New Clients - Who's Walking Who

Your Dog Isn't the Problem. They're not naughty. They're scared. And we can help.

The Reactive Dog Rescue Plan helps reactive dogs — and their owners — find calm, clarity, and a way forward together. Whatever your dog is doing on walks right now, there’s a reason for it. And there’s a way through it.

⭐ 5-Star Recommended

🛡️ Fully Insured

🩺 First Aid Trained

✅ ACRO Police Checked

🎓 Kennel Club Accredited

We Hear This Every Single Day

Walking Your Dog Has Become Something You Dread.

Every Walk Is a Risk Assessment

You’re scanning ahead, crossing roads, turning back early — just to avoid another incident that leaves you shaking.

You Love Your Dog — But You're Exhausted

You love your dog deeply, but you’re running out of patience, and that guilt is exhausting in its own right.

Nothing Has Stuck

You’ve read the articles, watched the videos, maybe even tried a trainer — but the moment a trigger appears, it all unravels.

Other Dogs Make It Look Easy

Their dogs trot along calmly while yours is lunging, barking, or reacting to things you can’t even see.

It Feels Lonely and Embarrassing

It Feels Lonely and Embarrass
ing

Nobody around you really gets it. It feels isolating — and like it might never change.

None of this means your dog is broken — or that you've failed them. It means they need a different kind of help. That's exactly what we do.

Picture What Walking Your Dog Could Feel Like

The Life That's Waiting for You

These aren’t promises — they’re the changes we see in our clients, consistently, once we get to the real root of the problem.

Leave the House Without Dread

Head out knowing you have a plan — and the skills to use it calmly, whatever comes your way.

Get Back to the Places You've Been Avoiding

Pubs, parks, visits to friends — the moments you've put on hold because bringing your dog felt impossible.

Actually Understand Your Dog

When you know the why behind the behaviour, frustration gives way to clarity — and that changes everything.

Progress That Holds Up in the Real World

Not just in the garden or a quiet car park — but on busy streets, near other dogs, in situations that actually matter.

Stop Apologising and Start Enjoying

No more bracing for impact. No more awkward passes with other dogs. Just you and your dog, getting on with it.

Remember Why You Got a Dog

The companionship, the adventures, the easy everyday moments — they're all still within reach for both of you.

This can be your dog's story. Let's start the conversation.

What Does Staying Stuck Actually Cost You?

The Real Cost of Staying Stuck

Most owners don’t realise how much they’re already spending just to keep things manageable — without ever actually solving the problem.

Do it yourself Management Route

Ongoing cost — without solving anything

~£3,250+ per year

Estimated Annual Cost

Secure field hire — £10–15/session, 2x/week: ~£1,040/yr
Specialist solo dog walker — £15–20/hr, 2x/week: ~£1,560/yr
Calming supplements, plug-ins, sprays: £150–£200/yr
Replacement equipment — harnesses, leads, muzzles: £100–£150/yr
Vet visits for stress-related health issues: £200+/yr
Avoiding the places you love — cost you can't put a number on

"Keeping the lid on — never lifting it off."

The Resolution Route

One investment — change that lasts

From £1,200

One-time investment

Address the root cause, not just the symptom
Build skills that hold up in real life
Give your dog a genuinely different future
Stop planning your life around your dog's behaviour
Walk out of this cycle for good
Year 1 saving vs. management route: ~£2,050+

"Invest once. Change everything."

How the Reactive Dog Rescue Plan Works

The Programme

Every step is designed around your dog’s specific triggers, your lifestyle, and real-world environments — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Foundation Assessment

Before any training begins, we build the full picture.

In-depth behavioural history — your dog’s triggers, background, and environment
Pre-session questionnaire sent automatically after booking
Understanding your dog’s motivation, communication style, and stress signals
Setting your personalised programme goals with clear, realistic expectations
Held at K9 Freedom Fields — a private barn and fully secure outdoor field

Sessions 2–4: From Understanding to Real-World Progress

Understanding the "Why" Behind the Behaviour

Reactivity isn't naughtiness — it's communication. We decode it.
• Identifying the root emotional cause of the reactivity
• Building a communication system your dog actually responds to
• Threshold management — keeping your dog under their stress ceiling

Foundation Skills & Focus Building

Your dog can't learn when they're over threshold. We change that first.
• Engagement, focus, and interrupt-and-redirect exercises
• Loose-lead foundation work — teaching your dog to walk with you, not against you
• Calm settling and emotional regulation, using reward-based techniques your dog genuinely responds to

Trigger Work — Taking It to the Real World

Controlled, structured exposure to the things that used to cause meltdowns.
• Gradual, structured exposure to your dog's specific triggers — dogs, people, traffic, noises
• Desensitisation and counter-conditioning — changing what the trigger means to your dog
• Stooge-dog setups where appropriate, in the controlled environment at K9 Freedom Fields

