Ulrika Marwick - Canine Calmness Coach

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Ulrika Marwick - Canine Calmness Coach

I help dog mums calm their reactive dogs with my unique holistic method of training & diet. Or do you feel anxious about inviting people over for coffee?

Do you feel a pit in your stomach every time a person or dog appears in the distance on your walk? You might distract your dog with every trick in the book, but still know that the explosion will happen as soon as you get closer. Do you feel more and more isolated, and that every visit is one big stress for you and your dog? I am a dog mum (and a human mum too) and I understand how it feels to be

stuck in a daily spiral of shame and frustration over your dog’s behavior. I’ve been there myself, but there is hope, I promise! Here, we do things differently from other trainers. So, if you’re ready for something different and innovative, you’re in the right place! Best of all, all coaching is done via zoom so you can see fast results at home or on the daily walk, where you really want your dog to change their behavior.

28/02/2025

What side of your dog do you wish the world could see?

It's easy to label dogs, but your dog is so much more than reactive. Comment what you wish others could see in your dog. 👇

My Stella really loved playing with other dogs, which was something you couldn't believe when she was on a lead. She had so many doggy friends, and it was amazing to see how much fun she had with them.

10/02/2025

Help! My dog is eating stones, soil, or licking furniture? 👅

Have you ever noticed your dog eating or licking strange things like stones, soil, or even the furniture? While it might seem like odd behaviour, it could be your dog’s way of signalling that something isn’t quite right. 😔

My dog Bruce gets sick sometimes and when he does, he will eat anything to try to relieve that pain. He has eaten parts of socks, chewed and eaten parts of our rug, and of course any grass he sees. It’s really sad to see him so uncomfortable, but luckily I know that it will pass, and I know how to support his gut so it doesn’t happen that often.

👉 This condition is called Pica, and it refers to dogs eating non-food items. It’s not uncommon, but it’s important to understand why it’s happening so you can address the underlying cause.

In my new blog post, we’ll explore the potential reasons behind this behaviour, and I’ll give you practical steps to help your dog. Comment PICA or 👅 and I’ll send you the link.

29/01/2025

Ask me anything!

Post your dog question in the comments below, and I’ll answer as soon as I can. 😊👇

27/01/2025

How to remove (or reduce) ‘energy vampires’ from your life 🧛‍♂️

A family member of mine are just so extremely negative all the time. Every time you leave a conversation with them, I feel drained of energy. This is an energy sucker. They make every conversation all about them and rarely listen to what you have to say. 😩

It’s exhausting, right? But you don’t have to let them drain your energy any longer. Here are three ways to remove or reduce them from your life:

1. Set Clear Boundaries 🚧
Politely but firmly define your limits. Let them know what kind of interaction you’re willing to engage in. It’s OK to step back from spending time with people that only leave you feeling drained. You deserve to protect your mental space!

2. Limit Your Exposure ⏳
If avoiding them completely isn’t possible, try to reduce the time you spend with them. Aim for quality over quantity. A short, focused interaction is better than long, draining conversations. Set a timer if you need to.

3. Seek Positive Connections 🌟
Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. Build a network of positive, encouraging individuals who energise you rather than deplete you. A 3 to 1 ratio is the best. Sometimes, the best way to reduce negativity is to fill your circle with positivity.

Take these steps to create a more balanced, positive life for yourself. You’ve deserve to surround yourself with people who respect and energise you. 🙌💪

Tag someone who needs to hear this today, or share your own tips for dealing with energy suckers below! 👇

22/01/2025

Golden Paste: A Natural Boost for Your Dog’s Health 🫚

The more I learn about dog food and dog health, the more curious I get. Two of my greatest teachers on this subject, Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib, have long shared amazing tips on how to improve your dog’s health. One ingredient that keeps popping up in their recipes is turmeric. That’s why I decided to investigate this golden herb a bit more to figure out, why is it so great? 🤷‍♀️

Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound renowned for its medicinal properties. Here are some of the ways it can benefit your dog:

👉 Reduce Inflammation: Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, making it ideal for dogs with arthritis or joint pain.

👉 Supports Digestive Health: Turmeric stimulates bile production, aiding fat digestion and promoting a healthy gut.

👉 Natural Pain Relief: For dogs experiencing pain from injuries or chronic conditions like arthritis, curcumin’s natural pain-relieving properties can provide much-needed relief without the side effects of conventional painkillers.

