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Hello everyone, it’s Poppy, the Dogs Trust Office Dog with an opinion.
I love coming into Wakley Street with my human every day to the Communications Department.
It’s a busy place with lots of keyboard tapping and important sounding talk going on.
While I’m relaxing in my bed with a good rawhide chew, I get to overhear about all the key and current issues in the dog world. I got to thinking that perhaps I ought to share some of this info with all of my friends on the web (not that I’m a gossip), and I thought that maybe you’d like to join in too.
I hope you’ll enjoy seeing what I’ve got to bark about and join me in some healthy doggy discussion by emailing me your opinions on the current subject at poppy@dogstrust.org.uk If you’ve got something important to say, we’ll post your reply for everyone to see – but please remember that your comments may be subject to some editing by my two legged colleagues.
From the day I was rehomed from Dogs Trust Merseyside my owner has spent plenty of time training me. I’ve learnt all sorts of tricks, such as ‘wave’ and ‘spin’, as well as being. I also sing beautifully when I get to play with my favourite toy.I am well behaved when out for walkies and just chilling in the office watching all the important Dogs Trust activities going on.
Dog training comes in many forms, and I reckon that all interaction with your dog is, in essence, training - teaching your dog ‘no’, socialising him with different people and other animals, or simply relaxing together. My owner, Vicki, has spent more time on getting me to recognise important commands such as 'stay’ and ‘come’, as she has on the fun stuff like teaching me ‘paw’. I absolutely love being trained and think it’s a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
But what happens if things have not gone quite to plan? If you believe your dog may have a behavioural issue that needs to be addressed, where do you go for help? There are so many options available it can be quite confusing.
Dogs Trust can help you. All but two of our centres employ Training and Behaviour Advisors (TBAs) who are available to offer top training tips and behavioural advice, providing your fluffy pawed pal came from one of our centres. Alternatively, you can speak to our TBA who is based at the head office in London. She’s especially nice, but then she is my owner!
Or you could try the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (tel 01386 751151; www.apbc.org.uk) which offers a network of specialists. All members have to be selected through a standard procedure; they use methods which are kind, fair and effective and must adhere to a strict code of practice.
Once you’ve chosen your dog trainer, how will you know what to expect? At the moment, there is no industry regulation, which means that there is no consistency in the methods used. Worryingly, there are no standards which dog trainers or behaviourists must reach to be qualified. In fact, anyone can set themselves up as a dog trainer, without having any experience – can you believe that?!
Here at Dogs Trust we welcome the increasing number of dog behaviourists but think it is essential that trainers be properly qualified, competent and constantly update their knowledge.
We would like to see the Government regulate behaviourists’ standards through legislation, so that veterinary surgeons can confidently refer their clients to insured - and accountable - behaviourists. Having no regulation to the industry could have damaging effects on individual dogs. We believe behavioural advice should not promise unrealistic results and the dogs’ welfare must be considered as paramount.
I’m very thankful that I was trained according to the approved Dogs Trust methods, using only reward based training, rather than punishment or fear! As any dog will tell you, positive methods - the use of praise and rewards – are essential during training.
My question to you is: Should professional dog behaviourists be regulated by a single governing body?
Have you had a positive – or awful – experience with an animal behaviourist? I’d love to hear your opinions and experiences so please do email me at poppy@dogstrust.org.uk.
Here are your comments:
Hi Poppy
I could not agree more with you regarding regulation of animal/pet behaviourists. I my self am training to become a animal/pet behaviourist and have found it extremely difficult to find a course i feel is up to standards. I am also a qualified veterinary nurse and have come across some strange training and behaviour modification methods and wish there was a governing body to set standards for behaviourists to follow and for clients to know whos approach follows the kind fair and effective approach.
The course i am studying at the moment is by COAPE ( centre of applied pet ethology) which was sey and and managed by Peter Neville, Sarah Whitehead, Val strong and Robert Falconer. It has been an excellent source of information and guidance and who i beleive would be a good place to start for all behaviourists and trainers.
