Experienced Dog Behaviourist in Winchester, Hampshire

If you are looking for help with dog behaviour issues, you’re on the right page!

Hello, my name is Ian Mackay and I am a certified dog trainer and behaviourist with extensive experience in the field. I am based near Winchester and specialize in working with reactive and aggressive dogs.

In my training approach, I focus on a concept called ‘dog listening’. This means that I strive to understand the purpose behind every action a dog takes, so that we can effectively manage their behaviour.

Reactivity in dogs can vary in severity. It can range from minor issues, such as barking when the doorbell rings, to more extreme cases where a dog may provoke unprovoked attacks on specific dogs or breeds. Other behavioural problems that dogs can display include pulling on the lead, separation anxiety, destructive chewing, and excessive barking. Dealing with these behaviours can make life with your dog quite challenging.

You may be suffering the frustration of being pulled around by your dog during walks, instead of the other way around. Or coming home to find your furniture destroyed, not knowing when your dog might lose control and misbehave. It can be disheartening when other dog owners and non-owners give you disapproving looks, suggesting that you haven’t properly trained your dog. These situations can often lead to you being seen as the local troublemaker.

The good news is that help is available. If you are looking for a Dog Behaviourist in Winchester, and serving the Hampshire area, do contact me to discuss how we can help.

By applying the principles of Dog Listening, I have been able to achieve remarkable success in managing reactive dogs and addressing unwanted behaviours. Whether your dog goes into a barking frenzy when someone rings the doorbell or shows aggression towards other dogs or people, I can work with you to help manage these issues.

Let me share with you the story of one of my clients, Vasco. Vasco was a magnificent Estrela Mountain Dog who had a specific trigger when his owner’s doorbell rang. I have included a video below that shows a session where we worked on managing this behaviour. It will give you a glimpse into my approach and the effectiveness of these techniques.

As you can see from the video, my approach is centred around understanding the root cause of the behaviour and addressing it in a calm and effective manner. By using communication techniques that dogs naturally respond to, I am able to create a harmonious relationship between dogs and their owners.

When working with reactive dogs, it’s important to remember that their reactions are not a result of them being ‘bad’ or ‘aggressive’. Instead, their behaviours are a response to a perceived threat or fear. Through Dog Listening, we can identify the triggers and work towards creating a sense of security and confidence in your dog.

In addition to reactive behaviours, I can also help with other common problems such as pulling on the lead, separation anxiety, and destructive chewing. By providing you with the tools and knowledge to understand your dog’s behaviour, we can work together to address these issues and improve your relationship with your dog.

If you are struggling with a reactive or aggressive dog, or if you simply want to improve your dog’s behaviour, I am here to help. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a happier and healthier relationship with your dog.