Struggling in dog training classes, or have one booked? Jennie helps you and your dog understand each other, so your dog learns to look to you for cues rather than to other dogs or other trainers. Once that is in place, everything else has something to build on. Reward-based home visits and real-world coaching across Mid and South Essex.
6+ years hands-on experience Five-star Google reviews Fully insured DBS checked & canine first aid trained
Jennie's Positive Paws is a one-to-one dog training and behaviour service run by Jennie Dayer-Swan from South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. Jennie visits clients at home across Mid and South Essex for puppy training, everyday skills and behaviour support, using reward-based methods. Support starts from £140, and home visits include written notes and a clear next step. Regular dog walking is limited to South Woodham Ferrers and the immediate area.
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Classes can be a lot for some dogs, with other dogs, new people and a busy room all competing for attention. When your dog is looking everywhere except at you, the exercises have nothing to land on.
Jennie works on the part underneath. She helps you and your dog understand each other, so your dog starts to learn that you are the one to look to for cues, rather than other dogs or other trainers.
Once that foundation is in place, everything else tends to click into place, including a class you have already booked or want to try later.
Jennie then helps you build those foundations into everyday life, fitted around your routines. The aim is for things to be clear and consistent, so your dog knows how things go.
Jennie does not run classes, and she will say so if a class is what your dog needs next.
I use positive reinforcement methods, and I look at the root cause of behaviour, not just the symptom you want to stop.
I do not believe in making owners feel blamed or dogs feel pressured. I believe in helping you understand what is going on, slowing things down, and building confidence for both of you.
Jennie Dayer-Swan, Jennie's Positive Paws, South Woodham Ferrers
Biting, toilet training, settling, lead basics and confidence, built around your home rather than a class timetable.
For barking, reacting to other dogs, separation anxiety and anything else that is getting in the way of daily life.
Practical help on a real walk with lead skills, handling and calmer routines, then carried into your day to day.
Not sure what your dog needs? The Dog Training Essex Help Hub helps you match what you are seeing to the right support.
Not sure which fits? Try the Help Finder and answer a few quick questions.
Where outdoor support helps, it can move onto your dog's usual walk.
Each page has the full options and what is included.
Jennie is based in South Woodham Ferrers and visits clients across Mid and South Essex. Pick your area for local detail:
Regular dog walking is limited to South Woodham Ferrers and the immediate area. If travel is not practical, an online consultation is available. See the full list on Areas We Cover.
A puppy visit, a reactivity home lesson and a walk coaching session, in owners' own words.
“Jennie was great with our puppy and provided us with clear and concise instructions on the how but also the why.”
puppy training
Jennie was great with our puppy and provided us with clear and concise instructions on the how but also the why, enabling us to understand the purpose of what we were doing. Would very much recommend.
“Jenny has already helped us understand what makes our dog react and life on our walks has drastically improved.”
home lesson and reactivity
If you’re hesitant, I would 100 percent recommend Jenny. After the first home lesson with Jenny we noted a vast improvement in our behavior, so the dog has followed suit. Jenny has already helped us understand what makes our dog react and life on our walks has drastically improved. Looking forward to next training session.
“I now feel more confident and my puppy and I are enjoying our relaxed walks.”
first-time owners and an assisted lead walk
Can’t thank Jennie enough. As first time dog owners she spent time with my husband and I reassuring us we were doing lots things right and gave tips and advice regarding some of our puppy’s behaviours. I also booked a dog walk training opportunity to work through an issue I had and again loads of advice and support. I now feel more confident and my puppy and I are enjoying our relaxed walks. Would recommend Jennies Positive Paws to anyone who is struggling!
Look for someone who uses reward-based methods, explains what they are doing and why, and is clear about their qualifications and what a session costs. It also helps if they see your dog where the problem actually happens, rather than only in a class. Jennie works one-to-one at your home and can coach you on your usual walk.
Yes. Most support starts with a home visit, because that is where routines, triggers and handling can be seen as they really are. The Starter Consult and the Basic Puppy Consult are both 2-hour home visits with written notes.
No. Jennie works one-to-one rather than running group classes. If classes are not working for your dog, or you have one booked, Jennie helps you and your dog understand each other first, so your dog learns to look to you for cues and the class has something to build on. If a class is what your dog needs next, Jennie will say so.
Yes. Puppy support covers early foundations such as biting, toilet training, settling and lead basics. For adult dogs, support can cover lead pulling, reactivity, barking at visitors, separation anxiety, confidence and other behaviour concerns.
Puppy support starts from £140 for a Basic Puppy Consult. The behaviour Starter Consult is £140 for a 2-hour home visit, and Jennie also offers standalone one-hour behaviour sessions at £75 where that is the right fit. An Assisted Lead Walk starts from £60, and a 30-minute online consultation is £35. Each service page has the full options.
It depends on what is driving the behaviour and how much follow-up support you want. Most people start with a 2-hour home visit, the Starter Consult at £140, which includes a plan, written notes and 7 days of support. The Progress Pack at £260 adds two 60-minute follow-ups and 30 days of support, and Reactivity Focus at £360 adds three follow-ups or assisted lead walks and 45 days of support. For puppies, a Basic Puppy Consult is £140 with no follow-up included, and the foundations packages add follow-up support.
Jennie aims to reply within one business day. The contact form usually gives the quickest and most useful response because it includes the detail needed to suggest the right next step.
Jennie is based in South Woodham Ferrers and visits clients across Mid and South Essex, with pages for South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Braintree, Colchester, Maldon, Southend-on-Sea, Wickford, Basildon and the Dengie Peninsula. Regular dog walking is limited to South Woodham Ferrers and the immediate area. If travel is not practical, online consultations are available.
Jennie listens to what is happening, then observes your dog, your routine, the environment and your dog's body language. She shows you practical steps and coaches you through them, and you receive written notes and a clear next step. If walks are part of the problem, support can move onto your dog's usual walk where that is appropriate.
If you have a puppy or want help with everyday skills, start with puppy training or a walk coaching session. If something is getting in the way of daily life, such as barking, reacting to other dogs or struggling to be left alone, behaviour support is usually the better start. If you are not sure, tell Jennie what is happening and she will point you to the right place to begin.
You do not need to diagnose the problem or choose a package first. Tell Jennie what is happening with your dog and she will talk through the right next step.
