Hi, I’m Emily, the human behind Adventures with Tilley.

Adventures with Tilley was created from living with dogs who feel the world deeply. Dogs with big emotions, big opinions, big reactions and big hearts. My journey with Tilley and Slinky didn’t just influence this work; it shaped the entire approach behind it.

But this isn’t only a place for dogs with big feelings.
It’s also a space for guardians who simply want their dogs to co‑exist calmly, be well‑mannered in real life, and enjoy being around kind, like‑minded people on relaxed, supportive walks.

Wherever you’re starting from, and whatever your goals, you don’t have to do this alone.

Tilley — The Spark Behind the Name

Tilley arrived with big feelings from the beginning.
At ten weeks old, she was already resource guarding, sensitive to touch, and full of fiery personality. She is clever, expressive, and beautifully opinionated.

She didn’t need to be “fixed”; she needed to be understood.
And for her to thrive, I had to learn how to understand her first.

Tilley taught me how to read early signals, how to create trust through consistency, and how important it is to listen before asking. She also taught me the joy of exploration — she and I love adventuring around the UK, discovering forests, beaches, and trails that give her space to be herself.

She’s the reason this community exists.

Slinky — The Heart of Our Community

Slinky is the softest soul with some of the biggest feelings of all. He lives with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and multiple brain malformations, which means he experiences the world differently, often more intensely.

His reactivity isn’t aggression; it’s emotion and overwhelm.
Training support for a dog with neurological differences was nearly impossible to find, so I had to become the trainer he needed. I learned how his little brain works, how to support him gently, and how to meet him where he is.

Despite his challenges, Slinky is everyone’s support dog, the cuddler, the comforter, the one who leans in with softness. He loves routine, predictability, and, above all, his cosy home comforts.

He taught me patience, compassion, and the art of celebrating small wins.

Why Adventures with Tilley Exists

Living with dogs like Tilley and Slinky taught me:

• Behaviour is communication

• Safety and connection come before training

• Guardians often need support as much as their dogs

• You don’t need perfection, you need understanding

• And most importantly: no one should have to navigate this alone

Adventures with Tilley is a place for dogs who feel big feelings AND dogs who simply need calm spaces to practise co‑existing, walking nicely, or being around dogs and humans without pressure.

Our Approach

Everything we do is built around:

• Partnership, not pressure

• Understanding, not correction

• Connection, not control

• Real‑life learning, not rigid rules

• Emotional safety for both dog and guardian

We look at how your dog feels, not just how they behave and help you understand their communication so you can support them with clarity and confidence.

Our Community, A Place Where You’re Never Alone

Adventures with Tilley is more than a service…
It’s a community for every kind of dog and every kind of guardian.

Whether you have a dog with big feelings or you simply want your dog to walk nicely, co‑exist calmly, and gain confidence around others, you’re welcome here.

Here, you’ll find:

• A supportive, judgement‑free space

• Social walks with relaxed training woven into the moment

• Calm environments for dogs who need space

• Opportunities for polite co‑existence and good manners

• Guardians who genuinely understand and cheer each other on

• A growing East Kent community where you and your dog belong

This is a place for connection, between dogs, between humans, and between both sides of the lead.

You don’t have to do this alone.
We’re here to walk the journey with you.