Talk of the dog

Psychology-Backed Canine Behaviour Support – Working Toward Full APBC Clinical Animal Behaviourist Accreditation.

I offer specialist support and guidance for both ends of the lead.

Dachshund relaxing or possing in an autumn forrest looking very serious

Call me: 07516 308 880

Struggling with Your Dog’s Behaviour? You’re Not Alone.

Is your dog struggling with fear, reactivity, separation stress, handling issues, or unwanted behaviours? You don’t have to navigate it alone.

At Talk of the Dog, I provide science-led, welfare-focused support to understand what’s driving your dog’s behaviour and help you build confident, positive change together.

Special APBC Assessment Intake Window

To support my final practical board assessment with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), I am currently offering my 3-month behaviour modification package at a reduced case study rate of £250 (a saving of £292). Every case study client receives full clinical care and direct veterinary liaison while supporting my journey toward full Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) status.

View £250 Assessment Offer

Dachshund looking happy and content with himself. Behind him there is carnage behind him and a feather on his nose

Man training the stay/wait instruction using a visual command to a Husky. The husky is in a sit position pay attention to the owner

1-2-1 Training

Kind, practical home training to build better behaviour and a stronger bond. Save with packages!

Behaviour consultation, with an image of a dog barking at a councelor who taking notes

Clinical Case Study Package

£250 (Save £292). 3-month canine behaviour support package for APBC Clinical Case Study accreditation.

Human hands caringly holding dog paws one with a heart on their paw

Dog Behaviour First Aid

Practical 90-min home support for everyday behaviour issues, with clear, easy-to-follow advice.

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💔 Is Your Dog’s Behaviour Trying to
Tell You Something?

Chronic pain often hides behind subtle behaviour changes. As a CAMAdvocate Level 1 professional, I help you recognise these signs, work with your vet, and guide you through simple adjustments to keep your dog comfortable, confident, and happy.

Learn more

Visit the Dog-Talk Blog!

If you’re looking for helpful tips, real-life stories, and expert advice, then Dog-Talk is the place to be. Packed with insights for pet parents, it’s a great next step on your dog-owning journey.

👉 Click here to explore and join the conversation today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Dog writing content for blog to help humans understand them better.

Why come to me

Build a stronger bond with your dog through kind, effective training. Above all, I focus on helping you understand your dog—not just change their behaviour.
- Psychology graduate with advanced behaviour study – so you get specialist insight at both ends of the lead.
- CAMadvocate Level 1 qualified – meaning I’m trained to recognise and support dogs living with chronic pain or mobility issues.
- Experienced with separation anxiety, fear, reactivity, and aggression – therefore, I can help with a wide range of challenges.
- Greyhound guru – but I work happily with all breeds.
- Trusted network of vets and certified behaviourists – especially useful for complex or multi-layered cases.
- Associate Member of APBC – which means my work is professional, ethical, and recognised.
- Insurance-friendly services – thanks to Associate APBC membership.
- UK-wide home visits – so there’s no need to travel.
- Free 30-minute consult – a great way to get started without pressure.
- Read my clients’ success stories – and see what a difference kind training can make.

Owner of Talk of the Dog making a selfie with 2 of his greyhounds, a white with black spots called Barney and a Black forever foster dog due to mast cell cancer called Caesar.

Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) certificate recognising my knowledge and understanding need to be a clinical animal behaviourist (CAB)

Certificate of Provisional CAB Membership of the APBC showing members details with image of different animals

CAM Advocate level 1 badge indicating a level of knowledge and understand about chronic pain

What my clients say

      
   Talk of the dog
   19 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Trav Jones 
 2 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend, great advice regarding our dog with a new born baby. We listen to the advice and it worked.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andrew 
 17 April 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik was very professional and extremely helpful.
Our dog Belle is a rescue dog about 1 year old
Erik over several weeks gave us loads of help in settling in Belle as well as showing us how to get Belle to respond to basic commands.
We are currently working on using the techniques that Erik taught us to develop Belles skills, up to now it's going well.
But Erik we may be calling on you on the future for more advanced training.
Thanks Andrew and Alexis, not forgetting Belle who says thanks for the treats
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   marcus parsons 
 27 November 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve been working with Erik for the past year to help my Saluki-X, who had developed reactivity issues and was proving a real challenge. Anyone who knows the breed understands they’re independent, sensitive, and not always the easiest to train — but Erik completely transformed things for us.

