Social Paws

Social Paws Helen Motteram BSc (Hons) behaviourist & Tristan Motteram accredited dog trainer. Behavioural support specialising in anxious, nervous dogs.

Supporting pet Guardians with their anxious dogs & rescues 👱‍♀️👨‍🦱🐶😺🐦‍⬛

Helping Guardians excel in confidence & their companions thrive with their human family. Puppy training and socialisation (1-2-1). Training for excitable dogs! Free discovery call on request

Manager and founder: Helen Motteram
Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.socialpawscheltenham.co.uk

Love our sessions with superstar Pimpa! Today we did a little work confidence building around town and settling in a qui...
23/06/2025

Love our sessions with superstar Pimpa!

Today we did a little work confidence building around town and settling in a quiet outdoor café.

Well done 👏

We are never here to judge you but offer empathy, kindness and understanding...We hope you find our posts easy to follow...
11/06/2025

We are never here to judge you but offer empathy, kindness and understanding...

We hope you find our posts easy to follow, inspiring and help give relief.

And when it comes to members of the public, perhaps guardians who don't have an anxious or reactive dog...

We want you to take a moment to walk in another guardian's shoes.

That means not laughing, pointing the finger, or making a big fuss.

Simply giving some space or clipping your dog's lead back on if it can't be called back.

We really appreciate it!

Thanks for reading,
Helen & Tristan

A perfect location for helping Pimpa with her confidence ❤️We visited a new location today, the beautiful Bourton on the...
10/06/2025

A perfect location for helping Pimpa with her confidence ❤️

We visited a new location today, the beautiful Bourton on the Water.

We started early to avoid the crowds and used the back streets as our decompression zones.

Pimpa is a long term dog I've been working with, because it really helps her and her Guardian's confidence.

I only take 5 new clients a month for maximum support - I have 2 spots open this month:

[email protected]

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

Another fab dog walking social group event with The Merryfellow We ventured out to Cox's Meadow and the weather whilst a...
07/06/2025

Another fab dog walking social group event with The Merryfellow

We ventured out to Cox's Meadow and the weather whilst a little gloomy didn't put these doggo from having fun!

Looking forward to the monthly dog walk with The Merryfellow 🐾🐶We'll be heading up the Cox's Meadow route today. Pack go...
07/06/2025

Looking forward to the monthly dog walk with The Merryfellow 🐾🐶

We'll be heading up the Cox's Meadow route today. Pack good shoes or boots as will be muddy.

Ember is an absolute superstar! 🐶⭐️We love working with her and seeing her confidence grow on her walks.Such a smart gir...
19/05/2025

Ember is an absolute superstar! 🐶⭐️

We love working with her and seeing her confidence grow on her walks.

Such a smart girl who's come so far. Well done Ember.

An excellent stooge session today with helper dog Nellie! Romeo got within a few metres and is so much more confident.Th...
15/05/2025

An excellent stooge session today with helper dog Nellie!

Romeo got within a few metres and is so much more confident.

These sessions go at the dog's own pace with calm helper dogs ❤️

IT'S OK, NOT TO BE OK - helping support dog and pet guardians who need us mostLife as an owner of a anxious nervous dog ...
14/05/2025

IT'S OK, NOT TO BE OK - helping support dog and pet guardians who need us most

Life as an owner of a anxious nervous dog is a challenge, but despite how hard it is right now, please take a moment to read on.

Mental health awareness week - supporting guardians of anxious dogs and rescue pets ❤️

My journey as a pet behaviourist and counsellor has taught me many things, but the main thing I've learnt is it's not only about supporting pets...

But also who's at the other end of the lead.

The wingman. The guardian.

Here at Social Paws, it's about empowering you to be more confident, to stop avoiding all dogs, but gradually expose your dog to situations he or she can start to feel confident again.

On your own this is challenging.

That's because you often feel worried about that off lead dog running up and can't find the right controlled set ups.

You need feedback. Accountability. Support.

