Reactivity Specialist IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

Jo who is a dog trainer and a reactive Whippet in Easingwold

Living with a reactive dog can be incredibly tough, for both you and your dog.

The long walks you imagined turn into carefully timed outings. Everyday moments, like opening the back door or seeing another dog on a walk, can be a source of stress or even shame.

You might feel judged, isolated or like you’re constantly walking on eggshells. And your dog? They’re not choosing to be difficult, they’re overwhelmed, anxious and trying their best in a world that often feels too much.

I’ve been there myself, and I help people with reactive dogs in Easingwold and the surrounding areas. Together, we will find a way forward to build a happy and harmonious relationship between you and your dog.

My story

My journey started in 2011, when my rescue dog attacked my other dog.

It broke my heart, and I was full of guilt and questions. But that experience sparked something in me. I had left my career as a hairdresser and began walking and boarding dogs, which left me wanting to understand them better.

In 2015, I took my first course with IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) - I loved it and I couldn’t get enough!

Fast forward a few years, and now I’m fully qualified, specialising in reactivity and deeply committed to helping dogs and people build happy lives together.

What makes me different? It’s not just my education or experience. It’s the way I work. I bring a holistic approach, looking at everything in your dog’s world: diet, sleep, stress, environment, your lifestyle, and your emotional connection with your dog. I also genuinely love working with people as much as I love dogs, you’re half of the partnership, and I want to support you too.

My own dog Sunnie, who has faced a lot of her own struggles, has taught me more than any course ever could. She’s taken me down the path of learning about nervous systems, hormones, emotions, and the importance of kindness and patience.

Questions you might be asking yourself

Why is my dog barking for no reason?

It might feel like your reactive dog is barking for no reason, but there’s always a reason, it just might not be obvious to us. Some common causes include:

1. They heard or sensed something you didn’t

Dogs have much sharper hearing and smell than we do. They may be reacting to:

A distant dog barking
A car door closing down the street
Wildlife outside
A smell that’s caught their attention

2. Anticipation or frustration

If they usually get a walk or food soon, barking can be from excitement or impatience
They may be frustrated they can’t access something (e.g., a person, toy, or outside area)

3. Built-up stress or anxiety

Reactivity often means your dog is on high alert. Even in a calm environment, they might be:

Releasing built-up tension through barking
Feeling unsettled from something earlier in the day
Trying to seek reassurance or control

4. Boredom or lack of stimulation

If they haven’t had a chance to sniff, chew, lick, or problem-solve recently, they might bark out of mental or physical under-stimulation.

5. Habit or learned behaviour

Sometimes barking becomes a default “coping strategy” - especially if it’s ever worked to get attention or change a situation.

Why is my dog being "aggressive"?

If your dog is showing reactive or aggressive behaviour, it’s not because they’re being “naughty”, it’s usually because they’re feeling stressed, fearful, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Here’s a breakdown of common reasons:

1. Fear or anxiety

Many reactive dogs bark, lunge, or growl to create boundaries, they’re trying to say, “Please stay away.” This is especially common if they’ve had a scary experience in the past (e.g., being attacked or overwhelmed).

2. Frustration

Some dogs react because they want to get to something or someone but can’t (e.g. on a lead or behind a fence). This can look similar to aggression but comes from over-excitement and poor impulse control.

3. Lack of social skills

Dogs who weren’t properly socialised as puppies, or had negative experiences, might struggle to cope with other dogs, people, or new environments.

4. Pain or discomfort

If your dog is in pain (even mild joint pain or gut discomfort), their tolerance is lowered, and they’re more likely to react.

5. Overstimulation or stress buildup

A dog who’s overwhelmed, tired, or has had too much going on (visitors, loud noises, busy walks) may reach a threshold and react to something small.

6. Genetic or breed traits

Some dogs are simply more sensitive or alert due to breeding. While training can help massively, some reactivity may be wired in to a degree. (However there is lots that can be done to help support all dogs)

Why is my dog jumping up at me?

