Welcome to Canines & Friends

I am a Dog- Centred Therapist, I studied Canine Behaviour & Psychology, so in not so many words I am a dog trainer, but first and foremost I will take the psychological mind set of the dog in to consideration before I begin to even think of any adjustment training . If you are having questions about your canine family members, be it working dogs, dogs you had from when they were a pup, or rescue dogs who need that bit of extra help , you have come to the right place.  I am here to listen, take your situation on board (environment, location, family atmosphere etc.) and give advice on how to make changes, which help to build a trusting relationship between owner and dog. I could bamboozzle you with fancy words and make myself out to be the be all and end all of all dog trainers, but to what purpose. I have high moral standards when it comes to working with dogs and their owners,  and would never encourage a specific guidance programme which is not suitable or does not sit right, just to look for results. First of all I do not like the word training, I like to think that I encourage dogs to engage with their owners, and vice-versa of course. I believe that trust is the key to good dog behaviour, if trust is established dogs will bend over backwards to please their owner. If there is trust, dogs need little else to be happy. 

My background is Person -Centred Counselling, and I use the same interaction when it comes to working with dogs and their owners. I do not believe in e collars ... physical punishment etc. I believe that understanding the dogs psyche, so understanding WHY a dog is behaving in a certain way, must be the beginning of any 1 to 1 session, it is never a quick fix, and patience is a must and of great value. I also believe that we need to look at the dog breed in question, and what it has been bred for, be it to hunt, to herd, to guard, to kill. There is nothing more frustrating for a dog than not to be able to fulfil its innate behaviour and function. Dogs are clever, no matter what anyone says. Yes, they can be a bit slow in the up take, but more often than not they are actually away ahead of us and run rings around us.
 
I am based in Dumfries & Galloway, but travel far and wide to visit you in your own home for one to one behaviour advice and training.
 I also run  some Dog & Puppy Classes here in Dumfries.
 
So if you are looking to build that extra special inter-relationship with your dog you have come to the right place.
I work with and train your Pups and Oldtimers, will give Rescue dogs that extra bit of help by looking into the behaviour and psycholgy and will support you as long as you need that bit of extra help.
 
I will give you all the tools you need to work with your companions behaviour issues, by giving you specific adjustment guidance suited only for your unique dog.
 

one to one behaviour Advice

I will work with any of your companions’ behaviour issues, I will work with mischievous pups, to the old timer who has developed selective hearing, escape artists and the ones who just ignore their owners, small man syndrome, recall, chasing and prey drive, lead walking, urinating and defecating in the house, anything stress related, basic training like sit, stay, emergency stop, jumping up on people and furniture, reinforcing boundaries and many more.
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One to One Adjustment Guidance

This is for severe behaviour, and for dogs who need that extra help and the behaviour has to be looked at, addressed and worked with over a long period of time.
I will address and work with aggression against other dogs, owners and strangers, barking, separation anxiety, fear aggression, territorial behaviour, food guarding, dominance in multi dog homes trying to deal with leadership, and of course the neglected rescue dogs who have been passed from one person to another and carry a lot of reinforced and learned behaviours. 
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Puppy and dog classes

I know that your dogs are all unique, and are in need of different mental and physical stimulation, therefore I will endeavour to address each of your requests during the upcoming classes, and I am open to suggestions. Socializing is important when your four-legger is still a pup, but not all dogs will have had that opportunity, and some are as unsocial as they come. We need to remember that we do not like everyone we meet, so why should our dogs. No doubt the classes can be stressful for everyone at the beginning, especially your dogs who will find themselves in close proximity of other dogs.  
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Providing a special level of care and attention

My GOAL

Working towards a trusting & balanced relationship between dog & owner by working with, rather than against natural behaviour 
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Reviews

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"Cannot thank Silvia enough for giving us the tools to help our fur baby progress his training even further the valuable skills will help our boy be the best version of himself he can be I would recommend canine and friends to anyone looking for help with their fur babies"

Gift Vouchers

Contact me

For 1 to 1 Adjustment Guidance Sessions, minimum value £10 and upwards, are available here now. You can personalise your chosen vouchers with a special message to family and friends, and I will make sure to forward it as requested.  Please email me for further information.

OPening Hours

Here to help

Monday - Friday: 
09.00 to 21.00

Saturday:
10.00 to 16.00

Sunday: 
​10.00 to 14.00