My next step is to obtain a degree and become a APBC member but that will take time and by what some experienced behaviourists has said is not always possible because of the hard comittee members. And so on that they are not the only source of good recommended behaviourists.
Hope this helps with your enquires into animal/pet behaviourists.
Eleanor Skeel VNWe thought that when we got our female munsterlander we should take her to some classes, so we enrolled at our village dog training class. Our female was 5/6 months old when we took her. We went for our first night and because she barked when we got in there the lady turned around and said without knowing her that she was trying to prove she was top dog. We did not agree as she never showed any other signs out & about or in the home. We carried on in the class heeling & sitting with her etc. She was getting on well. We then had a month off as the lady went on holiday, when we went back our female moved up into the bigger class she was now 8 months old.
This night I took her along and we were walking off the lead to heel, being a young puppy she started to wander off sniffing the ground, she wandered to the other people and the lady said to them scare her away so they stamped on the floor shooing her away, she seemed to be a little disorientated, she wandered to the other dogs and they were a bit growly,so I went up to her and put her lead on her. Following this we had to learn to do a finish where she circles my legs and then sits at my side, we were not worrid about this part as it seemed more agility style and show style and she was just a pet but we did it anyway and she did it well. The lady then came over and having never touched or made a fuss of her before just grabbed her from behind, our dog turned around as she wondered who it was. The lady said she tried to bite her but she didn't and before I could do anything she grabbed our dog round the throat and shook her.This is the evening that we feel changed our dog. After this she would growl at everyone that went near her as she was scared, our friends she would even growl at even though she knew thew, for the last 2 and a half years we have had to train her ourselves to accept people and other dogs again and it has been her love of shooting that has given her confidence, she was able to run off her nervous energy and at lunch people would give her food and she knew then that they were a friend not an enemy. We have had alot of hard work to do with her but we were not ever going to get rid of her or give up on her , we love her and look after her and her brother, and as a good behavourist once said to us, it is because she loves you and you love her that she will come around.
We do feel that dog training should be qualified and regulated as we had no one to help us with our issue or anyone to complain to. It would have given us help when we needed it. It would have given our dog a voice.
I personally think that they should be regulated by one governing body, after all human behavourists ie, psycologists, sociologists and psychiatrists are governed, they also have to be highly qualified before they can practice. You wouldn't send a family member to an unqualified person would you?
so why should you be exected to send your canine family member to an ungoverned behavourist?
Regards
Carole Bone
Hello Poppy,
I took on a rescue dog from a local charity who was (and still is, after 4 years) extremely nervous. Training was impossible because if I held out my hand with a treat in it he would just run away and hide.
I asked my vet for a recommendation for a behaviourist and luckily found one who is extremely good. To me his really strong point was his patience, at the first session he sat on the floor for 45 minutes before the dog went and took a treat from his hand. Fortunately we have never looked back and although the dog will always be nervous (particularly of loud noises) he now seems very happy and settled.
In this highly regulated world I am not sure about regulation for dog behaviourists. I would, though, welcome the ability to come to the Dog's Trust for a recommendation - perhaps that is worth considering?
Having thought many times about how good this particular behaviourist was there is one very important point I think. It wasn't really the dog he was teaching was it?
Regards, Jeff Gaines
Hi,
Simple answer, NO.
Who has the right to say how a dog is sorted out when it has behavioural problems, something I've found since doing behaviour work, is that one problem could have several solutions, and I work with a dog and owner until a suitable solution is found.
I am not saying that a single governing body wouldn't be a good thing but who gets to choose who's methods are best? Who checks up on the behaviourists to make sure they are doing their job correctly once trained?
Last year my back door fell to pieces and not being DIY minded I got someone to replace it for me, he was not a qualified builder but he knew how to do the job, isn't it experience that counts more than a qualification?
It is my worry that people would just learn what is needed to get through a behaviourists exam, but learn it parrot fashion and expect the same principles to work every single time, when in the real world they don't, as I have found out by seeing clients dogs that have been seen before by APBC approved behaviourists. Each dog and each case is individual and unique and methods often have to be adjusted, something that is unlikely to be learned in any exam.