His approach is calm, knowledgeable, and genuinely dog-centred. He took the time to understand my dog’s triggers, gave me clear steps to follow, and taught me how to read body language in a way I’d never properly grasped before. The progress has been remarkable: my dog is now far more confident, far less reactive, and I feel equipped to handle situations that used to overwhelm us both.

What I really appreciated was that Erik didn’t just “train the dog” — he helped train me as well. The sessions were practical, supportive, and tailored to what we actually needed rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

If you have a reactive dog, especially a more challenging breed, I can’t recommend Erik highly enough. He’s been outstanding and has made a huge difference to both of our lives.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Hannah B 
 6 April 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik (Talk of the dog) has helped me and my rescue Greyhound hugely.
Despite what I did, and my experience with the breed before, I just so struggled to understand how to help my new 4 legged friend. He was so sad and didnt want to play or come to his name, It was really upsetting to see and not be able to help him in a way he needed. I was following the advice around separation anxiety, but I was just so worried about him.

Erik spent time with us.
I was so in it, I couldnt see the obvious!

Erik spotted it! He gave me some amazing things to think about and try with him. Along with affirming the strategies I was already putting in place.

I am so grateful Erik, He is the most loving dog and has settled in so well with our family, you really helped me find what he needed to help connect with his new family. Thank you.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Charlie Clarke 
 13 January 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ziggy is our six year old Shih-poo, we did not have Ziggy until he was one year old so we knew very little of his background. He has various issues, reactive towards other dogs, motorcycles and any loud noises. We turned to Erik after having not much success ourselves. Erik came out to see us and we went for a short walk with Ziggy so Erik could observe his behaviour he then advised us on what to do when Ziggy became anxious. On his followup visits he observed him walking from behind so that he could check his gait. he then contacted our vet to ask him to check Ziggy for any hearing issues or anything that might be causing Ziggy any pain. Erik is very knowledgable about dogs and very thourgh in what he does  and it was very reasurring to know that we could contact Erik at any time. We still have a way to go but thanks to Erik Ziggy is now a calmer dog
p.s. Eriks homemade dog treats are a must.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rebecca Bentley 
 25 September 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik has gone above and beyond as our behaviourist and has become a good friend too. Our dog harrison was a true challenge with fear aggression and separation anxiety. Erik used his expertise to create a long term plan to desensitise harrison to allow Erik to work with him and train him.
Erik also helped with daily exercises to help with Harrisons separation anxiety.
We saw great improvement and learned so much about dog behaviour.
Eriks passion for dogs is clear to see and we recommend him to anyone that needs help.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Enid Jones 
 2 July 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik came today to help with Laylas anxiety of getting in my car well the liver treats certainly helped and also her trust in Erik we did manage to get her jumping in Erik's  car and then eventually in my car early days yet  let's hope things over the next few weeks get better as Layla is missing so much in her life as she used to love her holidays and trips out looking forward to Erik's next visit
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Janet Kelly 
 19 April 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have had Erik helping us with our two dogs Rocky and Max as they were used to just running and playing on our land but as we are going to move to a house without land,just a garden, we wanted help with lead walking around people,other dogs and traffic . Erik has made a massive difference,we now feel confident that we can walk them together through local woods and green areas without being dragged everywhere.Erik has been patient with our dogs and us and has given us lots of tips for when we move .Would recommend anyone needing some help to get in touch with him ,can't thank him enough .
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lynn Bench 
 21 October 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik visited us to help with barking issues with our 4 chihuahuas. The dogs barked when anyone came to the door and were jumping up. They also became very excitable when we tried to put leads on. Erik talked us through strategies to help with this and demonstrated how we could change our dogs' behaviour. Wow, our dogs responded so well to Erik and then to us. We were overwhelmed with how well our dogs did in such a short period of the visit. Erik was calm in his approach with the dogs and gave us lots of advice and tips. We can now work together as a family to keep up the dog training. Thankyou for your expertise Erik.
  
 
  
  
 
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Understanding Dogs – Supporting People

Talk of the dog