Fast & effective help for your dog’s behaviour problems

Working across York, North Yorkshire and beyond.

Reset the relationship with your dog to create long-lasting change in their behaviour.

Hello, I’m Morag

a Clinical Animal Behaviourist with over 15 years experience of helping dogs and their people.

Do any of these sound familiar?

I want to enjoy walks but it’s a disaster when we see people or dogs

I wish my dog was more relaxed about noises rather than shivering in a corner

I don’t even know where to start with our problems.

dog, pet, canine, animal, fur, snout, mammal, portrait, dog portrait, nature, animal world

I dream of my dog being friendly with visitors rather than having to shut them away.

I don’t want my dog to growl or bite over resources or grooming.

I’m worried this isn’t the right home for my dog

I can help you with practical and virtual support to:

Understand why your dog behaves the way they do – even when it feels unpredictable.

Create a practical plan to keep everyone safe including your dog.

Change how your dog feels about tricky situations with fast, effective strategies.

Become the calm, confident guardian your dog needs.

Overcome the inevitable challenges life throws up along the way!

Get the help you need for the dog you love

Remember

A woman bends down to kiss her playful puppy in a sunny outdoor field.

You are NOT the problem

You ARE doing the absolute best you can for your dog right now, even though it’s draining you emotionally, physically and financially.

You’re reading my website because you haven’t given up on wanting to help your dog.

And that makes you an amazing human being who deserves expert support.

Why work with me?

I’m Morag K Heirs, PhD, a highly experienced and accredited Clinical Animal Behaviourist (ABTC-CAB) and trainer (ABTC-ATI). I help people build trusting relationships with their dogs, even when things feel hopeless, using fast and effective methods.

Behaviour change is tricky. It’s an art and a science. You need a professional with great practical skills and a good understanding of how people and dogs learn. Alongside my skills with animals, I’m also a lecturer in Psychology, and Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine among other topics. I know how to supercharge your learning!

We both know that change doesn’t happen overnight. I will be here to support you and answer your questions as we work together to make life with your dog joyful again.

More about me

Help with your dog’s behaviour is available in these areas:

York inner and outer, plus Boroughbridge, Copmanthorpe, Dunnington, Easingwold, Elvington, Escrick, Haxby, Knaresborough, Malton, Pocklington, Stamford Bridge, Strensall, Tadcaster, Tockwith, Wheldrake and much of North Yorkshire.

Click here to get help

I’ve helped hundreds of people like you rebuild their relationship with their dog.

“Ruby was afraid of men and dogs and didn’t like or trust me, or indeed, anyone else! I wondered whether I had bitten off more than I could chew.

Then Morag came, and now I am Ruby’s best friend, dogs and people are almost unproblematic, and my friends can come into the house.”

Diane& Ruby

“…my dog was really struggling with reactivity towards other dogs and people. It was stressful for both of us, and I felt at a loss about how to help him.

With Morag’s guidance, I quickly began to see positive changes. My dog is now calmer and more confident around other dogs and people.”

Andrea& Nate

“I can honestly say we were very despondent by the time we found Morag, Kalli just couldn’t cope around other dogs at all. Morag was the first (& only) behaviourist or trainer to really look for/at the root cause of Kalli’s (& our) challenges.
We saw a big change in Kalli whilst working with Morag.
As owners, we became more confident when we were out and about as Morag equipped us with the skills/strategies to manage situations. She opened up a whole new world for us.

Jackie& Kalli

dogs, golden retriever, canine, playful, pet, autumn colors, fall, fall season, cute, dogs, golden retriever, golden retriever, golden retriever, golden retriever, golden retriever

Morag could not have been any more supportive. I have a very challenging dog and even in between sessions Morag is always at the end of the phone or contactable by email for advice.
I have learnt so much from her and she has completely changed my relationship with my dog for the better. I have noticed a huge improvement in my dog’s behaviour since I began working with her and she has meant that I now actually enjoy walking my dog!

Gemma& Amber

Morag has supported my anxious Labrador and through sound sensitivity with my lovely staffie. Both times she listened with compassion and understanding, before giving us clear and manageable guidance.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her services – she has been the light we needed to guide us through the storm!

SianJessie & Moss

Common questions

What does behaviour support look like?

