Testimonials

We first bought Enzo our rescue lurcher home over two years ago. We thought he just needed to settle down in with us, but as time drew on we realised he would need more than just love and patience. We called him our catch-22 dog; couldn't walk him on the lead, couldn't walk him off it. On the lead he would get stressed if he saw another dog on the horizon, plant his feet so you couldn't move him and he just went into a trance, fixed on the other dog. If they got closer he would lunge out, snapping the air and barking. Off-lead was just as bad. It was no surprise to us that his recall was bad, after all he'd never spent more than 9 months with one owner with long stays in kennels in between. He would run out of sight to get to another dog, just to play with it, but he was very boistrous and we knew he'd get into trouble one day if we didn't do something about it.

After seeing two behaviourists about his issues with other dogs on the lead, we felt something was missing and found Penel and Laura. He learnt quickly from the teaching dogs about how to approach dogs politely and how to say hello. We attended the groups frequently for a few months and gradually he became more polite in the real world. He was less boisterous but lacked confidence, so we continued attending the courses while being careful where we walked him. We still attend the groups once every few months when we think he needs a refresher course and we are always welcomed. Enzo still has problems with other dogs on lead, but he is improving all the time. We have put in a lot of hard work with recall training and lead work outside of the classes, but I beleive the classes have made a big difference. Enzo has even been known to walk to heel off-lead while other dogs approach - that is something I never thought I'd see.

As well as the benefit to Enzo, the groups have been a great place to meet other owners and realise I'm not alone. Friends and family, even dog owning ones, would comment how much time I'd spend on Enzo, some said they would have given up! At the groups people understand why you're trying to help your dog and you don't need to explain yourself. We have to be careful where we exercise him so we don't un-do all the hard work, but he is a much happier dog now and we are much happier owners.

Thank you Penel and Laura and all the teaching dogs.
Rosa and Enzo, Berkshire.

 

My GSD X Mackeson has been attending the socialisation groups for a couple of months now as he reacts to dogs when out on walks. After his initial assessment, he was allowed into the group to mingle freely off lead. He was taught what was acceptable behaviour and quickly picked up the correct way to conduct himself. It was beneficial to both of us as he was able to be himself with other dogs and I was able to see him being a normal dog and it proved to me that he was not showing any aggression. The sessions have benefitted Mack enormously and I really enjoy attending. Others there share concerns and understand, making it easier to cope. I would recommend these sessions to anyone having social problems with their dogs.
Anne T

Update from Anne & Mack
Dear Penel and Laura,
Just had to tell you how pleased I am with Mack's progress. I guess he's been attending your classes for about 18 months now and has come on so well. To see him off lead within a group of other unknown dogs and happily mixing is a joy. He is even beginning to show teaching potential and monitoring some of the others behaviour and intervening when required. I am so proud of him. He has progressed from a barking/guarding/nervous aggressive dog to a potential teaching dog who mixes well. Still some work to do to curb his enthusiasm when playing but it is so good to see him having fun off the lead. The on lead work in the groups is particularly helpful to me also, as that is a daily challenge that we face and he is so much better in that regard.

Thank you for you help, it is so good to know that you enjoy having him in the groups.
Anne and big Mack

 

I just wanted to write and say a huge thank you for all the help you have given me with my little dog Nina, what a unique and valuable experience coming to your Groups has been for both of us.

Nina was a mixed breed rescue dog picked up as a stray at about 9 months and this is when I got her from the Rescue. She had lots of little problems that I managed to sort out quickly but in her short life it appeared she had never learned to communicate with other dogs. She would run straight up to them no matter how big or small, bark in their face, run around them in circles barking and this was getting her into some serious trouble. I desperately needed to get her mixing with other dogs who would teach her some manners without attacking her. I found there are loads of socialising groups for puppies but nothing for older dogs with issues. I didn't know where to turn and felt we were destined for a solitary life avoiding other dogs. She did have one dog that she played with so I felt if we could find the right dogs she had the capability to learn to mix with them and play in a nice way. I then heard about your Groups and started coming last November when Nina was 18 months and we attended once a month.

