Barking Up the Right Tree: Julia Hawkins and Barbara Paterson on Solutions for Reactive Dogs

Barking Up the Right Tree: A Conversation with Julia Hawkins and Barbara Patterson on Reactive Dog Training

In this episode, I chat with Julia Hawkins and Barbara Patterson, co-founders of 'Barking Up the Right Tree.' We discuss their journey in the world of dog training, especially focusing on reactive dogs. From their free festival featuring top experts to their innovative training programs, Julia and Barbara share invaluable insights on understanding and managing dog reactivity. We also explore the differences in dog training cultures across countries and the importance of a supportive community for both dogs and their owners. Join us to learn more about their comprehensive courses and how they aim to help dog owners worldwide.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:31 The Origin of Barking Up the Right Tree

02:23 The Reactive Dogs Festival

02:43 Choosing Julia: A Serendipitous Partnership

05:50 The Importance of Understanding Dog Behavior

10:53 Global Perspectives on Dog Training

16:17 Challenges and Solutions in Dog Training

25:36 Connecting with the Community

27:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To find out more and connect with Julia & Barbara:

Website: https://www.barking-up-the-right-tree.com
Bios:

Julia Hawkins, Msc, AdvDip (AAB Canine)
From mastering numbers to mastering positive dog training, Julia Hawkins has transitioned from being a math teacher to a guiding light for dog owners.

With her unique blend of skills as a trained educator for both humans and canines, Julia specialises in assisting families, particularly those with rescue dogs and children, navigate their dog training challenges.

Julia’s approach is all about support that is both educational and fun. Her primary goal is to foster happy, stress-free relationships between you and your dog, using the power of play. Julia believes that when the dynamics of play are perfectly balanced, not only will you and your dog feel great, but behaviour challenges will be easier to overcome. Join Julia in this journey of joyful learning and discover the transformative power of positive reinforcement and play.

Julia has an Advanced Diploma in Animal Behaviour (Canine), she is a full member of the International Society of Animal Professionals and is an approved trainer by the Dog Training Council.  She is also an approved Family Dog Trainer as well as being a qualified teacher with 15 years experience

Barbara Paterson, PhD
Dr. Barbara's journey from conservation scientist to professional dog trainer took her from one form of care for animals to another. Barbara is dedicated to helping dog owners forge a profound connection with their high energy and reactive companions, guiding them towards a harmonious, fun-filled life together.

About a decade ago, she was desperately seeking help for her reactive agility dog. That's when she found Susan Garrett, who quickly became her mentor for all things dog-related. Barbara was so determined to learn from the best that she dragged her husband and dogs across the Atlantic to live in Canada, where she had the chance to train with Susan in person and rub shoulders with world-class dog handlers. Fast forward to today, and as well as being a Coach in Susan's online programs, she love inspiring her students to bring out the absolute best in their dogs.

As a Buddhist practitioner, Barbara infuses her training with principles of joy and compassion. Central to her philosophy is the idea that compassion is the cornerstone of deep connection, and that understanding our dogs’ needs by carefully listening to what dogs are communicating, is essential. Barbara firmly believes that this kind of thoughtful dialogue makes training effective and equally fun for dogs and their human counterparts.

Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/barkfest2024
https://www.youtube.com/@Barking-Up-The-Right-Tree
https://www.instagram.com/barkingrighttree/
https://www.tiktok.com/@barkinguptherighttree1?lang=en

As always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com