One-to-one dog behaviour support
Individual support, shaped around you and your dog
Whether life with your dog feels hard right now, or you simply want to do the very best for them, one-to-one support is often the most direct and effective way forward.
This is fully individualised support, shaped around your dog, your household, and the realities of your day-to-day life. There’s no standard plan, no one-size-fits-all approach, and no expectation that you already know what the answers are.
We listen to what you want to achieve and help you put changes in place that are realistic, flexible and specific to you and your dog’s individual needs. Our role is to help you understand what’s really going on, decide what matters most right now, and guide you through the next steps with clarity and confidence – so you can get on with enjoying life together.
What one-to-one support looks like here
There is no standard plan – because there can’t be.
Every dog–guardian partnership is unique, shaped by health, wellbeing, emotional experience, environment and daily life. One-to-one support at Canine Thinking always looks at the whole picture, and is shaped around what will help you and your dog most effectively – not a rigid, pre-set structure.
Depending on what you and your dog need, support may involve a combination of the following.
Flexible individual sessions
Support may include a mix of in-person or online sessions, and even supported vet visits where helpful.
For some clients, this looks like a short period of more intensive input for a thorough deep-dive into what’s happening, careful support to stabilise things and put strong foundations in place, followed by lighter-touch support as life settles. For others, it starts with an exploratory assessment session to properly understand what’s going on, then if you feel confident to take a more self-guided approach to the initial steps, we can simply schedule a follow-up each time you’re ready to build in a little more.
The structure flexes around your dog, your capacity, and what will genuinely help.
Ongoing support in between –
Because change doesn’t happen in sessions, it happens in real life, in the moments in between.
Most of our clients choose access to day-to-day support via a personal WhatsApp space, where questions, observations and adjustments can be shared as they arise – rather than being saved up for the next appointment.
This means we can help you sense-check decisions, adapt plans as things change, and build confidence as you go. It often accelerates progress because you’re supported while things are happening, not just talking about them afterwards. Clients regularly tell us they love this level of support – it makes the whole process feel lighter and far less isolating.
Where appropriate, this ongoing contact also supports structured observation and information-gathering, particularly when we’re exploring physical wellbeing factors alongside behaviour.
Pawsome Wellbeing – one-to-one support with a physical wellbeing focus
Physical wellbeing, comfort and health are closely intertwined with emotional wellbeing and how dogs behave.
Pawsome Wellbeing is our specialist one-to-one support for situations where physical wellbeing needs closer attention. This includes helping to identify the influence of pain, diet and gut health on behaviour and emotional wellbeing (and vice versa), as well as supporting dogs with more complex or layered health histories.
This work is fully integrated into our one-to-one behaviour services but in some cases, it becomes the primary focus – particularly when a guardian or professional is seeking support specifically around health, physical comfort or wellbeing, or when we’re working alongside an existing behaviourist or trainer. Veterinary teams may also refer clients to us for at-home support, such as emotional wellbeing with chronic conditions or structured observation and information-gathering to support ongoing clinical decision-making.
For this reason, Pawsome Wellbeing support is also available as a stand-alone service.
You don’t need to decide which approach is right. If a specific Pawsome Wellbeing service is likely to be helpful, we’ll talk it through with you and guide you into the form of support that best matches your needs.
Learn more about Pawsome Wellbeing services here
Working alongside the other people in your dog’s life
We regularly work alongside veterinary teams, physiotherapists, groomers, walkers and other professionals, helping to ensure your dog is supported consistently across their life. Where helpful, we take care of sharing relevant information and joining the dots, so you’re not left trying to explain everything repeatedly or worry that something important is being missed.
We also work with clients who already have a trainer or behaviourist, helping integrate additional wellbeing-led support where it adds value.
Feel Well Behave Well community – support beyond sessions
One-to-one work can also be supported by our Feel Well Behave Well community, offering continuity, and shared experience and learning beyond individual sessions. This is a dedicated safe space for our one-to-one clients, alongside access to the wider membership community if you wish.
For some clients, this provides reassurance and continuity between sessions, particularly once the initial steps are in place. For others, it becomes a longer-term source of support as life with their dog evolves.
It’s there to complement one-to-one work – and honestly, the value of shared learning can be huge. Some of our clients have been part of our membership spaces for several years.
You don’t need to decide in advance what kind of support you need, or how it should be delivered. Part of our role is helping you work that out, and adjusting the level and type of support as things change.
The aim is always the same: support that fits your dog, your life, and what will genuinely help you move forward – without unnecessary complexity or guesswork.
How to get started
There are a few simple ways to begin, depending on how much clarity and support feels right for you right now.
Free 20-minute enquiry call
This short call gives you space to talk things through and ask questions.
We’ll help you decide whether one-to-one support is right for you, and if so, which option is likely to be most helpful for your dog and your situation.
There’s no obligation – and no pressure to book anything further.
60 minute advisory session
A Helping Paw is a focused, one-off conversation designed to help you understand what’s happening for your dog and what to prioritise next.
