Dog behaviour and wellbeing support in Plymouth
Behaviour makes more sense when we understand their mind and body
When your dog’s behaviour is affecting your whole life…
The Whole Dog Programme may be right for you if you find yourself thinking…
“We’ve tried everything, but nothing is really fixing the problem”
“I feel like I’m letting my dog down because I don’t know what else to try.”
“My dog is suddenly more reactive / grumpy / sensitive than they used to be.”
“I feel like I’m missing something, but I don’t know what”
“I sometimes wonder if my dog might be uncomfortable, but I don’t know how to tell.”
When things feel confusing, inconsistent, or like you’re only seeing part of the picture, that’s when a whole-dog approach becomes important.
What makes this programme different?
Many dog behaviour services focus on training plans, routines and practical exercises, and those can be very helpful. This programme combines practical behaviour change with a broader exploration of your dog’s physical comfort, movement, emotional wellbeing and daily life. We won’t simply investigate why the behaviour is happening: we’ll use what we discover to help change it.
Whether your dog is constantly barking, reacting on walks, avoiding certain situations or struggling with handling, we’ll develop practical, force-free strategies to reduce the behaviour and make everyday life easier for both of you.
That means we:
✔ Explore what may be driving or contributing to your dog’s behaviour
✔ Use evidence-informed, force-free behaviour modification tailored to your dog
✔ Consider physical comfort, movement, emotions, environment and daily routines
✔ Develop practical, force-free strategies to reduce unwanted behaviour and teach your dog safer, more manageable alternatives
✔ Review what is and isn’t working, adjusting the plan as your dog’s behaviour changes
Because when we understand the whole dog, we can make more confident, compassionate decisions about how to help them.
And if you’ve already had a Whole Dog Check or Movement & Posture assessment, the price is credited off your investment in this programme. Just let me know when you get in touch.
You want the behaviour to change, but you also want to understand why it’s happening.
“Working with Tracey has proved invaluable in understanding my sometimes reactive dog. After just a few sessions I feel equipped to understand his behaviour and to watch for his triggers. Tracey has been so patient and her knowledge of dog behaviour is superb. Tracey has given me the confidence to help my dog gain his own confidence! I can’t recommend her highly enough”
Step 1
90 minute deep dive
Step 2
Movement & posture analysis
Step 3
Detailed support plan
Step 4
Four focused behaviour and training sessions
A personalised process with support at every step
Step 1 – Your dog’s priority focus (90 mins)
We meet on Zoom and talk through your dog’s behaviour, routines, sensitivities, and history. Then we can choose to focus on what feels most urgent to you right now.
Step 2 – Specialist wellbeing review
Analysis of movement and posture videos for patterns that may reflect physical or emotional discomfort. From this we can develop your dog’s comfort profile which you can share with your vet. If needed, I’ll help you articulate observations in a way your vet can easily work with
Step 3 – Designing your dog’s support plan
Together, we develop a personalised plan that addresses the behaviour you’re struggling with while also supporting your dog’s physical comfort and emotional wellbeing.
Depending on your dog’s needs, this may include:
Gradual behaviour-modification exercises
Management strategies to reduce stress and prevent repeated unwanted behaviour
Changes to walks, routines or the home environment
Confidence-building and carefully paced exposure
Cooperative approaches to handling or grooming
Enrichment and appropriate movement activities
Your plan may include video demonstrations, written guidance and simple day-to-day actions, so you know exactly what to work on between sessions.
Step 4 – Guided support
Over the following weeks, I’ll coach you through the behaviour-modification process and help you apply the plan in everyday life. During four follow-up sessions (in-person or online, whichever is appropriate), we’ll review your dog’s responses, troubleshoot difficulties and adjust the plan as their needs and abilities change.
Step 5 – Final review & next steps
We look at how far your dog has come and create a realistic long-term plan built around you, your dog, your home and your goals, so you feel confident moving forward.
You’ll be fully supported with WhatsApp and email support between sessions so you’re not left wondering whether you’re doing the right thing.
Not sure whether this is the right support for you?
Book a relaxed 30-minute call to tell me what’s happening with your dog, the behaviour you’d like help changing and what you’ve already tried.
I’ll explain how I work, answer your questions and help you decide whether the Whole Dog Programme is a good fit for you and your dog. If I don’t think I’m the right person to help, I’ll be honest about that too.
There’s no pressure to book. This is an initial conversation rather than a behaviour assessment, so I won’t be able to give individual recommendations during the call.
The Whole Dog Programme is a comprehensive 12-week specialist service, delivered online with in-person support where appropriate and practical.
This service combines behavioural assessment, a specialist movement and posture review, a personalised support plan, and guided follow-up as things change.
Investment – £695
Payment plans are available across the 12 weeks – please get in touch if that would help.
Because this is a deeply personalised programme, I work with a small number of people at a time to ensure each dog and owner receives the attention they deserve.
If you’ve already had a behaviour consultation with me, your £120 is credited off your investment in this programme. Just let me know when you get in touch.
What you’ll walk away with
By the end of the programme, you’ll:
✔ Better understand what may be driving your dog’s behaviour
✔ Have a practical plan for changing the behaviour you’re struggling with
✔ Recognise when your dog is finding something difficult and know how to respond
✔ Be better prepared for conversations with your vet
✔ Have a realistic plan for continuing to support your dog
Most importantly, you’ll move from feeling stuck to having a clearer sense of what’s going on and what to do next.
