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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

London behaviourists

31 replies

Doggiehelp · 06/08/2023 22:08

Struggling with our 3 year old dog right now. She’s absolutely lovely in many ways - calm in the house, super friendly with those she knows, well trained etc. However as she’s aged she has become increasingly reactive and unpredictable.

This is mainly territorial- growling and barking when new people come to the door/into the house (though she calms down quickly). On two occasions when we’ve been out she has air-snapped at strangers if they’ve touched her without warning 😩 - this has always been if we are somewhere new and crowded place (eg a pub) and she’s been on the lead - I think she feels threatened so I’m minimising these situations now. New places and people obviously make her uncomfortable and we have to respect that - I feel like it’s my fault that she was under-socialised in lockdown as a puppy.

It makes me really sad we don’t have a bomb proof dog we can take anywhere… but worrying about new guests coming into the house is obviously a bigger concern and I think we need a behaviourist. Please please can anyone recommend a behaviourist in London or surrounding areas? Thank you.

OP posts:
SquirmOfEels · 06/08/2023 22:14

Whereabouts in London?

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 06/08/2023 22:21

North London. I know Penaran Higgs comes highly recommended but I’m a little concerned that her consulting is done all online (if I’ve understood correctly)…

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Original poster
Doggiehelp · 06/08/2023 22:24

Also, behaviourists aside, I’d love to know if anyone has a similar dog and what helped. It’s almost bizarre because she is so so friendly and cuddly with anyone she ‘knows’ - none of my friends believe me when I say she can be reactive!

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SquirmOfEels · 07/08/2023 07:34

Sorry, I can't help with north London

Have you asked your vet for a recommendation?

Do check that any potential behaviourist/trainer is accredited - this is not the only reputable accreditation body, but I think it's the largest

ABTC – Animal Behaviour & Training Council

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 07/08/2023 08:18

Thank you so much for this - I will search. Yes, I’m aware they need to be highly qualified and there are lots of ‘behaviourists’ out there…

any more recommendations or advice would be much appreciated! Thank you xx

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Bubbleswithsqueak · 07/08/2023 08:22

Not North London, but Adolescent Dogs are absolutely excellent. We did board and train with one of ours - very very expensive, but absolutely worth it. It's not just board and train - they have 'normal' training etc too. They also have a really good online platform that helps to reinforce everything.

Adolescent Dogs | Intensive Dog Training

Dog training packages customised to your dog's unique needs. Residential Dog Training solutions to suit all lifestyles and budgets

https://www.adolescentdogs.com/

IngGenius · 07/08/2023 08:45

Do not let "only working on line" put your off. For behaviourists it has been a real help to not be in the situation as just being there can alter the dogs behaviour. You will get as good results through online as face to face.

Penaran Higgs would be a good place to start

List of London qualified Behaviourists

You searched for - APBC

https://www.apbc.org.uk/search/?geodir_search=1&stype=gd_place&s=+&snear=london&spost_category%5B%5D=&sort_by=&sgeo_lat=51.5073359&sgeo_lon=-0.12765

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 07/08/2023 08:49

Thanks @Bubbleswithsqueak . Great to hear you had a good experience with them. I will have a thorough look, though at a quick first glance they look a bit more focused on training rather than helping with psychological issues?

I know the two go hand in hand to an extent, but I think problem is very much how to manage her anxiety around new people and places and particularly when new people come into our house - so I think someone who can come to our home would be more helpful than residential training? I will look properly though! Thanks again

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Original poster
Doggiehelp · 07/08/2023 08:54

@IngGenius - thank you. In person appeals because the behaviourist will be able to see how our dog behaves around new people and also the slightly quirky layout of our house 😂 A lot of advice recommends putting dogs behind baby gates when guests arrive until they feel comfortable, but it’s not possible in our home…

I have heard that Penaran is amazing though so perhaps I shouldn’t let this put me off. Has anyone on here used her?

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IngGenius · 07/08/2023 09:15

Trust me the behaviourists will probabaly not want to see the behaviour.