Turmeric on its own is incredible, but if you combine it with coconut oil and black pepper, it becomes a superfood for your dog. Making Golden Paste at home is simple, affordable, and requires just a few ingredients.

Comment PASTE or 🫚and I’ll send you the recipe 👇

17/01/2025

Is your dog a funny sleeper?
Dog’s can looks super cute but also so funny when they sleep. How does your dog sleep?

🐸 Frog legs stretched behind them?
↪️ Sideways C shaped?
🔄 Upside down?
🎾 Curled up in a ball?

Comment a picture or emoji below to show how your dog loves to sleep! 👇

15/01/2025

Have you had a bad day this week and felt completely overwhelmed by your dog and your life in general? I’ve been there! I’m exhausted and feel quite a lot of mum guilt from working so much. 😔

Comment 😨 below if you feel the same, and I’ll send you a blog post that you have to read right now!

13/01/2025

🦴The Best Bone Broth Recipe for Your Dog
Once I worked with a dog that was incredibly picky. So picky, she didn’t want to eat her food. 😔 I suggested adding bone broth to her food and she started eating again.

Bone broth is an excellent, nutrient-rich addition to your dog's diet. Not only does it support joint health and improve digestion, it can also boost your dog’s immune system. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to tempt picky eaters to enjoy their meals. With just a few added ingredients, it becomes a supercharged, healthy treat for your dog!

Here’s an easy bone broth recipe adapted from The Forever Dog Life by Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker.

Ingredients:
👉 1.3 kg (about 3 pounds) of any bones (chicken, marrow, knuckle/joint bones, etc.)
👉 2–2.5 litres of water
👉 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
🌟Optional for joints: Decaf green tea or turmeric
🌟Optional: A piece of backstrap, joint bones, chicken, or duck feet (high in collagen for a gelatinous broth)

How to Make It:
🥘 Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Place the bones in a slow cooker. Add backstrap or chicken/duck feet if you’re using them. Pour in enough filtered water to just cover the contents by 1–2 cm, and add the apple cider vinegar.

🥘 Step 2: Start Cooking
Cook on medium-high heat for one hour, then reduce to low. Keep a very gentle boil—only occasional small bubbles should appear. If cooking on low and slow, evaporation should be minimal. If the liquid reduces too much, add more water and lower the heat.

🥘 Step 3: Strain and Store
Once the broth has cooled, discard all bones and strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into clean glass containers. This removes any small splintered bones. Skim and discard the fat layer before freezing or serving.

TIP! Store the bone broth in ice cube trays for easy feeding.

🕓 Cooking Times: Chicken bones: 24 hours. Dense bones (beef, lamb): 48 hours.

Serving Suggestions
Serve the broth warm or cold over your dog’s regular food or on its own as a tasty treat. Start with a small amount, one tsp and add more if your dog likes it. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.

Save this recipe for the future. 🏷️

08/01/2025

Common signs that your dog’s stress cup needs emptying 🪣

The stress cup is a metaphor for how dogs (and humans!) accumulate stress throughout the day. Imagine a cup that slowly fills up with every stressful experience—big or small.

Without enough rest or recovery time, your dog’s stress cup never fully empties, making it easier for it to overflow again and again. This is why managing your dog’s stress every day is essential for their well-being and for progressing their training.

Here are a few common signs that your dog’s stress cup needs emptying:

✅ Easily scared: Your dog might react more intensely if spooked.

✅ Has a hard time getting comfortable and sleep during the day: You might see your dog change positions and never get to that deep sleep.

✅ Is more suspicious than normal: Your dog might bark more often at noises or people they usually ignore.

✅ Goes from 0-100 when seeing a trigger: Your dog has zero thinking time between seeing a trigger to reacting.

✅ Reacts to noises: Sleeps with “one ear open” and jumps up as soon as they hear a noise outside the house.

✅ Doesn’t like being touched, or doesn’t have time to cuddle: Might not feel comfortable when you try to handle or touch your dog.

These are a few, but remember that every dog is different and the only way you will ever know what your dog’s stress signs are is to empty their stress cup and see what behaviours improves or goes away. These are your dog’s stress signs.

If you want to learn more about the stress cup and get my top tips for helping your dog stay calm, klick the link below to read my blog post: 👇

https://ulrikamarwick.com/the-stress-cup-all-reactive-dog-owners-should-know-this/

31/12/2024

Did you know fermented vegetables can calm your reactive dog? 🥬

You probably know that your dog’s diet can play a crucial role in their behaviour. If your dog is reactive, stressed, or anxious, incorporating fermented vegetables into their meals might just be the game-changer you’ve been searching for!

