensure our training can fit into everyday life.
Goal two - to train your dog a default behaviour which is not compatible with reactive behaviour.
These goals give you a plan A and a plan B - goal one works to solve the problem, helps your dog to feel better (plan A) and goal two ensures that if a trigger is too close too soon, your dog can cope (plan B).
Together these goals give you achievable, realistic, positive results.
"I was referred to Karen by my vet after my dog started reacting to cats, both at the window and on walks. I started with a zoom call and then a home visit. The home visit was especially helpful and reassuring that the way I was doing the training was ok. The advice I was given was excellent and the difference in his reactivity in a few short weeks is amazing. I'm sure with continued training he will improve even more.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Karen."
Shirley with Harry the Cocker Spaniel
What is Involved?
I offer a 8-week behavioural session package specifically created for reactive dogs. I will create you a tailor-made plan to follow that fits in with your schedule to set you and your dog up for success.​​​
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We will meet every two weeks to progress the training (although this is flexible to suit your schedule).​
The Package £510*
The sessions - ​
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1.5 hour Zoom call - talking through your dog's behaviour, what you can put in place immediately to help your dog feel calmer, less stressed and in the best mind frame possible to learn.​
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1.5 hour in-person session at your home - working on the practical side of training - introducing different reward markers and training an alternative behaviour to reacting.​
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1 hour follow-up Zoom call - introducing distraction training to ensure your dog can focus on you no matter what is in their environment.​
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1 hour follow-up in-person session meeting on a dog walk/around your dog's triggers - let's bring everything together and work in front of your dog's triggers. We will concentrate on changing your dog's emotional response to their trigger(s) so you can enjoy dog walks again.
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The support (yes, this is a lot as I am here to support you and your dog all the way!) -
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Information gathering from you and your vet, to help me plan and make the most of our time together.
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A written plan sent to you after each session.
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Regular check-ins between sessions to ensure everything is on track.
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Direct email/phone support for 8 weeks after our last session to address any queries, so that you have timely guidance and reassurance when you need it.
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Access to monthly group client support call (PB Connect) where you are welcome to ask me questions and listen to the monthly topic for further tips/training reminders (starting in January 2025 - 7pm on the last Thursday of the month).
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Access to a private client Facebook group.
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Organising a Veterinary referral, liaising with your Vet, and completing Pet Insurance paperwork.
*Travel expenses (per visit) -
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Perth City - no additional charge
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Perth & Kinross - £10 to £20
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Dundee City - £15
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Angus - £15 to £25
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Fife - £15 to £30
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Stirling - £25
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Clackmannanshire - £25
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Due to the size of these areas the above are estimates. For a quote to your location please get in touch.
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Why does my dog have separation anxiety?You are not alone! Separation anxiety is thought to affect 4 to 6 dogs and you did nothing to cause this issue! Anxiety is not about your dog being "naughty" it is an emotional problem where they anticipate something bad is going to happen (you not coming back) even though it is unlikely (because you are coming back!) With my separation anxiety training, we will work together to change your dog's emotional response - rather than anxiety we want your dog to feel calm and relaxed. If they feel more comfortable they will be able to be left home alone without feeling stressed, anxious and panicked!
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What does the training look like?My approach uses positive reinforcement-based, force-free methods. We will work to desensitise (i.e. slow and gentle exposure) your dog to you getting ready to leave your home and being left home alone. In our first call we will talk everything though - your dog's behaviour, what your goals are, what management we may need to put in place to help your dog and we will assess your dog's behaviour to see what they can currently cope with (it is okay if they struggle to cope with you even moving... this is very common!) I will then show you the first training stage and sent you a written plan after our call. In our follow-up sessions we will continue to work through the plan together to ensure your dog is progressing and is on track to being left home alone!
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Can we do these sessions in-person?Working on separation anxiety issues is more effective online! I can assess your dog at home (rather than when a stranger - me - is in your home distracting your dog) which helps me to assess your dog more accurately. We can then continue to work on the training together, while I can accurately assess your dog. Also, as I am not required to commute to your home, the package can be offered at a lower price. We can meet on Zoom, WhatsApp or Facetime - whatever suits you best. I can always give you extra help to set up any new programmes/technology to ensure our calls go smoothly.
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Will my dog's separation anxiety be fixed within one month?It can be great to use the first month (or two) to intensively work on your dogs separation anxiety training while being guided and support by me. Within this time, I will pass on knowledge about how to work through your dog's training and aim to give you a noticeable difference in your dog's behaviour when home alone. All dogs are individuals which results in not knowing how long it will take you to help your dog to be happy home alone, so it may take more than 1-2 months to achieve this goal. However, during the support you will gain confidence in the training and you will learn how to continue building on the training, even after our support is complete. Over time, you can achieve your goals!
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I have already tried everything, why sign up for this training?I understand, you can spend a small fortune on lots of different dog training courses, trainers and behaviourist not to mention the time searching the internet for answers. I have learnt how to help dogs overcome separation anxiety by working directly with Julie Naismith (a world-renowned separation anxiety expert). This training technique has helped thousands of dogs become comfortable while home alone. It is the one proven method that has show to be the best progress (Overall, 2021).
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Why could my Vet be involved?It is important to liaison with your Veterinary Practice and to view your dog's clinical history before we start behavioural training together. Many medical conditions can contribute to behavioural issues, this needs to be taken into account when working on changing behaviour. Simply put - we could do all the training in the world to help your dog overcome their issues, but it is unlikely to help if a medical issue is fueling your dog's behaviour. We need to cover this base. When you sign up to work on behavioural issues a Veterinary Referral form will be sent to your Veterinary Surgery for completion via email. This ensures your Vet is happy for us to work together and keeps them up-to-date.
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Can I claim the costs on my pet insurance?As a full member of the APBC many pet insurance companies will cover my fees. Please call your insurance company if you plan to claim. Claiming on your insurance is assessed on a case-by-case basis so it is best to check first. Please inform your company that I am a full member of the APBC - companies only cover fees of behaviourists who are members of particular organisations (the APBC being one of them). To book in a separation anxiety package the fee is required within two days to confirm your appointment days/times. Then you can claim the cost back from your insurance which will get paid directly to you (often minus an excess).