Sessions 5–6: Consolidation, Graduation & Your Maintenance Plan

Consolidation & Real-World Application

Locking in the progress and building lasting confidence — in both of you.
• Practising in higher-distraction, real-world environments relevant to your life
• Fine-tuning your handling and reading your dog's body language accurately
• Addressing any remaining triggers or sticking points before graduation

Graduation & Your Maintenance Plan

The final session — and the start of a completely different life together.
• Full review of progress against your original goals
• Your personalised written maintenance plan — so nothing slips when sessions end
• Final behaviour report documenting your dog's transformation
• Clear guidance on what to do if new challenges arise in the future

We don't rush your dog. We remove confusion so progress happens faster. Every session is built around your dog as an individual — any age, any breed, any history.

Total Transformation: The Full Experience

Everything in the Rescue Plan — and then some.

Total Transformation is for owners who want the deepest level of support, the fastest possible progress, and Al fully invested from day one. Because your assessment happens at home before you begin, all 8 sessions are spent training — not getting up to speed.

8 Sessions

Two additional sessions beyond the Rescue Plan

Priority Booking

Next session scheduled within 48 hours

3 Months WhatsApp

Unlimited support throughout and beyond

Home Visit

Al comes to you first — before training begins

Filmed Session

Review your own technique at home

4-Week Check-In

Post-programme session included in your package

Before You Start — Home Visit Assessment (included, before Session 1)

Al comes to you first — before training begins.

Seeing how your dog responds at the door, in familiar spaces, and on their own home turf
Identifying triggers and patterns that only become visible in the home setting
Full behavioural history taken in the environment where a lot of the behaviour begins

Understanding the "Why"

Reactivity decoded from day one — no time lost getting up to speed.
• Identifying the root emotional cause of your dog's reactivity
• Building the communication system your dog responds to
• Threshold management from the very first session

Foundation Skills & Focus Building

The core skills that everything else is built on.
• Engagement, focus, and interrupt-and-redirect exercises
• Loose-lead foundation work
• Calm settling and emotional regulation, reward-based throughout

Trigger Work: Controlled Introduction

We start changing what your dog's triggers mean to them.
• Structured, gradual exposure to your dog's specific triggers
• The first stages of desensitisation and counter-conditioning
• Stooge-dog setups where appropriate at K9 Freedom Fields

Trigger Work: Building Tolerance (this session is filmed)

Deepening the work — with a recording so you can review your own handling at home.
• Progressive exposure at greater intensity and closer proximity
• One session filmed so you can watch back your timing, body language, and handling
• Shared securely as your own private training resource

Real-World Application I

Taking the work off the field and into life.
• Practising in real-world environments relevant to your dog's triggers
• Handling everyday situations you'd normally avoid
• Building your confidence as the handler, not just your dog's response

Real-World Application II

Higher distraction, greater independence.
• Practising in the busier places you've been avoiding — pubs, parks, busy streets
• Building independence — your dog making the right choices without constant guidance
• Proofing the skills against the environments that actually matter to you

Consolidation & Proofing

Stress-testing the progress and making it stick.
• Deliberately testing the skills across varied, challenging setups
• Fine-tuning any remaining sticking points
• Building the toolkit you'll carry forward long after sessions end

Graduation & Your Maintenance Plan

The final session — and the start of a completely different life together.
• Full review of progress against every original goal
• Your personalised, detailed long-term management plan
• Final behaviour report documenting the full transformation
• Clear guidance for any new challenges down the line

After Graduation — 4-Week Check-In (included)

• A post-programme session, booked in advance and included in your package
• A chance to review how things are holding up in real life
• Any final adjustments to keep you both on track

Total Transformation isn't just more sessions. It's more of Al. More depth. More support. And a level of investment in your dog that most owners have never experienced from a trainer before.

Is This Right for You?

Who We Can — and Can't — Help

✅ This Is For You If...

Your dog lunges, barks, or reacts to other dogs, people, traffic, or noises

You’ve tried other trainers and haven’t seen lasting results

You’re ready to commit and put in consistent effort between sessions

You want to understand your dog — not just manage the behaviour

You’re done surviving walks and ready to actually enjoy them

Your dog’s reactivity is affecting your confidence, daily life, or relationship

❌ This Is Not For You If...

You’re looking for a quick fix that requires no effort on your part

You’re unwilling to change how you currently handle your dog

You expect results without following the programme between sessions

You want someone to ‘fix’ your dog without your involvement — it doesn’t work that way

Hi, I'm Al — Your Dog Trainer

Your Trainer

The Programme

I know exactly how it feels to love your dog and be made to feel like the problem is yours to carry alone. That experience is the reason I do what I do.