In recent years, there’s been a growing understanding of the importance of gut health—not just for physical well-being, but also for mental health. This connection, often referred to as the gut-brain axis, is particularly relevant in both humans and dogs. A healthy gut can influence emotional balance, stress responses, and in turn overall behaviour. If your dog isn’t feeling great, they won’t behave well either.

In my latest blog post, I explore the fascinating connection between gut health and mental well-being in dogs, supported by recent studies. You’ll also find a simple, step-by-step recipe for making your own fermented vegetables at home—perfect for both you and your dog!

Comment 🥬 and I will send you the link in your DMs!

27/12/2024

🌱 This algae is a fantastic addition to your dog's diet!

After Christmas, when your dog may have tried a little too much Christmas food, it's perfect to introduce my favourite supplement for natural detoxification: Chlorella!

Did you know that Chlorella, a nutrient-dense freshwater algae, is packed with essential nutrients and detoxifying properties and this is an excellent way to support your dog’s health as you kick off the new year.

The Benefits of Chlorella for Dogs:

🫶 Detoxification Support:
Chlorella binds heavy metals and toxins, helping your dog’s body detox naturally and efficiently. This is especially helpful if your dog eats dry food or if you use chemicals to clean your home.

🫶 Rich in Minerals:
It’s an excellent source of iron, magnesium, and zinc, all of which support your dog's immune system, muscle health, and overall vitality. I use it in many of my raw food recipes because it’s so great.

🫶 Boosts Energy and Recovery:
Thanks to its high chlorophyll content, chlorella promotes oxygen transport in the body, aiding energy production and faster recovery.

🫶 Supports Gut Health:
Chlorella is packed with fibre and prebiotics that promote a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for digestion and immunity.

🫶 Soothes Arthritis Pain:
Chlorella may help reduce joint inflammation, thanks to its rich lycopene content, a natural antioxidant shown to combat inflammation in studies. It also contains omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation, making it a great supplement for dogs with arthritis.

How to Serve 🥣
Chlorella is available in powder or tablet form. I recommend the powder for dogs because it’s easy to mix with food, water, or a little yoghurt if needed. Start with a small amount (a pinch of powder or part of a tablet) mixed into your dog's meals. Gradually increase to about 50 mg per 25 lbs of body weight. Always introduce new supplements slowly and consult your vet if your dog has any health concerns.

Have you tried adding Chlorella to your dog’s diet? Comment below if you have questions or want to share your experience! 💚

23/12/2024

Show me the cutest Christmas photo of your dog in the comments below 🎄🎅🐕

Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas with your dogs!

19/12/2024

The step that most owners miss when introducing your dog to a new place! 🐕

Whether your dog is excited or scared, it’s important to introduce new environments in a way that builds calmness and confidence.

Here is the first and the most important step, that many miss, when introducing their dog to a new environment.

If you’re taking your dog to a new place, I assume you have a car. If not, you can do this just outside your home or even in your hallway. The goal is to get your dog comfortable with glimpses of the new environment and to teach them that calmness is what we want.

Begin with the car doors closed, offering your dog a lick mat or Kong while they listen to and maybe see a little of the new place. When they’re comfortable with this set up, you can open the front door to let in more sound, and eventually, the boot so they can see what’s happening around them. When the Kong/lick mat is done, close the doors and drive away.

💡Top Tip: Park with the boot facing the calmest part of the area, like bushes or a wall, rather than a busy car park.

This step might take some time, so make it a habit to hang out in different environments for 5–10 minutes whenever you take your dog in the car.

Step 2 is getting out of the car, and you can read all about this step and the last step, to start walking, in my blog post by commenting 🚗 below.

11/12/2024

How to Stay Calm When Others Don’t Respect Your Space on Walks 😇

Have you ever been on a walk with your reactive dog doing everything right and feeling like your training is finally working, only to have your hopes shattered by someone ignoring your need for space?

“He’s friendly!”, is a common line that many of us has heard as a dog is running towards us. Maybe your dog reacts, and instead of giving you room, the other person walks straight towards you, oblivious or uncaring about your struggles. We’ve all been there. 🤬

I once walked an extremely aggressive terrier that had to be walked with a muzzle, and even when I screamed “he will bite your dog” people let their dogs run up to him.