What a different little dog she is now. Your Groups were a unique opportunity to get her mixing in a controlled safe environment. You were so calm, patient and understanding with her and I came away from each Group we attended with more confidence, and a greater understanding of her behaviour, why she was doing it and how to handle it. I learnt that dogs running and behaving excitedly stressed her and her natural instinct was to herd them, she needed to mix with calm dogs. When we did the lead work and avenue recall sessions at first she would bark and get generally wound up and I in turn would get wound up not helping the situation. By the end of our sessions she was perfectly behaved and did the avenue recall off lead, coming straight to me not even looking at the other dogs - Oh how proud I was of her. This was something I could never have envisaged her doing when we started the Groups. She now has a mixed group of dogs locally that she plays with in a really well mannered way. She attends a fun obedience training class each week where she is well behaved and calm for nearly a whole hour although if a new dog joins the Group she can get a bit stressed until she knows them but I know how to handle this now. My next step is to take her to Agility Classes. She still has her moments when she is not happy with a particular dog and does not like to be too close when on the lead but we are working on this and I've learnt what to do in these situations.

I would encourage anyone to attend the Groups whatever the issues with their dogs, whether they are aggressive, timid or they just want a well rounded socialised dog. I would say to owners don't worry about how out of control they "think" their dogs are as both Penel and Laura are very experienced and have seen it all before. The whole approach is very kind and the dogs needs come first, each dog is treated as an individual. As long as people are prepared to take advice and have patience as the turnaround won't happen overnight it takes little steps and positive thinking, focus on how far your dog has come and not how far they have to go. During my time attending the Groups I've seen some incredible turnarounds in some dogs that had some very serious issues. If only all dogs had a chance to receive this type of socialising perhaps there wouldn't be so many in Rescue. I hope to get Nina a companion eventually and would definitely bring both of them to the Groups.
Marie & Nina, Harefield, Uxbridge

 

Brice (Deerhound) and Chase (Brittany) would like to say how much they love attending your sessions. Brice has come so far from the fear aggressive dog he had become after a number of attacks - he now is reading other dogs much better and is learning he can turn the other cheek. The groups are so well matched that the dogs can come out of their shells at their own pace and seeing Brice initiate play with dogs outside his family group is lovely. Chase on the other hand ...... he had never had a problem but his larger than life personality could well have got him into trouble. For him I see two benefits, firstly that he is learning to moderate his approach and spot the dogs who don't like him and secondly he has learned that a telling off doesn't mean a scrap needs to follow. He also has no worries if big lurchers etc chase him as he lives with a sighthound so I hope he also adds to the groups with his matter of fact response to a chase situation - he knows that stop = sighthound loses interest! It is so worth travelling to the groups although I wish you could move closer.
Sue A, Worcs

 

Dear Penel and Laura,

I just wanted to write and express my thanks for all of your expertise, experience and encouragement over the last twelve months.

I cannot believe the difference in Daisy and Dill in that time. This time last year I was walking in the most solitary places I could find as the thought of encountering another dog was just too stressful for all of us. If we did see another dog my only strategy was to quickly find an alternative route that avoided the other dog.

How things have changed!!! I now walk where I want when I want! If we see another dog I watch my two to see what they think of it all!! We now have more strategies at our disposal for avoiding conflict, but if an exchange of 'words' does happen I don't immediately panic and assume all out war is about to ensue like I used to.

One of the main differences now is that I have learned to 'read' my own dogs and the dogs we meet. This skill is probably one of the most valuable things I have learned from you - it allows me to see that actually there are some times when it is perfectly acceptable for my dogs to tell another dog to get lost - where as before I would have panicked. I'm also more confident to point out to other owners if they get funny that actually it was their dog that had no manners and mine were just telling it to behave!

Mine still do have 'spats' for no reason, or no reason that I can see, but I just accept that they are not going to like very dog they meet just like I don't like every human I meet!!!

