Dog Behaviourist in Worthing
Kind, practical support for dogs experiencing behaviour difficulties
Is your dog barking, lunging, growling or finding everyday situations difficult?
Ravendale Training and Behaviour provides professional dog behaviour support for families in Worthing and the surrounding areas.
I specialise in helping dogs experiencing reactivity, aggression, fear, anxiety and other complex behaviour concerns.
My role is not to judge your dog or simply try to suppress their behaviour. It is to help you understand what your dog may be communicating and create a practical plan that supports safety, wellbeing and lasting change.
Are you struggling with your dog’s behaviour?
You may be looking for a dog behaviourist in Worthing because:
- Your dog barks or lunges at other dogs.
- Your dog reacts to people, bicycles, traffic or unfamiliar situations.
- Walks have become stressful or difficult to manage.
- Your dog growls, snaps or has bitten.
- Visitors entering your home cause worry or disruption.
- Your dog guards food, toys, spaces or family members.
- Your dog appears anxious, fearful or unable to settle.
- Your dog struggles when left alone.
- There is conflict between dogs in your household.
- Your dog has suddenly started behaving differently.
- You feel worried, embarrassed, isolated or unsure what to do next.
Living with a dog who is struggling can have a significant effect on your daily life.
You may find yourself avoiding busy places, changing walking times, worrying about visitors or constantly watching for potential triggers.
You do not have to work through this alone.
Dog behaviour support in Worthing
Behaviour is communication.
Barking, lunging, growling, snapping, guarding and avoidance are not signs that a dog is being deliberately stubborn or difficult.
Behaviour can be influenced by many factors, including:
- Fear and anxiety
- Frustration
- Pain or discomfort
- Genetics and breed traits
- Previous experiences
- Learning history
- Stress and over-arousal
- The surrounding environment
- A dog’s physical and emotional needs
Effective behaviour support looks at the whole dog rather than focusing only on stopping the outward behaviour.
I support dogs and families in Worthing with concerns including:
- Dog-to-dog reactivity
- Reactivity towards people
- Aggressive behaviour
- Growling, snapping or biting
- Resource guarding
- Fear and anxiety
- Separation-related behaviour
- Noise sensitivity
- Visitor-related behaviour
- Territorial behaviour
- Handling and grooming concerns
- Veterinary visit worries
- Multi-dog household conflict
- Over-arousal and over-excitement
- Confidence difficulties
- Sudden behaviour changes
- Puppy and adolescent behaviour concerns
Every dog, owner and household is different. Your support will be tailored to your dog’s needs, your circumstances and the challenges you are experiencing.
Start with a Behaviour Assessment
All behaviour support begins with a comprehensive Behaviour Assessment. .
The assessment gives us the opportunity to look beyond the behaviour you are seeing and explore why it may be happening.
During the assessment, we will consider:
- What the behaviour looks like
- When and where it occurs
- Known or suspected triggers
- Your dog’s body language
- Your dog’s emotional state
- Health and pain considerations
- Previous experiences
- Training and learning history
- Your home environment
- Daily routines
- Exercise, rest and enrichment
- Relationships within the household
- What you have already tried
- Current safety and management needs
- Your goals and priorities
You do not need to know which programme or type of support your dog requires before contacting me.
The Behaviour Assessment helps us identify the most appropriate and realistic next steps for you and your dog.
Following the assessment, you will receive clear recommendations based on your dog’s individual needs.
Support following your assessment
Some families may only need advice, management changes and a clear plan to begin making progress.
Dogs with more complex behaviour concerns may benefit from one of Ravendale’s structured programmes.
Dogs with more complex behaviour concerns may benefit from one of Ravendale’s structured programmes.
Aggression & Reactivity Behaviour Programme
This programme is intended for dogs experiencing concerns such as:
- Barking and lunging
- Dog-to-dog reactivity
- Reactivity towards people
- Growling, snapping or biting
- Resource guarding
- Fear-related aggression
- Territorial behaviour
- Multi-dog household conflict
Support is tailored to your dog and may include immediate management, safety planning, understanding triggers, recognising body language and gradually building more appropriate coping skills.
Dogs with more complex behaviour concerns may benefit from one of Ravendale’s structured programmes.
Dogs with more complex behaviour concerns may benefit from one of Ravendale’s structured programmes.
Dogs with more complex behaviour concerns may benefit from one of Ravendale’s structured programmes.
Behaviour Improvement Programme
This programme may be suitable for concerns including:
- Anxiety and fear
- Separation-related behaviour
- Noise sensitivity
- Lack of confidence
- Handling and grooming worries
- Veterinary visit concerns
- Over-arousal
- Difficulty settling
- Emotional or environmental overwhelm
The aim is to help you understand the factors influencing your dog’s behaviour and make practical changes that support your dog’s wellbeing.
Puppy and adolescent support
Puppies and adolescent dogs can also experience behaviour challenges that go beyond basic obedience training.
Support may be suitable for young dogs experiencing:
- Fear or anxiety
- Over-excitement
- Mouthing and biting
- Frustration
- Difficulty settling
- Lead-related difficulties
- Worries around people or dogs
- Sudden changes during adolescence
A compassionate and practical approach
My approach is kind, welfare-led and based on understanding the individual dog.
I do not use intimidation, dominance-based methods, physical punishment or equipment intended to cause fear, pain or discomfort.
