Lyra is a 3 year old GSDx – we adopted her from the rescue centre when she was 1. The website described her as good with people, dogs, horses, even cats, in truth we found out she’s the exact opposite! She’s a very sensitive, nervous girl and as a result is reactive to pretty much everything including dogs and people.

Initially we didn’t know what to do or how to live with her – every day was a struggle and getting worse. We went to a trainer who was recommended to us, but unfortunately some of his techniques were aversive and for a sensitive girl like Lyra just made her worse – she actually started redirecting her reactivity on us when she saw anything she was scared of. After doing our own research and starting to understand more about reactivity and Lyra, we found Caroline and the Prickly Pooches course.

The methods Caroline uses throughout the course are all positive and about make positive associations and keeping the dogs below their threshold of reactivity whilst having some fun! Lyra really has fun at the sessions now and is learning to be more relaxed around new people and dogs, and with the regular practice sessions following on from the course, we’ve been able to continue building on the foundations set by the course. We still have a long way to go, and she’ll always be a sensitive dog, but with the help of prickly pooches we’ve been able to gradually build positive associations for Lyra, around people who completely understand the stresses of having a reactive dog in the family.

Thank you Caroline!

We have had Charlie since he was 9 months old as a rescue from Cardiff Dogs Home. He has always been a little anxious and under-confident especially when out and about. In addition to this, he is extremely nervous and vocal about motorbikes and whilst you can sometimes spot a dog from a distance and choose another path, a speeding and noisy vehicle is usually much harder to avoid. We have now had Charlie for 4 years and whilst he is wonderful in the house and extremely good with people, other dogs had started becoming a problem and after one particular incident with a neighbourhood dog, we decided to seek help and we got in touch with Caroline.

We are absolutely DELIGHTED with the results we have seen and the difference we now have with Charlie out on walks. Whilst he is still nervous around motorbikes and to occasional other dogs, we have learned some fantastic techniques by means of distraction and shifting his focus. Gone are the days where we have to hide in some stranger’s driveway to avoid a motorbike and whilst we know that the training will be an ongoing process, we really couldn’t be more pleased with the results we have seen so far. Caroline uses simple and effective techniques which are easy to work into your dog’s regular routine, the additional links and information she gives you are also very useful. We would recommend anyone with a reactive dog give Prickly Pooches a try. We thought we might have to struggle with some of Charlie’s problems for the rest of his life, but thanks to Caroline there is light at the end of the tunnel and we are on our way to a happier, more confident and relaxed dog. Thank you!

Sooki is fearful of other dogs and this is shown as aggression towards them. She is reactive and walking usually consists of hiding behind cars, hedges and corners avoiding other dogs and confrontation. Having researched canine behaviour I was keen to learn how I could develop Sooki and become part of the normal dog walking society.

Having attended the ‘Prickly Pooch’ classes led by Caroline Cowan, it was clear that the dog and owners safety was paramount. The venue was perfect and the equipment provided ensured that all dogs remained as calm as possible during their training. Initially Sooki was highly reactive, not only did she require training but I was desperate to know how to handle these situations.

Caroline experience brings a wealth of knowledge and she has provided an invaluable insight to Sooki’s behaviour. Clearly, Caroline is adaptable to each dogs training ability and needs, and she has demonstrated how to counteract aggressive behaviour. With each class and having practised the techniques taught by Caroline between each session, Sooki was able to walk within metres of another dog without reaction. Sooki has finally turned a corner and we are very optimistic about the future. We no longer avoid other dogs but look for opportunities to practise the good behaviour. The training is hard work but the reward is astonishing.

Not only has Caroline inspired me with confidence, she has given me the tools and skills that I need to develop Sooki further. Sooki has achieved so much from the sessions, we will sign up for any follow on course available.

