Testimonials
After a bad experience with another dog and its owner Alfie became aggressive towards other dogs. Simply going for a walk together, which had been an enjoyable time, became a nightmare. I was constantly on edge because I knew that as soon as Alfie saw another dog he would start showing his teeth, growling and lunging towards it. Meanwhile I would be franticly pulling him back and apologising to the disturbed looks on people’s faces, for his behaviour. The best part of our walks became arriving home again!
I had explained this behaviour to a trainer at an agility class Alfie and I went to, where I was told that he needed to be put in his place. Not knowing any different I followed the trainer’s advice but nothing changed, if anything, things got worse. I was constantly being told to ignore Alfie's 'disruptive' behaviour, and was getting more and more stressed. Neither of us was happy.
Thank goodness for Waggy Tails!!
Working together with Sarah, Bliss, Alison & Baloo; allowed me to understand what was REALLY going on. Alfie wasn't being 'naughty' or 'disruptive', he was scared. He remembers the experience he had, and now associated other dogs with pain and negative experiences. When he was growling and pulling he was trying to protect himself, and me. I felt awful. I had been telling him off while repeatedly putting him into the situation that made him feel most vulnerable. With advice and support from the Waggy Tails team I was able to build a stronger bond with Alfie. We began to understand and trust each other.
Sarah helped us a lot through 121 sessions, helping me to read Alfie's body language whilst having some fun together in a safe and secure environment.
A few months went by and Sarah suggested we went into a class with another dog. I instantly panicked!! I was soo happy with how things were going I didn't want things to go back to how they were, but we gave it a go and it was FAB!! We used all the things we had learnt, and although we were both a little anxious it went really well. Alfie was amazing; it was me who needed reassurance!! Gradually over time the class built up to 4 dogs in total, we all had our set 'spaces' within the room so Alfie felt safe. As long as the other dogs didn't disturb Alfie he was happy! He loved going to training and we both had lots of fun!
Alfie has now completed his Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, which a few months before would have been unimaginable. We have had our ups and downs but Sarah and the Waggy Tails team have always been there for us, in class and on the end of the phone!
I was very sad to leave, and I know Alfie was too! But I am proud to say that we no-longer need to go to Waggy Tails and are venturing out on our own; me and Alfie support each other and are loving every minute of our time together!
Thank you soooo much, we couldn't have done it without you :)
Sarah House & Alfie.
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Two weeks and no Waggy Tails……
If dogs could talk I’m sure we’d be hearing questions like, “When are we going to dog training?” or “Why haven’t we been to dog training” from Lenny, our Labrador.
We started taking Lenny to Waggy Tails back in 2006 when he was just over 12 weeks old. After two years we have, unfortunately, had to stop due to the ‘credit crunch’ and a baby due in December. Hopefully, we will come back once things are sorted out.
Both ourselves and Lenny have learnt so much from Waggy Tails over the last two years and have had lots of fun along the way too!. Without the help and support we got from Waggy Tails, we wouldn’t have known where to start with training Lenny and have learnt so much more than we ever thought we would. And it was more than just training for Lenny, it was his time each week where he got to socialise and have lots of fun too, as well as learning new skills – and more treats and snacks in an hour than he would ever get any other time!!
We would recommend Waggy Tails to anyone with a dog, and do!! We are so proud of the dog that Lenny has become and its with the help of coming to Waggy Tails.
Thanks you to Alison and the rest at Waggy Tails and look forward to seeing you when we come back!!
Dean, Charlotte and Lenny
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We joined Waggy Tails Dog Training Club about a year ago. SOL (9-10yrs returned to the rescue I rehomed him from for allegedly biting children) He looks like a genetically modified whippet and has muscle problems.He achieved his Silver Good citizen’s award with Alison, but has now had to retire because he enjoys training soooooo much he gets over-excited and this brings on his muscle cramps. (we do a little bit at home to stop him being bored and feeling left out)
PADDY (Greyhound/Bull/Saluki 2-3 yrs old) was in a pound in Northern Ireland and was rescued by Greyhound Rescue West of England- I was his third attempt at re-homing. When I started training with Alison and co, he had got his Silver Good Citizen’s, but was still aloof and quite reactive to dogs rushing up etc.
