Brilliant Family Dog — Brilliant Family Dog

dogtraining

Brilliant Family Dog - leading the way for reactive dogs

Brilliant Family Dog is changing the world, one dog at a time. You may or may not know WHY your dog started being reactive or fearful - or just plain growly! - but that really doesn’t affect HOW you’re going to change things to make the changes you …

You’re here because you’re looking for answers for your reactive, anxious, aggressive, hyper - Growly! - dog, am I right?

✅ You are in absolutely THE RIGHT PLACE for authentic help. For force-free help. For help in making lasting change.

❌ You’re in THE WRONG PLACE if you’re looking for a quick fix, if you think that your dog is to blame, if you think a gadget or medical intervention will solve everything, without you having to bother.

I need this in a hurry!

These days we are all in a hurry all the time! We want everything now, or better yet - yesterday. And we don’t want to have to work for it! “Just drop it in my lap, please,” we are taught to expect.

It comes as a genuine shock to some folk that their life will not change by “fixing what’s wrong with the dog”.

That’s why it’s no use handing your problem dog over to a trainer to do the work for you! It’s what’s happening in your home, between you and your dog, that needs fixing. It’s not the dog - it’s both of you!

Want to get the support and learning you need? Get our free e-course here and get started!

    THIS E-COURSE IS A BONUS FOR YOU WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL EMAILS AND OCCASIONAL OFFERS FROM ME. YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
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    People are forever asking me,  

    • “How do I stop my dog doing xyz?”

    • “How can I control my dog?”

    • “What’s the quickest way to get my dog to …. ?”

    • And the perplexing “Why doesn’t my dog know …. ?”

    “Errr, because you haven’t taught him?” would be the quick answer to that last one!

    But this all presupposes that there’s some recipe to follow, which the questioner just hasn’t found yet.

    People come to my Workshops expecting to be told, “Do this, then do that, and your dog will comply.” But they find that I don’t do that!

    Instead they are asked searching questions about their relationship with their dog, and discover that changing their life with their dog requires them to change what they’re doing with their dog, AND who they’re being with their dog.

    Of course, some say, “Where are the instructions? How can I fix my dog-problems if you don’t give me the answers?” And they leave, looking for someone else to do the work for them.

    Those who stay, who tussle with those difficult questions, are the ones who actually transform their lives with their once-difficult dog. Now, I’m not saying their dog is now perfect! Any more than my dogs are perfect, or I’m perfect!

    What I’m saying is that these enlightened owners come to a higher level of understanding which means they can enjoy a new life with their dog whether or not their dog changes. (But they usually do change, dramatically.)

    Change will come - but in its own time

    Brilliant Family Dog is changing the world, one dog at a time. You may or may not know WHY your dog started being reactive or fearful - or just plain growly! - but that really doesn’t affect HOW you’re going to change things to make the changes you …

    Elle told me - in fact she told everyone in our private supportive Community of Growlies - that she had reached a whole new level of understanding with her dog.

    I never dreamed that we would have been able to come as far as we have. I am thrilled.  

    Bella still has some issues, but the difference is that I understand her issues, and I know what to do to help her and to make things manageable.

    Elle had the all-too-common experience of trying various trainers, some of whom made the dog worse, and some who had no clue what to do so they just said “Your dog is untrainable. She’ll never change.”

    Perhaps this is what’s happened for you?

    So along with many others - maybe you - she was “desperate” when she found me.

    Now Elle didn’t just ask for a recipe, and POOF! dog transformed. (Oh that it were so easy!)

    No.

    She read what I wrote, and she listened to what I said. She acted on it. When things didn’t immediately improve, she persisted. She took her dog’s reactions as information rather than evidence of failure. She worked with that information, and … gradually, very gradually … she reached the stage of calm and acceptance that removes friction and enhances - LOVE.

    And it’s not only Elle who has enjoyed this transformation! I am thrilled to get emails every single day from people who have quietly followed what I’ve suggested to them and found it works!

    Alexia told us,

    I never thought it would be possible - but after 18 months of determination - it's paying off. I'm so glad I didn't give up - although several times have felt like it. The learning and structure of the course and this Community has reassured me I'm doing the right thing and kept going - thank you everyone :) particularly Beverley Courtney.

