Winnie's World Dog Behaviourist

23/11/2025

The most incredible experience free diving with sharks (though less diving and more trying not to drift away in the roughest waters I’ve ever been in) 🦈

And when one decides to bump you when you’re not looking and you can’t walk properly for a few days after, you realise just how powerful they are 😂

Dog content will resume shortly!

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03/11/2025

😰 Lots of dogs are feeling scared and anxious because of ongoing fireworks. But what’s the worst thing you can do if they’re feeling this way? 😰

Ignore them!

Dogs are social animals. A bit of gentle reassurance from us when they need it can really help them get through things. Just like it would help us.

This is Winston during a bad storm. He’s not a dog who seeks out cuddles or anything like that. But he came and stood right by me.

A couple of gentle strokes allowed him to feel better and he eventually settled 🧘

You can’t reinforce an emotion so you can’t reinforce fear.

The only thing you want to be aware of is that you’re not acting panicked as this can heighten a situation or being OTT with your dog when they want some space.

Calm and gentle is key. But there’s no need to ignore them.

16/10/2025

🎆 If your dog is scared of fireworks and seems unsettled for a while afterwards, speak to your vet now 🎆

There are things they can prescribe to help your dog and reduce the chance of a longer lasting issue.

I’ve worked with several dogs this year who had such a bad experience with fireworks that they refused to leave the house for a long time afterwards or became scared of other noises.

So act now and help your dog get through fireworks season better than before!

And don’t take your dog to a fireworks event, walk them when it’s dark or leave them alone when fireworks are going off. It’s just not worth the risk.

04/10/2025

If you’re in Kent and want something to do tomorrow, head over to ’s Canine Carnival. I’ll be answering all your behavioural questions at 12:15 (but be warned. There will be a lot of ‘it depends’ 😂)

And there’s some fun demos and other expert sessions to get involved in.

I won’t be bringing my dog as he’d rather stay at home. So you can absolutely attend without yours!

02/10/2025

After it was way too hot in the summer, looking forward to an autumn event this Sunday! I’ll be chatting all things dog behaviour at 12:15 if you want to come say hi 👋

Lots of other fun things to do as well with or without your dog 🐶

01/10/2025

18/09/2025

Nothing to do with dogs, but just a little palate cleanser and a reminder to enjoy yourself (whether that’s with or without your dog) ⛵️

10/09/2025

If your behaviourist isn’t working with your vet, then you should probably find a new one.

Here are just a few recent cases that have been diagnosed with medical issues after my behavioural observations and discussions with the vet. (To protect my clients’ privacy, the photos aren’t of the actual dogs I’m working with.)

Now treating these problems doesn’t mean the behaviour’s going to disappear completely, though it will almost certainly help (and can save you a lot of time and effort). But we can’t train away pain so that does need to be managed as best as possible before any behavioural plan can work.

06/09/2025

Quick reminder for this Sunday, particularly if you have a noise-sensitive dog or your dog will be in a place where lots of phones may go off at once

JUST A REMINDER…📢 Emergency Alert Test – Sunday 7th September at 3pm

This weekend, the UK emergency alert system will be tested. Every phone will make a loud siren-like noise at 3pm on Sunday 7th September. While it’s just a test for us, for our dogs it can be scary—especially for puppies who have never experienced such a sound, or dogs already sensitive to noise.

🐾 Why this matters for dogs:
• Dogs’ ears are far more sensitive than ours. What feels loud to us can be overwhelming for them.
• Unexpected sounds can trigger fear, startle responses, or even flight behaviour.

💡 What you can do at home:
• Place your phone in another room before 3pm.
• Play calming music or TV to help mask the sound.
• Pair the moment with something positive, like a chew, enrichment game, or gentle play.

☕ If you’re in public (cafes, pubs, parks):
• Remember multiple phones will go off at once.
• Keep your dog safe with a secure flat collar or harness and a fixed lead.
• Be mindful of startle reactions and the risk of bolting.

📱This function can be disabled on your phone in settings.

📋 If your dog struggles with noises:
You don’t need to manage this alone. Seek professional support from a qualified ABT or CAB via the ABTC or APBC registers. They can help you build your dog’s confidence around sounds in a kind, welfare-focused way or investigate further around this issue.

Let’s plan ahead to keep our dogs safe, comfortable, and supported. 💕