Canine Behaviour & Wellbeing Practitioner in Plymouth
Understand your dog and transform their behaviour with science-based, ethical guidance.
If your dog’s behaviour feels overwhelming, whether it’s reactivity, anxiety, aggression, or sudden changes, you’re not alone.
At Shaping Dogs, I specialise in compassionate, evidence-based behaviour support that looks beyond the surface. Together, we’ll uncover the reasons behind your dog’s behaviour, create a clear, achievable plan, and build skills to help your dog feel safe, confident, and understood
Help for reactive, anxious or sudden behaviour changes in dogs
✅ Reactivity to dogs, people, vehicles, or sounds
✅ Aggression, including growling, snapping, or biting
✅ Handling sensitivities or grooming struggles
✅ Resource guarding
✅ Generalised anxiety or fearfulness
✅ Behaviour changes that may be linked to discomfort or pain
“Very proud of Barney! We’ve been doing circuits in the garden all week and he’s walking so well. He’s now super responsive to the ‘nice’ DMT system and it’s helping him to cope with all of the garden distractions. We’ve got people digging in the field behind us, work going on next door and a psycho pair of kittens running around and he’s bossing it.”
A Whole Dog Assessment – £197
If you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour, the most important step is understanding why it’s happening.
Behaviour is rarely just about “training”, it can be shaped by past experiences, pain, discomfort, environment, and emotional wellbeing.
The Whole Dog Assessment is a detailed, three-step process designed to get to the root of your dog’s behaviour, so we can create a plan that’s realistic, compassionate, and effective.
Step 1 - Book a call
This free call allows us to discuss your dog’s needs and ensure this service is the right fit for you. If all goes well, I’ll book you in for The Whole Dog Assessment – £197 (payment is required before the initial consultation).
I am only taking on a limited number of cases at the moment. If I’m unable to offer you support, I will recommend other suitably qualified professionals in the area.
Step 2 – Health & Movement Check
Your dog’s first session takes place in a calm, rented indoor space. This allows me to:
Video and analyse your dog’s movement and posture without the distractions of their home environment
Carry out a thorough health and wellbeing check from nose to tail
Observe how your dog feels about my presence in a neutral space
Step 3 – Home Visit
Next, I visit you and your dog at home to understand the factors that may be influencing their behaviour. This includes:
Observing how they navigate their home and interact with family members
Identifying possible stressors or triggers in their everyday environment
Discussing your daily routines and how they impact your dog’s wellbeing
Step 4 – The Plan Going Forward
Once I’ve gathered all the information, I put together a tailored plan to support both you and your dog. This will:
Explain what’s driving the behaviour and why it’s happening
Outline clear, manageable steps for you to follow
Include relevant resources, handouts, and links to help you put the plan into action
What’s Included
Pre-assessment history form and vet liaison if needed
Three structured sessions
A personalised written plan
Relevant resources and video links
Liaison with your vet or other professionals where appropriate
Additional Support
Extra in-person sessions or coaching walks can be booked individually at £50 each (plus travel if applicable).
Why Behaviour Problems Aren’t Always About Training
Many behaviour challenges are driven by a mix of emotions, past experiences, and sometimes physical discomfort. That’s why I combine:
Careful observation and assessment, including movement and posture analysis to identify potential pain or mobility issues
Ethical, force-free strategies, no intimidation, corrections, or equipment designed to cause fear
Clear, practical coaching, so you feel confident supporting your dog every step of the way
Collaboration with your vet, if pain or health issues may be contributing to your dog’s behaviour challenges
Together, we’ll develop a plan that suits your dog’s needs and your lifestyle, without judgment or blame
Why Invest in Professional Behaviour Support?
Behaviour issues can be stressful, overwhelming, and sometimes dangerous. When left unaddressed, problems often escalate, putting strain on your dog’s wellbeing and your bond with them.
It’s also important to know that dog training and behaviour are unregulated industries. This means anyone can call themselves a trainer or behaviourist, regardless of experience or qualifications. Many unqualified trainers still rely on outdated, punishment-based methods that use fear, intimidation, or pain to suppress behaviour.
While these approaches can sometimes create short-term compliance, they often:
❌ Damage trust and your relationship with your dog
❌Increase anxiety, fear, or aggression over time
❌ Mask the real cause of the problem instead of resolving it
Professional behaviour support helps you:
✅ Understand why your dog is struggling, rather than guessing or relying on outdated advice
✅ Feel confident using kind, science-based strategies to help your dog feel safe and secure
✅ Identify potential health or pain issues that could be contributing
✅ Avoid the frustration (and expense) of trying multiple approaches that don’t work
✅ Protect your dog’s welfare and your bond built on trust, not fear
Investing in professional guidance is an investment in your dog’s health, happiness, and your peace of mind.
FAQs
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Many trainers focus mainly on teaching obedience skills like sit, stay, and recall. While these skills are useful, behaviour challenges such as reactivity, aggression, and anxiety often have deeper causes.
My approach combines behaviour assessment, movement and posture analysis, and force-free strategies to address the root of the issue, not just the symptoms. You’ll also receive structured support, a personalised plan, and guidance on collaborating with your vet if needed. -
That’s exactly why I include movement and posture observations and ask detailed questions about your dog’s health. If I suspect discomfort may be contributing, I’ll recommend you speak to your vet. I can also provide summary reports to share with your veterinary team.
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Ethical behaviour professionals never guarantee specific outcomes, because every dog is an individual. Success depends on many factors: health, learning history, environment, and how consistently strategies are applied.
What I can guarantee is that you’ll receive clear, evidence-based guidance and compassionate support every step of the way. -
No. My approach is 100% force-free and fear-free. I will never use tools or methods designed to intimidate, startle, or hurt your dog. Instead, I focus on understanding, empathy, and positive reinforcement to build trust and lasting change.
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Yes, behaviour challenges can happen in any dog, from puppies to seniors. I tailor every plan to your dog’s unique needs, breed traits, and life stage.
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If you’d like extra sessions after your initial programme ends, you’re welcome to book additional follow-ups at £75 per session. Many clients find 2–3 months of focused support is enough to see significant progress, but I’m here for you as long as you need.