    Emma started a huge thread of praise and thanks in our amazing Community with this thought of hers:

    I thought how kind it was that people give so much of their time to this group to help people. So I wanted to thank Beverley for starting this Community and for being so responsive to our questions and concerns. And thank you for the effort that goes into it.

    Dawn said “I agree!” She told us she’s so happy there’s a place where she can go to talk with other people who know exactly what it's like living with a growly dog. Then Judy added,

    Yes me too. I can't thank Beverley Courtney and this group enough. Your support is priceless x

    Support is critically important!

    So you can see from this that having a safe place where you can talk about your dog problems (and where it affects this relationship, your own problems too) is SO important in getting the change you desire with your dog!

    It’s not about finding methods, techniques, tricks, games . . . (though those will be given to you and are useful). It’s about finding out how to change the way you look at things so you can make the change you so fervently desire!

    And yes - it takes work.

    More importantly, it takes commitment. Flipping all over the internet in the hope of finding the one last game or pill that will transform your dog for ever . . . is futile! It’s destined for failure.

    It really is about understanding just what’s going on, and getting the support you need to change it!

    Want to know what you can do?

    Head over to this page and add yourself to our waiting list. There’s something brewing that anyone with a reactive dog will NOT want to miss! And Waitlist peeps will get first dibs . . .

    Go and put your name down right away and drum your fingers for a week or so till all is revealed. [If your dog likes it, drum your fingers up and down his back when he’s relaxing with you - lots of nice squirming from your dog, and laughter from you!]

    Want to get the support and learning you need? Get our free e-course here and get started!

      THIS E-COURSE IS A BONUS FOR YOU WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL EMAILS AND OCCASIONAL OFFERS FROM ME. YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
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      Results from the Growly Workshop

      Do we have to punish dogs to get what we want? Absolutely not! The reverse is true. Reward what you like and your dog will learn much faster | 5 DAY WORKSHOP | #growlydog, #dogtraining, #newrescuedog, #puppytraining, #dogbehavior, #reactivedog, #eco…

      Well . . . even I am amazed by the results the Workshoppers got from my free 5 Day Live Workshop for your Growly but Brilliant Family Dog,

      And now you can join my free Masterclass for Growly Dogs and get similar results!

      People with anxious dogs, shy dogs, reactive dogs. People who could not understand why their dog - who is so lovely at home - looks like a sabre-toothed tiger when out.

      • We had puppies stopping biting.

      • We had dogs walking nicely on the lead.

      • We had dogs passing other dogs without a meltdown.

      • We had dogs coming when called!

      All within five action-packed days!

      Carol bubbled with pleasure: “I am so happy, and so are my 4-leggeds! Thank you for this Beverley Courtney!”

      Sally was amazed at how her very shy and timid Misty got on.

      “We can not believe what this has done for our anxious girl. A safe place. A focus. A place where she knows she's doing the right thing. First time at the pub tonight. We had people gasping in amazement as she dived on the mat after a little explore then stayed there. Best thing ever.”

      Andrea was bowled over with such quick results which her whole family could enjoy:

      “I’m already seeing results with him learning to transfer the skills he has learned from this course into his walks. Thanks for a fantastic learning opportunity for our family!”

      And this is what Cath said:

      “Brilliant video lesson and fantastic course. Ben and Duke really enjoying it so far and I am loving seeing them having such fun. Thank you!”

      Not just dogs!

      I’m used to hearing about positive change for the dogs in the Workshop, and for their harassed and baffled owners. But I think this evidence from Caitlin is a first!

      “I’m amazed by the change already, thank you so much for this Workshop and the advice this week. I had my blood pressure taken today and it had also greatly improved so win win for all of us xx”

      Tracie wrote, “Thank you Beverley for this free workshop. Lilly and I went for a walk this afternoon and she was A LOT calmer and so was I. I am looking forward to continuing lessons.”  And she’s now one of many who chose to carry on working with me in my advanced program.

