Struggling With Serious Behaviour Problems?

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone.

Kind, science-based support for aggression, guarding, separation issues, anxiety, and more.

Serious Behaviour Problems at Home?

You don't have to face this alone.

Kind, science-based support for aggression, guarding, separation issues, anxiety, and complex behavioural challenges.

If This Is Your Life Right Now… You’re in the Right Place.

Living with serious behaviour problems can take over your home and your peace of mind.
The growling, snapping, guarding, barking, panic, or unpredictable reactions… it all adds up.


You start rearranging your entire life around your dog’s needs — walks, visitors, meal times, even when you can leave the house.

And the emotional weight of it all?


It’s huge.

But here’s the truth:


You’re not failing. Your dog isn’t “being difficult”.


They’re overwhelmed — and with the right support, things can get better.

If any of this feels familiar, you’re exactly where you need to be:

  • Your dog guards food, toys, or spaces from people or other dogs

  • There have been growls, snaps, or bites that have shaken your confidence

  • Your dog panics, cries, or becomes destructive when left alone

  • You feel trapped because you can’t leave your dog without fear of a meltdown

  • Tension at home feels constant — especially around visitors, high-value items, or separation

  • You’re juggling management strategies just to get through the day

  • Family life feels restricted, stressful, or unpredictable

  • You’re worried things could escalate without proper help

  • You’re exhausted from trying, but unsure what to do next

These challenges don’t resolve on their own — but with the right assessment, clarity, and a tailored behaviour plan, life can become calmer again.

You don’t have to keep struggling through this alone.

Dog on a sofa showing worried body language, an example of subtle stress signals often assessed in behaviour consultations.

Fear and uncertainty at home are more common than most owners realise, but they aren’t permanent.

Living With Serious Behaviour Problems Affects Your Whole Life

Not Just Your Dog’s.

Behaviour issues like aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, or emotional outbursts don’t happen in isolation — they ripple through every part of daily life.

Walks become stressful.


Home feels tense.


You find yourself constantly analysing your dog, trying to stay one step ahead so nothing goes wrong.

And underneath the frustration and worry?


A quiet fear that the behaviour might escalate… or that you’re running out of options.

Here’s the truth:

You’re not alone. You’re not to blame. And your dog isn’t choosing to be difficult.

Dogs showing these behaviours are overwhelmed, anxious, uncertain, or struggling to cope — and they need a different, deeper kind of support.

With the right guidance, these patterns can change.


A Behaviour Consultation is the first step toward understanding not just the behaviour… but why it’s happening.

Before We Go Any Further — A Quick but Important Note

Some behaviour problems look similar on the surface, but the cause can be very different.


And when a sudden or severe change in behaviour appears, there’s one essential step we must take before a Behaviour Consultation can go ahead.

Veterinary Referral — Why It’s Essential

All Behaviour Consultations are carried out on veterinary referral only.


This protects your dog’s welfare and ensures we address the true cause of the behaviour.

Many sudden or severe behaviour changes — such as aggression, reactivity, noise sensitivity, withdrawal, guarding, touch intolerance, or unpredictable mood shifts — are often linked to:

  • pain or discomfort

  • illness or injury

  • hormonal changes

  • neurological issues

  • age-related conditions

Before any behavioural work begins, your vet must confirm that there is no underlying medical problem contributing to your dog’s difficulties.

This collaborative approach ensures:

  • medical causes are identified or ruled out first

  • your dog receives appropriate veterinary treatment where needed

  • the behaviour plan is safe, ethical, and tailored to your dog’s health

In many cases, treating the medical issue also resolves the behavioural one — which is why veterinary referral isn’t optional, but essential.

Assessment vs Behaviour Consultation — Which One Does Your Dog Need?

When your dog is struggling, it can be confusing to know which service is the right first step. To make this easy, here’s a clear guide to help you decide whether your dog needs a Reactivity Assessment or a Full Behaviour Consultation.

Both options offer expert support — but they are designed for very different situations.

Reactivity Assessment

(90 minutes)

Best for dogs who react in specific situations, but do not show complex behaviour patterns.

