Dogs In Translation

read moreIs your dog reacting negatively towards other dogs? Does he start pulling excessively when he sees another dog approaching? Perhaps he's barking, whining and jumping around in a frantic manner? Maybe he lunges and growls? Some dogs appear fine initially and then snap, or worse, after a few seconds of sniffing. Many dogs haven't learnt to interact with other dogs in a calm, well-balanced manner. Instead they are too full on and over-the-top, causing other dogs to panic and potentially react aggressively.

read moreI used to enjoy fireworks but as I've come to understand how much distress - terror - they can cause for so many dogs and other animals, my perspective has changed. A big part of the problem is that fireworks are no longer limited to one or two nights of the year. All over the country they can be heard for weeks on end, causing real suffering to dogs and their owners, many of whom are resorting to medication to get their pets through this difficult time! There are things that you can do right now to help your dog through fireworks.

read moreFor many a dog owner, there is no greater joy, than heading out into the wider-world with their dog walking to heel! Dog Listening is all about gaining the chosen cooperation of your dog. There is no use of force, gadgets or gizmos. Heading out into the wider - more challenging - world is a process that begins in the home, with the calm and consistent implementation of leadership signals, in all of the four key areas of pack life. It's so much more fun walking with our dog, if our dog wants to walk with us too!

read moreHowever, for many dog owners, life with their dog is at best an ordeal and at worst a complete nightmare! Understanding what it is that makes the difference, has been pivotal to my work as a Dog Listener over the last seven years. Watching a much loved dog running freely in the woods or on the beach, playing in the garden or relaxing at home, brings joy to millions of dog owners the world over, and sharing these simple pleasures with our dogs brings us and them a great deal of happiness. But what happens when things go wrong and what is it that causes a dog to become a problem?

read moreThese sessions are available to people who I have already worked with, or, people who already follow Jan Fennell's kind and positive approach to living and working with dogs and have either read ‘The Dog Listener' and ‘The Practical Dog Listener' or watched the DVD of the same name. It's important to have already begun the process of reassuring your dog that all is well and that he/she can trust you - in the house and garden first - before bringing your dog into a group situation. It is also important to understand the effect on your dog, of bringing him into a group situation.

read moreDog Listening is a kind, positive and holistic approach to living and working with dogs and was pioneered by Jan Fennell over twenty years ago. Seven years ago I went to Lincolnshire to train with Jan to become a Dog Listener and Trainer, and since then I've visited 100's of dogs in their homes and helped them to resolve problem behaviour in their owners! Joking aside, a very important element of Dog Listening is recognising how our everyday moods, actions and emotions impact our dogs and their behaviour, and how, by doing things a little differently, we can really help our dogs to feel happy and safe - and therefore, able to cooperate!

read moreKitty is happy to play fetch! It wasn't always that way. When she first arrived, she would rather keep the ball, than bring it back. By building trust and helping her to feel safe and secure, we were able to gain her respect and cooperation, and now we enjoy playing together. Playing with dogs is a really good way to exercise them. It's socially bonding and by deciding when you will play and how long you will play for, you consistently reconfirm yourself as Pack Leader. Many of the dogs that I am asked out to help people with, will either be initiating and controlling play themselves or refusing to play at all.

read moreAs a Dog Listener, I visit people in their homes to help them resolve problem behaviour with their dogs. I help people to understand the importance of achieving leadership in the house and garden first, before heading out into the wider - and potentially more challenging - world. How you interact with a dog when you first meet him and then subsequently, whenever you reunite with him, is very important. This is a crucial time when the pack hierarchy is established and then consistently re-established, so that everyone always knows where they are in relationship to each other and most importantly - who is the Pack Leader!