What exactly is a 'behavioural walk'?

That's a good question. Is it a one-to-one walk? Is it behaviour modification? The answer is: it's a bit of both.

Generally, dog walkers take several dogs out together for 'pack walks'. For most dogs this is great. They get to play, learn from and interact with other dogs of both sexes of a variety of breeds and ages. For reactive dogs, this simply isn't possible. Reactive dogs, particularly the big and powerful ones, need a walker's full focus and attention.

But it's not just the walker's attention the reactive dog needs. It's their guidance, too. Reactive dogs need to rewire their brains. They need to learn more appropriate behaviour for when they see that other dog, or cat, or bike. They need consistency, patience and support. They are not bad dogs. They just haven't learnt that those other dogs, cats or bikes aren't actually that scary. Or they haven't learnt how to control their excitement at the sight of another potential playmate.

How I work

As a qualified Canine Behaviour Technician, I can use every walk to slowly modify your dog's behaviour. I won't yank your dog's lead or shout at them. I won't ignore their behaviour. But I won't completely ignore their 'triggers' either. Every walk is an opportunity for learning.

Perhaps your dog already knows cues like 'let's go', 'walk on', 'find it', 'look at me' 'touch'. If so, that's great. Most reactive dog owners become great trainers. In fact, I often see some of the most 'obedient' dogs, as in those that know the most cues and tricks, are reactive dogs. Because being a reactive dog owner requires dedication. If your dog doesn't know those cues, or variations of them, that's not a problem. But these are the kinds of things I'll use to help your dog focus on something other than their trigger, or to move away from it or walk past it.

So what can you expect from a behaviour modification walk?

After collecting your dog, we'll head out into your local area (if it's safe to do so -- some countryside areas without pavements may require a short drive). And we'll begin practising those cues straight away, when no triggers are around. This is basically a warm-up, reminding your dog what 'let's go' i.e. turn around and walk away from the trigger, 'look at me' 'walk on' etc mean. This we do on the go, or if there's a park nearby we'll go there to have more space.

Then we get on with the business of walking. Every time we see a trigger we will put training into practice. Depending on your dog's threshold, this may consist of a lot of 'let's go's', or it might be more 'find its' and 'walk ons'. And this will change over time, as their emotional response to their triggers changes.

If possible, the last 5-10 minutes of the walk should be calmer, but I will never miss a behaviour modification opportunity.

And that's it. I'll walk them home and, if you're not in, I'll get them safely settled, ensure they've had a drink and give them one last treat and some cuddles.

By the end of the day, you'll receive a report of how the walk went, things to continue building on and what we'll do next time.

What are the benefits of a behavioural walk?

1. Your dog will get some physical exercise. An understimulated dog is more likely to be reactive or destructive, so a 50-minute walk will help tackle that.

2. You get a break. That shouldn't need any clarification.

3. Your dog will get some mental exercise because they will have to use their brain when we see their triggers. They will be learning how to be calm. Rewiring the brain is tiring stuff.

4. And the big one... over time they will become a calmer dog that's less reactive and happier in themselves and in the world around them.