As Gia got older, walks became something I genuinely dreaded. She was a sledge dog — built to pull, wired to move, and completely switched on to everything around her. The moment she spotted another dog across the street, it was over. Lead tight, body rigid, that low rumble building before the full explosion of barking and lunging. I’d find myself scanning the pavement ahead before we even got to the end of the road. Mapping out escape routes. Crossing early. Turning back. I loved her completely — but I was exhausted, embarrassed, and quietly starting to wonder if walks would always feel like this.

The worst moment came on an ordinary Tuesday morning. We’d had a good few days — I thought we were making progress. Then a dog appeared from around a corner, no warning, about five metres away. Gia went from calm to full meltdown in under a second. Lead wrapped round my wrist, her lunging forward, me stumbling, the other owner looking at me like I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. They weren’t wrong. I stood there afterwards, heart hammering, and thought: there has to be a better way than this.

That moment is the reason I became a trainer. Not to fix other people’s dogs — but because I’d lived inside that feeling long enough to know exactly what it costs you.

I sought out proper specialist help, trained under Steve Mann’s courses and was mentored by NDTA’s Sandra Lawton, and I discovered something that changed everything: reactive dogs aren’t broken. They’re not dominant, stubborn, or beyond help. They’re overwhelmed. And when you address the emotion driving the behaviour — rather than just trying to suppress the behaviour itself — everything shifts.

Gia taught me that. The dogs I work with every day confirm it. The ones that pull, lunge, bark, and react are almost always the ones that respond best to the right approach — because nobody has ever actually explained the world to them in a way they can understand.

I’ve spent years since then working with dogs of every breed, size, and history. My approach is rooted in behaviour science — understanding what your dog is feeling and why, not just what they’re doing. No punishment, no dominance theory, no shortcuts. Just honest, ethical, evidence-based work that respects both you and your dog.

I work from K9 Freedom Fields — a private barn and fully secure outdoor field — so every session happens in a calm, controlled space before we take things into the real world where it counts.

🎓 Kennel Club Accredited Instructor

🩺 Canine First Aid Certified

✅ ACRO Police Checked

🛡️ Fully Insured

⭐ 5-Star Recommended

Choose Your Transformation Path

The Investment

Each package is designed to meet you where you are — while giving you the tools and support to achieve real, lasting change.

For the Rescue Plan — A Note on Your Dog's Progress

Every dog moves at their own pace, and six sessions is the right structure for most.

If we reach the end of your programme and feel you’d benefit from a little more time, we’ll always talk it through honestly and agree the best way forward together — whether that’s a few extra sessions or a clear plan to keep building at home. You’ll never be left wondering what to do next.

For Total Transformation — My Graduation Promise

If your dog isn’t where we agreed they’d be by your graduation session, we don’t stop there.

I’ll keep working with you — at no extra cost — until we get there.

That’s how confident I am in this programme, and how committed I am to your dog. You’re not paying for a fixed number of sessions and crossing your fingers. You’re investing in a result.

The Programme

Rescue Plan

The structured path to a calmer, more confident dog.

£1,200

One-time payment | Split payments available

6 structured 1:1 sessions, starting with an in-depth behaviour assessment (Session 1) at K9 Freedom Fields
Full written behaviour report within 48 hours of your assessment
Real-world trigger work, with stooge-dog setups where appropriate
Personalised, session-by-session action plan
Session notes and homework after every session
WhatsApp support throughout the programme, plus 3 months of continued support after you graduate
12 months’ free access to my online training portal and community on Skool (normally £192 a year) — step-by-step training videos, guides you can revisit any time, and a private group of owners on the same journey; yours from the day we begin
Ongoing maintenance plan and final progress report

Best for: Owners who are ready to commit and want a clear, structured programme with expert support throughout.

The Full Experience

Total Transformation

Every resource, every tool, every session — nothing held back.

£1,800

One-time payment | Split payments available

Everything in the Rescue Plan, plus:

8 structured 1:1 training sessions — two more than the Rescue Plan, and every one is hands-on training
Home visit assessment before you start — so your assessment is done on home turf, and all 8 sessions are pure training
Priority booking — sessions scheduled within 48 hours
One filmed session — review your own handling at home
4-week post-programme check-in included
My Graduation Promise — if your dog isn’t where we agreed by graduation, I keep working with you at no extra cost until they are

Best for: Owners who want the deepest level of support, the fastest possible progress, and Al fully invested from day one.

Hear It From the Owners Themselves

Real Results, Real Clients

Real people, real dogs, real change — from clients Al has worked with across the North East.

