dynamic dog assessments
I work alongside other canine professionals such as Vets, Trainers, Behaviourists, Walkers, Groomers etc who refer clients to me for Dynamic Dog Assessments (or Movement MOTs). This is never about taking over your cases, or treading on anyone’s toes, it is about supporting the work you do and, hopefully, providing the missing piece of the puzzle, allowing you to continue working with your client.
How might this benefit you as a…
If you have nervous or anxious dogs who struggle in a veterinary setting, or who are unable to travel in a car to get to a Vet practice, or aggressive dogs who cannot be handled, a Movement MOT is ideal as it is an entirely hands-free process and the dog doesn’t need to go anywhere to be assessed.
If a guardian is insistent that something is wrong but you can’t find anything glaringly obvious, a Movement MOT can find the subtle gait/postural abnormalities that indicate the dog is compensating for some underlying physical discomfort.
The final Vet Report can help point to the areas that need further investigation, giving you more information about that dog that might not be possible during a routine examination.
Vet / Vet Nurse
Trainer
You may have a dog in class who is refusing to do certain aspects of the training – maybe they won’t lie down, maybe they repeatedly stop during loose lead walking training, maybe they won’t settle in place.
Maybe there is a hyper-arousal issue, or conversely, they are more withdrawn.
If you train a discipline like Scent Detection or Agility and suddenly a dog is showing some unusual or unexpected changes in behaviour or desire/motivation.
All of these may be linked with underlying, undiagnosed physical discomfort.
I am offering basic behavioural advice under the guidance of my mentor, COAPE Behaviourist Ainsley Miller from Dog Logic. If I believe there is a more serious, underlying issue, I will refer you to her.
For more information please contact me.
If you have a client whose dog just isn’t really progressing, or progress is unusually slow, or the dog keeps regressing back to square one repeatedly and you have thrown everything at this case but despite the best efforts of everyone involved, success seems impossible to achieve, underlying discomfort may well be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Behaviourist
Dog Walker
You are often one of the first people to notice unexplained changes in behaviour of your regular doggy clients – maybe a dog is less reluctant to hop in or out of the van, maybe they are stopping on walks and/or need more encouragement to do things that were previously enjoyable.
Maybe the dog who used to be happy to interact or play with others has become more withdrawn or grumpy. Maybe you might describe a dog as stubborn.
These are all indicators of underlying discomfort and a Movement MOT will help identify the potential issues.
You get up close and personal with dogs, often more so than some guardians so you are often the first to pick up on subtle physical or behavioural changes.
Is a dog avoiding having a certain area touched or handled?
Have they become more sensitive to the sound of the dryer or clippers?
Have you noticed any muscular imbalances?
Does the dog shift weight constantly?
Does the dog have any unusual or abnormal postures?
Are there any changes in the texture or colour of the coat?
Are there bits that have started to curl more or stick out more?
These are all indicators of potential underlying discomfort.
Dog Groomer
Mentoring
I mentor other Trainers and Behaviourists who want somewhere to bring their cases (confidentially, of course) and think them through with someone else, without judgement.
This industry can be isolating and it is all too easy to sit with a case and start doubting your own judgement and ability, leading to imposter syndrome and a real dip in confidence.
Sessions can be a one-off conversation about a case that has got under your skin, or something more regular if you’d like an ongoing sounding board; it’s entirely up to you what shape it takes and for how long it continues.
Either way, I offer a space to unpack a case properly, question your own thinking without it feeling like a test, and come away with a clearer sense of your next steps, all within a force-free, welfare-aligned framework.
FAQ
For more information on Dynamic Dog Assessments, please see the Movement MOT page.
I am a COAPE Animal Behaviourist (CCAB); ISCP Level 6 Advanced Canine Practitioner (ISCP Adv.Canine.Prac); Dynamic Dog Practitioner; ProDog Trainer (Absolute Dogs). I achieved all qualifications at Distinction level and often at the top of the class. I am a member of ICAN, CABTi, UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter, and the Association of Dynamic Dog Practitioners – all of these organisations require that I undertake regular annual CPD to ensure my knowledge remains up to date and relevant. As a Mentor, I have an OfQual regulated qualification in Further Education Teaching, OfQual Regulated qualification in Assessing Vocational Achievement, and an NCFE qualification in Life Coaching
Movement MOTs and Mentoring sessions can be done completely remotely so I can work with you wherever you are in the U.K.
CONTACT
I’d be happy to answer any questions you have.
Normal Working Hours (subject to change over
Holidays)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday: 12.30pm – 7.30pm
Thursday: 12.30pm – 7.30pm
Friday: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Saturday: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
info@sohelpmedog.co.uk
Please tell me a little about your dog and give a brief outline of the struggles you are currently experiencing, if applicable. Please let me know your postcode so I can see if you are in my catchment area.