They dont like to put dogs in situations that they find hard. They will be very aware of the behaviour though (and will have seen it a million times before!)

You could if you want to video the behaviour BUT again do not put the dog in a stressful situation just to get the video.

Bubbleswithsqueak · 07/08/2023 09:20

@Doggiehelp They are qualified behaviourists (CAPBT and ICAN) and have specific programmes for reactive dogs. They work on both - the dog's psychology and your relationship/training with them. I guess they see the two things as going hand in hand. I don't think there's ever a quick fix, but we have been working with our dog for about 10 months since his residential stay and life is SOOOO much better!

wetotter · 07/08/2023 09:25

They will want to see the dog's behaviour, and the layout of the home.

Agree that they won't want to upset the dog by seeing the circumstances which highly stress them, but they will want to see how the owner and the dog interact in a variety of circumstances (do they spot other subtler signs elsewhere, that the owners might have missed?) And if it's something daily/inescapable (like callers at the door) they may as well see exactly what's going on. And once the dog is showing improvement then (carefully) introducing circumstances that had been stressful will extend the training.

I don't think residential training is a good idea for a family pet. Not least because a lot of what they do is teach the owners how to train kindly, effectively and consistently.

(I'm afraid I don't know anyone in north London, and the ones I do know wouldn't travel that far)

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 07/08/2023 10:27

Thanks all. Really interesting and reassuring that online help does work. I guess territorial reactivity is fairly common and easy to explain. I am unsure about residential tbh - pleased it’s worked for some owners but I’ve heard mixed reports and it seems many of them are focused on obedience training and/or dog reactivity - neither of which are our issue.

Feeling quite low about this today. Obviously we have to work on how to manage territorial anxiety over new guests coming into the house, but I also struggle to accept she’s never going to be a ‘take anywhere’ dog - days out/pub lunches etc where loads of people around put her on edge and I can’t risk her snapping at people again. It’s not her fault I know, but this just isn’t the dog I imagined ☹️

I know no dogs are ‘perfect’, but I owned 3 dogs growing up, spend a lot of time with friends’ dogs - and none of them are like this. It’s upsetting.

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Bitingspaniel · 07/08/2023 23:54

Hi OP, we used Emily earlier this year and she was so helpful, I'd definitely recommend her. She's West London but does online if you do decide to go down that route. Good luck, it's so hard isn't it when you're worried about your dog? I hope you find someone who can help x

http://familypaws.co.uk/one-to-one-online

FAMILY PAWS - ONE-TO-ONE ONLINE |

ONE-TO-ONE ONLINE Online training is designed to make training simple and fun for all the family. It brings live, professional advice and guidance straight into

http://familypaws.co.uk/one-to-one-online

ThisOldThang · 08/08/2023 05:49

What breed of dog is it?

If it's aggressive behaviour that's baked into the genes of the dog (e.g. a pitbull type dog) then you're probably wasting your money on a behaviourist. You simply can't train the attack instinct out of them.

Don't get me wrong, the behaviourists will gladly take the money...

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 08/08/2023 07:48

@Bitingspaniel - thank you so much. Emily looks great. I am wondering from your username if your dog had aggression issues? Did Emily help resolve them? You are right - it is SO hard being worried.

I had my eyes open to the challenges of dog ownership but didn’t expect anything like this. The only thing I can think of is that her early puppyhood was spent in lockdown so we didn’t have many visitors. That said, when restrictions eased we did - and she only seemed to start developing these behaviours when she was about 2, I don’t know why.

@ThisOldThang - no, quite the opposite. She is a lurcher - half greyhound, known for being calm and affectionate with people (and she is with people she knows). Her other half IS bearded collie though, and I know collies are sensitive. She is smart and does display herding behaviours sometimes!

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IngGenius · 08/08/2023 07:50

No qualified behaviourists will do residential work

Bitingspaniel · 08/08/2023 07:57

Doggiehelp · 08/08/2023 07:48

@Bitingspaniel - thank you so much. Emily looks great. I am wondering from your username if your dog had aggression issues? Did Emily help resolve them? You are right - it is SO hard being worried.