Kaitlyn Huggins & Oreo
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“We reached out to Who’s Walking Who for help with our 2-year-old reactive cockapoo after many trainers and feeling hopeless. Al visited our home and from the moment he came in and started to work with Oreo, I felt the hope come back. He was professional, friendly, and explained everything clearly. We have now booked a 6-week training course and I can’t wait to begin. At this stage I feel confident and can feel the hope in dog training again — all thanks to Who’s Walking Who.”

Emily Lowery & Jed
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“We adopted a very loud and reactive JR x Staffy and reached out to Al for help — we couldn’t begin to explain how amazing Al has been and how much he has helped us. Jed is pretty much a different dog now and we couldn’t have done it without Al’s help. I’ve recommended him to all of my family and friends. He becomes so invested in the dogs he works with and loves them as though they are his own.”

Lynne Price
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I can’t recommend these guys enough. I have a reactive dog and another pup who was picking up on the bad habits. Al worked with me and helped with the reactive problems, particularly when people visited the house. Now walking isn’t stressful and when people visit, the anxious behaviour quickly subsides. I recently attended a reactivity workshop and that has also made a great difference — working to get dogs to be in close proximity in a controlled environment was excellent.”

Common Questions

FAQs

What kind of dogs is this programme for?

Any dog that lunges, barks, or reacts to other dogs, people, traffic, or environmental triggers on walks. Any age, any size, any breed. If your dog is struggling, get in touch and we’ll have an honest conversation about what’s achievable.

How long does the programme take?

The Rescue Plan consists of 6 structured sessions, ideally taken weekly. Most clients begin to see meaningful change within the first two sessions. The full behaviour report and maintenance plan ensure progress continues long after sessions end.

Where do sessions take place?

Sessions are held at K9 Freedom Fields in Coxhoe, County Durham — a private barn and fully secure outdoor field that gives your dog a calm, controlled space to learn, without the pressure of other dogs or distractions. As the programme progresses, we take the training into real-world environments relevant to your dog’s specific triggers.

Are payment plans available?

Yes. We offer flexible payment options so the cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. Ask Al when you book your free consultation and we’ll work something out that suits you.

What if I've tried other trainers and it hasn't worked?

This is actually the most common thing we hear. Most training fails because it addresses the behaviour without addressing the root cause — the emotion driving it. Our approach starts with why your dog reacts, not just what they do. That’s what makes the difference.

My dog's reactivity is quite severe — can you still help?

Every dog is assessed individually and we’ll always be honest with you about what’s achievable and over what timescale. Severe reactivity can improve significantly with the right approach, consistent effort, and realistic expectations. Book a free consultation and we’ll give you a straight answer.

Do I need any specialist equipment?

We’ll discuss this during your initial assessment. Equipment is always secondary to technique — but we’ll advise on anything that would make the process safer or more effective for your specific dog.

My dog has bitten before or has a history of aggression — is that too much?

Please don’t leave the page without getting in touch. Dogs with a history of biting or more serious aggression are often the ones who need proper support the most — and they’re also some of the cases where the right approach makes the biggest difference. We’ll have an honest conversation about your dog’s history, what’s achievable, and how we’d approach it safely. There’s no judgement here. Just get in touch.

I can't always commit to weekly sessions — is that a problem?

Life gets busy, and we get that. While consistency does help progress move faster, the programme is designed to fit around real people with real schedules. We’ll work out a pace that’s realistic for you from the start — and the written session notes and homework plans mean you’re always moving forward between sessions, whatever the gaps look like.

How long is each session?

Each session runs around 50 minutes on average. Some may run a little longer depending on your dog and what we’re working on that day — if we’re in the middle of a breakthrough, we won’t cut it short.

How long does the whole programme take?

Sessions are ideally taken weekly, so the Rescue Plan typically runs over around 6 weeks, and Total Transformation over around 8 weeks — plus y our home visit beforehand, and a check-in four weeks after you graduate. Most clients begin to see meaningful change within the first two sessions. And if life means you can’t always manage weekly, we’ll set a realistic pace from the start — your written notes and homework keep you moving forward between sessions.

What's included in the online portal and community?

Every client gets 12 months’ free access to my private community on Skool — step-by-step training videos, guides you can revisit any time, and a group of other owners who genuinely understand what living with a reactive dog is like. It’s normally a paid membership (£20 a month, or £192 for the year), but it’s completely free for a full 12 months as part of your programme — a saving of nearly £200. The support doesn’t stop when your session ends, and you’re never doing this on your own. Access starts the day we begin, and it’s included in both packages at no extra cost.

None of this means your dog is broken — or that you've failed them. It means they need a different kind of help. That's exactly what we do.

Let's Talk About Your Dog

A free consultation is just a conversation — no pressure, no commitment. Just a chance to tell us what’s going on and find out if we’re the right fit for you and your dog.