Paul Roach
Dear Poppy
A year ago myself and partner adopted Lacey from the RSPCA. She is now 12 years old. I wanted to take on an older dog because I know that many people will not take them on simply because of her age. Lacey had a history of being distructive particularly if left alone during thunderstorms or fireworks. I didn't really realise what I was taking on and had some difficult times initially when she caused £700 damage to my car after I left her in there for 20 minutes (she had been left for upto 40 minutes previously). Something must have scared her and she chewed off my indicator stick and through my seat belt and through 4 inches width of the rubber down to the metal on my steering wheel. I cannot tell you how much distress I felt for this poor little thing, not because my car was damaged, I couldn't have cared less about this but she was completely distraught when I returnd to the car.
We also had a hard time with heavy rain. We live in a barn conversion and anytime it rained heavily (which it did alot last summer) Lacey would have a kind of panic attack because of the noise on the windows in the roof. She would shake and pant and salivate profusely and could not be calmed. On many occasions I was awoken by her during the night unable to do anything other than wait for her to calm down. I got a lot of ironing done in the middle of the night last summer!!
Anyhow we went to see David Appleby of the pet behaviour centre and it really helped me to understand why she was behaving the way she was. I also took my mother with me as she halps to care for lacey when we go on holiday and David was very good at making my mother feel important (which she is!!) as we couldn't do without her. I never for a moment felt like giving up on Lacey and with Davids helpful hints and the understanding I have gained, things have got better and better. Lacey sleeps through the rain on the roof. She still gets anxious with fireworks but calms alot quicker.
I do agree with you that there should be government regulation. With lots of love and a calm stable home she is much more confident now and has even started barking occasionally which she never did when she first moved here! My vet recommended David and we could not have coped without his advice.
I do enjoy reading Wag its a great magazine. Kind regards, Sarah Naylor
Dear Poppy
Your article in the Spring Wag was extremely interesting - more so because I have just completed a 10-module course on Dog Psychology to add to my 35 years experience with my best friends. I would be very happy to be regulated by a governmental department - not only will it protect you and your owner but it would also give recognition to those who have taken the time to study and use their knowledge in a professional manner.
The most apparent outcome from my studies is that punishment will achieve nothing whereas knowledgeable, kind, consistent and correct behaviour modification will reap huge rewards.
Val Jarvis
Poppy,
I am writing in repsonse to your question 'should professional dog behaviourists be regulated by a single governing body?' following a negative experience I had with a behaviourist. I own a one year border collie called Meg who has always been very nervous. She is very anxious and lacks confidence around new situations and people and it got to a point where it became difficult taking her out for walks and to various places.
I found an add in my local paper regarding an organisaiton called 'BarkBusters' who sent a local behaviourist out to your home to work alongside you and your dog. As I was getting desperate I contacted the organisation, despite the very expensive fee. The results were not great. They suggested methods such as using a can of compressed air and throwing a chain to cause a distracting noise to try and bring her away from her nervousness. In fact, these noises made her even more frightened. After two sessions, I tried to contact them but never heard from them again. Talking to other dog owners via internet dog websites and forums, I discovered others who had received bad experiences from these 'behaviourists' and that they hardly carry any qualifications.
Therefore, I am all for behaviourists being relegated by one governing body, because it is so easy for dog owners, like myself, to trust the first behaviourist we see, despite not knowing their experience or qualifications. At least then, people will know that they are getting help from a valuable, professional behaviourist.
Many Thanks, Emma Haywood, Nottinghamshire.
15 years ago we adopted a rescue 3 year old springer spaniel called Ben. We had had experience of dogs but nothing like him! He terrorised the cats, ignored recall and stole every bit of food he could get hold of. We went to formal dog training classes which were a nightmare as Ben caused chaos. I was seriously thinking of sending Ben back when I read a book called 'Why Does my Dog?' by John Fisher, who was a founder member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Therapists. This book changed our lives.
John's methods were kind, easy and they worked, being based on the owner establishing herself as 'top dog' He lived too far away from me for a personal consultation but I spoke to him on the phone and he was so helpful and down to earth.