Even though we have come so far we would still like to keep attending the socialisation classes as we always learn something new!!
Sarah P

 

Our two dogs, Lily and Jake, really enjoyed going for walks but over the last year or so seemed to get defensive when coming across other dogs which seemed to manifest itself in lots of barking and grumbling, resulting in stressed dog owners all round! This meant that walks were fine until we saw other dogs on the horizon, and immediately we become concerned as we anticipated problems, which undoubtedly meant that Lily and Jake also sensed trouble! We decided to take them along to the dog communication classes to see how they socialised and interacted with other dogs in a controlled environment and seek the advice of experts. The first session was somewhat nerve-racking for us as we had not allowed our dogs to interact so freely with others due to fear of what might be; however, in this environment, together with the relaxed approach of Laura and Penel, we had the confidence to allow them to interact with the group of dogs. We were amazed at their behaviour after just one session. Jake appeared to enjoy the company of other dogs and was not in the least bit grumpy as he mixed with all different types of breeds of dogs and even enjoyed a good chase (something that we had never had the confidence to allow him to do on walks.) Lily on the other hand did not seem as interested in mixing with the other dogs but never the less behaved well, only having the odd grumble at a couple of dogs. However as Penel and Laura explained this was not a sign of aggression but Lily simply telling the other dogs that she did not want them to invade her space.It was also fascinating to watch how the teaching dogs Gracie and Beama policed the group, stepping in, quick as a flash to sort out any altercations that occurred - without things getting too heated or out of hand. With a further 3 sessions under our belt, where we allowed Lily and Jake to build their confidence (and ours!) around other dogs we are thrilled at the results! We now allow Lily and Jake to interact freely with other dogs on walks without worrying and even let Jake off the lead (something we had not had the confidence to do in recent years). We would thoroughly recommend these sessions to all dog owners who have encountered problems with their dogs' behaviour .They will have the opportunity to see how their dogs behave and interact with others , in a controlled, yet relaxed and friendly environment.
Steve & Lucy J, Tadworth, Surrey

 

Hurley is my first dog and I have really struggled at times when trying to understand his behaviour and communication around other dogs. Due to an operation Hurley spent 6 months of the first year of his life confined to a room, as a result of this he missed out on essential socialisation experiences and I really worried that his approach to other dogs was too full on, he seemed to continually get in trouble with dogs to the point where it was severely affecting my confidence on our walks together. I approached Penel and Laura and asked if we could come and spend some time with them and their dogs, so in my eyes he could be taught how to behave by those whom he could learn from best. Hurley and I have spent a couple of days with the 'teaching' dogs and I have learnt far more about Hurley and doggy behaviour from them in 2 days than I have from general experience, a behaviourist, reading books and advice forums for the last 2 years. It thrills me to hear from others that my dog is delightful (I knew that anyway!) and most importantly that he is a well mannered and tolerant little chap. Seeing Laura and Penel and their dogs has given me the confidence to enjoy my dog, and has also enabled me to allow Hurley enjoy being a dog. Thanks guys - we'll definitely be seeing you again soon!
Caroline L, Bournemouth

 

Dear Penel & Laura I cant thank you enough for helping me with my rescue dog Fozzie Bear. I have owned him for nearly 6 years & for most of that time I have been scared to let him off the lead as I believed he was aggressive towards other dogs. After 1 session I discovered to my delight that he was very social & got on with all his canine friends big or small. It was wonderful to be in a safe, supportive, non judgemental environment where I could relax & let Fozzie do his own thing without nervous interference from me. It is a unique opportunity.I learnt his behaviour had been more about me than him. The difference in Fozzie has been nothing less than phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoy the sessions & would recommend them to anyone who wants to learn more about dog behaviour & communication & to help
their dog enjoy life to the full.
Jane M, Tadworth, Surrey.

(Fozzie Bear is now one of our most talented teaching dogs, his natural communication skills are superb and he is an asset to our groups)