Experienced, qualified, insured ethically-based Dog Behaviour Practitioner. Committed to continuous professional development
In-person & remote support available for reactive behaviours
Separation Anxiety Programs covered remotely across UK with me, a Certified Separation Anxiety Professional
Reactive Rascals Instructor, Dog Training College
Approved Dog Trainer, Dog Training College
Aggressive Dog Masterclass with Michael Shikashio
+ much more professional certificates on dog behaviour.
02/11/2024
Help your pets feel safe and calm this Firework Season by tuning in to Classic FM.
Stay safe.
For the pets and owners who find fireworks season distressing, try our radio sanctuary: Classic FM’s Pet Classics. 🐾
On Saturday 2 and Tuesday 5 November from 5-9pm, join us for soothing classical music and practical tips from RSPCA (England & Wales).
Just tell your smart speaker to “play Classic FM” or listen on . 🎶
01/07/2024
It's time for a quick update on some of the dogs I've been working with these last few months. From separation anxiety, reactivity to other dogs, barking at TVs, barking in home at passer-bys, loose lead walking, resource guarding, recall, to preparing for being a therapy support dog. Pawsitive Mutts supports you and your dog using ethical methods and transferring knowledge and skills to you, the guardian.
If your looking for support reach out, bookings are being taken for August 24.
22/04/2024
Today I had a lovely update re Penny the lurcher who exhibited sleep startle aggression. The update melted my heart and epitomises what I always seek to support and achieve as a behaviour practitioner:
🐾safe, happy environments for dogs;
🐾safe, happy environments for people and
🐾building trusted, meaningful relationships
I wanted to share with you the lovely words I received from Janis following our work together. We ensured management was in place to keep Janis safe, we worked on behaviour modification and predictable "safety cues" for Penny and we built in lots of positive reinforcement. Penny no longer displays growling and snarling but instead anticipates good things upon waking instead of "danger".
"Penny is no longer showing growling and snarling behaviour, I'm no longer nervous of her and she's settled with me. That of course means that we have a much better relationship". ~Janis. ❣️
If you are struggling with your dog's behaviour and want to learn more about how to address this with kind, ethical methods that meet the needs of your dog and build strong, trusted relationships why not contact me.
02/04/2024
We are taking a little time off this week following the passing of our beautiful old boy Dude. Grief is inevitable when there is love, and he was truly loved and a huge part of our family.
If you have contacted me and are awaiting a response, please bear with me, I will be in touch soonest.
In the words of Rumi
"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation". ❣️
Thanks go to Heavenly Pets Crematorium for their professional and compassionate service. 🙏
09/01/2024
Let's start 2024 with a quick showcase of just some of the wonderful BIG dogs I worked with towards the back end of the year, plus a little one snook in there too!
For those looking for behavioural or general obedience support with their dogs, big or small, I'm here! I offer in-person as well as remote one-to-one behavioural support covering, but not limited to:
From supercharging recall to scentwork and confidence building, there really is so much you can achieve with your dog through the power of play with Tug-E-Nuff toys.
Full transparency: I do earn a small commission from any purchases, but you pay no more and I’d recommend them even if I didn’t!
So why not take a look at what they have to offer and supercharge your play this year!
Take 20% off when you buy 2 or more Tug-E-Nuff toys
24/12/2023
To clients old, new and future, I wish you all a very happy holiday and best wishes for 2024!
12/12/2023
Can you offer this boy a forever home before the XL bully ban comes into play? Unfortunately, after the 31st December '23 it will not be possible to re-home, sell or transfer ownership of XL bully "type" dogs (government legislation) and so time is of the essence to help him find his forever home.
If you feel you are able to offer this boy a safe future please contact Maxi's Mates Rescue & Rehoming Centre, Dunsdale directly - you will be required to have a home check and any adopter will need to comply with the new legislation re XL bullies which can be found on the government website.
We have more than 250 people booked onto this Zoom chat already but we do still have more spaces available. Please sign up using the link below and we will send you a link. Our panel will aim to answer as many of your questions as possible and we can confirm it will consist of:-
Trevor Cooper : Solicitor
Mel Rushmore & Andrea Phillips : Deed Not Breed
Michelle Ikin : Dog Warden
Mike Webb : Battersea Dogs' & Cats Home
Thanks to everyone who is giving up their time for free to help with this important event. The panel won't necessarily have all the answers but will give you their best guess of what is likely to happen based on their experience.
If you are unable to attend, we will aim to upload a recording onto YouTube next week.
Randell the rescue lurcher and his guardians enjoying a "non-eventful" walk. This is what dog reactive progress looks like - well done to Randell's guardians for all their hard work.
Note Randells relaxed walk at a distance he is comfortable with.