This is the right choice if your dog:

  • Barks, lunges, or growls towards dogs or people on walks

  • Reacts in predictable scenarios (e.g., seeing another dog, sudden movement, strangers approaching)

  • Struggles with lead frustration, over-arousal, or anxiety only in certain contexts

  • Does not have a bite history or multiple behaviour issues occurring at home

  • Needs a clear starting point, confidence-building plan, and guidance on next steps

A reactivity assessment gives you:

  • Insight into why your dog reacts

  • Management strategies to reduce daily stress

  • A recommendation on whether 1:1 training or the Fun Focus Play Membership is right for them

This option is structured and focused — ideal for dogs whose challenges appear mainly outside the home.

Behaviour Consultation

(3 hours)

Best for dogs with more serious, complex, or multi-layered behaviour problems.

Choose this option if your dog is showing:

  • Aggression or growling inside the home

  • Resource guarding (food, toys, spaces, people)

  • Separation anxiety or panic when left alone

  • Compulsive or unpredictable behaviours

  • Emotional instability affecting daily life

  • Multiple issues happening across different environments

  • A bite history, or concerns that safety could become an issue

This consultation includes:

  • An in-depth HMERA emotional analysis

  • A full history review to understand your dog’s emotional landscape

  • Behavioural assessment in your home

  • A tailored behavioural report and rehabilitation plan

  • Recommendations for ongoing 1:1 support

  • Guidance on when your dog will be ready for the Fun Focus Play Membership (if appropriate)

This option is designed for dogs who need a deeper level of behavioural investigation and a structured rehabilitation programme.

Not sure which one fits?

Most owners aren’t — and that’s absolutely normal.

If, after reading the comparison, you think your dog may only need support with reactivity outdoors, you can view the Reactivity Assessment details here:


Visit the Reactivity Assessment page.

If your dog’s challenges feel bigger, broader, or more unpredictable, the Behaviour Consultation is the safest and most effective starting point.

What Happens During Your Behaviour Consultation

When your dog is showing serious behaviour problems, you need more than quick tips or generic advice. You need a detailed, whole-dog understanding of why the behaviour is happening — and a clear, structured plan to move forward.

My Behaviour Consultations are designed to do exactly that.

Using the MHERA behavioural framework, a structured behavioural analysis that examines your dog’s Mood State, Hedonic Budget, and their Emotional & Reinforcement patterns. This gives us a clear picture of why the behaviour is happening and what your dog needs in order to feel safer and behave differently.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Before We Meet: Behavioural History Review

Before your consultation, you’ll complete an in-depth behavioural history form.
During your visit, we will review your answers together, and I’ll ask for clarification where needed.

This allows me to gain an accurate understanding of:

  • how long the behaviour has been happening

  • patterns you may have noticed

  • recent behavioural changes

  • triggers, routines, and environmental influences

  • previous incidents, triggers, and coping strategies

  • household routines and whether these have recently changed

  • your dog’s lifestyle, relationships, and wellbeing

By doing this first, we can spend the rest of the consultation observing your dog’s emotions and behaviour in real time, not filling out paperwork.

2. The In-Home Behaviour Consultation (2–3 Hours)

This extended visit allows your dog to relax and behave naturally — and it gives us enough time to properly explore the problem without rushing.

During the session, I will:

  • observe your dog before, during (if appropriate), and after the concerning behaviour

  • identify stressors, emotional triggers, and early warning signals

  • assess routines, relationships, and environmental contributors

  • explore what may be reinforcing or maintaining the behaviour

  • gently guide your dog’s interactions at a pace they can cope with

All relevant family members are encouraged to join, as behaviour is often shaped by the dynamics within the household.

This is always a calm, structured, and dog-centred session.

Belgian Shepherd relaxing on the grass after play, demonstrating calm post-exercise body language often assessed in dog behaviour consultations.

3. Understanding the Behaviour Using MHERA

During your consultation, we will work through part of the MHERA model together so you can start understanding why your dog behaves the way they do — not just how it looks.

After our session, I will complete a full MHERA analysis, which forms the foundation of your personalised behaviour plan.

Here’s what each part means in clear, practical language:

M — Mood State

Your dog’s underlying emotional wellbeing.
This helps us understand whether they are generally anxious, frustrated, conflicted, over-aroused, or struggling to cope in daily life.

H — Hedonic Budget

This looks at how well your dog’s day-to-day behavioural and emotional needs are being met — things like rest, enrichment, social contact, predictability, physical outlets, and downtime.


If a dog’s Hedonic Budget is depleted, it tells us that their everyday needs are not being adequately met, which makes it much harder for them to cope, learn, or respond calmly.