I had my eyes open to the challenges of dog ownership but didn’t expect anything like this. The only thing I can think of is that her early puppyhood was spent in lockdown so we didn’t have many visitors. That said, when restrictions eased we did - and she only seemed to start developing these behaviours when she was about 2, I don’t know why.

@ThisOldThang - no, quite the opposite. She is a lurcher - half greyhound, known for being calm and affectionate with people (and she is with people she knows). Her other half IS bearded collie though, and I know collies are sensitive. She is smart and does display herding behaviours sometimes!

Yep, here's my original thread so you can see all the things we did wrong!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/4694335-my-dog-bit-me

Emily was great, patient, no judgement, just lots of good, clear, practical advice for the whole family. A lot of the issue with our dog was anxiety around resource guarding. It's still not perfect but so so much better than we were a few months ago. We just got back from a holiday in France and he was such a good boy, I was so proud of him!

My dog bit me | Mumsnet

Hi there, I'd love to get your thoughts on why my 11 month cocker has bitten me and my husband in the last week. We've had him from a pup, good bre...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/4694335-my-dog-bit-me

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 08/08/2023 08:00

@IngGenius - yes I’m not considering residential.

OP posts:
Bitingspaniel · 08/08/2023 08:00

IngGenius · 08/08/2023 07:50

No qualified behaviourists will do residential work

What do you mean @IngGenius ? As in they don't stay with you in your house? Cos our behaviourist definitely came and visited us in our residence!

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 08/08/2023 08:15

@Bitingspaniel - hi @Bitingspaniel - thanks so much for this! Lovely to hear you had such a great experience with your behaviourist and things are better for your dog. That’s wonderful. Interesting the behaviours emerged around the same age. I think we may have to accept that our dog simply doesn’t enjoy new places and strangers touching her, but obviously we have to learn to manage how she responds when new people come into the house…

It’s also great that your behaviourist visited you at home and I would like this too ideally. I think what @IngGenius means are places where your dog stays for a time. I know there are posters on here that have had good experiences with those - but they seem to be focused on obedience training or dog on dog reactivity. Neither of those things are an issue, plus I’ve heard that some places have questionable methods…it’s not for us.

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ThisOldThang · 08/08/2023 10:36

@Doggiehelp With regards to the problems starting at aged 2, I think this is considered to be the 'magic age' when previously passive dogs can become much more aggressive.

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 08/08/2023 12:03

@ThisOldThang - I had heard that also. I wonder why it is? It's really sad because for the first year or so of ddog's life she was, if anything, over-friendly...would run up to anyone and everyone very waggy and happy. Now she reserves that solely for people she knows - I guess it's good she doesn't bother people now but it's obviously not good she is so nervous of strangers.

One thing I notice - anyone she ever met as a puppy, or even anyone she met more recently and then 'got used' to - she NEVER forgets and will remain super-friendly. Literally there have been people she's not seen for a year, 18 months and then she's seen them and been super friendly. It's amazing how incredible their memories can be!

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byronicheroine · 08/08/2023 12:07

We are NE London and we used Canine Out Of Ten for a similar problem. Ours is a little bit Jack Russell though, so she's better but not 100% yet....
https://canineoutoften.com/

Canine Out of Ten

Canine behaviour consultation and coaching based in London. Using force free, ethical and evidence based methods.

https://canineoutoften.com

Original poster
Doggiehelp · 08/08/2023 13:48

@byronicheroine - wow Canine Out of Ten look promising (as well as quite hipster 😉) - really encouraging to see that they specialise in aggression/reactivity issues as well. Glad to hear that they helped you and your dog.

I do notice that they are (highly) IMBT qualified, rather than APBC. Do people think being APBC is an absolute must? I'm taking on board all the 'anyone can call themselves a behaviourist' posts...ultimately I just want to find the right people to help our dog! x

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