Within six months Ben was a much happier dog, not so hyper, tolerating the cats, and happy to come when called. I never did cure him of his greed! We had him for another 11 years until he died at age 14.
I am sure that without John Fisher Ben would have been returned to rescue. Many have copied John's methods and passed them off as their own but he is the original and sadly no longer with us.
Sue Mitchell
In answer to your question should professional dog behaviourists be regulated by a single governing body? I think the answer is No, but I do think that there should be a Vocational Qualification and a centrally held list. I also think the same should apply for dog trainers.
I became a dog trainer in May 2006, and am therefore very new to this business. I chose a distance learning course because I was still working full-time whilst I trained, however trying to gain any experience was impossible. In our area I found it very difficult to find out about any dog training classes, but I did find and try two very different classes.
The first class I took my re-homed GSD to. The classes were very, very strict and based on bullying the dog, yanking them into position for heel work, and not giving any treats. These classes also supported the use of electric shock collars, something I would never touch.
The second class I tried was for our puppy. The trainer did teach heel work well for puppies, and the sit and down, and used treats as rewards, however
the classes were enormous, approx 30 dogs, the trainer swore a lot, which I thought was disgusting anyway, especially as there were young children present and she didn’t check on how individuals were getting on, she would show you how to do something then disappear to have a cup of tea whilst you practised. I found myself helping a young lad with a boisterous Labrador who didn’t understand what he was being asked to do. Also this lady didn’t train older or re-homed dogs except on a very expensive one-to-one basis.
The end result was that I felt I could do better, so as an experienced IT trainer I retrained my skills for dog training. I wasn’t prepared to go to either of these classes to gain any teaching experience, so I recruited volunteers who were looking for dog training and started to gain my experience this way.
Once I passed my exam I set up my business. I thoroughly enjoyed my course and am glad to say that I train with positive reinforcement methods. My one
disappointment is that if I need help I have to pay for it and this costs more than I charge a client for an hour’s individual tuition, so it doesn’t encourage me to ask for help. However because I enjoyed the course I am now doing the behaviour counselling course through the same college.
What would be far better than having a single governing body for both trainers and behaviourists would be to have a national club which encouraged networking and sharing ideas. Both the Kennel Club and APDT have memberships, and will accredit you, but you have to pay up front and then you are assessed, whereas really you could do with a mentor who assesses you and helps you improve as you start your business, in a similar way to the assessors you get when you do an NVQ. It would also be good if trainers and behaviourists would take on trainees to help them gain hands on experience and if they could work towards a qualification at the same time that would be brilliant.
So a single governing body is not necessarily the best idea, but a set of vocational qualifications that all the training centres and colleges work to would be a good start.
Julie Beatty
I think it is very important that all animal behaviourists should be regulated. I have taken the same course in dog behaviour at the Natural Animal Centre in Carmarthen as many of the Dogs Trusts TBAs. I learned an awful lot about normal and abnormal dog behaviour, how dogs learn & how best to teach them. I also learned why only positive reinforcement is the best & kindest way to teach dogs. Whilst I do not practice as a dog behaviourist, I have qualified as a feline behaviourist and the same problems apply to cat behaviour as to dogs, horses and any other domestic animals.
Unfortunately it seems that many dog behaviourists and trainers say that they only use positive reinforcement but then tell their clients to use negative reinforcement, negative punishment and positive punishment. Unless behaviourists and trainers have a good understanding of learning theory as well as canine ethology, they are not able to tell dog owners how to modify problem behaviours or how to train new behaviours. In many instances the problems get worse, or new problem behaviours develop or the relationship between the owner and their dog deteriorates.
Many of the dog behaviour problems that I come across are the result of owners going to unqualified trainers or behaviourists who recommend “dominance reduction programmes”. These methods, such as eating before you feed your dog, not allowing the dog to go through a door before you or not allowing the dog on the furniture or the bed, are nothing more than old wives’ tales handed down over generations with absolutely no scientific background. Unfortunately these sorts of methods have been given a lot of publicity in TV programmes, in the press and in several well known books. How on earth are the general public supposed to know what to do when these supposed “experts” are aired on TV?
