The Relationship Behaviourist

To set you up for long-term success, we use a structured two-step initial process. You can view exactly how it works and read our training methodology here.

We look at both ends of the lead.

Here is how we will approach your diagnostic consultation session:

The Analysis: We review your dog’s behaviour, background, environment, diet, exercise, any previous or current medical issues, and your communication style. This includes a dog owner personality test. What kind of leader are you?

The Coaching: I guide you through practical, hands-on handling techniques using the slip lead and reward systems.

The Next Steps: You will receive a personalised, structured plan after the session, alongside my ongoing support to ensure lasting change.

It means your dog gets the best of both worlds: clear boundaries and high rewards. We use positive reinforcement (treats, praise, play) to teach and reward good behaviors. We also use calm, minimal, and fair corrections to instantly stop unwanted behaviors like lunging, jumping, or severe pulling. This balanced approach gives your dog the structured clarity they need to feel safe and relaxed.

For your initial consultation, I suggest we meet at your home so I can assess your current environment and recommend helpful changes. This step is especially critical if your dog is experiencing home-based reactivity.

If meeting at your home is not suitable, we can use our backup location:

• Meeting Point: Brockwell Hall in Brockwell Park (specifically at the outdoor benches behind The Glassmaker's Café).

• What to Expect: We will spend the first part of the hour completing your diagnostic assessment here, and then head directly into the main park for our practical, hands-on training session.

A standard slip lead is a gentle, lightweight, and highly effective communication tool. It allows me to deliver micro-signals and precise feedback to your dog with minimal physical effort. It helps your dog learn to walk on a loose lead by providing immediate clarity when they pull and instant slack the moment they yield.

No. I do not use prong collars, pinch collars, or electronic shock collars (e-collars). While these tools are common in some balanced training circles, I find them unnecessary for my work. My focus is on using the simplest, most humane tools combined with psychological clarity to reshape your relationship with your dog.

No, quite the opposite. Think of a correction as a gentle boundary, not a punishment. Just like humans, dogs thrive when they know exactly where the line is. By pairing clear boundaries with heavy positive rewards, your dog will actually become more relaxed, confident, and securely bonded to you because they finally understand what is expected of them.

We typically schedule your follow-up session 1 to 2 weeks after our first meeting. This gives you plenty of time to practice your new techniques and implement our strategies, while allowing your dog the necessary space to adjust and learn. During our next session, we will review what worked well and address any remaining challenges—allowing us to evaluate, adapt, and evolve our training plan as we go.

• The everyday normal dog lead you use on your daily walks.

• Plenty of high-value treats (such as diced sausage, cheese, or boiled chicken—something much more motivating than their usual kibble).

• Their favourite toy, or whatever else best motivates your dog.

• Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather, as we will be active and outdoors in the park.

I provide a fully mobile service across South London. If your specific area is not listed on the site, please get in touch—I am sure we can find a training setup that works best for you.

• Home Visits: In-person coaching directly in your everyday environment.

• Park Sessions: Practical, real-world 1:1 training at the wonderful Brockwell Park.

• Online Coaching: Virtual consultations, behavioural advice, or puppy guidance from anywhere.

Booking Note: Please remember to include your full postcode in your message so I can quickly review your location. (Travel fees may apply beyond a certain distance.)

As a mobile trainer cycling between sessions, I am well-prepared for classic British weather! Sessions will go ahead in normal wind and rain. However, if conditions become severe or unsafe for cycling and outdoor training—such as torrential downpours, thunderstorms, extreme ice, or dangerous summer heatwaves—I will contact you as early as possible. In those cases, we will either move the session indoors to your home or reschedule for another day.

No. My Walk & Train service is strictly one-on-one. I specialise in dogs that find the world a bit overwhelming—whether they are heavy pullers, highly anxious rescues, or reactive to other dogs, people or anything else. Group walks or pack environments can quickly push these dogs over their stress threshold. Keeping things solo ensures my absolute focus is on your dog's safety, body language, and real-time real world training.

My Walk & Train service operates from Monday to Friday only. If you feel you need hands-on support over the weekend, I recommend starting with my standard two-step initial process (the Diagnostic Consultation and Practical Coaching Session), which we can look at scheduling together.

For the first few sessions and to handover, yes. It is vital that we build a seamless handover routine so your dog feels safe and secure when I collect them. Once your dog is completely comfortable with me and we have a established a reliable routine, we can discuss key-holding arrangements if you need me to collect them while you are at work.

Being able to walk your dog smoothly on a lead is a fundamental core skill. Quite simply, without this foundation, not much else goes right. A structured walk is vital because it establishes clear leadership and fosters a mentality where your dog naturally looks to you and follows your lead.

To give you and your dog the highest quality support, I need to see how your dog actually behaves in their everyday environment. Seeing a dog in a strange house doesn't give a realistic picture of their challenges. Observing them in their own home or on their usual local walking routes allows me to spot the exact triggers and layout choices affecting their behaviour, creating a far more effective training plan.