21/09/2023
Just a few of photos of some of the dogs I've recently been working with on a 1-1 basis across a range of differing behaviours, including:
*Dog-to-dog reactivity
*Nervous of strangers
*Aversion to handling, i.e. physical examination/grooming/vet checks
If you're struggling with your dog's behaviour I offer 1-1 behavioural support, based on ethical methods, with the emphasis on giving you the skills you need to succeed.
03/09/2023
Happy dog, happy guardian.
Dancer's guardian came to me recently for support with her Separation-Related Behaviours. Unfortunately, a change in circumstances has meant that Dancer struggles to be left home alone and she paced, whined and chewed at the door frames. This is certainly not uncommon for dogs that previously had someone around for the majority of the time and then don't - its a huge change for them.
I had some lovely feedback following our initial consultation assessment (thank you Simon Rooney 🙏):
"It's only been a few days but already Dancer is making noticeable improvement. I cannot believe how something so simple has made such a difference".
It's really what this is all about, giving solutions and support to clients to help their dog. It's about making things achievable, breaking things down into achievable steps not only for the dog but for the guardian too - that's what gets us results.
If your dog is struggling with separation-related behaviours why not reach out to me, I'm a Certified Separation Anxiety Professional and use only proven, ethical-based techniques - taking the guesswork out of what to do.
26/08/2023
Here's Gorgeous Glen practicing how to be chilled on guardians departures...just a little snapshot of one of his warmup steps leading to his bigger target durations. No sound on this, but his guardians are using a "predictable" cue to inform him they are leaving but that it doesn't involve him on this occasion - he has the choice to move around if he wants to. He is awake - watch those eyebrows moving and he's watching and listening to all that's going on.
Glen was struggling with his guardians departures since they all moved home and we are helping him remember that he doesn't need to worry - he had no issues in his previous home so this is literally a "reset" program for him. He's been acing his "homework" and building his target durations of his guardians departure with ease (so much ease that I had his guardians check on him through the window during one of our review sessions as I thought the camera had frozen he was that chilled out! 😎🤣) and we now able to reintroduce some of the predeparture cues that we know add that bigger ask of him. Go Glen❣️
26/08/2023
In 2019 I had the pleasure of working with Benn (rear) to help with his separation anxiety. Having had success with this, his guardian has now adopted another handsome lad, Hughie (front) and they are best buddies - happy days!
Hughie, is nervous of human strangers and uses avoidance tactics, hiding or moving away to help him cope. Around strange dogs (those outside of his trusted circle), that nervousness can be displayed as a growl to move the other dog away from him.
It's a work in progress - feedback to date is that Hughie is progressing nicely and has some predictable pattern games to support him in moving past other dogs calmly and is also building up trust with strangers following my recommendations.
26/08/2023
This little girl recently joined me to work on her Resource Guarding those "treasured" items she acquires - be that a feather, stone or perhaps a stolen toilet roll!
When we work resource guarding it's always key that we approach this with management and safety at the forefront for the guardian and to build up the trust of the dog to relinquish items without feeling threatened or feeling that they have lost out. It is always worth noting too that the approach to a dog who is resource guarding as well as the length of time they have had the item plays a huge factor in the dog being able to willingly relinquish and so how we build up dogs' trust to relinquish is always based on achievable wins for the dog and ALWAYS safety for people involved.
A successful resource-guarding approach is to help the dog feel comfortable around things it perceives as being valuable and being able to relinquish without feeling conflict or challenge.
If you are struggling with your dog's resource guarding and need help to resolve, drop me a line. Bookings now available from October '23.
14/08/2023
Look at that face! Gorgeous Glenn is a dog I already personally know - super chilled, well behaved, great social skills and no previous issues being left home when guardians depart. So your probably wondering why he needs my help.
Unfortunately the last couple of months have been a bit of a struggle for him - he moved home with his guardians and dog buddies at the end of last year and since the disruption of the house move he's struggled to settle when his guardians depart.
It's not uncommon for dogs to be a bit out of sorts following change to their routine and/or environment, like house moves, so his guardians contacted me to help. We are giving him the support he needs so he can once again understand that being home without his guardians isn't something to worry or feel he's missing out. Just a little "reset" button so to speak for this lovely chap and I have faith that he'll soon be looking forward to the peace and quiet of his owners departure 😉 and snoozing on the sofa with his dog buddies once again.
14/08/2023
I recently had the pleasure to work with this lovely girl and her guardian. What a beautiful girl she was: excellent general obedience, super body language skills and her general demeanour is impeccable. What she can struggle with a little is some strangers getting into her and her guardians space. We have some nice simple strategies in place to help her feel safeness and to build trusted associations. She and her guardian absolutely aced our session and have taken the learning and are putting it into place. What a super dog 😍.
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To clients old, new and future, I wish you all a very happy holiday and best wishes for 2024!
Randell the rescue lurcher and his guardians enjoying a "non-eventful" walk. This is what dog reactive progress looks like - well done to Randell's guardians for all their hard work.
Note Randells relaxed walk at a distance he is comfortable with.
