Many unwanted behaviours, from pulling on the lead, poor recall, jumping up, mouthing and chewing, to reactivity, anxiety, resource guarding, separation-related behaviours and biting incidents, are influenced by a dog’s emotions, learning history, environment, physical wellbeing and individual needs. Understanding these factors is often the first step towards creating lasting change.
As an experienced behaviourist and trainer, I look beyond the behaviour itself to understand why it is happening and what your dog needs to thrive. Together, we will develop a practical, achievable plan designed specifically for your dog, your family and your lifestyle.
One-to-one behaviour and training support we cover:
Rescue dog consultations and support
Getting a new rescue puppy or rescuing an older dog can be a daunting experience, even for experienced adopters. Every dog is different and our rescue dog consultations and packages offer advice and support to set you and your dog up for success – from refreshing your knowledge about caring for a rescue dog, to a full 3-month support package guiding you through all the challenges you face. We can help you choose the right dog for you, welcome them in their new forever home, help you master the foundations of rescue dog ownership and delve deep into your dog’s emotions, individual and breed needs to help you build a strong, harmonious relationship with them.
What people say about us:
"He is a rescue and has epilepsy... Elena managed to break down his behavioural issues into manageable chunks and advised us on how best to support him... We now feel we are not alone and are ourselves less stressed." Helen
"Great experience with Elena for our rescue dog! Elena is very patient, thorough and clear. She offers a huge range of ideas" Oliver
"We have always had dogs as a family but had never dealt with a rescue before... our 18 month old whirlwind came into our lives in the last 3 months and having Elena support us over this period has been invaluable. I would highly recommend her as she is incredibly patient, thoughtful, full of good advice and suggestions and really takes the time to understand both the animal and the family she is working with." Shanti
"our 2.5 year old rescue dog... came to us with a substantial behaviour report detailing her many issues... Although we have always had rescue dogs we knew we were out of our depth and luckily found Elena on a list of registered behaviourists given to us by the re homing shelter... We could not have found a better trainer... and working with Elena has absolutely been one of our best decisions." Jillian
"Elena came to us at home to help assess our 3 dogs after we took on a new rescue dog and her knowledge is endless. She never judged us just gave lots of positive help and explained our dogs body language so we can help our boy with his anxiety." Angie
Puppy one-to-one consultations and packages
Our one to one puppy training sessions are designed to guide you on your journey to success. Whether you are a first time dog owner or you just have forgotten what it is like to have a puppy, we will equip you with knowledge to navigate what could be an overwhelming experience. You will learn about the crucial period of puppy socialisation, how to communicate effectively with your puppy, understand their body language and specific needs, help them build their confidence and establish a strong bond with your puppy based on trust.
What people say about us:
"Elena has helped us with our puppy since she was just 2 months old, and it has made all the difference. As first-time puppy owners we felt very overwhelmed at the beginning, so having her help and guidance has been incredibly reassuring." Lina
Adolescent dog challenges
When adolescence hits, you know it. Your sweet puppy turns into a moody teenager, they stop listening, get easily frustrated, emotions run high. Owners often get stricter, expect the same level of obedience as before, demand and stress can build up, relationship and trust can break… Sounds familiar? Our one-to-one adolescent dog consultations and packages will help you navigate this very challenging period of your dog’s life.
What people say about us:
"Elena at My Dog is Nuts! is absolutely fantastic — far more than just a puppy trainer!... She doesn’t just focus on basic training — she’s a true resource for all things dog-related. Elena gave us thoughtful guidance on everything from diet and chew toys to the best local spots for swimming and play, plus how to tailor exercise to suit our very active breed." Michael
"Elena has been brilliant. We had been having issues with our new puppy... she was able to identify a number of solutions which had an immediate positive effect on her behaviour.
Elena was very knowledgeable about the breed..." Rob
Dog behaviour modification one-to-one packages
- Reactivity towards dogs, people, vehicles or other triggers
- Fear, anxiety, nervousness
- Separation-related behaviours
- Resource guarding of food, toys, furniture or people
- Aggression and biting
- Any other unwanted behaviour
Consultations are available in person or online and may include behaviour modification, practical training, management strategies, enrichment recommendations and ongoing support where appropriate.
What people say about us:
"my dog was struggling when left alone and we were having issues at home. Elena explained everything clearly and in a way that felt achievable. Her advice was practical, kind, and easy to follow and the quick results speak for themselves." Silvia
"we realised we needed some help with our Dachshund’s anxiety/reactivity...
He is genuinely like a different dog, we can do things with him that we avoided at all costs before, and we couldn’t have done it without Elena’s guidance, expertise and support! I would highly recommend reaching out to Elena if you need any help with your dog, it was the best thing we ever did!" Amy
"Meeting our dog behaviourist, Elena, was a game-changer for us. As first time dog owners, we were overwhelmed by our dog's fear-related reactivity. Elena's expertise in dog body language and communication, combined with her personalised approach tailored to our dog's needs, led to a significant improvement almost immediately." Mon
If you are unsure whether your dog needs training, behaviour support, or a combination of both, a free 15-minute discovery call is the perfect place to start. Together, we can discuss your concerns, your goals and the most appropriate way forward for you and your dog.