Darran Rowe (Darran the Dogman)

Clinical Animal Behaviourist – BSc(Hons), PGCE,  CAB PGDip (continuing to Masters)

Darran is a postgraduate qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist with a wealth of expertise rooted in science and a deep understanding of canine emotions. As the founder of Mindfulness4dogs, Darran has helped thousands of dogs and their owners overcome behavioral and training challenges, using positive, evidence-based strategies that ensure long-lasting results.

Darran Rowe (Darran the Dogman)

Clinical Animal Behaviourist – BSc(Hons), PGCE,  CAB PGDip (continuing to Masters)

Darran is a postgraduate qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist with a wealth of expertise rooted in science and a deep understanding of canine emotions. As the founder of Mindfulness4dogs, Darran has helped thousands of dogs and their owners overcome behavioral and training challenges, using positive, evidence-based strategies that ensure long-lasting results.

From Chaos to Connection — The Dog That Changed Everything

I wasn’t always Darran the Dog Man.

There was a time when I was just like many of the people I help today — overwhelmed, frustrated, and wondering if I’d ever find a way through. And it all started with one little Border Collie dog.

His name was Lemon. A beautiful, Blue Merle with eyes that saw everything — and a heart that carried more than most could ever understand.

Lemon was a happy, curious boy. But everything changed when he was just a year old.

He was attacked by another dog.

It wasn’t just the physical wounds that left a mark — it was the fear. Almost overnight, my confident boy became anxious and reactive. Walks became a battlefield. He barked, lunged, and panicked at the sight of other dogs. The world had become something to fear, and Lemon never forgot it.

And neither did I.

Trying to Fix What I Didn’t Understand

Like so many dog owners, I wanted to help. I wanted Lemon to be fixed. I listened to the advice of trainers in my area, desperate for a solution. And that’s how I ended up with a citronella collar.

I was told it would stop the barking? And it did — for a moment.
But what I didn’t understand back then was that the collar didn’t stop his fear.

It just silenced his voice.

Every time that burst of citronella sprayed, Lemon’s fear grew. He stopped barking — not because he felt calm, but because he’d learned that expressing his fear only brought more discomfort. And I could see it in his eyes — he trusted me a little less each time.

I regret using that collar more than anything in the world.

But regret can teach you, if you let it.

The Moment Everything Changed

One day, I asked myself a question that shifted everything:

What if Lemon wasn’t being difficult?
What if he was just asking for help?

That single thought sent me down a path I never expected. I studied everything I could about psychology and dog behavior — not just commands and corrections, but the emotional world that lives beneath the surface. I learned how fear shapes behavior. I learned how stress builds. And most importantly, I learned how to listen to my dog.

Lemon didn’t need a heavier hand.
He needed a softer heart.

He needed safety, patience, and someone who could guide him out of fear and into trust. Step by step, we rebuilt our relationship.

The barking eased. The panic faded. And for the first time, Lemon looked up at me — not in fear, but with confidence.

He was still my boy. But this time, he knew he was safe.

Why I Became Darran the Dog Man

Lemon was my greatest teacher.

He showed me that dogs aren’t “problems” to be fixed. They’re souls to be understood. Every bark, every growl, every glance away — it all means something. And when we take the time to listen, we stop trying to control the behavior and start healing the emotion underneath it.

That’s why I do what I do.

As Darran the Dog Man, I stand beside the people who feel like they’ve tried everything. The ones who have been told their dogs are “too much” or that they just need a firmer hand. I see the frustration. The guilt. The heartbreak of wanting to help but not knowing how.

And I know what it’s like to regret the choices you made when you didn’t know better.  But I also know the power of learning a different way. Because I’ve walked that road.

And I can walk it with you.

If You’re Feeling Stuck, You’re Not Alone.

Maybe your dog barks at every dog they see.
Maybe you feel that tightening in your chest before every walk.
Maybe you’ve tried the tools and the “quick fixes” — and now you’re left with even more problems.

I SEE YOU…

And I want you to know that there’s hope.

Lemon, my Border Collie, was once that dog too. The fear, the lunging, the barking — I know how overwhelming it can be. But with patience, understanding, and the right approach, Lemon’s story changed.

He went from crazy reactiviy at the sight of other dogs to confidently competing in Agility Competitions, surrounded by hundreds of dogs — no fear, no aggression, just trust and joy.

That transformation is possible.

Together, we can stop reacting to the symptoms and start understanding the cause. We can build trust, one step at a time. And you can finally feel what it’s like to walk your dog with calm instead of fear.