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I look beyond training. As a trainer specialising in nutrition, I focus on how health — particularly gut health and diet — influences behaviour, emotional regulation, and learning capacity. This perspective allows me to identify factors that are often missed when behaviour is looked at in isolation, leading to more effective and long-term results. This approach is relevant to dogs of all ages, breeds, behavioural and physical health needs - because every dog is an individual with unique needs. Here is a common example: I receive numerous enquiries about puppies who are resource guarding. A lot of trainers would immediately look at how to manage and reduce the guarding behaviours. I will first look at the puppy's diet, because experience tells me that the majority of resource guarding cases stem from digestive upset and/or parasite infections. The dog is in pain, scared, and the guarding behaviours are often simply symptoms of a wider problem - a problem that won't go away with just training.

Yes - a dog’s diet can have a significant impact on behaviour, especially when it comes to reactivity, anxiety, focus, and emotional regulation. The gut and brain are directly connected via the gut–brain axis. Poor digestion, inflammation, poor diet, or nutrient imbalances can all influence how a dog copes with stress and stimulation. In many reactive dogs, we see behaviour improve when the diet better supports gut health, stable energy levels, and the production of calming neurotransmitters. At Chewing with River, we don’t look at food or behaviour in isolation. When you work with us, be it on a training or nutrition plan, you have access to our full expertise and our goal is always to support your whole dog.

Yes - supporting reactive, anxious, and fearful dogs is a core part of both my training and nutrition work. We can help you identify and address the root cause of your dog's behavioural challenges, and create real, long-term results. Together, we will create a rehabilitation plan that safely and effectively supports your dog back to full emotional (and physical) health. Many dogs labelled as “reactive” are often struggling with underlying physiological stress, digestive discomfort, and pain. This makes behaviour modification harder, or sometimes even impossible. As we are committed to a "whole dog" approach, we will advise you of any concerns over the dog's physical health and can facilitate access to expert support from other professionals where required (e.g. vets, physios, osteopaths, homoeopaths, and more).

No - I support dogs on raw, cooked, dry and other commercial diets. While I often recommend moving towards a species-appropriate diet when suitable, the priority is always what is safe, realistic, and appropriate for you and your dog. In some cases, meaningful improvements can be made without a full diet change by adjusting components such as treats, meal balance, feeding routines, or supplementation. There is no one-size-fits-all approach - every Nutrition & Wellbeing plan (https://www.chewingwithriver.com/nutrition)is tailored to the individual dog.

Yes - sessions can be delivered fully remotely, and I work with clients worldwide. Because canine nutrition assessments are based on history, diet analysis, behaviour patterns, and observation, everything can be done effectively online. You’ll receive clear, step-by-step guidance and ongoing support, regardless of your location. If you're considering a training plan, all sessions are delivered via video link, and you will receive video and written content between sessions to support your learning and keep you motivated and accountable throughout the training programme.