Ouch! How a dog bite to the face put Dr Tom Mitchell on a mission to help dogs and their owners

Dog ownership in England and Wales has grown significantly in recent years, with pets becoming an integral part of family life. While many dogs provide companionship and joy, others pose challenges that can lead to serious incidents if not properly managed. The bond between humans and dogs relies heavily on responsible ownership, effective training, and an understanding of canine behaviour.

Despite these efforts, dog attacks have surged by 21% in the past year, according to a BBC investigation. The alarming rise has spotlighted the urgent need for better dog training and owner education.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, individuals can face severe consequences, including up to 14 years in prison, disqualification from dog ownership, or having their dogs euthanised. In cases involving fatalities, the maximum sentence for manslaughter is life imprisonment.

Dr. Tom Mitchell, a leading veterinarian behaviourist and founder of Behavet and Help! My Dog is at the forefront of tackling canine behavioural issues. Drawing from years of academic study, research, and professional experience, including a transformative incident during his early career, Dr. Tom Mitchell advocates for proactive training methods to address the root causes of aggressive behaviour. His innovative concept training approach helps dogs adapt to various challenges while fostering stronger bonds between pets and their owners.

“With the right approach and strategies, any behaviour struggle can be transformed,” Dr. Tom Mitchell explains. “The focus should be on equipping dogs with the skills to navigate their environments safely.”

As incidents rise, experts urge a combined effort from authorities, trainers, and dog owners to address this growing concern.

A defining incident

During his first-year placement on a sheep farm, Dr. Tom Mitchell was bitten on the face by a dog when they escaped their enclosure and reacted aggressively while he was adjusting his boot. The injury was severe, causing significant damage to his lip. Reflecting on the incident, he realised that the dog’s aggressive response was driven by fear and environmental stress, emphasising the challenges dogs face when coping with their surroundings. This moment deepened his commitment to understanding canine behaviour and helping dogs lead better lives.

Motivated by this experience, Dr. Tom Mitchell expanded his knowledge of animal behaviour alongside his veterinary studies. However, it wasn’t just his formal education that shaped his approach—it was also the hands-on work he did outside the classroom. Through direct interaction with dogs, he observed that traditional training techniques often fell short in addressing the complex issues many dogs faced.

This practical experience, combined with his academic foundation, helped Dr. Tom Mitchell understand why certain strategies worked or didn’t, and how they affected the brain—strengthening or weakening specific responses. Drawing on both his real-world experiences and education, he began to explore the intersection of neuroscience and behaviour in animals. He recognised that many traditional methods, like counter-conditioning, often only address the symptoms rather than the root causes. This insight led him to develop training techniques focused on meeting the emotional and psychological needs of dogs.

Concept training: A new approach

Dr. Tom Mitchell developed a training framework known as “concept training,” designed to equip dogs with skills to handle stress and environmental triggers. Unlike traditional training, which often exposes dogs to stressful situations incrementally, concept training focuses on proactive skill development. As Dr. Tom Mitchell explains, “We go beyond traditional behavioural modification techniques such as counter-conditioning, desensitisation, habituation, and socialisation. Our goal is to deliver long-lasting results with better outcomes – we safeguard your dog’s welfare, giving them the skills to cope with a situation BEFORE exposing them to triggers that might harm their wellbeing.” By using games, this method strengthens a dog’s ability to adapt to new or challenging situations, enhancing their overall resilience. Concept training is based on the idea that your dog needs to learn certain skills to thrive in the world and cope with what their environment puts in front of them (e.g. dogs, people, squirrels, cats, cars, bikes, novel things).

Establishing Behavet: Accessible canine behaviour support

To make behavioural support more accessible, Dr. Tom Mitchell founded Behavet, an online platform offering consultations with veterinary behaviour professionals. Behavet serves over 500 dog owners monthly, addressing a range of issues, including severe behavioural challenges. As Dr. Tom Mitchell says, “There is always hope – even in the most challenging, severe, no-hope cases – dogs that are on death row, that would be euthanised, that have seen several other professionals – those dogs can still be helped and we get to a point where they are thriving.” In addition to direct consultations, the platform provides educational resources to dog owners and professionals, promoting evidence-based and humane training methods.

Behavet’s commitment to non-judgmental, reward-based approaches has earned it recognition from both clients and professionals. Dr. Tom Mitchell’s own experience with a reactive dog exemplifies the company’s ethos: “Compassion – I also had a reactive dog – I gave a dog a home that had severe behavioural struggles because she came from an abusive home – I saw, first hand, how living with a reactive dog can affect someone’s life.” The clinic collaborates with thousands of veterinarians who refer cases requiring specialised behavioural care. Behavet’s mission is clear: “Wanting to see people and their dogs fulfil their potential, achieve their dreams, and thrive in life drives the mission forward – understanding where they’re coming from means that we can tailor the plans to their needs and be able to address any challenges they might face before they surface, meaning a faster, easier, more stress-free experience for the dog and owner.”

Broader initiatives and community support

Dr. Tom Mitchell has extended his work beyond private consultations to include collaborations with rescue organisations and shelters. He provides behavioural support to dogs rescued from environments like puppy mills and unethical breeders. These efforts aim to increase the adoptability of dogs with behavioural challenges, easing the burden on shelters and supporting sustainable animal welfare practices.

Recognising the stress and isolation faced by owners of reactive dogs, Dr. Tom Mitchell has also fostered community through platforms like the Help! My Dog podcast and online training Hub. These resources offer practical advice and emotional support, helping owners navigate complex behaviour issues while strengthening the bond with their pets.

Dr. Tom Mitchell’s approach to canine behaviour combines scientific understanding, compassion, and accessibility. His methods challenge conventional practices, focusing on proactive training and addressing the root causes of behavioural issues. Through initiatives like Behavet and partnerships with animal welfare organisations, he continues to influence the field of canine behaviour, benefiting dogs, their owners, and the broader community.

This dedication highlights the importance of integrating veterinary expertise with behavioural science to improve animal welfare and human-animal relationships.

The editorial unit