 |
|
In 2006 and 2007 I went to England and trained with Jan Fennell and her son, Tony Knight. Jan is known world-wide as the Dog Listener and is the author of many best-selling books on the relationship between dogs and people. Having successfully completed two courses with Jan in the UK, and worked with her in Australia and New Zealand, I qualified as a Dog Listener, and hold an Advanced Certificate in Canine Communication. In 2008 I sponsored a trip to Tasmania by Tony Knight, Jan’s son.
My past experience with dogs involved conventional obedience training in three Australian States, including running classes and I’ve bred Border Collies since the 1990s. Over the years, I've experienced and witnessed many dog behavioural problems. Some problems I was able to resolve, but it was the urgent need to curb the persistent barking of one of my own dogs, that led me to Dog Listening. Within a short time my dogs were happy, relaxed and reformed characters. I was thrilled with the power of this practical but kind methodology, based on natural processes. See Case Studies.
I started working as a Dog Listener in 2006 and have worked with many owners and carers with a wide variety of dogs with many different issues needing resolution. I receive referrals from Vets, breeders, dog clubs, shelters and past and current clients.
My past experience with dogs involved conventional obedience training in three Australian States, including running classes and I’ve bred Border Collies since the 1990s. Over the years, I've experienced and witnessed many dog behavioural problems. Some problems I was able to resolve, but it was the urgent need to curb the persistent barking of one of my own dogs, that led me to Dog Listening. Within a short time my dogs were happy, relaxed and reformed characters. I was thrilled with the power of this practical but kind methodology, based on natural processes. See Case Studies.
I started working as a Dog Listener in 2006 and have worked with many owners and carers with a wide variety of dogs with many different issues needing resolution. I receive referrals from Vets, breeders, dog clubs, shelters and past and current clients.
|
TED
Ted was one of my red and white Border Collies. Until I introduced Dog Listening techniques, despite being well trained and obedient, he was overprotective of me - regularly barking, growling or snapping at some passers-by and other dogs. I never felt completely relaxed when walking him at our local dog beach or if strangers, especially with children, approached us when we were sitting at an outdoor café. Consistent application Dog Listening techniques saw Ted readily give up his leadership role to me. He became relaxed and unfussed by strangers when we were out and about. It is wonderful for me to feel calm and confident of his good behaviour. Family and friends were amazed at his ‘transformation’. He was 12 years old when introduced to Dog Listening.
SHADOW
Shadow was another of my beautiful blonde Border Collies. When I moved from rural acreage to the suburbs, Shadow's persistent barking developed into a real problem. He too was successful in obedience classes and was a well behaved dog, other than for the barking. I tried every possible method to control him including specialist dog trainers, and even cruel and nasty anti-barking collars, but everything failed. It took patient and consistent application of Dog Listening principles, and then it became unusual to hear Shadow bark more than once, a few times a day, even though I live near a busy walkway. Thankfully the days of me worrying about neighbourhood complaints seem long ago.
|
I was amazed at how our 2 dogs responded to Merry - so different to any other visitor - so much better. Through this method we have seen improvements with our dogs' behaviour which has had such a positive/calming impact on the whole family. Ferguson Family (interstate)
The explanations and literature Merry provided were extremely clear. We have followed the full range of suggestions made to us and have noticed an almost immediate improvement in the behaviour of our two dogs. Blackburn family (Hobart) Merry was brilliant, she explained things in easy terms and we are seeing improvements in our dog which were immediate after we saw Merry for the first home consultation. She responds to questions in a way that makes sense and is clear to put into practice. We feel valued when communicating with Merry as she is very genuine in wanting to help us out. We were so happy with what she has done for us we have recommended her service. It is a brilliant service that makes sense and is easy to put into practice. Tony & Louise (Hobart) I bought a Blue Heeler when he was four months old - he had been neglected and proved to be very hard indeed to deal with. Over my lifetime I have had fifteen dogs and have never had one so hard to control. Merry's help and advice and training methods finally paid off with Harry, and I now have a young dog who is still behaving in the normal puppy way but with an ongoing training program that Merry has instituted, we are getting there very well indeed. Carolyn (Hobart) |
     |
