What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Social Paws

Helen Motteram BSc (Hons) behaviourist & Tristan Motteram accredited dog trainer. Behavioural support specialising in anxious, nervous dogs.

Supporting pet Guardians with their anxious dogs & rescues 👱‍♀️👨‍🦱🐶😺🐦‍⬛

Helping Guardians excel in confidence & their companions thrive with their human family. Puppy training and socialisation (1-2-1). Training for excitable dogs! Free discovery call on request

Manager and founder: Helen Motteram
Contact: helen@socialpawscheltenham.co.uk
Website: www.socialpawscheltenham.co.uk

19/11/2025

The struggle is real...but you just need to pick one! 🐾🐶💖

17/11/2025

This was a photo of Riley a dog I trained 10 years ago!

But since then, his Guardians have continued the great work, and he's gone from strength to strength. They'd report back on improvements and comment on this page.

I was reunited with Riley a few months ago on our dog friendly walking group. Yes you heard that right.

Over the years Riley improved. He's a real gentleman and so polite to other dogs.

I absolutely LOVE getting updates and hope you like this photo I found.

14/11/2025

An IMPORTANT reminder - some dogs are on a lead for a reason ⚠️

While your dog may be friendly, not all other dogs want to say hello.

It's important, where possible to give dogs on lead space and always ask before approaching.

They could be...

🐶 In training

🐶 Recovering from an injury or operation

🐶 Anxious or shy

🐶 Frustrated or excited

🐶 Simply don't want to play or be approached

🐶 A little unsteady on their feet

Thank you,
Helen & Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

13/11/2025

World kindness day - here at Social Paws, we are a family business where kindness speaks volumes 💖

Kindness to humans, animals in fact every living creatures on the planet 🌍

Social Paws was founded by yours truly (Helen Motteram) to help anxious and shy companions across Gloucestershire and globally through my rescue work!

Joined by my partner in crime (Tristan Motteram) we make the perfect team! 😊

Offering rehabilitation walks and behavioural therapy, with the perfect set ups for success (thanks to Nellie and our other stooge dogs).

We are both a little quirky ;) and having gone through 'struggles to strengths' with our own companions, we understand having a dog companion is not just a walk in the park!

And let's not forget our bird and cat friends too...

We both (in our spare time) run Russell's Rescue helping young or injured birds 🐦

So if you are looking for a kind and effective approach, a vet recommended award winning business 🏆 (blowing our own trumpets) but most of all someone who understands your journey, please get in touch.

Thanks for reading,
Helen & Tristan

11/11/2025

Building confidence at vets and with other dogs 🐕

We worked with this amazing 4 legged friend and saw incredible results. Building confidence on walks with other dogs and popping in the vets to create a positive association.

A huge thanks to Woodlands Vets for always making us feel so welcome. A local vets that have a great set up and fantastic staff to accommodate for our more nervous 4 legged friends.

08/11/2025

Today I had the absolute honour to visit and support Live PAWS Rescued Animals Tenerife

Here at Social Paws we love to help our four legged friends, especially rescues.

This rescue does so much to help them.

I walked a few dogs and helped a few of the anxious dogs in their kennels.

💖

05/11/2025

From anxious to calm and confident 💖

We have been so thrilled to work with this wonderful girl who's gone from being anxious around humans and dogs - to more calm and confident!

And their review has filled me with tears of joy 🥲

"We had such an amazing experience with Helen. My dog used to be very reactive and anxious — we even tried another trainer before, but it didn’t really work out. After working with Helen, the difference has been incredible! My dog is now so much calmer outside and much better behaved around people.

They are professional, patient, and genuinely lovely to work with. I’ve learned so much from them as well, which has really helped me understand and support my dog better. I couldn’t recommend them more — truly life-changing training experience!"

🐾🐾🐾

Thank you so much!
Helen & Tristan

'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'

01/11/2025

The weather might be a bit glum but our Saturday Dog Walk isn't! 🐶

Join us with The Merryfellow at 10:30am. Meeting outside the pub.

It will be a trip to Springbottom today so pack your wellies! 👢

29/10/2025

Join us this Saturday at 10:30am for the Merryfellow group walk!

Suitable to all, gentle pace.

Meeting outside the Merryfellow at 10:30am. You don't have to have a dog to join us 🐶

28/10/2025

So true ❤️🐶

23/10/2025

HELP KEEP YOUR DOGS SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN! 😈🤡🎃

Halloween can be a fun time for us humans but a scary time for dogs. Feel free to share this advice to help keep pets safe and stress free.

🐕 Provide a safe place to hide

If your dog has a crate pop a blanket over the top or fill it with their favourite toys and treats. Keep the door open so they can retreat to it when feeling anxious. You can also provide a safe quiet room or a comfy spot on the sofa.

🐕 Comfort and reassure

It's ok to comfort and reassure your dog. Use your voice to help reassure them and gentle strokes with your fingers to help keep them calm and relaxed.

🐕 Draw the curtains

Reduce visual access to the outside by drawing the curtains, this will stop your dog seeing anyone walking past outside and making them feel stressed.

🐕 Plan an earlier walk

It's best to take your dog for a walk before it gets dark. This will avoid any unnecessary stress of bumping into dressed up kids.

🐕 Stay indoors as it darkens

As above its more likely that children will come out as it gets dark.

🐕 Turn on some music

Music is really good to help calm your dog and act as background noise to reduce the sound of children outside.

🐕 Provide enrichment

Enrichment will provide a positive outlet to keep you dog focused, busy and relaxed. I love canine connectables and kongs but you can also do enrichment games such as treat trails around the house.

🐕 Put a sign on the door

You can create a sign/poster asking children not to come to your house. As an alternative I hang up some sweet bags on the gate and ask them to take a bag instead of knocking on the door.

Remember Halloween can be a disruptive and a scary time for your dog, so set them up for success by preparing early and by following the above advice.

Thanks for reading,
Helen

17/10/2025

After a beautiful few days break we both came down with the flu 🥲

Today marks nearly 7 days in bed, Tristan went back to work yesterday.

And I'm NOT a good patient 🫢 the world felt like it was ending, I've never had the flu.

I look forward to getting back to normality - next week is busy! I have lots of new clients to meet.

Thank you for your patience 🐶🐱

Address

Charlton Kings
Cheltenham
GL538DD

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.socialpawscheltenham.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Social Paws posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Social Paws:

Shortcuts

Featured

Skin Redefined Medical Aesthetics
28a Hewlett Road

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Cheltenham?