When a dog is nervous or overexcited, jumping up at people is often their way of saying:

“Help! I don’t know what else to do right now!” or “I’m so overwhelmed I need an outlet!”

Here’s why it happens, and what it might mean:

Why nervous dogs jump up

Seeking comfort: jumping up brings them closer to your face or chest, where they feel safer
Stress response: their body is on high alert, and they’re struggling to stay calm

Why overexcited dogs jump up

Too much energy with no direction, especially if people approach them in an excitable way
They’ve learned it gets attention (even if it’s “No!” or being pushed away)
They haven’t been taught an alternative, like sitting or keeping four paws on the floor

It’s not rudeness, it’s a lack of emotional control.

Whether it’s nerves or excitement, jumping often means your dog is struggling to regulate themselves. Their arousal levels (stress/excitement) are too high for them to think clearly.

Why is my dog afraid of the wheelie bin and other random objects or people?

It might seem totally random, but if your dog is afraid of wheelie bins, unfamiliar objects, or certain people, there’s usually a deeper reason behind it. Here’s what could be going on:

1. Novelty = Uncertainty

Dogs often fear new or unusual things, especially if they weren’t exposed to lots of different shapes, sounds, and textures as puppies. A bin with wheels? Weird. A man in a hat? Suspicious. A statue? Might come alive.

2. Past experiences

Something may have startled or scared them before, even if you didn’t see it. For example:

A bin falling over and making a loud noise
Someone once shouted near a bin
A person who looked a certain way once scared them

3. Sound sensitivity

Wheelie bins are clunky and noisy, especially when moved. Dogs with sensitive hearing may associate them with sudden, unpredictable sounds.

4. Appearance or posture of people

Dogs don’t always recognise people who move differently, wear unusual clothing, or have strong scents (e.g., smokers, perfumes, uniforms). If someone looks or smells “wrong”, that can trigger fear.

5. Lack of confidence or resilience

Some dogs are naturally more sensitive and struggle to bounce back from surprises. A reactive or anxious dog might view any change in the environment as a threat.

Why is my dog lunging and going for other dogs?

When your dog is lunging and going for other dogs, it might look aggressive, but it’s usually driven by fear, frustration, or a mix of both. Here’s what’s really going on:

1. Fear-based reactivity

Your dog feels unsafe around other dogs and reacts to make them go away
Lunging, barking, or growling is their way of saying: “Back off!”
It’s a defensive behaviour, not a sign of wanting a fight

2. Frustration (a.k.a. “barrier frustration”)

Your dog may actually want to say hello, but the lead, fence, or distance is stopping them
They get frustrated, overstimulated, and boom — they lunge
This often looks intense but isn’t truly aggressive

3. Learned response

If your dog has reacted before and the other dog moved away, they’ve learned it works
So they repeat the behaviour, especially if it gets a big reaction from you too

4. Past trauma or poor experiences

Dogs that have been attacked or overwhelmed by other dogs often develop reactivity
Even a single bad incident can make them feel they have to “act first” in future

5. Lack of safe social skills

If your dog didn’t have proper, positive exposure to calm dogs growing up, they may not know how to behave around them
They go into panic or overdrive when they see another dog

My approach to reactivity

Reactivity isn’t “bad behaviour”...

It’s often a sign that something deeper is going on, stress, fear, pain, or even overexcitement. I take time to understand the why, not just stop the what. Here’s what makes my approach unique:

Holistic focus – I consider everything: nutrition, environment, stress, sleep, your own energy and routines.
Gentle, reward-based training – No quick fixes or forcing dogs into uncomfortable situations. We go at their pace.
People-first mindset – I genuinely care about your wellbeing as well as your dog’s.
Community support – I offer group reactivity sessions, so you’re not doing this alone. These are affordable, safe spaces where dogs and their humans can learn together, build confidence, and maintain progress over time.

I've trained with top behaviourists like Dr. Amber Batson and Chirag Patel, and I’ve completed courses like Pro Reactivity and ACE Free Work. I even find myself reading about human psychology and behaviour, because the overlap between human and canine stress is so powerful. This isn’t just my work, it’s my passion.