After being told by one dog trainer that we may be facing real problems with our new dog Meg, that we may have to give her up as a lost cause but that he was willing to take her under his wing for 6 months at a cost of £1,500, it was with some trepidation that I contacted Caroline at Cardiff Canine Citizens to ask if she could help. I explained that Meg was a 16 month old Border Collie/Alsatian rescue dog which came from a home where young hyperactive boys and a young daughter lived and that she was teased, sometimes locked in a cage and, according to my vet, she had marks on her back where she had been hit – she had received no vaccinations at all. Consequently, Meg was a very nervous dog, prone to attack and bark viciously at anybody and was very defensive around other dogs to the point where I had to take Meg for walks only when it was quiet and she would have some peace. I enrolled Meg on Caroline’s ‘Prickly Pooches’ 4 week class. What a difference a good dog trainer makes! After 4 weeks Meg not only didn’t bark at the other 5 dogs in the class, she actually played with them and walked alongside them with no fear or nervousness and I am NOT exaggerating. Caroline did not believe that Meg had behavioural problems but just needed training, encouragement and interaction with other dogs; she was right. I cannot thank Caroline enough for what she has done in just 4 one hour weekly sessions. I now have a different dog, who, while she still barks at strangers who come to the house she quickly calms down enough for them to give her treats without her snarling at them (miracles sometimes do happen). Thank you so much Caroline (and daughter); I cannot wait for the Stage 2 prickly pooch classes to start.

Patch is a rescue dog. He was 3 years old when he came to us, and it quickly became clear that he was an anxious dog with reactivity problems, who had probably very little socialisation. He gets over-excited meeting other dogs, and seems to hate joggers and cyclists, particularly if they’re wearing bright fluorescent colours. Unfortunately, when he gets really wound up, his last resort is to lash out and try to bite. After a year of struggling to sort him out ourselves, we decided to seek professional help.

It was fairly obvious from our first meeting with Caroline that she knew what she was talking about, but if we had any doubts, these were dispelled in the first few minutes of the first Prickly Pooches session. Imagine 8 reactive dogs, with their anxious owners, all in the same room together. It ought to have been utter chaos and a recipe for disaster. It wasn’t: Caroline used the session to assess the dogs, (and no doubt the owners) and to introduce us to the techniques and skills we needed to address our dogs’ problems. What we learnt in that first session set us up for the next few weeks on the field outside, during which Patch learnt to attend far less to the things that stress him out, and far more to us. Week by week, we saw his behaviour getting better, and could see similar improvements in the other dogs in the group at the same time. By the final week we found ourselves in the middle of the field with Patch on a long leash, playing fetch with his favourite ball, completely ignoring and being ignored by, all the other dogs circling around him.

To round the course off we had a one to one session with Caroline and one of her dogs. Caroline was very generous with her time and advice, the dogs got on well together, and the walk in the local park couldn’t have gone better. The training has paid off at home too. Patch is less needy, more relaxed and responsive, and seems a lot happier. He’s still got a way to go with his behaviour outside, but he’s much improved and, thanks to Caroline, we now have a clear view of where we’re going with him, and a good idea of how to get him there.

Following your amazing support and input, Roxy has improved tremendously over the last few months. As you know, she had become increasingly nervous and extremely ‘prickly’ following a variety of incidents, some involving other dogs attacking her. She is now able to walk past other dogs without always being so wary and her recall has improved no end! I think the special sausage treats have helped in that department mind you! The classes helped her to realise that not all dogs are a threat and showed me how to deal with potential stressful situations,staying one step ahead of her and avoid conflict. You have also given me back some confidence and some great tips that I use all the time. Walking with Roxy is now much more pleasurable once again….thank you so much Caroline!

Since working with Caroline and coming to the ‘Prickly Pooches’ classes, Molly (and my) behaviour has improved quite dramatically. We had Molly from the dogs home around 18 months ago and she has never liked the company of other dogs and has always barked, growled or whined when she has seen another dog. If another dog has come too close, Molly has lunged at them and seemed like she was going to attack. Through working with Caroline at classes and on our own, I have developed lots more confidence and have learnt skills and techniques to use with Molly when we are out, to avoid situations and to calm her down if we have to pass a dog. I use the clicker and her ball as distractions, and by talking to her calmly and keeping Molly focused we can now walk past another dog with relative ease. I am much more aware of Molly’s signals and behaviours and I know when she is getting stressed or feeling uncomfortable. The work we have done has been invaluable and we can now walk with little or no situations occurring. Molly needs reassurance that we are in control of things for her, and she responds really well when that is the case.

I am so glad I worked with Caroline, her help and advice has been hugely beneficial to us, and I know her on going support is always there if needed. Caroline knows so much about dogs and is a true professional in her area. I would definitely recommend Caroline to anyone who has any sort of problem with their dogs behaviour, particularly the prickly kind of behaviours, which are so undesirable.