5
Times a week
You've apologised for your reactive dog lunging and barking at another dog/person
3
Times a month
Some helpful person has offered you unwanted 'advice' about your dog.
100%
Of the time
You'd love for other people to see the goofy dog you see at home.
24/7
Every Day
You worry that somehow this is your fault and you're failing your dog.
If this sounds familiar...
You are not alone
When you imagined bringing home this puppy, or rescue dog, you had visions of a fun life, taking long walks, playing ball, and maybe going to a café or the beach from time to time.
​
But instead, you feel like you are struggling to hold it together, frustrated at the dog you never signed up for, and a little sad that your whole life feels upside down, right now.
​
The lunging, barking, spinning, nipping. The incessant need to chase traffic or other moving things. The terrified dog who just screams at every other dog in the street. Training your Border Collie was supposed to be easy, right?
​
This is not your fault. There, I said it.
​
You might see other people who look like they've got such well-behaved dogs, walking perfectly, playing and running around with other dogs.
​
Please know that you are not alone. If you were, I wouldn't have a job!
The True Nature Dogs way - a whole dog approach
Welcome! Just like you, I have lived the 'reactive dog' experience. It's how I became a dog trainer!
Every dog is unique, and Border Collies even more so. When people tell you they 'just need a firm hand', or ' more training will fix it', they mean well, but that's never the whole story (oh, and a 'firm hand' never works!).
Reactivity is a label but it's usually a collection of symptoms, rather than a cause. It can be really frustrating when you feel like you've tried everything and get no further forward.
But when you help them feel better on the inside. That's what makes the difference on the outside.
We'll look at your dogs L.E.G.S
As a Certified Family Dog Mediator, I'm equipped to assess all aspects of your life with your dog and then build a plan to support you both.
Learning
The things your dog has learned through training, experiences and socialisation.
​
What kind of training, how they play etc.
Environment
Literally where you live. The dog's home and outside world. Where they sleep, eat, and who lives with them.
​
If you have visitors, how they cope with that.
Genetics
What was your dog's breed originally designed to do?
​
Are any of the behaviours you're seeing likely to be genetic in nature. That doesn't mean I can't help. It just gives us the canvas we're drawing on.
.jpg)
Self
Arguably - the most important! This is where we look at how much sleep, rest, play and enrichment your dog experiences.
​
Hidden pain, tummy issues. Personality, diet and toilet habits. Are they really a quiet soul, or a closet social butterfly who just lacks the skills to say 'hello' properly?
Family Dog Mediator certification: Kim Brophey LEGS & Total Welfare course.
​​​Getting puppy training right from the beginning!
-
Toilet-training, puppy biting, and over-excitement.
-
Loose-lead walking
-
Early recall
-
Chilling out and switching off
-
Early impulse control (patience)
-
Train online or in-person
​​
Reactive to Relationship
in all its forms
1-2-1 specialist dog training online or in-person​​
-
Your dog is losing their mind on walks
-
Every walk is a struggle or fight
-
Lunging, barking at dogs or unfamiliar people
-
​Noises have started to scare them more
-
Over-reacting to nothing at all
Training that works with your dog, not against them
Positive, Ethical, Methods & Breed Knowledge
This means welfare-first.
I have a specific passion for Border Collies, but have spent time making sure I understand many dog breeds, what makes them tick, and all of the behaviours that you might see as a problem in your home.
Commitment to my own Learning
Certified Family Dog Mediator, Diploma Canine Behaviour & Training, Certified Pro Dog Reactivity Specialist, Certified Puppy Start Right Instructor
​
Scotland's ONLY Certified Control Unleashed Instructor
How I learn about your dog
During our time working together, I'll get to understand the whole dog. I work with you to understand what is driving the behaviours you're seeing. Is it prior experiences? Anxiety, fear, frustration? Something in the environment (home, and outside)? Or is it actually their genetics showing in ways you weren't expecting? When we understand why your dog is responding as they are, making things better becomes much easier!
Supporting you AND your dog
I offer a caring and non-judgmental approach because your wellbeing is just as important as your dogs. By understanding you and your needs, I can offer training that is as individual as your dog. No one-size-fits-all approach here!