Instead, we focus on:
- Understanding your dog’s emotional needs
- Improving immediate safety
- Reducing unnecessary stress
- Recognising early body-language signals
- Identifying and managing triggers
- Building trust and confidence
- Teaching practical skills
- Helping your dog make safer choices
- Creating realistic changes for everyday life
- Supporting you as well as your dog
Behaviour change is rarely achieved through one quick technique.
It often involves improving your dog’s overall ability to cope, making thoughtful changes to the environment and helping you understand what your dog is communicating.
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Ange with a german shepherd in a country setting
Why work with Ravendale Training and Behaviour?
Qualified and experienced support
I am a qualified Canine Behaviour Practitioner and dog trainer with specialist education in aggression, reactivity and complex behaviour.
My qualifications and professional development include:
- Diplomas in Canine Behaviour and Advanced Canine Behaviour
- Licensed Family Dog Mediator using the L.E.G.S. model
- Aggression in Dogs Master Course
- Kids Around Dogs Approved Professional
- Dog bite prevention education
- Ongoing professional development
- Membership of recognised canine organisations
Before working professionally with dogs, I spent more than 20 years supporting vulnerable adults, children and families.
That experience continues to shape the way I work with dog owners: with empathy, honesty, patience and without judgement.
Personal experience of reactivity
My work is also influenced by my experience of living with Zeus, my German Shepherd.
Zeus helped me understand the emotional reality of living with a reactive dog.
I understand the careful planning, the difficult walks, the worry about what might happen and the feeling that other people may not understand your dog.
That personal experience remains at the heart of Ravendale.
You and your dog will be treated with compassion and respect.
Dog behaviour support across Worthing
Ravendale Training and Behaviour supports owners in Worthing and nearby areas, including:
- Broadwater
- Tarring
- Durrington
- Goring-by-Sea
- West Worthing
- Findon
- Findon Valley
- High Salvington
- Offington
- Salvington
- Sompting
- Lancing
- Shoreham-by-Sea
- Steyning
- Storrington
- Ashington
- Washington
- Nearby coastal and rural communities
Depending on your dog’s needs, support may take place in your home, in a carefully chosen outdoor setting or online.
Online behaviour support can be particularly helpful for dogs who:
- Find unfamiliar visitors difficult
- Become distressed when travelling
- Struggle in new environments
- Need their behaviour observed without an additional person present
- Live outside the usual in-person travelling area
Please contact me if you are unsure whether your location is covered.
What happens when you contact Ravendale?
1. Tell me what is happening
Complete the enquiry form or arrange a free 15-minute call.
You do not need to diagnose your dog or decide which programme you require.
2. Book your Behaviour Assessment
We will explore the behaviour, your dog’s history, possible contributing factors and your priorities.
3. Receive clear recommendations
You will receive practical advice covering management, safety, training and behaviour support.
4. Continue with support where appropriate
If your dog would benefit from further help, we can continue through the most suitable Ravendale programme.
Support will progress at a pace that is appropriate for your dog and realistic for your household.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide dog behaviour support in Worthing?
Yes. Ravendale provides Behaviour Assessments and continued support for owners in Worthing and many surrounding areas.
The most appropriate location and format will depend on your dog, the concern you are experiencing and your individual circumstances.
Can you help my reactive dog?
Yes. Reactivity is one of my specialist areas.
I regularly support dogs who bark, lunge, growl, freeze, pull or become overwhelmed around other dogs, people, traffic and environmental triggers.
We look at why the behaviour is happening rather than focusing only on stopping it.
Can you help if my dog has bitten someone?
Yes. Bite incidents and aggressive behaviour should always be taken seriously, but you will not be judged for seeking help.
The assessment will consider the circumstances surrounding the behaviour, possible triggers, body language, risk factors and immediate safety measures.
In some cases, veterinary involvement or additional professional support may also be recommended.
Do you visit clients at home in Worthing?
Home visits may be available where they are appropriate for the behaviour concern and within the travelling area.
Some sessions may be better suited to an outdoor location or online. This will be discussed before your appointment.
Is online behaviour support effective?
Yes. Online support can be extremely useful.
It allows us to discuss your dog’s behaviour without introducing the pressure of an unfamiliar person entering the home. It is also suitable for dogs who struggle with travelling or unfamiliar settings.
Do you use punishment or correction-based training?
No.
I do not use intimidation, dominance-based methods or equipment designed to cause pain, fear or discomfort.
My approach is based on welfare, safety, understanding behaviour and helping dogs learn without unnecessary fear.
Should my dog see a vet?
Pain, illness and other medical factors can influence behaviour.
A veterinary check may be recommended, particularly if your dog’s behaviour has appeared suddenly, has recently worsened or is accompanied by physical changes.
Will you judge me because of my dog’s behaviour?
No.
Many caring and responsible owners live with dogs who bark, lunge, growl, guard or bite.
Seeking professional support is a responsible step. My role is to help you understand what is happening and identify a constructive way forward.
You and your dog deserve support
Living with a dog who is struggling can leave you feeling worried, exhausted and isolated.
You may have already tried training advice, avoided difficult situations or changed your life around your dog’s behaviour.
Support begins by understanding what your dog is communicating and finding practical steps that help both of you feel safer and more confident.
You do not need to know which service or programme you require before making contact.
Start with a Behaviour Assessment or arrange a free 15-minute call to discuss your concerns.
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Ravendale Training and Behaviour
Partridge Green, Horsham, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom