Problem Dog Behaviour
Reactivity and aggressive behaviour from dogs is saying one thing - stay away! Dogs will always give you a warning first, you just need to know what to look out for.
And you need to understand where it's coming from. Owners often think their dog is "mean" or "dominant." In reality, 90% of aggression is rooted in fear.
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Leash Reactivity: The dog lunges and barks at other dogs or people while tethered. This is often frustration (I want to say hi but can't) or fear (I can't escape, so I must bluff).
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Resource Guarding: The dog growls over food, toys, or sleeping spots. This is deep-seated insecurity---the fear of losing a prized possession.
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Stranger Danger: Fear of new humans, often stemming from poor socialization during the critical puppy window.
Excessive barking
There’s a spectrum of dog barking and each one means something different. For example, if your dog barks in a succession of six of seven quick barks, almost like a machine gun, that’s an alarm bark. It’s meant to warn you of potential risk. Barking needs to be interpreted in context, and to manage you, it helps to understand why. Talkies helps you do that.
Separation Anxiety
This is not a dog acting out of "spite" by chewing the sofa; it is a canine panic attack. I work on desensitization protocols to help the dog feel safe being alone, moving in increments as small as seconds.
Noise Phobias & Generalized Anxiety
Dogs terrified of fireworks, thunder, or city sounds. We use counter-conditioning (pairing the scary noise with high-value treats) to change the emotional association from "The sky is falling" to "Thunder means chicken."
Compulsive Disorders
Spinning, tail-chasing, shadow-chasing, or flank-sucking. These are often neurological or stress-related loops that require strict environmental management and mental enrichment to break.