Owner Education Workshops
Helping dogs often begins with helping owners understand behaviour.
These small-group workshops are designed to give owners a clearer understanding of canine behaviour, emotional wellbeing, and practical ways to support their dog.
Why Owner Education Matters
Many behaviour challenges begin with misunderstanding how dogs experience the world. Dogs communicate through body language, emotional responses, and environmental interactions. When owners learn to recognise these signals and understand the factors influencing behaviour, they are better equipped to support their dog in a calm and constructive way.
Owner education helps create safer environments for dogs, reduces unnecessary stress, and allows behaviour change to develop more effectively over time.
By helping owners understand the emotional drivers behind behaviour, these workshops aim to strengthen the relationship between dogs and their people while supporting long-term wellbeing.
How the Workshops Are Designed
My background in education has strongly shaped how these workshops are designed. With a First Class honours degree in Primary Education and Qualified Teacher Status from the University of Hull, I focus on explaining behaviour in a clear, structured, and accessible way that helps owners feel confident applying what they learn at home.
As someone who is autistic with ADHD, I also tend to notice subtle behavioural patterns and environmental influences that others may overlook. This perspective helps me break down complex behaviour into practical insights that owners can understand and use in everyday life with their dog.
These workshops are designed to create a calm and supportive learning environment where owners can develop a deeper understanding of their dog’s emotional world and the factors that influence behaviour.
What Makes Steady Paws Workshops Different
Steady Paws workshops focus on understanding behaviour rather than simply addressing surface-level problems. The aim is to help owners develop a deeper understanding of their dog’s emotional world and the factors that influence behaviour.
Drawing on both professional experience in canine behaviour and a background in education, the workshops are designed to present behaviour science in a clear and accessible way. Complex ideas are broken down into practical guidance that owners can apply in everyday life with their dog.
Workshops are intentionally kept small to create a calm, supportive learning environment where owners feel comfortable asking questions and discussing their experiences.
The focus is always on welfare-led, evidence-informed approaches that help dogs feel safe enough to learn and confident enough to navigate the world around them.
Workshop Format
Workshops are small-group sessions lasting around 90 minutes to 2 hours.
They are designed for owners and focus on discussion, understanding behaviour, and practical guidance.
Dogs do not attend these sessions.
Small group sizes help create a relaxed learning environment where owners can ask questions and share experiences.
The Steady Paws Behaviour Education Series
Workshop 1:
Understanding Your Dog
Why behaviour happens - and how to help before it escalates
Does your dog…
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Bark or lunge at other dogs on walks?
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Get overwhelmed or overexcited easily?
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Struggle to settle or relax?
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Seem fine one moment, then suddenly react?
If so, you’re not alone — and your dog isn’t being “difficult”.
About this workshop
This 90-minute session is designed to help you understand what’s really going on behind your dog’s behaviour.
Rather than focusing on quick fixes, we’ll explore the emotional and environmental factors that influence how your dog responds to the world — and why behaviour can sometimes escalate so quickly.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
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Why behaviour doesn’t come out of nowhere
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How stress builds up throughout the day
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The concept of trigger stacking and overwhelm
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The early signs your dog may be struggling
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Why dogs can’t always “listen” in the moment
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How to better support your dog before behaviour escalates
This workshop is ideal for:
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Dogs who react to other dogs or people
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Dogs who seem anxious, sensitive, or easily overwhelmed
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Owners who feel confused or frustrated by their dog’s behaviour
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Anyone wanting to better understand their dog
What to expect
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A relaxed, supportive environment
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Clear, easy-to-understand explanations
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Real-life examples you can relate to
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Practical ways to support your dog
(This is an owner-only session — no dogs attending)
Workshop details:
📅 Wednesday 29th April
⏰ 6:30pm – 8:00pm
📍 Hemsworth Community Centre, Upper Floor
Small group of 8 - 10 attendees
Cost: FREE
Led by:
Steady Paws
Cherene Hill
Canine Behaviour Practitioner & Educator
Booking:
Spaces are limited to keep the workshop relaxed and interactive.
