The Dog Within - Canine Behaviourist

The Dog Within - Canine Behaviourist The Dog Within - laying the foundations for a positive way forward for both you and your dog.

Holistic Canine Behaviour Consultant.
- Specialising in Rescue Dogs
- Dogs that suffer fear, stress or anxiety related behaviours.
1-2-1 Puppy Coach
- KAD Instructor - Kids Around Dogs
Dogs do speak, but only to those that listen.

01/04/2025

I sat in the garden with my morning coffee, watching Kiko. He seemed to be doing nothing, but in his own quiet way, he was quite busy—taking in the world around him through scents.

I caught his incredible sense of smell in action! Those tiny twitches help Kiko gather more scent particles, analyze smells, and even determine where they’re coming from.

Dogs are nothing short of amazing!

https://thedogwithin.co.uk/rescue-dogs

01/04/2025

Last week I met super bouncy 10 week old Teddy for his first Puppy Training session 🐶

What did we work on during our first session?

✅ Focus - Teaching Teddy to hold eye contact on cue 🐶
✅ Keeping 4-Paws on the floor is the way to go 💪🏼
✅ Come when called 💨

Teddy did amazing, even learning to sit rather than bounce around- great first session Teddy 👍🏻

https://thedogwithin.co.uk/puppy-training

31/03/2025

🐶✨ Puppy Training Tip! ✨🐶

When a visitor arrives, give your puppy something positive to focus on—like a stuffed Kong, a scatter feed, or a chew! 🦴 This helps them stay calm, engaged, and learn that visitors = good things.

Star performance from new student Teddy 💙



https://thedogwithin.co.uk/puppy-training

These are some of the gorgeous dogs I’ve been out to see in the last week. All so different, with varying behaviours tha...
27/03/2025

These are some of the gorgeous dogs I’ve been out to see in the last week. All so different, with varying behaviours that all require a tailored approach.

-Barking at visitors
- Adjusting to a new environment
- reactivity to people
- lack of confidence
- Confusion
- Door manners
- Overwhelm
- Communication

This is why we say that one size does not fit all. Each of these dogs have their own individual characteristics, past experiences, strengths and abilities.

Each one of these dogs is unique.

https://thedogwithin.co.uk

Yesterday we were lucky enough to have this beautiful bird in our garden. I had no idea what bird it was, so I sent phot...
26/03/2025

Yesterday we were lucky enough to have this beautiful bird in our garden. I had no idea what bird it was, so I sent photos to my neighbour who told me it was a Sparrow-hawk, most likely resting after feeding. He/she didn’t stay long but was lovely to see. Thankfully Kiko didn’t spot the resting hawk and scare it off 🦅

26/03/2025

I first met Sam a couple of years ago when he needed help with his confidence.

It’s not uncommon for a dog with low confidence to develop additional behaviours as their confidence grows, that’s exactly what happened with Sam.

The increase in confidence is often paired with new life experiences as the dog’s world naturally grows bigger. This doesn’t mean the dog knows how to successfully navigate all these new challenges, often leading to them using behaviours that work for them.

Barking at visitors is one of Sam’s new skills, for now we are working on management and new routines to show Sam how to act around visitors.

https://thedogwithin.co.uk/behaviour-support-1

25/03/2025

Dottie’s Learning Without Even Knowing It 💪🏼

We had a lot of fun during last week’s session - should this have been an outtake🤔? Maybe! But you don’t just want to see the wins do you? 👎🏻. You want to see real life 🙌🏻

There’s more to it👇🏼

While Dottie was busy having fun with her guardian, she was also learning that people passing by aren’t her business. No pressure, no stress - just natural learning through fun and connection.

The best lessons are the ones that don’t even feel like lessons! ✅

https://thedogwithin.co.uk/behaviour-support-1

Impulse Control - Kiko’s Learning to Pause & Think 🤔 Big feelings can lead to big reactions from Kiko, but he’s learning...
25/03/2025

Impulse Control - Kiko’s Learning to Pause & Think 🤔

Big feelings can lead to big reactions from Kiko, but he’s learning that being patient gets him what he wants.

Kiko’s life on the streets means he had to think and act quickly. Unraveling those skills and teaching him new ones will take time but the real learning is happening now when Kiko pauses, thinks, and makes a good choice on his own - because it feels safe and rewarding.

By learning to make his own thoughtful choices, he’ll naturally develop better control over his excitement and reactions.

Impulse control isn’t about squashing his emotions it’s about helping him navigating them successfully.



https://thedogwithin.co.uk/rescue-dogs

The boys had a great time at the weekend. Barry came to visit ( Merlin and Barry explored Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 together). Me...
24/03/2025

The boys had a great time at the weekend. Barry came to visit ( Merlin and Barry explored Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 together).

