Page 9
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Colin, from Rosyth, was good enough to write this out for the website. Thank you
"FERGUS - black Labrador dog"
"By the age of seven months Fergus our black Labrador dog - had got to the stage where his strength was starting to cause my partner real pain in her wrists and shoulders with his constant pulling on the lead when walking. It had got to the stage where on several occasions she threatened to stop walking him during the day and that I would have to do it when I got home from work. Not only the constant pulling but the excitement when he saw other dogs or people was also starting to cause us concern and we also had little confidence or real control when he was off the lead as he would come back when he decided.
We found Mick's website by doing a Google search and read all the info and testimonials from other people who had visited Mick for HELP, we decided that he sounded perfect for helping us train Fergus (and train ourselves).
On first contacting Mick he was very encouraging and made it clear that from now on the training would involve "no treats, I don't do treats". Poor Fergus, we had been trying to train him (unsuccessfully) by using the treat method. If he did something good he got a treat. What would he do now with no bacon twirlers and cheesy winders to chew on????
From the moment we first met Mick it was very clear that he knew what he was talking about. Within 10 minutes he had Fergus walking to heel on the lead (using the check chain) and he went straight from there to letting Fergus off the lead and just enjoying himself roaming about (or hunting) as Mick would say. All the time Mick was in complete control but was constantly giving us advice about Fergus's behaviour and the way to treat your dog so that he understands that everyone in the family is dominant over him and that he is last in line. After our first hour and a half lesson we were all able to walk Fergus to heel on the lead.
Our second hour and a half lesson then involved the use of a whistle to get good recall for Fergus. This involved making sure he was always within a 10 metre radius of us or he gets a whistle to come back. Again this worked amazingly quickly and the sense of confidence just having a whistle with you when out walking your dog is great.
Our final lesson with Mick was really just showing Mick that we had put all the elements of the previous lessons into practice and for him to reassure us that his work was done.
3 lessons in the space of 1 month and we now have a dog who walks to heel on the lead (and if we are very lucky sometimes to heel off the lead, a bit more practice required there yet), does not pull so that we can now all take turns in walking him, including my 9 year old son. A dog that has great recall and the whistle is now rarely needed as Fergus has learned that we are the pack leaders and stays close to us most times, he still very occasionally ignores his recall commands, but he is soon put back on his lead so he realises he has done wrong (and at the end of the day he is still only 8 months old).
In all his overall behaviour towards people, other dogs etc when out and about has improved 100%. By enforcing all the techniques and putting into practice all the advice Mick gave us on our lessons, we now have a dog that we have the confidence to take out for walks all over the place, and Fergus is loving all the running/roaming (hunting) about and the freedom he now enjoys with us the pack leaders (not followers).
If you have a problem with your dog LIKE WE HAD, my family and I cannot recommend Mick highly enough for his great advice and the confidence he instils in you the owner (pack leader).
Cheers and thank you
From Colin and Family and lastly Fergus, our happy, contented and tired dog.
From Heather McInnes in Dysart,
"Hello Mick Just thought I would send a quick e-mail. I have been hearing the debate has started up again about e-collars and I wanted to say that thanks to you, your guidance and instructions on how to use the collar correctly I have had a dog for over a year now that 99% of the time does as he is told. When I first got Ozzy he didnt walk on the lead (it was a dragging session) and did not come back when called ( it could be up to 2 hours ) now thanks to you and the e-collar I have a "friend "who I enjoy taking out. The only problem I have with Ozzy now is he has become manic about being in the water and having stones thrown for him so when he does "take off" I know where to find him .Keep up the good work Mick thanks to you there are a lot more better behaved dogs out there."
Another rebel border collie who is now enjoying being with her owner..... Thanks Barbara.
Thanks to Kathy from Kilwinning, for sending me this
Testimonial July 2011
I just want to say thank you for your help with Alfie our 3 year old springer spaniel who we adopted from a rescue organisation. Alfie came to us having basic obedience all be it rusty but he had a major problem with not knowing when to stop with regard to chasing birds and completely ignored me when he got into the bird chasing zone, this was causing me considerable concern regarding Alfie's and other people's/dogs safety. We considered group training classes but due to the nature of the problem and his breed decided instead that a specialist was the way to go. After some internet searching we contacted you - one of the best decisions I've made and money very well spent.
In two sessions you gave me the tools, knowledge and understanding I needed to not only address the immediate issues but also to keep my family and Alfie happy in the long term. It is very apparent by the immediate improvement in Alfie's behaviour and responses that you know what you're talking about and your methods work. I was also very impressed by the way you listened to me and quickly gained an understanding of Alfie's personality and character and also adapted certain techniques to accommodate my 9 year old daughter. Alfie is improving every day and it is also reassuring to know that you are on the end of the phone/email if I need more advice.
I have already recommended you to other dog owners and I would be more than happy to talk directly to anyone wanting to discuss your approach in more detail.
Once again,
Thank you,