He has just achieved his Gold Good Citizens test and is embarking on heelwork to music, but what is most fantastic for this previously disturbed dog is that Alison has helped me to interpret his signals and allowed us to take things at our pace- and he is now very connected, faithful and loving chap.
CHEEKY (whippet/collie/saluki 18 months?) was abandoned in a field in January 2007 and picked up by a dog warden. The rescue folks thought she was middle aged as she was so quiet. She was terrified of most people and things and showed quite a bit of fear aggression towards other dogs if she felt threatened.
Well-she has grown at least 2 inches taller and considerably rounder-she is well socialised, will approach strange chaps and dogs without fear, is much less hand and foot shy, mainly thanks to Alison and her team. She has developed into a lovely waggy co-operative dog and has doubled her confidence and physical/mental abilities and will be taking her bronze fairly soon .
TINKA(Staffy/Whippet- middle aged) Tinka has been rescued twice (at least) firstly by Tia Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue and then after a number of years by Lurcher Link. She was the subject of a family break-up and was taken over by the neighbour who kept her in a crate 12 hrs a day.
When she came to me she was a rather stiff, apparently dim bundle of licking love! She wasn’t house trained and had clearly had no training.
Alison and team have helped me to understand her behaviour and gradually through attending the club, she has become re-acquainted with her body and has now learnt to play and is becoming brighter by the week and will be taking her bronze soon
And finally CAROLINE (human- middle aged work- stressed, socially bold individual) Caroline was rescued by Alison and her team. Caroline loves dogs and is particularly keen on the rescue and rehabilitation of sight hounds (dogs with long legs, pointy noses and an urge to lie upside down on the sofa).BUT HAS VOWED NOT TO GET ANYMORE!
She enjoys this relatively new to her hobby so much and has found it so good for her dogs and her work related stress levels, that she attends for 4 sessions a week (poor Alison and team!!).
Seriously though, Alison is a wonderful dog trainer and behaviourist, but equally important she is as good with the owners as the dogs-it is said that dog training is about 20% the dog and 80% the owner-Alison and her team give 100% to both
From Caroline with Sol,Paddy,Cheeky and Tinka
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I joined Waggy Tails in October 2005 with my 1 year old Border Collie.
When we first started Buddie had an issue with other dogs approaching him due to me relaying negative vibes down his lead when waiting for his response.
Alison has taught me how to relax when handling him and also given Buddie the opportunity to gain his confidence and learn how to communicate in a less aggressive manner.
Alison has helped me get the best out of my dog and also shown me what he
is capable of. I am extremely proud of him and cannot thank Alison enough.
Zoe.
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Stephanie suffers with cerebral palsy which means she has limited use of her left side, but this has not stopped Alison from helping her train Kimmy by doing everything on her right.
Thank you Alison for all your support
and patience with Steph and Kimmy and for making training a dog so much fun for both Kimmy and us.
Thank you so much.
Ann Jefferies
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Bruno is my 4th generation of Dobs and my first brown one, when we first started training at Waggy Tails with Alison, it was something of a learning curve for both of us, but Alison very quickly got used to Bruno's stubbornness and low boredom threshold - and of course where I was going wrong.
Despite the fact that Bruno is a clown and likes playing to his audience rather than doing what he is told, he has now achieved his Gold Kennel Club Obedience Award and I am so proud of him.
Thanks to Alison I now have a dog, which is totally socialised and can be taken into any situation anywhere; a truly wonderful companion.
Thank you Alison
Clive Sutton
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When I turned to you for behavioural help with Jasper my ten month old Labrador dog, I was very near to returning him to the dog rescue charity from which I got him. Jasper was a real problem, he did not respond to commands, he had not been socialised with other dogs or people.
Now as a result of your help and advice and changing his diet, Jasper and I are very much happier together, and I know so much more about canine behaviour.
I am very grateful for your friendly help and advice and for the time you have given to help Jasper and me.
Ann Smith.
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