The training classes finished when Logan was about 5 months and at his worst. We were trying to sort out what was becoming a major problem ourselves and getting nowhere fast. At about seven months I phoned the vets for a referral to a behaviourist and was given Mike’s name and number. We live just outside Aberdeen so I did think Mike was maybe too far away but decided to phone anyway. Thank goodness I did.
I
was impressed by Mike’s knowledge and down to earth attitude.
Mike arranged to travel to our house where he could see exactly what Logan
was like. Mike came down and met all of the family and took a lot of notes.
He advised us on ways to change Logan ’s behaviour immediately and
within a day or 2 had sent us a comprehensive report that we could refer
to. Mike’s methods are kind and very effective. He would phone to
see how we were getting on and he definitely knows exactly what he is
talking about. I just wish we had contacted him earlier, because by the
time we phoned Mike, Logan ’s behaviour was totally unacceptable
and I really did not like the dog (well maybe when he was asleep). Luckily,
Logan likes everyone he meets and thinks every dog he meets, will want
to play with him, so although he was a nightmare with us, we could see
that with the right training he could be a fantastic dog. Logan’s
behaviour started improving as soon as we implemented Mike’s methods
which were both kind and fair, but also effective.
We did travel up to see Mike twice more over the next couple of months
( Logan is one stubborn dog), and Mike advised other things to do with
Logan to convince Logan that we were in charge and not him.
Logan no longer try’s to grab us, or jump up and basically accepts
that we are in charge and not him. I cannot thank Mike enough for all
of his help, advise and support.
I really do not think we would have Logan now, if we had not found Mike
as I don’t think we could have carried on they way things were going..
I would not hesitate to refer someone to Mike for any kind of problem
with their dogs, as far as I am concerned he is a miracle worker.
Thanks again Mike for turning a nightmare situation into a family with
a lovely dog.
Pauline & Ray Philip
Update
August 2007
Logan has been getting along extremely well after
implementing Mikes training techniques regarding his jumping up and grabbing.
But of course Logan wouldn’t be Logan unless there was some other
way he could get me to start pulling my hair out again.
Logan’s recall has never been the best. Well lets be honest here,
his recall had developed into me standing around waiting for him to decide
to come back. It came to a head when he decided chasing rabbits was great
fun. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that all dogs love to chase
rabbits, but where we live there is absolutely NO place to walk that does
not have a very good chance of seeing rabbits. Also playing with other
dogs made him totally deaf, to the extent that he would follow the other
dog and its owner for a good 5 minutes before maybe, coming back to me.
One of our walks was through the local park and into the woods behind. This one morning he was on the leash through the park and I let him off in the woods. He went to the toilet and then immediately took off running. I couldn’t even see any rabbits but he obviously had seen something. To make a long story shorter, I totally lost him for about 20 minutes and he eventually came running down the drive of a house that backs onto the woods, saw me and took off again through the park. At the end of the park he ran into someone else’s garden who has a domestic rabbit in a large round run, fenced off with chicken wire. He proceeded to circle the run to try and get the rabbit. I was convinced that I would either collapse in the park chasing after this crazy dog, he would get this rabbit, or instead of coming out of the garden and back into the park, he would go out onto the main road and be hit by a car.
When I eventually
got him back, which took about 30 minutes I was shaking like a leaf. Logan
had been totally out of control. He was a danger to himself, a danger
to me (I was convinced I would have a heart attack chasing him) and a
danger to other people. If anyone had seen this maniac of a dog running
towards them I’m sure they would have had hysterics.
My choice was to phone Mike or for Logan to NEVER be off the lead again.
It had really frightened me how out of control Logan was. I of course
phoned Mike that morning and made an appointment to go up and see him.
Logan, myself and my husband spent the afternoon with Mike discussing
what had happened and then taking Logan out for a walk. Mike instructed
us in some special training techniques which he explained in detail how
to implement and maintain. We practised while we were with Mike and have
been carrying out his instructions since then.
That was a few months ago. Logan will now come back as soon as he hears
the whistle whether there is a dog or a rabbit or anything else. Our walks
are now a pleasure because I know I can get him back when I need to. If
Logan was a child I would have described him as having ADHD. He was on
full burn the whole time he was out for a walk. I am now relaxed out walking
and I honestly feel that Logan is also more relaxed.
Mike worked his magic again. Logan not only seems happier and more relaxed
on his walks, but he actually has MORE freedom now, because I’m
not constantly thinking I better put him back on the leash ‘ just
in case’.
I can’t thank Mike enough for once again rescuing us (and Logan)
from a behaviour which would have just got worse and worse.
I keep thinking
that because Logan has now turned 2 he should be calming down. I’m
sure he is, but Logan being Logan will no doubt keep us on our toes.
Thanks again Mike, from all of us.
Warm regards
Pauline & Ray.