Before we started working with Helen at Wainwright’s Canine Academy, life with our German Shepherd, Beaudi, had become quite challenging. We got Beaudi as a puppy, and not long after, Covid hit. Although she’d started off doing really well, missing out on those crucial early socialisation experiences had a bigger impact than we realised at the time. She wasn’t used to people coming into the house, and being close to other dogs on walks felt overwhelming for her. Things became even more difficult after Beaudi was attacked by another dog while we were out walking. From that point on, walks became stressful for everyone. She became very defensive around other dogs, barking and reacting if they came too close. We ended up keeping her on the lead at all times, and what used to be an enjoyable part of our day quickly became something we dreaded. At home, Beaudi wasn’t aggressive with people, but she was clearly unsettled. When visitors came round, she struggled to relax, barking and seeking attention, unable to switch off. It was obvious she wasn’t comfortable - and that was the hardest part. I’d tried a few things myself, including walking her with my son’s dog, which she was fine with, but deep down I knew we needed professional help. I already knew Helen personally and knew exactly the kind of person she was - calm, kind, patient and incredibly passionate about dogs. I also knew how much training and knowledge she had behind her work, so even though she wasn’t local to me, she was the obvious choice. From the very first session, Helen made everything feel manageable. She put thoughtful plans in place to help Beaudi feel safe, even down to how they were introduced. When Helen first came to the house, we met outside and gradually worked our way in, giving Beaudi time to adjust. Helen remained calm throughout, ignoring unwanted behaviour while quietly reinforcing the behaviours we wanted to see. Beaudi responded really well to this gentle, consistent approach. A lot of our work focused on walks, using clicker training to help Beaudi feel more confident and to bring her attention back to us. We trained in open spaces where we could control distance from other dogs, gradually getting closer as Beaudi became more comfortable. Helen was brilliant at reading Beaudi’s body language and knowing exactly when to pause, step back or move forward again. One of the biggest turning points came after the second or third session, when Beaudi really started to understand the clicker. From there, everything began to change. She learned how to cope around other dogs, and while she may never want to be best friends with every dog she meets, she’s now calm, relaxed and able to walk past them without feeling overwhelmed. What’s made the biggest difference is Beaudi herself. She’s more relaxed, more confident and clearly much happier. Everyday life is easier for us, of course, but the most important thing is that Beaudi now feels safe and comfortable in the world around her. Working with Helen was genuinely a really lovely experience. She’s calm, patient and incredibly good at explaining not just what to do, but why it works. She gave advice on everything from leads and food to enrichment activities like licky mats, helping Beaudi settle both mentally and physically. Understanding how Beaudi’s brain works made all the difference. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Helen to anyone struggling with their dog. If I needed support again in the future, I’d absolutely work with her again.