Do you need help with your dog?
Does your dog bark and lunge at dogs/people/cars/animals, etc.? Is your dog a nightmare on walks? Are they scared of things? Are they protective with their food/toys? Or do you simply have a new puppy or adolescent that needs training? Using kind, ethical and effective training methods, if you're looking for individual help with your dog, we're here to help you.
Now offering Consultation Calls >>>
Woof Matters provides local puppy and adolescent dog training as well as for specific training issues such as recall and loose lead walking. For details of upcoming classes, head to the 121 Training page.
For individual behavioural help, I'm a qualified Canine Behaviourist, a provisional Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and I specialise in Canine Reactivity, fearful and aggressive behaviour.
So, what is Canine Reactivity? When we talk about reactivity, we are talking about an overreaction to something. Can you think of occasions where you may overreact? For me it’s spiders. If you walked up to me with a big hairy spider in your hand, I could give you a real-life demonstration of an overreaction. If you find yourself saying to your dog “it’s just a ………” then they are probably overreacting and this emotional response is usually because of a fear.
When your dog woofs, they are in essence shouting. They usually resort to that because we don't notice their more subtle "whispers". I can give you the tools to help you notice and acknowledge your dog's "whispers" so they don't feel the need to shout anymore.
For you, living with a reactive or aggressive dog can be heart-breaking. The life you imagined you'd have becomes confined to avoiding people/dogs/cars, etc. Walking your dog becomes a chore, not enjoyable for you or your dog. You’re on edge that something might happen which may make you feel embarrassed or judged by others. You should be able to enjoy walks with your dog and that’s where we come in.
We hear you, we're here for you. Your woof matters too!
How we can help you
About us
Andrea is a provisional Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), a certified specialist in Canine Reactivity and Canine Behaviour Management and has spent many years studying and treating fearful and aggressive dogs. But more than that she cares about dogs and their owners living their best life together. Her training methods are kind and effective. With research into dogs, their emotions, the way they learn, how they have co-evolved to live with us continuing to grow, it is important to stay up to date with the latest science. Fortunately, as a geek at heart, Andrea loves all that.
Her husband, Mal, and dog, Charlie, are also key members of the Woof Matters team, providing essential support and assistance in the treatment of behavioural cases, communication and management of the business.
In previous careers, Mal and Andrea were Senior Managers in Risk Management. At its core Risk Management is all about being analytical, assessing a situation and developing effective solutions that not only achieve a goal but minimises the risk to that goal. Essentially we're proud to be nerdy problem solvers 🤓😁
Happy Dogs =
Happy Owners
Customer Testimonials
“Fabulous trainer, would highly recommend, nothing was too much trouble.”
"Andrea came out to help us with a 2 year old bulldog we had rehomed. We were having issues with him showing aggression to the males in our house hold. We were hopeful after speaking to Andrea on the phone that she could help us resolve the issues. With the home visit and training tips and a deeper understanding of what was causing the behaviour he is like a different dog! Andrea identified that the aggression was a nervous/fear reaction (fight or flight) .
I would highly recommend Andrea and Woof Matters to anyone , She has a clear understanding of dog behaviour and we have found the support and advice invaluable as it has meant we know how to approach situations which could trigger a response and be calm and relaxed rather than being worried about approaching him or what he might do."
"I am so so proud of my lil Fluffball, in the local field an hour ago, we started as the only ones in the field and at one point there were 11 dogs - He didnt even bark when the others did and checked in with me. 3 weeks ago he would have barked so much I would have had to leave the field!"
"Hugo is a lovable dog but was getting very naughty on the lead and even worse off! A walk in the park quickly decended into a free for all with him hairing from one new friend to another.
Andrea was really great, got the issues we were having and had great strategies for sorting things out
6 weeks later he's not quite a new dog but he is very much better and is choosing us over other dogs!
Andrea is very highly recommended. if you are having problems I would not hesitate.
Thank you Andrea!"
"Immediate results! Enjoyable training - really helpful."
"Andrea was brilliant with Dexter and ourselves. Managed to get him to settle and sit today with two visitors. It was such an improvement.”
"Had a 6 week training course with Andrea. My dog is a nervous rescue. The one to one sessions were excellent and just what we needed.
Me and my dog are much more confident, I can now sometimes let him off lead and understand his needs and triggers much better.
Thank you Andrea for your help."
"Andrea was so knowledgeable and broke everything down into bitesize bits. Her manner was calm and never rushed our dog."