Here's Gorgeous Glen practicing how to be chilled on guardians departures...just a little snapshot of one of his warmup steps leading to his bigger target durations. No sound on this, but his guardians are using a "predictable" cue to inform him they are leaving but that it doesn't involve him on this occasion - he has the choice to move around if he wants to. He is awake - watch those eyebrows moving and he's watching and listening to all that's going on.
Glen was struggling with his guardians departures since they all moved home and we are helping him remember that he doesn't need to worry - he had no issues in his previous home so this is literally a "reset" program for him. He's been acing his "homework" and building his target durations of his guardians departure with ease (so much ease that I had his guardians check on him through the window during one of our review sessions as I thought the camera had frozen he was that chilled out! 😎🤣) and we now able to reintroduce some of the predeparture cues that we know add that bigger ask of him. Go Glen❣️
Well hello Hugo!
This gorgeous boy recently joined me. All he wanted to do was say a massive "hello!" but he doesn't realise his strength and size.
We have a plan in place to build in engagement back to his guardians and building on calm "hello's" to people and dogs.
What a great first session with this chap. I'm looking forward to seeing his progress.
Thank you Jennifer Vural for working with me 🤩
To all my clients and followers and those who have supported me this year, thank you, and I wish you all a very happy holiday break. I'll be picking back up in the New Year.....see you then!
Viv, Pawsitive Mutts 🐾
Hattie joined me 4 sessions ago and has totally aced her foundation skills including focus to guardian, loose leash walking (gone is the pulling, zigzagging trip hazard) as well as establishing some great recall....in fact, her recall in low distraction areas was so good that we raised the ask by introducing more distractions (I know I sprung this challenge on you Joy and pushed you a little out of your comfort zone 😉😁!!)....another easy 'win' for Hattie to show off what she can do having gotten all the foundation skills in place! 🎉🐾
#ethicaldogtraining #fundogtraining #redcardogtraining #dogbehaviourtraining #dogbehaviour
Brain game activity.....
Who said training had to be hard work....
Barney is pleased that his separation anxiety training incorporates some engaging sniff, find and eat activities between his training tasks.
Work hard, play hard, it's a dog's life 🤗
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About me...
You get the dog you need, not necessarily the dog you were expecting, or the one you imagined. These challenges help us grow, help us improve to become better guardians of our dogs, and better people.
My name is Viv Peel and my journey began over 15 years ago in rescuing and rehabilitating dogs. Having successfully rehabilitated large adult mastiffs with unknown backgrounds and an unsettled hand-reared mongrel pup, my husband and I decided to rescue a 5-month old ‘butter-wouldn’t melt’ Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I’d unknowingly been thrown my biggest challenge to date and a blessing in disguise. I soon discovered that the rescued staffy suffered from extreme separation anxiety, self-mutilated, was a prolific spinner, got frustrated in new situations, was lead reactive, had a fear of noises including the tv, vacuum, kitchen blender, diy, and was extremely stressed around dogs owing to a lack of structured socialisation and exposure to the big wide world. If that wasn’t enough he also had several allergies to be managed. I was determined to make his life better and provide him with the skills to cope with everyday life, and that is what I did, with patient, consistent and methodical behaviour modification, with love and management. My life was changed forever, I knew I’d found my purpose .......dog training and behaviour management.
To compliment over 15-years of experience, I am currently studying a 2-year Advanced Canine Behaviour Diploma and over the course of the last year I have been working on a 1-1 basis with a number of people who have approached me requesting help to address varying issues with their pet dogs. This has ranged from recall training to lead reactivity, biting and anxiety, to advice on how to train a deaf dog. I have also volunteered at a local obedience dog training class.
I have the skills, knowledge and experience to help dog guardians, be it general obedience skills, addressing more complex issues such as fear, anxiety, reactivity etc., or to give you the skills and confidence to manage your dog. I understand on an emotional level what it is like to own ‘challenging’ dogs. I know first-hand the frustrations you are faced with and the feeling of dispair, anguish, embarrassment, helplessness and sadness you may go through and how to manage this. Sometimes we all need a little help to get us on the way - some people are fortunate in that they happen to get a ‘perfect’ dog without doing, or doing very little training, whereas others are presented with more ‘challenging’ dogs, or need some help to get started. So, whether you are a first-time dog guardian needing some skills to get you and your dog started off on a happy partnership, or whether you need some help to address some issues you are experiencing and feel a little overwhelmed, get in touch. In the words of C.S Lewis “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending” and I think that’s a good philosophy to have towards managing your dog’s behaviour.
My training methods are based on teaching the dog to make the right choices by rewarding the behaviours we want and by putting in place structured training and techniques to manage and address issues without subjecting the dog to unnecessary stress or force. I am committed to ensuring you, as the guardian of your dog, have the skills and confidence to learn and develop alongside your dog and to enjoy a lifelong partnership together.
