Bahrain · UAE · Online consultations
Drawing on more than 20 years with every kind of temperament — from aggression and anxiety to reactivity, fear and rehabilitation. In person across Bahrain and the UAE, or online wherever you are.
Behaviour, not just training
Training teaches skills — sit, stay, recall, manners. Behaviour work is something else entirely: it resolves the problems obedience can't fix, like aggression, anxiety and reactivity. Two very different jobs.
Sit, stay, recall, lead walking, obedience and manners. Training builds what a dog does — valuable, but it doesn't resolve a behavioural problem on its own.
Aggression, anxiety, fear, reactivity, separation anxiety, compulsive behaviours — the problems obedience can't fix. Through assessment, modification and owner education, behaviour work resolves them and creates lasting change.
My philosophy in one idea
What owners see
What's really happening underneath
Dogs don't choose to be difficult. Behaviour is communication — and the work is to help a dog feel safer within itself.
Every dog is an individual
Problems rarely have one cause. Understanding what's driving them is what makes a plan work — so each one is built for that specific dog.
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Natural predispositions and the traits a breed was developed for.
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How a dog was raised and socialised in its formative months.
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Trauma or negatives that still shape how a dog responds today.
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The home, routine and surroundings a dog lives in day to day.
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Underlying emotional states that drive so much surface behaviour.
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The relationship and communication between a dog and its family.
About
More than 20 years in the canine world — across behaviour, psychology, training, judging and rescue.
I'm Retha Coetzee. I specialise in dog behaviour and psychology, helping dogs and owners overcome challenges and build stronger relationships. Working across multiple disciplines gives me a comprehensive understanding of why dogs do what they do — and how to fix, remedy or manage problem behaviours.
A qualified, experienced dog behaviour specialist and dog trainer, I've also judged internationally as a World Kennel Union All Breeds Judge — working closely with a huge range of breeds and temperaments, experience that informs every case I take on.
How I can help
Each starts with understanding the dog, then a practical, tailored plan — working with both dog and owner, because lasting change needs both.
For dogs showing aggression toward people, other dogs, family or specific situations.
Anxiety, nervousness, phobias, separation anxiety and stress-related behaviours.
For dogs that overreact to people, dogs, vehicles, noises or other triggers.
Supporting dogs that struggle with people, other dogs or new environments.
A full assessment to find the underlying causes and build a treatment plan.
Guidance to prevent future issues through proper socialisation and development.
Obedience, puppy training, lead walking, recall and manners — also available when appropriate, alongside or after behaviour work.
A significant part of my work
I rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs with behavioural challenges — helping them become stable, confident, adoptable companions, and supporting their new families through the transition.
Working & therapy dogs
I breed, evaluate and develop working dogs across many roles — including therapeutic settings, particularly programmes with children, where dogs support emotional development, confidence and social interaction.
My philosophy
When we help a dog feel better within itself, we create the foundation for better choices, healthier behaviour, and a happier life.
Every dog deserves the chance to live a balanced, confident, fulfilling life alongside the people who love them.
Book a consultation
Choose your location to start. Tell me a little about your dog and what's going on, and I'll be in touch.
Booking · —
Send your details and Retha will be in touch soon — usually within a day or two.