The Rescue Dog Trainer

17/07/2023

I travelled all the way to North Lincolnshire to dog sit my favourite Romanian rescue dog Ariel, her brother Apollo and Romanian rescue cat Bella.

I wouldn't usually go too far out of my area due to all the other work I usually have to do and my cat sanctuary, but Ariel holds a special place in my heart after coming to the UK with her siblings and being the only one unhandled at a year old, in foster at the time and extremely nervous.

In 2018 I offered to dog sit overnight for a few nights after doing her initial behavioural assessment to see if I could make progress with touch and friendship and it was a huge success, her foster/rescue family were able to touch her, gain lots of confidence and have a relatively normal dog life thereafter, except going for a walk. Since then I've followed Ariel's life into her new home and she has been a big part of my journey studying Romanian Street Dogs and the inspiration for The Rescue Dog Trainer.

I've loved sitting her, Apollo and Bella, Bella is the sweetest and slept with me most nights, the funniest at tapping her treat tub and announcing her return home with the biggest meow. Walking with Apollo and watching him do zoomie gambols when he has a bit of extra energy and just sitting or playing in the garden with Ariel and enjoying her beautiful company.

Sophie Peacock - Lowhills

25/06/2023

A behaviour consultant was done for the lovely Dotty, a Romanian rescue adopted as a puppy from a shelter who has recently become more reactive to visitors, family members and dogs and people out walking.

After going through Dotty's history and family experiences, I was able to show Dotty that visitors don't have to be such a worry, applying some positive reinforcement and coping mechanisms as well as making sure everyone that enters the house applies by the same rules to help Dotty and also that Dotty is understood in her body language to help with family members reactivity and a few things in place for outside events.

Well done Dotty, she did so well in her training to become less reactive ❤️

14/06/2023

This beauty is called Melody and she's been helping me put together some images and video footage for a new package I'm offering for owners of overseas rescue dogs, nervous and scared dogs. Melody and her owner also get help so it's a win win situation.

Thank you to both for our session the other day and looking forward to getting to know her better.

20/05/2023

It's National Rescue Dog Day! Let's see and celebrate those beautiful pooches!

Here's a few that are looking for homes from my local dog rescue.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=618544380307164&id=100064548225734

15/05/2023

For dog owners of overseas dogs. If you've not seen this page, it's packed with so much information and definitely worth a like.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092373273024

I’m a registered vet nurse wanting to help overseas dog owners and rescuers in the UK navigate Brucella canis. My focus is evidence-based, with a human-animal bond centric approach to One Health committed to full access to vet care for BC+ dogs.

11/05/2023

Any owners with dogs that have resource guarding, ideally South East UK that is currently unable to afford a behaviourist.

Please contact the e-mail in the poster only.

Jo-rosie is a fantastic animal behaviourist and a rare opportunity for someone.

04/05/2023

I'm on the look out for dogs and cats that are displaying fearful or nervous behaviours in the owners home, under foster or rescue centre.

Examples are:

Newly adopted overseas or UK puppy farm dogs and cats
Dogs that are afraid of going outside
Dogs and cats that have yet to leave their pen/crate/den when people are around
Dogs and cats that hide for most of the day
Dogs and cats that are scared of being touched and handled
Dogs fearful of the vets

At this time I'm not looking for dog reactive dogs.

You must be willing to have your animal on video camera and follow instructions on behaviour modification.

Please get in touch at [email protected] with more information about your fearful dog or cat.

Thank you!

26/04/2023

This is Benny and it's his 2nd home after becoming too much for his previous owner, he's only young, just over a year old and under his fear and anxiety is a real sweetheart.

He has lots anxious and fearful behaviours and hasn't seen much of the world so he does lots of barking and whining, lead grabbing, grass grabbing and eating, teeth grinding, lead pulling and resource guarding behaviours.

The video only shows a very small amount of his behaviour but he's seeing his vet soon to go over his health and see if we can get something to help with the anxiety and get on with his rehabilitation.

Let's give lots of love ❤️ for Benny.

20/03/2023

💛 Dogs In Yellow Day 💛

Today is for our beautiful dogs who get

💛 Anxious 💛 Nervous 💛 Need space 💛 In training 💛 Need some space or are 💛 Recovering from surgery.

If you see a dog wearing 🌟 YELLOW 🌟 Please give them space!

I see so many dog owners who have their dogs off lead and unable to recall them.

It could be your "My Dogs Friendly!" dog one day that needs space, so please be a considerate dog owner.

A fantastic resource to go to is My Anxious Dog UK for all your 🌟 YELLOW 🌟 dogs needs.

04/01/2023

In February 2022 I went to Wales to dog sit a Romanian rescue dog who I'd worked with in my local area before the owners moved there. One of the things we hadn't finished working on was getting Zeus in the car. He had a fear of travelling and the car in general and even getting to Wales he needed medication so during my week long stay with him, we worked on being around the car and I'd hoped to try and get him to jump in as our next step before doing things like closing doors and starting the engine.

Sadly, I only got him to jump in once during my stay but a few months on, his owners carried on the training and he finally did it!

Working with Romanian Street dogs and dogs with fear based behaviours need a completely different approach to training and rehabilitation, including force free positive reinforcement training, hence there is no lead, no force and the dog must do it in their own time. Romanian/street dogs are very bright, if you cause them fear or harm in their eyes, it's very difficult to gain that trust again.

19/12/2022

I went to see the beautiful Coco at the weekend to have an in-depth consultation about overseas rescue dogs, reactivity to Labradors and dark coloured dogs, the possible reasons behind chasing and grabbing trouser legs, fearful behaviour, the greeting of visitors, enrichment, teaching alternative behaviours and much much more.

One very lucky dog 🐕 ♥️