Reactive on walks
Your dog barks, lunges, freezes, scans or explodes when they see dogs, people, bikes or traffic.
Craig Dunn, DTC-CTD · Certified Dog Trainer
Struggling with your dog's behaviour?
If walks, visitors or everyday life are becoming stressful because of reactivity, aggression, barking, anxiety, pulling or guarding, you are in the right place.
Start with a free telephone consultation with Craig Dunn, DTC-CTD. Tell me what is happening, ask the questions you need to ask, and we will work out the right next step together.
No judgement
No aversive tools
No pressure
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Qualified. Vetted.
Behaviour First.
Professional Standards
You Can See.
Craig Dunn, DTC-CTD
Certified Dog Trainer & Canine Behaviour Specialist
Craig is recognised by the Dog Training College as a Certified Dog Trainer and is professionally vetted, monitored and reviewed.
That professional training supports an ethical, reward-based and behaviour-first approach for dogs and owners across Teesside.
First, breathe
You are not failing. Your dog is struggling.
Behaviour problems can make normal life feel exhausting. Walks become stressful. Visitors become a worry. You start planning your day around what your dog might react to next.
That does not mean your dog is bad, and it does not mean you have failed them. Behaviour is communication. Once we understand what is driving it, we can build a calmer, safer and more realistic way forward.
The first step is not more guessing.
The first step is understanding what your dog is trying to tell us.
Dogs I help every week
Does this sound like your dog?
High-intent Google searches usually come from real-life pressure. This page is here to show you that I understand the problem before asking you to take the next step.
Aggression or snapping
Growling, snapping, biting or unpredictable behaviour has left you worried about safety and what to do next.
Resource guarding
Your dog protects food, toys, spaces, stolen items or people, and you are scared of making it worse.
Separation anxiety
Your dog panics when left, cannot settle alone, cries, destroys, barks or becomes distressed when you leave.
Visitors and the home
Doorbells, guests, movement in the house or people entering your space trigger barking, jumping, guarding or fear.
Lead pulling and lunging
Walks feel like hard work because your dog drags, pulls, reacts, cannot focus or becomes overwhelmed outdoors.
Poor recall
Your dog ignores you, chases, runs over to other dogs or cannot be trusted off lead when distractions appear.
Fear and anxiety
Your dog hides, freezes, startles, avoids touch, struggles with noises, new places or everyday situations.
Over-arousal
Jumping, mouthing, barking, chasing, spinning and inability to switch off are making life feel chaotic.
If you recognised your dog above, start with a conversation.
You do not need to know the solution yet. That is what the consultation is for.
Behaviour-first support
Most behaviour problems are not solved by another generic obedience plan.
If your dog is reacting because they are fearful, frustrated, anxious, conflicted or overwhelmed, simply asking for more obedience rarely fixes the real issue.
We need to understand the emotion, the triggers, the environment, the safety picture and the learning history before we decide what will actually help.
Why this matters
We do not start by asking, "How do we stop it?"
We start by asking, "Why is it happening?"
That is the difference between throwing training at the symptom and building a behaviour plan that makes sense for your dog, your home and your real life.
What we are working towards
Imagine life feeling calmer again.
Behaviour work is not about quick tricks. It is about helping you understand your dog and giving you a plan you can actually follow.
Walks
Less panic. More connection. Clearer handling.
Visitors
Better safety, calmer routines and less uncertainty.
Home life
More understanding and fewer daily battles.
Confidence
A plan instead of guessing what to try next.
How we help
The first step is simple.
The landing page does not ask you to buy anything. It asks you to start the right conversation.
Free telephone consultation
Tell Craig what is happening. Ask your questions. I will listen, explain what may be going on and advise whether I believe I can help.
Start here →Behavioural assessment if appropriate
If your dog needs in-depth support, we will discuss a behaviour assessment so the full picture can be understood properly.
Clear behaviour plan
You get clarity on what is driving the behaviour, what to avoid, what to change first and how to move forward safely.
Ongoing support if needed
If behaviour modification sessions are the right option, you will be guided towards the level of support that fits your dog and goals.
Why owners choose It's Paw Choice
Calm, ethical behaviour support for dogs who need more than basic training.
01
Behaviour before obedience
We look at what is driving the behaviour, not just the visible reaction.
02
Safety-led guidance
Especially important for aggression, guarding, snapping, bite risk and fearful dogs.
03
No intimidation
No prong collars, choke chains, shock collars or dominance-based handling.
04
Clear explanations
You will understand what is happening instead of being handed a list of commands.
05
Realistic plans
Built around real homes, real families, real routines and real dogs.
06
Speak directly with Craig
Your first step is a direct conversation with the person who will guide the behaviour journey.
Start with a free consultation
Let's talk about your dog.
Choose the contact option that feels easiest. Send a message, call, text, or use the enquiry form.
Fastest option
WhatsApp Craig
Send a quick message about what is happening with your dog and ask for a free telephone consultation.
Message on WhatsApp → Speak directlyCall Craig
Prefer to talk? Call directly and, if I am with a client, leave a message and I will get back to you.
Call 07925 924408 → Simple textText Craig
Text a short summary of your dog's behaviour and the best time for Craig to call you back.
Send a text → Form optionUse the enquiry form
Write the details down in your own time and send them through the contact form.
Open enquiry form →Questions before you contact
Clear answers before the first step.
Is the telephone consultation really the first step?
Yes. The aim is to understand what is happening, answer your initial questions and decide whether I believe I can help before discussing any paid next step.
What if my dog has bitten or snapped?
Please still get in touch. Bite risk and safety concerns need careful handling. The first conversation helps decide the safest and most appropriate route forward.
Will I be judged?
No. Behaviour problems can happen in loving homes. The focus is understanding what is happening and helping you move forward, not blaming you or your dog.
Do you use aversive tools?
No. Support is behaviour-first, ethical and safety-led, without prong collars, choke chains, shock collars or intimidation-based handling.
Do I need to book an assessment straight away?
No. Start with the free telephone consultation. If an assessment is appropriate, we will discuss that together after I understand the situation.
Where do you cover?
It's Paw Choice supports owners across Teesside and surrounding areas, with the safest location discussed based on your dog and the behaviour concerns.
Your dog does not need another label
They need someone to understand what is really going on.
If your dog's behaviour is making life feel stressful, uncertain or unsafe, do not keep guessing alone. Start with one conversation and we will take it from there.