To book a place, please contact:
📧 hellosteadypaws@outlook.com
📞 07713 439355
Future Workshops
There is an ongoing programme of owner education workshops.
Future workshop topics to include:
- Why Dogs React: Understanding Fear and Reactivity
- Helping Your Rescue Dog Settle: Supporting Dogs Through the Adjustment Period
- What Your Dog is Trying to Tell You: Understanding Canine Body Language
- Helping Sensitive Dogs Build Confidence: Supporting Nervous and Anxious Dogs
Spaces are limited to keep workshops relaxed and interactive. If you would like to reserve a place or register interest in future workshops, please get in touch.
Email: hellosteadypaws@outlook.com
Phone: 07713 439355
Workshop 2:
Why Dogs React
Understanding Fear and Reactive Behaviour
Many dogs react strongly to other dogs, people, or unfamiliar situations. These behaviours often develop when a dog feels overwhelmed, fearful, or unsure how to cope with their environment.
This workshop helps owners understand the emotional drivers behind reactive behaviour and provides practical guidance on how to support their dog in a calm and constructive way.
What the workshop covers:
• Why reactive behaviour develops
• Understanding triggers and emotional thresholds
• Recognising early stress signals
• Managing challenging environments
• Supporting calmer responses over time
This session may be helpful for owners whose dogs:
• Bark or lunge at other dogs or people
• Struggle with busy environments
• Become easily overwhelmed on walks
• Find new situations stressful
This is an owner education workshop, and dogs do not attend the session.
Workshop 3:
Helping Your Rescue Dog Settle
Supporting Dogs Through the Adjustment Period
Bringing a rescue dog home can be incredibly rewarding, but the early stages of adjustment can sometimes feel uncertain for both dogs and their owners.
This workshop focuses on helping owners understand the transition period many rescue dogs experience and how to create an environment that supports emotional safety and confidence.
What the workshop covers:
• The decompression and adjustment period
• Why behaviour can change after adoption
• Creating predictable routines and stability
• Recognising signs of stress or overwhelm
• Supporting confidence as your dog settles into their new home
This session may be particularly helpful for:
• Owners who have recently adopted a rescue dog
• Prospective adopters preparing to welcome a dog
• Owners whose dog is still adjusting to a new environment
This is an owner education workshop, and dogs do not attend the session.
Workshop 4:
What Your Dog Is Trying to Tell You
Understanding Canine Body Language
Dogs communicate constantly through their body language, but many of these signals are subtle and easily missed.
This workshop helps owners learn to recognise early signs of stress, discomfort, and relaxation so they can better understand how their dog is feeling and respond in a supportive way.
Developing a better understanding of canine communication can help prevent behaviour challenges from escalating and strengthen the relationship between dogs and their owners.
What the workshop covers:
• Recognising common canine body language signals
• Early signs of stress, discomfort, and overwhelm
• Understanding calming signals and communication
• Learning to recognise when dogs feel safe or unsure
• Preventing behaviour from escalating through early awareness
This session may be helpful for owners who:
• Want to better understand their dog’s communication
• Have a dog who becomes anxious in certain situations
• Would like to improve their ability to read body language
• Want to prevent behaviour challenges developing
This is an owner education workshop, and dogs do not attend the session.
Workshop 5:
Helping Sensitive Dogs Build Confidence
Supporting Nervous and Anxious Dogs
Some dogs experience the world as more overwhelming than others. Sensitive or nervous dogs often benefit from calm support, predictable routines, and gradual confidence-building experiences.
This workshop explores practical ways owners can help their dogs feel safer and more confident while avoiding unnecessary stress or pressure.
What the workshop covers:
• Understanding why some dogs are more sensitive
• The role of environment and routine in emotional regulation
• Supporting confidence through gradual experiences
• Reducing overwhelm and supporting coping skills
• Encouraging calm behaviour and resilience
This session may be helpful for owners who:
• Are nervous or easily overwhelmed
• Lack confidence in new environments
• Struggle with unfamiliar people or situations
• Need gentle support to build confidence
This is an owner education workshop, and dogs do not attend the session.