Every situation is a bit different so I’ll tailor the treatment plan to suit your dog and their problems. The starting point is an initial assessment and training session at your home or a neutral location. Then we’ll devise the optimal support package for you and your dog made up of practical skills training sessions plus regular phone or video calls to check on your progress and set new goals. I’ll might ask for videos so I can see what happens when I’m not there, and I’ll use online file sharing to work more effectively with you.

Won’t my dog just get better with time/grow out of it?

The honest answer to this question is probably not. By the time someone is thinking about getting help from a professional behaviourist the problem is usually quite severe. My clinical experience and the research suggests that things rarely get better on their own, and usually get worse. For example: this could mean your dog goes from growling at strangers to nipping or biting them.

Is it just feeding my dog endless treats?

Absolutely not! But we will probably use some food rewards that your dog enjoys. When we want to change feelings or train new skills it’s important to use the motivators that matter to your dog. In the assessment we’ll work out what really floats their boat – tuggy toys, sausage and cheese, ear scratches or the chance to sniff that patch of grass.

Why do I need a vet referral?

Professional behaviourists work on referral to ensure that your dog has no medical issues contributing to a behaviour problem. I don’t want you to waste your time trying to change a behaviour problem that has a medical cause. Medical issues which can contribute to behaviour issues range from abscesses, joint pain, thyroid imbalances, skin problems and neurological issues. I might also teach you to use massage or other bodywork with your dog for relaxation, and this needs veterinary permission.

What if I don’t have much time to train my dog?

Your plan is broken down into easy stages with achievable goals (we know it’s hard to change behaviour for humans and dogs!). Each stage will probably ask you to spend some time every day playing with your dog, plus 10 minutes of focused training. This isn’t about hours and hours of practice – it will fit into your daily routine, and even better it’s going to be fun!

Can you guarantee that my dog’s behaviour will improve?

The honest answer is no. Working with animals isn’t like calling out a repairman to fix your washing machine. That person can probably give you a guarantee that they will fix your machine, and that the repairs will last for 5 years.

When we’re working with real living breathing creatures in the real world, it all gets much more complicated. The results of any behaviour plan are not just about what goes into the plan, but how consistently you implement the techniques. I can’t predict exactly how every dog will respond (they really are all individuals), nor can I predict how much effort you will be able to put in. And your actions, as well as what happens around us in the world, will affect the outcome of our work together.

I CAN guarantee the following:
– I will assess your dog carefully and accurately based on the information you’ve provided plus our own observations during our sessions to help us both understand why your dog is behaving in this way.
– I will use a combination of the most up to date scientific research and our knowledge of the fastest safe & effective techniques to create a personalised action plan for your dog.
– You will be given step-by-step instructions on what to do in real life, and we will practice these together before you have to do them on your own.
– You have the option of support via email, phone and video calls – you don’t have to do it all on your own, and we will work to mutually agreed goals.

How many sessions will I need?

This will depend on the severity of the problem and your own unique situation. Because there are no effective one-size-fits-all plans we’ll discuss the number and type of sessions at your first appointment. Many people report seeing significant improvements after 3-4 sessions, dogs with more complex problems may need more while others need just a couple of sessions.

How often will I need to see you?

Changing behaviour means changing feelings and habits – it’s tough! Rather than giving you a plan and hoping everything goes well, I know you’ll make more progress by seeing me every two weeks to start with. Once you’re feeling confident the sessions might drop to every 3-4 weeks.

How do I pay for the sessions?

You can pay by bank transfer, or I can send you a link to use your normal debit/credit card. I do not store or view any of your card details – it’s all dealt with by a fully regulated payment provider.

Do you accept insurance claims?

I’m happy to complete any necessary paperwork to allow you to claim on your pet insurance (most providers cover my fees) but I can’t process direct claims. That means you always need to pay me first and then claim back the cost from your insurance company.

Are there any discounts for buying a block of sessions?

Yes! While I don’t insist on you pre-buying a package, some people want to dive straight in after our first session. If you opt to pay for three or more sessions of any type at the same time I’ll add a 5% discount on to say thank you for your commitment.

What happens if I need to reschedule my appointment?

Please give as much notice as possible so your appointment can be used to help another dog.
You may cancel or reschedule your booking without additional fees provided you contact us at least 72 hours in advance via email, telephone or WhatsApp.
Changes to your appointment with less than 72 hours notice, you will forfeit the session. Exceptional circumstances may be taken into account
Changes with less than 72 hours will incur an additional £50 charge. Exceptional circumstances may be taken into account