      Isn’t this what we all want? A calm life for us and our troubled dogs?

      Hannah-Jade told us that Hank is now choosing to hang out with her more often rather than being aloof! “This is really helping our relationship.”

      Real, deep, change

      Natasha said one of the most moving things. She said,

      “In just two days I’ve had a complete change of thinking in how I treat Oscar.”

      For me, that makes everything worthwhile!

      And Charlotte told us,

      “This course has helped me fall back in love with my dog and given me hope for the future. It is a wonderful feeling to know that I can take the lead in his training rather than feeling I have to hand over my dog to someone else. Just this week I feel our bond has gone from strength to strength and I am really excited about the future.

      Alfie is asleep while I write this and watch your sessions, instead of pacing about and obsessing over background noises thanks to the training sessions you have put in place for us.”

      Wow! That’s some change!

      Shannon simply wrote:

      “Loving this course thank you so much: lifesaver!

      Might it be a lifesaver for you too?

      How to get these results for yourself and your dog

      “Three tries and then she did it and walked outside calmly - I can’t believe it!!”  Kirsty

      Want to know WHAT Kirsty tried? Here’s the Workshop! Even if you missed the live event you can still benefit from it now, and find out just what gave these folk such amazing transformations.

      And to get started straight away with lessons to help your Growly Dog cope with our world, watch our

      Free Masterclass for Growly Dogs

      What is your biggest problem with your dog?

      What’s your biggest frustration with your dog? And do you think you’ll never be able to fix it? Come to our force-free, dog-friendly Live Workshop and find a new way to make the changes you want | FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP! | #aggressivedog, #reactivedog…

      And what's your biggest frustration right now with training your dog?

      You may be saying,

      He barks at everything!

      OR

      I can’t have visitors to the house any more

      OR, maybe

      I’d love to go for walks or holidays with friends, but my dog is so unpredictable … it wouldn’t be fair on them or their dogs.

      I understand that so well!

      I was like that for a long time, thinking nothing would ever work to change my dog. I thought I’d tried everything. But in fact I’d only seen the tip of the iceberg, the things people shout loudest about . . .

      But now I’ve dug way deeper and learnt how to do it - all dog-friendly, no nastiness, no shouting, no nasty gadgets - and I’ve been able to help hundreds and hundreds of people like you - frustrated owners who love their dogs - to make big changes with their dogs and make their lives happier and so much more comfortable.

      If I had something that could help you solve this problem, would you be interested in taking a look at it?

      What would it be worth to you to have these problems solved?

      What do you think it's costing you not to solve these problems?

      • Losing friends?

      • Spending money on expensive trainers?

      • or nasty gadgets?

      • No holidays? No kennels to take your dog?

      • Worst case: vet or doctor or legal bills?

      Maybe you’re like Liz, who never really had the chance to talk to other dog-owners about her problems. She found it quite isolating having a growly dog!

      Or maybe you can relate to Emma, who found that every time she visited the lessons she’d get a renewed sense of calm and her resolve would be strengthened.  

      I felt like an outcast. All I could see around me was well-behaved dogs, and mine was like a Tasmanian devil on the lead! But this support is helping me to really focus on helping my little rescue dog, and things are starting to look better. He’s experiencing a calmer way of being outside. Thank you Beverley, you are amazing.”

      And what about Stella? After the Workshop she dived straight into my full program, and said:

      “Only one day in and already good things are happening! All sorts of realisations dawning on me! Thank you Beverley, really enjoying this journey.”

      SO …

      Want to find out just HOW I’ve helped so many people to change their lives with their dogs?

      I’ll be hosting one of my celebrated free Masterclasses for Growly Dogs and it’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the methodologies used in my paid program - and you’ll get it all free!

      Karla absolutely loved the Workshop, and she said,

      “thank you for all you do to help as many dogs as possible.”

      Do come and join us! There’ll be people from all round the world - and I would love to have the opportunity to show you a new way to cope with your difficult, reactive, aggressive - Growly - dog! so YOU can get the results that these folk have had!

       

       

      The Daily Dog Walk… Really? Do I Have To?