It is high time that the dog-owning public can have reliable and scientifically-based advice from qualified behaviourists, and not some “mumbo-jumbo” from people that set themselves up as dog behaviourists. If members of the public are parting with hard-earned cash for correct advice then they need to be sure that what they are getting in return is correct advice based on scientific knowledge. It is also essential for the dog’s welfare that any behaviour modification programmes are based on positive reinforcement and a thorough understanding of dog behaviour.
If the Dogs Trust has any input into potential regulation of animal behaviourists, please recommend that all behaviourists should be regulated. Thank you.
Angela Tynan
I'm a professional dog trainer and behaviour consultant and while I wholeheartedly agree that there needs to be accountability in the field, I just wonder how exactly government regulation would work? I too am concerned that anyone can just "hang their shingle out" and call themselves a trainer or behaviourist.
I myself am constantly striving to add to my knowledge and professionalism. In America I worked as a trainer in an animal shelter for many years as well has having a private training business. I graduated from Jean Donaldson's Academy for Dog Trainers at the San Francisco SPCA, I'm a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and am currently studying for a BSc. in Animal Behaviour. My intention is to go on to postgraduate studies in Animal Behaviour so I can become a Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist. One of the reasons I'm pursuing a degree at the age of 41 is my fear that government regulations may come in that prevent perfectly experienced and knowledgable people from giving canine behavioural advice. My fear about government regulation is this - if there is a smaller pool of people who are "approved" to offer behaviour advice, will this then put these services even further beyond the reach of the average dog owner? What exactly is the definition of "properly qualified"?
I completely agree with the need for people dispensing behavioural advice to be knowledgable, but just don't know if government involvement is the way forward. I feel in one fell swope it could exclude many people who are great at what they do, tarring them with the same brush as the people who aren't fit to offer advice. I don't know what the solution is, just wanted to share my misgivings about the whole thing with you.
Regards, Jill Hahn
We had a very sad and worrying case in 2005. I have had border collies for years and when I lost my much loved but elderly dog I took on another collie that was desperate for a home. Without going into long details it was soon apparent that he was a very disturbed and frightened dog. This made him unpredictable and aggressive. I tried training classes and was advised to consult someone who specialised in aggressive dogs and given the name of an expert.
The man came to the house and because he was the authority I thought he would know what he was doing. As soon as he arrived he tried to get my dog to take a titbit from him. It was so clear that my dog was terrified; his whole body language was there to see. The ‘expert’ then positioned himself so that the dog was cornered and the obvious happened - the dog bit him badly. I had called this man in to try and help this poor dog and I ended up feeling I had made things worse.
I feel very strongly that dog behaviourists should be regulated by one body so that experiences like the above do not occur. Pamela Bruce Lockhart
I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse with further qualifications in Behaviour and Dog Training and on a day to day basis give advice to owners with puppies and older dogs with behaviour issues. I totally agree that Behaviourists should be regulated - the amount of rubbish and incorrect advice owners are being given by un qualified people is astounding.
This is the very reason why I have set up a Puppy Class near to the Vets that I work as the surrounding classes are old fashioned, outdated and run by hobbyists. Are you aware of the Kennel Clubs Accreditation Scheme to standardise Dog Trainers and Behaviourists - a brilliant Scheme of which I am a member. Also you need to check www.cfba.co.uk They are running the first ever University Level courses for Dog Trainers and Behaviourists - check it out. You will see me on the Associate List - Rachel Bean, i have just started the Degree Course with them.
So, hopefully you will agree that things are being done to make the public more aware of rogue trainers. I have been in magazines and on TV recently with my classes, so if you are interested in more of a chat or to do a feature about Vet Nurses etc, give me a call on 01706 643617 or 07788956164.
Kind Regards. Rachel Bean VN ACFBA KCAI
The problem is that 'Qualified' does not neccessarily mean 'good' and 'unqualified' does not neccesarily mean 'bad'. Experience and knowledge count for a lot. I took a Diploma in Aromatherapy, it didnt teach me anything I didnt already know as I had been working with Oils as an amateur for several years. It just gave me a bit of paper to prove I could do it. I dont think the 18 year old on the course was as well qualified or as knowledgeable as me after the course. My dad knew enough about electricity, wiring and circitry to rewire a house, he had worked with electrics, but he wasnt a qualified electrician. Was his work any less good than a younger, qualified man?