Selfie of Jo, dog trainer in Easingwold, at ACE Freework workshop

"Jo Helped Me Rebuild My Bond with buddy"

Jo's clients, Kate and Buddy in the forest near Easingwold

Kate and Buddy the Border Collie

"Before I found Jo, I honestly thought we were going to have to give up our dog, Buddy. He was becoming so reactive on walks, lunging, biting the lead, jumping up. I completely lost my confidence and stopped walking him altogether. The guilt was overwhelming.

We’d tried advice from vets, online forums, nothing helped. Then I saw one of Jo’s Facebook ads and reached out. From the first phone call, I knew she was different. She really listened, no judgment, just support.

Jo came to our house for our first session and immediately put us at ease. She gave us simple focus exercises and gently helped us rebuild our confidence. She even noticed that Buddy might be in pain just by the way he moved, something no one else had picked up on.

By our third session, I found myself walking Buddy down the street for the first time in months. Jo wasn’t physically there, but I could hear her voice in my head guiding me through. I cried, happy tears, because I finally felt like we could do this.

Now, Buddy and I have a much stronger bond. I can read his body language and help him stay calm using all the techniques Jo taught us, like the “sausage tree” game and lead stroking. Our whole household is calmer, and even my kids have learned how to interact with Buddy more confidently.

I can’t recommend Jo enough. She didn’t just help Buddy - she helped our whole family."

"Jo's changed both our lives"

Elaine and Basil the Whippet

"When we rehomed Basil at six months old, I quickly realised something wasn’t right. He was extremely reactive to other dogs, barking, lunging, completely overwhelmed. After trying lots of things, I gave up on training altogether and relied on books and online resources. That’s when someone recommended Jo.

From our very first session, I knew she was different. Jo truly understood reactivity. We signed up for a 1-1 program and also joined the group reactivity sessions. Her calm, structured group sessions gave Basil something he’d never had before: a chance to be around other dogs in a safe, controlled way. And that changed everything.

With Jo’s help, Basil has become much more relaxed and confident. I’ve learned practical techniques that bring all my prior reading to life, things like pattern games and rally-style exercises that actually work for him. For the first time, I’ve even been able to take him to the beach without him panicking or running off - and Jo was right there to support us the whole way.

The ongoing support Jo gives is amazing. She’s proactive, genuinely cares, and is full of ideas.

Thanks to Jo, we even uncovered a subtle limp and got him started on physio, which may have been contributing to his anxiety all along.

It’s not just that Jo’s helped Basil, she’s helped me feel more confident, more hopeful, and more connected with my dog. I can’t recommend her enough."

Jo's client, Basil, running in a field near Easingwold

working with me

Jo, reactive dog trainer, in Easingwold with her dog Sunnie

Transformations that last

I offer two training programs for reactive dogs:

2 sessions (3 hours total) for £240 and
5 session programme for £435 (6 hours total).

Please be aware there will be a price increase in July 2025, any programs booked prior to July 1st will pay the current price.

While every dog is different, most owners I work with see a real shift within the first two weeks. That’s not because I'm rushing. It’s because I'm looking at the root causes and making small, powerful changes, from better rest to calmer routines and supportive training.

And the results last. The group reactivity sessions I run are a big part of this. They’re not just practice, they’re about building a new normal with people who understand what you’re going through.

Get in touch

Maintaining your training

Monthly Reactivity Training and Behavioural sessions

I run a monthly Reactivity Training and Behavioural session for dogs and their owners who’ve already done some 1-1 work with me. This helps ensure a safe, positive environment for everyone involved.

These sessions are a chance to continue building on the reactivity training you started during your individual program. What’s really special is that many of the dogs and owners in the group wouldn’t have been able to take part in a session like this before their training. Now, they can keep practising what they’ve learned, pick up new skills, and connect with others who’ve had similar experiences.

It’s more than just a social session, it’s a supportive space to maintain progress, top up your training and keep moving forward together.

POSITIVE REWARD-BASED DOG TRAINING AND BEHAVIOUR NORTH YORKSHIRE