      The Daily Dog Walk is a myth dreamt up by people who don’t understand how dogs tick | FREE EMAIL COURSE | #aggressivedog, #reactivedog, #dogtraining, #growlydog, #dogbehavior, #anxiousdog, #overfriendlydog | www.brilliantfamilydog.com

      This article was first published on 4knines.com and is reprinted here with permission

       

      You’re feeling guilty about your dog. You look at him and he gazes back with those patient brown eyes that can see right into your heart. You feel guilty because you’ve been so rushed today that you didn’t fit in a morning walk, and now it’s pouring with rain and you can’t face it. But have another look at those gorgeous brown eyes: what’s your dog trying to tell you?

      He’s saying that what he wants is some time with you – some action, yes, to use up his huge store of energy – but mainly it’s time enjoying life with you that he wants.

      So don’t fret over missing a walk. Here’s something for you to hang on to:

      Dogs do not need to be walked every day.

       

      “You mean I don’t have to walk him every day, whatever the weather?”

      That’s right.

      And for some dogs – fearful, reactive, or old and creaky – that comes as a great relief!

      For help with your reactive, anxious, aggressive, “growly” dog, get our free email course here.

        THIS FREE ECOURSE IS A BONUS FOR YOU WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL EMAILS AND OCCASIONAL OFFERS FROM ME. YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
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        What’s the walk for?

        Imagine you are afraid of spiders. And every day your friend insists on taking you along a spider-strewn walk, your face brushing past bushes draped with webs and wriggly beasties, seeing them scamper across the path in front of you.

        Are you going to enjoy those walks?

        I think not.

        And if you have a dog who reacts to every dog he sees by barking ferociously and lunging towards it – shouting at it to go away – then he’s not going to enjoy that overmuch.

        And your shoulders and wrists probably won’t either!

        So choose times and places to walk your fearful dog when he has a chance of enjoying the outing, not having a procession of other dogs marching towards him along the road, in other words.

        Your old and creaky dog can tell you when he’d like to join you for a slow amble. Pick up the lead and see what he says. If he starts a juddery dance with his stiff old legs, and comes to get the lead put on, then off you go. But if he turns his head away, or stays resolutely on his bed – leave him be. Of course he needs some exercise to stay as well as he can be, and to keep his digestive system moving. But a gentle game in the garden may fit the bill.

        Your fearful dog would benefit from some sessions with a force-free trainer who can build his confidence so he doesn’t need to shout with fear at new dogs or people.

        Your old dog may appreciate a joint supplement to loosen up those old bones a bit.

        My dog is young and active!

        Fearful and old dogs are the special cases.

        But if your dog is young and active and has energy to burn, then you can exercise his body and his mind in far better ways than tramping along a hard road on a lead.

        The Daily Dog Walk is a myth dreamt up by people who don’t understand how dogs tick | FREE EMAIL COURSE | #aggressivedog, #reactivedog, #dogtraining, #growlydog, #dogbehavior, #anxiousdog, #overfriendlydog | www.brilliantfamilydog.com

        If you have a garden, however small, you can enjoy a fast and furious game with a ball or frisbee. Both of you will enjoy this, and both of you should be puffing by the end of it!

        Your aim is for your dog to be panting with his sides heaving, his eyes sparkling. Your dog doesn’t play ball? Just start a running chase game with him – take turns at chasing and being chased.

         

        Better yet - use his brain as well as his body.

        Thinking – as we all know too well! – can be more tiring than doing. So see what rainy day fun you can have indoors.

        Scent Games and Brain Games are great for this

        • Find the Lady

          using upturned beakers with a treat beneath one of them, for instance.

        • Hide and Seek

        You can hide a favourite toy, one of the children, or yourself! Hiding may just involve rolling someone up in a duvet and letting your dog dig them out (protect faces from scraping claws). Or the family could scatter and hide under beds or in cupboards. This was always a favourite game with my children!

        • Practicing your superfast recall

        Inject excitement into this game to get your dog’s speed up, calling him from one end of the house to the other – for a game or a treat.

        • Teach your dog to tidy up!