It's ok to admit the crap has hit the fan.

It's ok to seek advice. No one will judge you.

There will be good times and bad times.

Bright days and cloudy days.

Happy moments and sad moments.

But no matter what, your dog is there by your side.

Please stop blaming yourself and stop putting yourself down.

You are students, your journey is never straight, there will be twists and bends, ups and downs, but together you CAN help each other through thick and thin.

Stop dwelling on your mistakes, but instead push forward.

You see even the small wins are a true testimonial to how far you've come.

It's hard, incredibly hard to be guardian of an anxious dog. No one truly knows how it feels until they've been in your shoes.

If you are reading this and quick to judge, I encourage you to read the comments. Walk in their shoes.

It's not black and white. It's not simple.

We all makes mistakes.

Tomorrow is another day.

I'm here if you need me. If you'd like to share how you are feeling? It's ok, not to be ok.

Written by Helen Motteram,
Social Paws

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

Sometimes we can feel like a failure 😞But in fact you aren't failing yourself or your dog, you are just going through a ...
11/05/2025

Sometimes we can feel like a failure 😞

But in fact you aren't failing yourself or your dog, you are just going through a challenging time.

When times are hard, routines have changed and your dog is making life stressful it's so easy to even 'fall out' with your companion.

Grieve a relationship of a soul mates who walks nicely by your side, accepts visitors and likes going places.

But remember there is no perfect dog but a dog that's perfect for you...

💕 You love your dog dearly

We know you love your dog dearly, they are your companion, often your lifeline and your best friend.

But It's so easy to forget the progress we've made, their success stories and our passion as a dog owner, when things don't go so well.

💕 Stop focusing on the bad days

We tend to put too much focus on the bad days and end up 'falling' out with our dog.

Today I lost a little bit of my momentum, but then flicked through my old photo albums.

Both my dogs, Sally and Joseph had behavioural issues. These made walks challenging, relentless at times!

But then I remembered the time Sally played for another dog for the first time, Joseph's first group walk.

💕 Inspiration

Those moments inspired me to keep moving forward.

I know you have these moments too.

So this week, I want you to focus on how to have fun with your dog. Switch off the TV if you have to. Ignore the judgemental advice in that dog support group.

Today It's about you and your dog.

Flick through that photo album, jot down all those nice memories. Focus on your progress. How far have you come since last year? 3 years ago?

There will be progress, I know you've been trying hard.

Do feel free to share your success stories in the comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Thanks for reading,
Helen Motteram

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

Another wonderful walk with The Merryfellow...Thank you to everyone who joined us and hope you enjoyed the planned route...
03/05/2025

Another wonderful walk with The Merryfellow...

Thank you to everyone who joined us and hope you enjoyed the planned route.

Next month we'll be doing the timbercombe hill route, gentle incline. My old cross country stomping ground!

See you June the 7th 🐶❤️🐾

It's that time again! We are proud to be planning the route for The Merryfellow dog walk...This Saturday leaving from ou...
01/05/2025

It's that time again! We are proud to be planning the route for The Merryfellow dog walk...

This Saturday leaving from outside the pub at 10:30am.

This is a route suitable for all with a little off lead as an option.

We'll first head over to Beeches doing a loop, then a little road and fields behind Balcarras.

The weather is cooling down but please wear suitable clothes.

As always we are here to keep you all safe, enjoy the walk and ask any dog training/behavioural questions.

Helen & Tristan

Another FANTASTIC dog walk with The Merryfellow...We had a little splash at Spring Bottom, a little walk around the chur...
12/04/2025

Another FANTASTIC dog walk with The Merryfellow...

We had a little splash at Spring Bottom, a little walk around the church (notice the orb rainbow in the photo!) then some off lead fun at Grange field.

Thanks for attending and having me host and Tristan at the back.

Hope you enjoyed my brief history talk too 😀

Helen & Tristan
🐶❤️

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Cheltenham

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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