Merlin was beside himself seeing Barry again and although Kiko had a great time it all got too much and he ended up taking himself off to his hideout in the fir tree 🌲

24/03/2025

Overseas Rescue Bruno – Stage 2: Building Comfort

With Bruno’s cues strengthened (stage 1), we moved on to the next stage—helping him feel more at ease around his male guardian.

At this point, we’re not asking Bruno to do anything; instead, we’re giving him time to adjust to movement in a more confined space at his own pace.



https://thedogwithin.co.uk/rescue-dogs

We all want to understand how our dogs are feeling, but sometimes, we get it wrong. Research shows that we often misinte...
22/03/2025

We all want to understand how our dogs are feeling, but sometimes, we get it wrong.

Research shows that we often misinterpret our dogs’ emotions - especially when we assume they feel the same way we do in a situation.

This can lead to misunderstandings and missed signals. Learning to read canine body language properly helps us respond to our dog’s emotional needs effectively.

An interesting read👇🏼
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310134153.htm

You’re Never Too Old to Learn!Murphy and Dexter may be 14 years old, but that doesn’t mean they’re slowing down! These t...
22/03/2025

You’re Never Too Old to Learn!

Murphy and Dexter may be 14 years old, but that doesn’t mean they’re slowing down! These two are still full of mischief, and as they’ve aged (gracefully, of course), they’ve picked up a few habits their family would like to tweak.

Last session, we explored ways to boost their enrichment, and this week, we’re fine-tuning their door manners. Murphy tried to sneak a peek at my plans, while Dexter took a more laid-back approach—watching and waiting to see what was in store.



https://thedogwithin.co.uk/rescue-dogs

Dottie likes to end our behaviour sessions by bringing me one of her toys, I like to think she is telling me that she is...
21/03/2025

Dottie likes to end our behaviour sessions by bringing me one of her toys, I like to think she is telling me that she is enjoying her new learning 😊.

What it really tells me is that the exercises and management we have introduced are working, Dottie is slowly learning to let go of her stress.



https://thedogwithin.co.uk/behaviour-support-1

19/03/2025

Does Your Rescue Dog React To Family Members?

I began working with overseas rescue Bruno a few weeks ago. Although Bruno has been in his home for some time he is still learning to navigate life.

While he’s fine with his male guardian on walks, indoors is a different story—being in a confined space makes him feel trapped, with no easy escape.

Our first step? Strengthening his cues! Bruno is practicing his ‘wait’ cue off-lead with his female guardian, building trust and communication.

In time these familiar cues will be used to help Bruno feel more confident and connected with his male guardian.



https://thedogwithin.co.uk/rescue-dogs

What Is Habitual Behaviour?Habitual behaviour in dogs is when they repeat certain actions automatically, often without t...
18/03/2025

What Is Habitual Behaviour?

Habitual behaviour in dogs is when they repeat certain actions automatically, often without thinking. These behaviours form through repetition and can be triggered by specific cues in their environment.

For example, a dog that barks at people walking past its home isn’t necessarily making a conscious decision to bark—it’s a habit that has been practiced and reinforced over time
Some habits are useful, like your dog sitting before a visitor greets them, while other habits such as jumping up at visitors isn’t so welcome. By managing their environment, offering distractions, and adjusting routines, we can help changes unwanted habits and replace them with new habits which work better for everyone.

Dottie spent her days wired, racing from the front door to the back, triggered by the slightest movement outside. She was so over her threshold that she could not respond to new learning.

Simple management – by removing the visual triggers (closing the blinds) immediately switched off Dottie’s heightened arousal which meant we could begin introducing new habits.

Recognising when a behaviour has grown from habit helps determine what is the best way to change things.

Relaxing in the warmth of the sun without a care in the world ☀️ Are your dogs sun- lovers too?
18/03/2025

Relaxing in the warmth of the sun without a care in the world ☀️
Are your dogs sun- lovers too?

Dogs grieve much like we do, understand and supporting that grief helps them find their way again. Thank you to Isla’s f...
18/03/2025

Dogs grieve much like we do, understand and supporting that grief helps them find their way again.

Thank you to Isla’s family for the great review 🧡

Rebuilding Confidence – For Both Ends of the Lead 💛It’s not always easy to regain confidence once it’s lost. And as huma...
15/03/2025

Rebuilding Confidence – For Both Ends of the Lead 💛

It’s not always easy to regain confidence once it’s lost. And as humans, the way we cope with challenges can unintentionally affect our dogs' behaviour.

Last week, I had my final session with Bodhi, I'm pleased to say that over the weeks we have seen a real change in his behaviour.

Bodhi's progress wasn’t just about teaching him new skills or helping him make better choices—it was also about rebuilding his guardian’s confidence in him.

I’m so pleased to say that Bodhi and his guardian are back on track, enjoying life together again. Their journey has been about more than behaviour; it’s been about trust, connection, and growth - for both of them. 💛

Address

Reigate Road
Gatwick
RH60AR

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+447867802561

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