It’s easy to feel angry or frustrated in these moments, and let’s be honest, we all have felt like screaming some bad words! But while it’s natural to feel that way, focusing on others’ behaviour isn’t productive for you or your dog.

In my new blog post, we’ll explore why letting go of that frustration is key and focus on what you can control to set both you and your dog up for success. And you will get hands-on tools that you can start practising today.

Comment 😡 and I’ll send you the link!

04/12/2024

Does your dog’s reactions sometimes feel unpredictable or intense? 🤷‍♀️

The answer might lie in what I call the “stress cup.” Understanding this simple concept can transform how you support your reactive dog. ☕️

Many owners that get in touch with me are understandably upset about their dog’s behaviour. I was too when I first got a reactive dog. We all focus on managing visible behaviours like barking, lunging, or pulling.

But did you know that these reactions are often the result of a “full stress cup”? The stress cup, as I call it, is a simple way to visualise how daily events and challenges accumulate, affecting your dog’s behaviour and emotional well-being. By understanding how stress builds and what happens when the cup overflows, you can take proactive steps to help your dog feel calmer and more balanced.

In my new blog post, you will learn why a full stress cup is bad, and you also will get a few tips to start draining your dog’s stress cup today.

Comment “CUP” and I’ll send you the link

27/11/2024

Do you have more than one dog? 🐕🐩🐕🐩
I get it. It is hard to walk multiple dogs if one, or more, are reactive.

Years ago when Stella was still around it was a nightmare! 😔

Stella was reactive to dogs and Bruce to people, so it felt like we couldn't go anywhere.
One day, I had had enough and decided to implement more separate walks, so I could have full focus on the dog I was walking.

I’m not going to lie, it was HARD in the beginning. I left Stella at home with a Kong and when I was leaving the house with Bruce I heard the howls and barks from Stella. And bear in mind, neither of them ever had separation issues. But still… It was hard. So the first time I just walked out the door and in again. And kept doing this every day for a few weeks. Slowly but surely they adapted and started eating their Kongs and stayed calm. I increased the time slowly, and finally they couldn’t care less if I walked the other dog without them.

This changes EVERYTHING because now I could focus on the dog in front of me and make sure I set up the walk so he/she would succeed. An added bonus was that both dogs became more flexible. Stella hurt her back one time and had to stay home, resting for 3 weeks and me going for walks with Bruce, leaving her at home didn’t bother her because we had practised this very thing. . 💪

I know it will be hard in the beginning, but separate walks are AMAZING for your dogs’ flexibility and yours and your dog’s stress levels. So I would really consider it if you have a multi-dog household and your dogs do not have separation anxiety.

If you’ve got any questions at all, just comment below.👇

22/11/2024

Have you every been curious about using essential oils, herbs, and waters to calm your stressed dog? 🌱

Imagine your dog choosing the remedies they need without any help—empowering, right? This is the essence of zoopharmacognosy! Through safe exposure to natural options like herbs and essential oils, you let your dog guide their own healing journey, instinctively selecting what will support their body and mind.

These natural remedies can help with issues like skin discomfort, digestion issues, pain, and anxiety. Plus, this natural approach can often reduce the need for medications.

🤷‍♀️ How do you start?
Try offering your dog a few natural substances and see how they respond—you may be surprised by their instincts! Remember, healing starts with trust, and trusting your dog’s natural ability to choose what’s best for them is the first step.

Ready to explore zoopharmacognosy with your dog?
Comment ZOO below and I’ll send you my blog post where you will find my top 5 recommended oils, herbs and waters to start with. 👇

08/11/2024

Did you know that green tea might be a natural way to help your dog relax? 🫖🍃

The magic lies in L-theanine, an amino acid found naturally in Camellia sinensis (green tea) and widely used in calming supplements for both people and dogs. This powerful compound helps balance serotonin and dopamine levels, easing anxiety and promoting calm focus. It even lowers cortisol, the body’s stress hormone!

And here’s a bonus—studies show L-theanine may also support brain health in older dogs, helping with mild cognitive issues as they age. 💚 Adding a touch of green tea to your dog’s food can be a natural mood and brain boost.

In a 2010 study, dogs with noise phobia were given either behaviour therapy alone or therapy combined with L-theanine. Both groups showed reduced signs of anxiety, but the L-theanine group saw additional improvements like reduced drooling, panting, vocalizing, and compulsive behaviours.

Want to help your dog feel calmer and more focused? Try green tea as a natural, affordable L-theanine source!

Note: Be sure to find a decaffeinated green tea.

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