The Wild K9s Approach
Science-led. Compassion-driven. Rooted in trust, connection, and calm.
Every dog is an individual — shaped by their genetics, experiences, emotions, and environment.
At Wild K9s, I don’t focus on obedience or quick fixes. Instead, I look at how your dog feels, why they behave the way they do, and what they need to feel safe and thrive.
My work is science-led, force-free, and fear-free, combining behavioural science, neuroscience, and welfare principles. It’s about helping dogs feel safe enough to learn — and helping you understand how to support that process.
A Holistic Approach
The Wild K9s Framework — The Tree of Behavioural Wellbeing — looks at your dog as a whole being.
Like a tree, your dog’s behaviour and emotions are deeply connected: healthy roots nourish a stable trunk; strong branches allow growth; and leaves flourish when everything underneath is balanced.
Each part of the tree represents a key area of wellbeing that we’ll nurture together:
Roots - Biological & Environmental Foundations
The roots represent your dog’s basic needs for safety, comfort, and health.
We begin here — ensuring their body and environment are supporting their mind.
This includes:
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Physical health and pain management
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Nutrition and hydration
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Rest and consistency
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Environmental safety
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Sensory and cognitive enrichment
Without strong roots, your dog’s nervous system can’t regulate and behaviour change isn’t possible.
Trunk - Emotional Regulation
The trunk is the core of emotional regulation and balance.
It represents your dog’s ability to move smoothly between states of calm, curiosity, and excitement — instead of getting stuck in worry or overarousal.
Together, we work on:
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Self-regulation
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Calmness
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Frustration tolerance
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Resilience
This is where reactivity, anxiety, or overexcitement begin to ease ... not because we’ve “trained them out,” but because your dog’s nervous system is stabilising.
Branches - Learning & Growth
Once safety and regulation are in place, your dog is ready to learn.
The branches symbolise growth through experience - developing adaptability, decision-making, and optimism through safe, structured play and reinforcement.
Here, we build:
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Decision-making and self-control (behavioural growth)
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Optimism and confidence (emotional growth)
This stage is where dogs learn to think instead of react — exploring new situations, making choices, and recovering more easily when life changes.
Leaves - Relationship & Independence
When a dog feels safe and capable, connection begins to flourish.
The leaves represent trust, communication, and the ability to rest or explore without distress.
We nurture:
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Proximity preference
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Cooperative engagement
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Co-regulation
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Independence and relaxed separation
Here, your dog learns that being close to you feels good — and being apart is safe too.
Agency ... the Lifeblood of Learning
Flowing through every part of the tree is agency; your dog’s ability to make safe, meaningful choices.
Agency isn’t indulgence or chaos; it’s the science of control, consent, and empowerment.
When dogs can influence their environment — choosing when to rest, approach, or walk away — stress decreases, confidence grows, and learning becomes joyful.
The Result
A calmer, more confident dog.
A relationship rooted in safety, trust, and joy.
And a guardian who feels empowered, informed, and supported every step of the way.
At Wild K9s, I don’t train for perfection — I create the conditions for growth, healing, and real-life behavioural change.
If you’re ready to help your dog feel more confident and connected, I’m here to guide you.