Dogs with Big Feelings
At The Dog Academy, we believe that reactivity isn’t about “bad behaviour”, it’s about big feelings. Our approach is ethical and reward-based, rooted in trust, empathy, and understanding. Instead of focusing on compliance and control, we look at why your dog is behaving the way they are, so together we can change the how.
Our Approach
As a Certified Family Dog Mediator, I recognise that every dog is a unique individual, shaped by their genetics, environment, life experiences, and learning. This blend creates their own “recipe,” influencing how they interact with the world around them.
When your dog barks, lunges, or becomes overexcited, they’re not being “naughty.” They’re communicating the only way they can. Most often, the message behind the behaviour is simple: “I don’t feel safe.”
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Just like us, dogs have an emotional world shaped by many factors: their past experiences, their genetic makeup, their social interactions, and their environment. These influences create their own truth, their personal story of what feels safe, what feels overwhelming, and how they cope.​
The Human Side
​The same is true for us. Our feelings, our lived experiences, our values, and the cultures we grow up in all shape how we respond to the world and how we respond to our dogs. No two people, and no two dogs, experience things in exactly the same way.
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That’s why understanding the individual emotional experience is so important. When we shift our perspective from “fixing behaviour” to supporting emotions in both our dogs and ourselves, we open the door to deeper connection, calmer walks, and a relationship built on compassion instead of conflict.
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If your dog’s behaviour feels overwhelming, know this: it’s not a sign of failure. It’s a sign that your dog needs support and that support begins with understanding.