However, people need some way to tell the good from the bad. Having a voluntary Register might be a way, trainers who care about what they do can register (for a small fee) and their customers can provide feedback - like on ebay.
Kathy Nicholson, Holistic Therapist, Dog owner & horse owner.
Hi Poppy, I think it would be a really good idea to regulate behaviourists for several reasons.
1) when looking to go in to the profession it would give people a clear course of action to take as it can be really confusing at the moment.
2) it means that compulsion style training would be almost ruled out - and about time.
3) it would mean that all the many hundreds of people who are being exploited by people who set themselves up as 'professional trainers' gaining copious amounts of money out of peoples misfortune and often taking money people can ill afford but spend because they are desparate not to lose their beloved pets would be less likely to be ripped off.
I have a degree in Animal Behaviour and Training as well as Animal management qualifications and have lived and breathed animals all of my 29 years of life. I have considered setting up business locally and all the time the consideration uppermost in my mind is how I can best balance the quality of the help I could give with making enough money to earn a living. I have come accross many people who charge far too much money for the qualifications and service they give. I have done consultations for people who have really had their fingers burnt by people who have charged loads and done almost nothing, and most of these dogs have been highly trainable! Luckily I have managed to restore their confidence at a minimum price and most importantly, improved the dog and owner's lives.
Bring it on! Thea Beckhelling BSc
Hi,
Reading through the comments regarding baheviorists coming under a governing body I pretty much agree with a comment made by Paul Roach.
I am a trainer and behaviourist, was certified in California by a highly respected trainer/behaviourist over there but in UK the certificate doesnt mean anything. IN CA 95% of the work we had in was through word of mouth as in over 30 years he had very rarely ever advertized the business and there was always a waiting list for dogs to be worked with in one capacity or another be it basic training, behavior modification or both.
In my experience I can safely say that at least 50% minimum of the dogs that I have worked with I have not been the first professional that an owner has brought in, the really frustrating part about that is the large majority of those owners have had in various behaviourists from 'well respected'
organizations (this has happened since Ive been back in UK as well as in US). In talking to some of these dog owners I am constantly shocked by some of the things they tell me they have been instructed to do by a previous 'behaviourist'.
On the one hand there should be some kind of organization where people can go to get appropriate help but the biggest problem Ive found with that is there are too many people allowed to become members of these organizations after doing a couple of years of college, reading a mountain of books, gaining a diploma or degree in a 'related subject' they have all the book knowledge they could ever need....but then you give them a real live dog to work with and they are clueless....but hey! as long as they have that license or certificate that 'says' they are qualified it doesnt matter right!!!
Thats not to take anything away from the real experts, there are plenty of well respected behaviourists out there that are involved with various organizations but I have met too many people who are members of various organizations and on paper are 'experts' in the field who I wouldnt allow to work with my pet rock never mind a live dog.
Just my opinion.
J. Kelly
Dear Dogs Trust I have been following your discussion re the regulation of Behaviourists.
As a qualified CCAB APBC etc I would be rather biased if I stated my opinion on this however, I have tried to explain the complexities of dog behaviour in a new book I have just had published called “Good Dog? Bad Dog? By Rosie Barclay and why it is so important to get it right. I am not talking about training issues here but the more complex issues dogs and owners may experience. It’s also full of other interesting stuff written in a format that even men should find interesting (lots of text boxes bullet etc).
Keep up your good work.
Rosie Barclay BSc (Hons) MPhil CCAB. Clinical Animal Behaviourist.
www.rosiebarclay.com
For Good Dog? Bad Dog? follow this link:
http://www.lulu.com/content/709938
Hi Poppy
I do think regulations should apply as I have had a lot experience with trainers and behaviourist for my rescue lab who suffered from separation anxiety and that caused him to bark constantly if left or even just a door shut. I spent over £700 on training for him on reward based trainers and even tried clicker training. None of it worked for me, I then was advised to either get rid of him as he didn't fit in or the only other way I could stop the barking was an electric collar. Obviously that was not something I wanted to do, so I then researched natural methods of training and Bark Busters came up, they are not cheap but I figured I had already spent so much it was worth a try as I was against the electric collar.