E — Emotional Assessment

Here we look at how your dog’s emotions affect both their everyday life and their behaviour when they’re reacting to a trigger.
We explore their general emotional wellbeing — how they feel when nothing stressful is happening — and then how their emotional state changes during the problem behaviour.

From this, we can identify which emotional systems are driving the behaviour, and why your dog chooses that particular response.
This helps us understand the motivation and brain processes behind the behaviour so we can change it in a way that feels safe and achievable for your dog.

R — Reinforcement Assessment

What is maintaining the behaviour. In other words:


Why does your dog repeatedly choose this behavioural strategy when a trigger appears?


Here we explore what the dog gets out of the behaviour — relief, predictability, distance, control, or emotional discharge — and why this has become their go-to coping mechanism.

A — Assessment Summary

The full MHERA analysis allows me to identify what needs to change so your dog can feel safe, supported, and capable of learning new behaviours.

Understanding why the behaviour is happening is the key to helping your dog feel safe, supported, and able to learn new behaviours.

4. Your Written Report, Behaviour Plan & Vet Report

After your consultation, I’ll take the time needed to carefully analyse everything we discussed and observed using the full MHERA framework. Because these reports are highly detailed and tailored specifically to your dog, they’re not something that can be rushed.

You’ll receive:

  • Your full written Behaviour Report
    Delivered within 7–10 days, this document includes my findings, emotional assessment, MHERA analysis, and a clear explanation of what’s driving your dog’s behaviour.

  • A bespoke Behaviour Modification & Training Plan
    Structured, step-by-step support designed to help you implement the changes your dog needs at home and in daily life.

  • A summary report for your vet
    Ensuring everyone involved in your dog’s care has the same understanding and is working towards the same goals.

I will also prepare a summary report for your referring veterinarian, ensuring they are fully informed and that we are all working together to support your dog’s wellbeing.

Pricing & What’s Included

Investment: £475

Your complete behavioural assessment, analysis, and bespoke behaviour programme.

This fee reflects the extensive professional time, expertise, and post-consultation work required to deliver a safe, accurate, and ethical behaviour plan for complex cases.

Your £475 investment includes:

  • 2–3 hour in-home behavioural consultation

    A calm, structured visit in your dog’s own environment, allowing me to observe their behaviour, emotional state, and stressors where they naturally occur.

  • Full MHERA Behaviour Analysis

Following the consultation, I complete a detailed analysis of:

  • Mood state

  • Hedonic budget (how well their day-to-day needs are being met)

  • Emotional processes driving the behaviour

  • Reinforcement patterns maintaining the behaviour

This allows me to identify the true cause of the problem — not just the symptoms you see on the surface.

  • Detailed Written Behaviour Report

Delivered within 7–10 days, your personalised report includes:

  • A clear summary of my findings

  • Your dog’s emotional profile

  • Identified triggers, stressors, and maintaining factors

  • Management strategies to put in place immediately

  • A structured, practical Behaviour Modification Plan

  • Tailored training recommendations for daily life

This is a highly detailed document, designed to give you clarity, direction, and confidence in your next steps.

  • Veterinary Liaison & Professional Summary Report

A written summary is sent directly to your referring vet to ensure medical and behavioural care are fully aligned — essential for safe and effective treatment.

  • Bespoke Behavioural Training Package Recommendations

Based on my assessment, I will design a tailored training package for your dog, including:

  • The number of 1:1 behaviour sessions recommended

  • The structure and goals of your package

  • What skills we will target first

  • How progress will be measured

This ensures you and your dog receive exactly the level of support you need — no more, no less.

If you're unsure whether a Behaviour Consultation is right for your dog, you're welcome to book a free 15-minute discovery call.

Why Work with Natasja?

I bring over 30 years of hands-on behaviour experience and advance qualifications to every case:

  • DipCABT (COAPE Certified Behaviourist)

  • Member of CABTi — Coape Association of Behaviourists & Trainers International

  • ICAN Member

  • UK Behaviour Charter Member

My approach is:

  • Science-based

  • Kind

  • Fear-free

  • Focused on real life success

  • And entirely free of judgement

I’ve worked with hundreds of reactive dogs across Dorset. Even the cases that feel “hopeless” often turn around faster than owners expect.

