Danielle Beck on Dog Trauma, 'Aggression' & How to Help Sensitive or Reactive Dogs

🎙️ The Yappy Hour – Trauma, Reactivity & Healing in Dogs with Danielle Beck (Control The Meerkat)
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In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy is joined by Danielle Beck, trauma-informed clinical animal behaviourist, aggression case specialist and creator of Control The Meerkat, to explore trauma, reactivity and emotional healing in dogs.

This powerful conversation unpacks what trauma in dogs really is (and what it isn’t), why behaviour like fear, reactivity and aggression is often communication rather than “bad behaviour”, and how safety, consent, agency and choice are central to true recovery.

Together, Nathan and Danielle explore:

What trauma in dogs really is (and what it isn’t)
How fear, reactivity and “aggression” are often signs of emotional overwhelm
Why aggression is communication, not a personality trait
How trauma can develop even in kind, well-intentioned homes
The difference between a reactive dog and a trauma-impacted dog
Where to start with a dog who is shut down, fearful or over-aroused
Why you can’t “train trauma out” – but you can create conditions where healing is possible
The role of safety, consent, agency and choice in helping dogs heal
How enrichment, free work and pattern games support recovery
What happens when an assistance dog develops behaviour struggles
The emotional impact on guardians and how to balance both ends of the lead

This episode is essential listening for:

Guardians living with sensitive, reactive or traumatised dogs
Families supporting shut-down, fearful or over-aroused dogs
Assistance dog handlers
Guardians feeling overwhelmed by behaviour struggles
Dog professionals supporting trauma-impacted cases

🎧 Listen to the full episode on the official Yappily podcast page:
👉 https://yappily.co.uk/podcast/

🐾 Find ethical, accredited dog professionals near you, including trainers, behaviourists, groomers, walkers & more:
👉 https://yappily.co.uk

💼 Are you a dog professional? Get listed on Yappily:
Join the UK’s trusted ethical directory and be discovered by guardians who care about welfare:
👉 https://yappily.co.uk/get-listed/

🔍 About Our Guest – Danielle Beck

Danielle Beck is a trauma-informed clinical animal behaviourist, aggression case specialist and creator of Control The Meerkat. She works with complex behaviour cases, trauma-impacted dogs and assistance dogs using welfare-first, consent-based support.

🌐 Website: https://daniellebeck.co.uk

🐾 Project: Control The Meerkat

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