A Helping Paw – one-to-one guidance for your dog
Expert guidance to help you decide what to do next
Sometimes you just need some clarity.
A Helping Paw is a one-to-one session designed to help you make sense of what’s going on, decide what matters most right now, and work out sensible next steps without guesswork or pressure.
It’s often the fastest way to get professional perspective, whether you’re dealing with something that feels relatively contained or something that feels overwhelming.
What ‘A Helping Paw’ is for
A Helping Paw may be the right place to start if:
- You have one or two specific concerns or questions and want professional input without committing to longer-term support.
- Things feel fairly simple or manageable, but you’d like an experienced perspective to sense-check what you’re seeing.
- You’re unsure whether what you’re noticing is behavioural, wellbeing-related, or a mix, and want help prioritising.
- You’re dealing with a serious, complex or emotionally difficult situation and need calm, informed guidance before deciding what to do next.
- You’re considering major decisions – such as rehoming, significant lifestyle changes, or end-of-life choices – and want support thinking things through responsibly.
- You want help deciding which kind of support would actually be useful next, whether that’s further one-to-one work, wellbeing-focused input, veterinary follow-up, or something else entirely.
What happens in the session
A Helping Paw moves beyond surface advice or isolated training tips.
In your session, we will:
- listen carefully to what’s been happening
- look at behaviour, emotional wellbeing and physical wellbeing together
- help you identify what’s most relevant right now
- offer clear, practical guidance you can act on
- outline realistic next steps, if any are needed
There’s no expectation that this leads anywhere else.
For some guardians, one session is enough. For others, it becomes a stepping stone into deeper support – but that decision is always yours.
What A Helping Paw isn’t
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It isn’t a practical, hands-on training session. While we may discuss management strategies or types of training that could be helpful, the focus is on understanding, prioritising and planning rather than teaching skills in the moment.
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It isn’t a comprehensive assessment, and it can never replace veterinary care.
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It isn’t a commitment to further work – it can stand alone if that’s all you need right now.
A Helping Paw is about clarity, perspective and informed next steps through professional, individualised guidance – with explanations that help you understand why certain approaches may or may not be useful for your dog longer term.
Using A Helping Paw as a starting point
For some guardians, A Helping Paw is exactly what’s needed on its own. For others, it becomes a helpful first step before moving into more in-depth support.
If you decide to continue into a more in-depth one-to-one service like Pawtastic Start or Very Best Paw Forwards, 20% of the A Helping Paw fee is credited towards that next piece of work. This reflects the fact that relevant background information, observations and formulation from your initial session can be carried forward, rather than starting again. This cannot be used towards further ad hoc A Helping Paw sessions or a Functional Movement Quick Check.
There’s no expectation to continue. The aim is simply to keep support joined-up, proportionate and fair, whatever you decide to do next.
Practical details
- Format: Online
- Length: 60 minutes
- Who it’s for: New clients
Choose who you work with
When booking A Helping Paw, you can choose between two options. Both follow the same wellbeing-led approach and values – the difference is experience level and depth of clinical background.
A Helping Paw – Behaviour team
£145
60 minute one-to-one session
Led by one of our experienced behaviourists, this option is ideal if you want clear, professional guidance, help prioritising next steps, or support thinking through a specific situation.
You’ll receive the same thoughtful, whole-dog approach – with behaviour, emotional wellbeing and physical wellbeing considered together.
A Helping Paw – Lisa Webb
£225
60 minute one-to-one session
Led by Lisa Webb, founder of Canine Thinking and Lead Behaviour & Wellbeing Specialist, this option is often chosen for more complex or layered situations where wider experience and deeper health–behaviour integration may be helpful, or if you’re navigating difficult or emotionally-weighty decisions.
What happens after you pay
Once you’ve completed payment:
- you’ll receive a confirmation email
- a member of the team will be in touch by phone or email to arrange your session at a time that works for you. We aim to do this within 2 working days, sooner wherever possible.
Sessions must be used within 4 weeks of payment. Please note that the team works primarily Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm.
Before your session, we’ll ask you to complete a brief online form to share some background about your dog and situation, so we can use your time together as effectively as possible.
About Lisa
Lisa Webb is the founder of Canine Thinking and works with guardians who want to understand what’s really driving their dog’s behaviour – especially when things feel complicated, overwhelming or emotionally difficult.
Her work brings together behaviour, emotional wellbeing and physical health, helping guardians make sense of what they’re seeing and decide what matters most right now. Lisa is known for her calm, thoughtful approach and for making complex situations feel more manageable.
Many guardians choose to work with Lisa when they want extra depth, a wider view, or support when their dog has health issues – but the same values and approach run through the whole Canine Thinking team.
FAQs
Do I need to prepare anything beforehand?
No formal preparation is required. We may ask a few questions in advance so we can use your time well.
How do I join the session?
Your session will take place by video call.
All you need is:
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a laptop, tablet or smartphone
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a reliable internet connection
Before your appointment, we’ll send you a video call link by email. At the time of your session, you simply click the link and join the meeting – there’s nothing to download.
We recommend having your camera switched on if you’re able. It’s much nicer to talk face to face, and it also allows us to see your dog and pick up on things that can be helpful during the conversation.
If you’ve never used video calls before or feel a bit unsure, please don’t worry – just let us know. We’re very happy to help, and it really is straightforward.
Will I be given things to work on afterwards?
You’ll leave with clear guidance and next steps where appropriate. This may include management suggestions, behaviour support ideas or recommendations for further exploration.
Will I receive a written report?
We don’t provide a formal written report after A Helping Paw sessions.
Instead, you’ll receive a recording of your session, along with a clear written summary highlighting key recommendations and next steps. This allows you to revisit the conversation, focus on what matters most, and apply the guidance in a way that works for you and your dog.
For many guardians, this is more useful than a long report, as it captures context, nuance and explanation as well as practical guidance.
If you later move into more in-depth or ongoing support, information from this session can be built on rather than repeated.
Book your session
Both options follow the same wellbeing-first approach. The difference is experience level and depth of health-behaviour complexity involved.
£145
Clear, professional guidance with a ‘whole-dog’ approach
£225
For more complex or layered health & behaviour needs
Not sure which option is right for you?
You can book a free 20 minute enquiry call to talk things through and decide what will be most helpful.