The therapist came out to my home and so they could see what I was dealing with and he was in his own environment. They then researched his background and took details and then focussed on treating the barking with quite a few other issues that he had, obviously I had only been focused on the noise! When the training began it was almost an immediate change in behaviour but I did get homework to do, to keep up the leadership skills that I had been lacking. They also support you for the lifetime of the dog and you can ring them anytime for help and they will come back anytime if you are struggling as they want you to succeed so you don't rehome or worse. My dog is much happier and rounded now without the stress, as am I.
None of the methods made me feel mean or were harsh and the instant change was incredible, I could not believe it. But I am not the only one you only have to see the website an read people's comments.
Regards . Carol
Hi Poppy,
I'm a huge fan of the dogs trust team, and have in fact rehomed 2 dogs from a rescue center myself, eva and loup both came from the mountpleasent rescue center. i have never used a dog behavourist or a dog trainer because i belive its up to the dogs care giver to learn how to understand the dog not the otherway around.
Loup , my young german shepard was so very frightened of men in general and big people, she'd never been properly socialised or house trained, she hadnt even learnt the most basic commands and didnt no what was expected of her. Nearly a year on now and she's a very happy dog whos found her paws and her bark and is very loving and affectionate, the only problem is what to teach her next? She knows all the basic commands and is fully house trained and although still nervous about meeting men, she doesnt hide or run away anymore she has found her place in our family and we wouldnt be without her. Eva is our rottweiler when she came to us, we knew nothing about her past, the only clue to her obviously traumatic past were the horrific scars on her chest. We've had Eva now for 2 years and again would be lost without her, dogs are'nt stupid they can learn to understand us isnt it only fair that we do the same for them?
your's sincerly Poppy, Jen
Hello Poppy
My name is Curly and I am 12 now but like you I was a rescue dog in Merseyside. I hope I don't bore you but this is my story.
I was taken to the rescue centre where they looked after me for such a long time as because I was scruffy everyone seemed to overlook me. One day I went out with my carer for my playtime and while I was out a lady came to the centre with her boys to see us dogs. The lady must have taken a long, long time going round because I came back to my kennel and the lady came over with the boys and knelt down at my kennel and we sort of looked at each other - it was total love at first sight. We went for a walk in the grounds together and I decided that she was the one for me.
When I got home with mum we hit it off right away but my time as an unloved, unwanted boy had left me with a bit of a problem I was scared to go out into the garden for my late night after walks, quick piddle, even thought the door was always left open. I thought I would not get back in my home and therefore did not want to leave it.
I would hang on until bed time then have an accident, Mum and the boys were really supportive about this and helped me with my problem, every night at about 10.30pm my Mum would put her boots, coat etc on and my lead with a torch so we could see and she would walk me around my garden untill I went for a quick piddle. Over time I realised that nothing really bad was ever going to happen to me in my garden, and so now, many years later I go in the garden if I am in need. I still run back in the house like my bum is on fire - Mum laughs and says "Curls, did the manic Daffs try to grab you lad".
Mum was very patient while I strugged, but if my problems had been more severe Mum would have probably needed advice or help, and I think she would have liked to think that if she went to someone they were fully qualified and regulated properly, just like a human doctor or doggy doctor has to be, not just some nut who has watched The Dog Whisper and thinks that the career for me.
I strongly think all Dog Behaviourists should be regulated and controlled under one governing body so that frauds who can do serious even dangerous mistakes can be weedled out.
Thanks for letting me tell my story and give my opinion. You take care of yourself. Curly
While I agree that there should be a governing body I think that the distinction between trainers and behaviourists should be more defined than it is at present. I would also make it an independent body with no formal links to charities or the Kennel Club.
Regards. Angie Rowland-Stuart