I specialise in helping reactive and sensitive dogs across Dorset feel safer, calmer, and more in control.

Common Behaviour Problems I Can Help With

Every dog is unique, and so are the challenges they face.


Whether your dog is struggling with fear, frustration, anxiety, or conflict in their daily life, a behavioural consultation can give you clarity, direction, and the professional support you need to move forward.

Here are some of the most common issues I help with:

  • Reactivity & Fear-Based Behaviour

    • Barking, lunging, or growling at dogs or people
    • Fear or uncertainty on walks or around visitors
    • Startle responses or hypervigilance

  • Aggression or Threatening Behaviour

    • Growling, snapping, or biting
    • Conflicts within the home
    • Handling- or husbandry-related aggression

  • Resource Guarding

    • Guarding food, toys, chews, or resting spaces
    • Tension between dogs around valuable items

  • Separation-Related Problems

    • Distress when left alone
    • Vocalisation, pacing, destruction, or panic behaviours

  • Multi-Dog Household Challenges

    • Tension or conflict between dogs
    • Over-arousal, competition, or breakdowns in communication

  • Emotionally Driven Behaviours

    • Over-arousal or difficulty settling
    • Frustration behaviours
    • Compulsive or repetitive patterns

Not sure whether your dog needs a behaviour consultation or training?

You’re welcome to book a free 15-minute discovery call.


We’ll talk through what your dog is struggling with and work out the most appropriate next step for you both.

Book Your Free 15-Minute Discovery Call

Not sure whether your dog needs a behaviour consultation or training?


You’re welcome to book a free 15-minute discovery call.

Book Your Free 15-Minute Discovery Call

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you work with all breeds and ages?

Yes. I work with dogs of all breeds and ages, from puppies through to seniors. Behavioural challenges can appear at any stage of life, and every case is approached with the same kind, science-based method.

How far do you travel for behaviour consultations?

I cover Dorset and surrounding areas. If you are unsure whether you fall within my travel radius, please feel free to contact me. A travel fee may apply depending on your location, and I will always confirm this with you before confirming your booking.

Why do I need a veterinary referral?

Behaviour and health are closely linked. Pain, illness, hormonal changes, sensory decline, and many medical conditions can cause or worsen behavioural problems.
Working under veterinary referral ensures that your dog receives the safest, most appropriate support and that we rule out any underlying medical issues before creating a behaviour plan.

How do I get a referral from my vet?

It’s very simple. Once you let me know you’d like to book a behavioural consultation, I will send your veterinary practice a referral request form. Most practices respond quickly, and you do not need to do anything further unless your vet asks to see your dog for an examination first.

What if my dog shows aggressive or unpredictable behaviour?

That’s exactly what a behavioural consultation is for. Aggression is usually rooted in fear, pain, frustration, or unmet emotional needs.
I will guide you through how to safely manage your dog before our appointment, and we will work within your dog’s comfort levels during the consultation. Your dog does not need to behave “perfectly” — I’m here to help you understand what’s driving the behaviour and how to support them moving forward.

Do follow-up sessions cost extra?

The initial consultation includes assessment, the full written report, and your behaviour modification plan.
Follow-up training or behaviour sessions, if needed, are booked separately. Many clients choose ongoing support to help them implement their dog’s plan step by step, but it is never mandatory.

How long does it take to see improvement?

Every dog and every situation is different. Some families see changes quickly once the underlying needs are addressed; others require a gradual, structured approach.
Your plan will outline what to expect in the first few weeks and which areas will take longer. Progress is always based on your dog’s emotional wellbeing — not rushing or forcing results.

What if I’m not sure whether I need a behaviour consultation or training?

You don’t need to decide on your own. If you’re unsure which service is right for you, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute discovery call so we can talk it through. I’ll help you determine whether your dog needs behavioural support or training, ensuring you choose the most appropriate service.

I provide behaviour consultations across Dorset, including Dorchester, Weymouth, Blandford, Poole, Wareham, and surrounding areas. Whether your dog is struggling with aggression, reactivity, guarding, or separation anxiety, you’ll receive science-based support from a certified COAPE behaviourist.

Ready to help your dog feel calmer, safer, and more understood?

If you feel a Behaviour Consultation is the right choice, you can book your session below.


If you’re still unsure, that’s absolutely fine — just book a free discovery call and we’ll talk it through together.

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