        Show him how to put his toys back in his basket, or pick up his empty food bowl and pass it to you (for another treat to be dropped into it, of course!). He could even put it on the shelf in the cupboard, if it’s at the right height for him.

        • Have him fetch the mail,

        or bring his lead when you’re going out, act as an alarm clock for the teenagers by leaping onto their beds and snuffling their sleeping faces!

         

        These games are all so much more fun than clomping around a cold dark street!

        Yes, your dog does need to go out and see and experience the world, and run free over field or beach.

        He just doesn’t have to do it every day

         

        Lots more ideas here to help with your charming but growly dog with our free email course here.

          THIS FREE ECOURSE IS A BONUS FOR YOU WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL EMAILS AND OCCASIONAL OFFERS FROM ME. YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
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          If only I could find people who understood

          There’s no need to soldier on alone with your reactive dog! You can find friends from all over the world who understand and can help you in your journey | FREE EMAIL COURSE | #aggressivedog, #reactivedog, #dogtraining, #growlydog, #dogbehavior, #anx…

          The loneliness of the Growly Dog owner

          It can be a lonely road, owning a Growly Dog.

          That is, a dog who is anxious, reactive, or aggressive. A dog you’re never quite sure of. One minute he seems fine, and the next minute he’s on his hind legs shrieking blue murder at another dog … or a child on a scooter … or a plastic sack that shouldn’t be there.

          For help with your reactive, anxious, aggressive, “growly” dog, get our free email course here.

            THIS FREE ECOURSE IS A BONUS FOR YOU WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL EMAILS AND OCCASIONAL OFFERS FROM ME. YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
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            It can be exhausting, coping with these outbursts, and perhaps wondering why, when you know what a lovely dog he is at home.

            If only the people who are staring at you now, causing you to feel embarrassed and useless while your dog makes a holy show of you, could see what a charmer your dog really is, what a lovely companion at home, how well he plays with the children.

            But you can find people who understand!

            You’ve found one right here, in me! For I have travelled this road too, and I’ve run through all the same emotions as you do - on a daily basis.

            There’s no need to soldier on alone with your reactive dog! You can find friends from all over the world who understand and can help you in your journey | FREE EMAIL COURSE | #aggressivedog, #reactivedog, #dogtraining, #growlydog, #dogbehavior, #anx…

            Life with my Growly Dog Lacy has been an adventure, a huge learning curve, and a joy. I’ve seen my reactive dog who would leap out threatening to grab passers-by, who would terrorise other dogs in the park, who would bark as if the world were ending at a knock at the door, turn into a reliable companion, a co-conspirator who travels through life with me, with such a deep understanding of how best to respond to the things that used to send her into a tailspin.

            And now I’ve arrived at this happy state with my tricky dog, I want to help you with your tricky dog!

            You may have seen already the large number of articles for Growly Dogs here on this site. There are also the Growly Dog Books, a free email course, aaaaaaand …. a major help for you, the Growly Dog owner, in From Growly Dog to Confident Dog, an extensive, far-reaching, program to take you from your present state of hiding behind bushes and dreading walks, to the confidence you will have when you understand just how your Growly Dog ticks, why he does what he does, and - most importantly! - how you can help him adjust to our strange world and enjoy life with you.

            What you may not realise is that once you join From Growly Dog to Confident Dog you are automatically part of an active forum of your fellow-students, who report their successes, their not-so-successes, and their queries. And you also get continual coaching from me there.

            This alone is a terrific help to people in their daily challenges “at the walkface”. To know that you have backup, cheerleaders, and the understanding that only another owner of a Growly Dog can really have.

            For it is so, that no-one who has not had a reactive, anxious, worrypot of a dog, can truly understand and relate to those of us who are blessed with such a creature.

            It’s what makes possible the changes that you’ll learn in the program. To learn how others are managing, and to know that you are amongst friends - that’s what sets this apart.

            Maybe you’ve just found your home?

            For help with your reactive, anxious, aggressive, “growly” dog, get our free email course here.

              THIS FREE ECOURSE IS A BONUS FOR YOU WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL EMAILS AND OCCASIONAL OFFERS FROM ME. YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.
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