“We’ve been to Tracey for a few sessions now and she has really helped us with our nervous, reactive collie. We’ve done confidence building and tools to equip us to better set up for success out and about. Tracey is very knowledgeable and made us feel relaxed and always looking forward to the next session. We’ve seen some really good improvements in our collie and our looking forward to working with Tracey more.”
Support between sessions
You're not left to figure things out alone between sessions.
Between each of your live sessions, you'll have WhatsApp and email support for questions about implementing your dog's plan; I aim to respond within 2 working days.
If something new comes up that needs proper unpacking, we'll cover that in your next session.
After the programme
By week 12 you'll have a realistic long-term plan built around your dog. For dogs whose progress is still developing, or where new priorities emerge, ongoing support is available beyond the programme, in whichever shape suits you:
Single follow-up session – £85
A one-off top-up. Book when you need it to work through a specific new issue, reassess something that's changed, or simply check in after a few months. No ongoing commitment, no regular access in between.
Monthly check-in support – £120/month, cancel anytime
Ongoing, ready-when-you-need-it support for dogs and owners who want continuity rather than a single check-in. This includes:
A monthly Zoom call to review progress and adjust the plan as things develop
WhatsApp and email support between check-ins for questions on implementing the plan
Priority access if something comes up and you need to bring a session forward
This suits owners who know their dog's journey isn't finished at week 12, and would rather have steady, ongoing access than book support session by session.
Whichever you choose, this means you're never left wondering "what now" once the 12 weeks end. The choice of how much ongoing support you want is entirely yours.
Wondering whether discomfort could be part of the picture for your dog? Read Is my dog sore? for the subtle signs that are easy to miss.
Why does my dog keep barking at noises?
Why does your dog keep barking at noises? Fear may be part of the picture, but pain is another possibility that’s easy to miss. Here’s what the research tells us about noise sensitivity, why reactions can grow over time, and when it’s worth speaking to your vet.
Reactive dog? Why training alone isn't always enough
If your dog has started growling when touched, it can feel shocking and confusing. Learn why this behaviour often links to physical or emotional discomfort , and what you can do next.
Why is my dog growling when I touch them?
If your dog has started growling when touched, it can feel shocking and confusing. Learn why this behaviour often links to physical or emotional discomfort , and what you can do next.
Frequently asked questions
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If you feel your dog has changed, seems uncomfortable, more sensitive, or harder to understand than before — and training alone hasn’t fully explained it — this programme may be a good fit.
If you’re unsure, you’re very welcome to enquire and tell me what’s been going on. I’ll always be honest about whether I think this is the right support for you and your dog.
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Your first session is always on Zoom. It gives us 90 focused minutes to talk through your dog's history, routines and behaviour without your dog having to cope with a visitor, and alongside your videos it shows me how your dog behaves when I'm not there. If you're in Plymouth, follow-up sessions can be in person, online, or a mix, whichever suits you and your dog best.
If you're elsewhere in the UK, the whole programme works fully online. -
No. I don’t diagnose or provide medical treatment or advice.
My role is to observe patterns in behaviour, movement and daily life, and help you understand what may be influencing your dog’s wellbeing. If I notice things that would be helpful to discuss with your vet, I’ll guide you on how to share clear observations — but all diagnosis and treatment decisions sit with your veterinary team.
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Yes, but not in the traditional sense.
While we absolutely work on behaviour, this programme looks more deeply at how your dog’s physical comfort, emotional state and daily environment may be affecting their ability to cope and learn.
Sometimes behaviour improves when training is adjusted. Sometimes it improves when discomfort, stress or lifestyle factors are addressed. Often, it’s a combination of both.
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Often, yes.
Many dogs who struggle with reactivity, growling or avoidance are finding the world overwhelming in some way. This programme is designed to be comprehensive, but low-pressure and supportive, with most of the work done via Zoom and video so your dog doesn’t have to cope with a stranger in their space.
If I feel your dog would benefit from additional support from a veterinary behaviourist or another professional alongside this programme, I’ll tell you openly.
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Most owners spend a small amount of time each day making small adjustments to routines, handling or activities, plus short, simple training or exercises where appropriate.
This is not about long sessions. It’s about small, consistent changes that help your dog feel safer and more comfortable over time.
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This does happen sometimes because observations during the programme may identify an issue.
If your dog needs veterinary treatment (including procedures or surgery), our focus will adapt to support you through that stage. This may include:
• Helping you organise information and questions for your vet
• Adjusting home routines for comfort and recovery
• Guidance on handling and environment during recovery
• Emotional support while things feel uncertain
• Gradual return to movement and confidence-building once your vet gives clearanceIf your dog needs a period of strict rest or recovery, we can pause active parts of the programme and resume when appropriate.
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Yes — the programme is designed to run over 12 consecutive weeks, as steady, consistent support leads to the best outcomes for both dogs and owners.
However, if your dog requires significant veterinary treatment or a recovery period, we can agree a short pause so you don’t lose support during an already stressful time.
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That can be a great combination. My work can complement behaviour support by considering how comfort, movement and daily lifestyle may be influencing your dog’s capacity to cope and learn.
With your permission, I’m happy for plans to sit alongside other professionals involved in your dog’s care.
About me
I’m Tracey, and I work with caring dog owners in Plymouth and across the UK who want to understand their dogs rather than just manage behaviour.
My approach is force-free and whole-dog focused. I’m especially interested in how physical comfort, movement, and daily life can influence behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
Through my work with Shaping Dogs and my background in canine behaviour and wellness, I help owners connect the dots and move forward with confidence.