It won’t fix everything – but it will give you a clearer picture, practical guidance, and realistic next steps you can move forward with.
There’s no expectation of ongoing support. If you do choose to continue, part of the cost of this session can be redeemed against further one-to-one work.
Pawtastic Start deep-dive
This is a longer, more in-depth session designed to give you the space to really understand what’s going on.
It includes some information sharing beforehand and allows us to look more carefully at behaviour, wellbeing, context and day-to-day patterns – so we can give you a more in-depth plan and next steps.
This option is often chosen by people who want more than a steer, but aren’t yet ready for the full support experience.
Very Best Paw Forwards
Our most comprehensive one-to-one support
Very Best Paw Forwards is our most in-depth and personalised way of working.
It’s designed for dogs and guardians who want to fully understand what’s going on, build a complete picture, and be supported through every step without having to second-guess decisions or worry about what might be missing.
This is a highly bespoke, holistic programme that brings together everything your dog may need – behavioural support, physical wellbeing insight, detailed observation, professional collaboration and ongoing guidance – all carefully mapped and adjusted as you go. Support is shaped around your dog, your life and what actually matters, rather than following a fixed structure or checklist.
Very Best Paw Forwards is often the right choice when situations feel complex, layered, or simply too important to approach piecemeal. It provides the reassurance of knowing that whatever emerges along the way, it will be noticed, understood and addressed with you – expertly and thoroughly.
“It has been the most eye-opening and beneficial thing we’ve ever done with our dog.” Julie with Reggie and Archie
Ongoing support and staying connected
One-to-one support with us is never a single moment in time – unless you want it to be.
All one-to-one clients have access to ongoing guidance and continuity, so you’re not left worrying about what happens next. Many guardians stay connected with us over the long term – not because they’re in constant difficulty, but because it’s reassuring to know experienced support is there as questions arise, circumstances change, or new stages of life with their dog unfold. The journey itself is enjoyable and enriching and working together builds understanding, confidence and often lasting connections with our team and wider community.
The exact form that ongoing support takes will vary depending on your needs and the level of input you want. This might be a quick question, an ad hoc check-in session, or continued support through our Feel Well Behave Well membership community, which includes a dedicated additional space specifically for one-to-one clients.
The principle is simple: you don’t have to do this on your own. Support is there when you need it, in a way that fits your life and evolves alongside you and your dog.
FAQs
Do I need to know what kind of support I need before getting in touch?
No. Part of our role is helping you work out what will be most helpful for you and your dog. We’ll talk things through and guide you towards the right next step, adjusting the level and type of support as things change.
Is one-to-one support only for dogs with serious behaviour problems?
No. Some guardians come to us because life feels hard, others because things are mostly going well and they want to do the very best for their dog. One-to-one support is about tailoring help to your situation, whatever stage you’re at.
How do one-to-one sessions work – are they in person or online?
That depends on what’s most appropriate and practical for you and your dog. One-to-one support may involve in-person sessions, online sessions, or a combination of both. We’ll help you decide what makes sense.
Do I need a referral from my vet?
We always work alongside your veterinary team – without exception. Physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and behaviour are closely interconnected, and being able to share information when needed is essential for providing effective, responsible support.
Your vet can refer you to us directly, which is often the simplest route. There’s a referral option on our website that your practice can use. If that hasn’t happened yet, we’re also very happy to contact your vet on your behalf and arrange this for you.
We’ll ask you to complete a simple consent form so that we and your veterinary team can communicate and share relevant information as needed. We take care of the rest, and all communication is handled in line with GDPR requirements.
Is the cost covered by my pet insurance?
That depends on your individual policy, but many of our clients are able to reclaim some or all of the cost of working with us through their pet insurance.
In all cases, payment is made directly by you to us, and any insurance claim is then reclaimed from your insurer separately. We’re not able to accept direct payment from insurance companies.
You’ll need to check your policy carefully, including any exclusions or pre-existing conditions. In some cases, your insurer may wish to speak to us or request supporting information, which we’re very happy to provide. Some clients also choose not to claim, particularly if cover is limited, as claims can affect future premiums. We always recommend checking the details of your policy so you can make an informed decision.
Is ongoing support included, or is it session by session?
Most one-to-one work includes access to ongoing guidance between sessions, but the exact level of support depends on what you choose and what’s helpful for you. We’ll be clear about what’s included and help you decide what level of support feels right.
What if I just want a single session or some initial advice?
That’s absolutely fine. Options like A Helping Paw and Pawtastic Start are designed for guardians who want clarity and professional guidance without committing to ongoing support.
How do I get started?
If you’re unsure where to begin, the easiest first step is a free 20-minute enquiry call. We’ll help you decide whether one-to-one support is right for you, and which option is likely to be the best fit.
Not sure which option fits?
If you’re unsure where to start, a short conversation can help you think things through and choose a sensible next step with confidence.
A short, no-pressure conversation to help you decide what would be most helpful.
A one-off session for clarity, guidance and next steps – without committing to ongoing support.
