A little about me:

Now 40 years young, I have enjoyed careers working in farming, sales, as a Policeman and as a crisis counsellor for a well-known organisation.

My partner, Sara and I have an nine-year-old daughter Katie, and our dogs Amber and Pip as seen below. We have lived in

Bewdley for the past eleven years.

My Approach:

My career has always involved developing relationships with people, and my interest since a child has always been with dogs, dog training and their welfare. 

Alpha Dog Behaviour provides me with the opportunity to bring these two elements together.  Alpha Dog Behaviour provides others with a service whereby dogs and their families or individuals can lead happier lives together, with a greater understanding of each other's needs based on mutual respect, and calm leadership. I don't give myself a lofty title such as dog whisperer or dog listener; I'm a regular guy that has a close affinity with dogs and people, and am driven to bring both together in harmony.

My beginnings in the dog world were with Amber my Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla, as seen above. At nine months we won our first competition together for a working test, after quietly training and reading all I could from dusty books in the library. From that point onwards I was totally hooked, and laid some quiet plans to work with dogs full time. Amber will turn 11 this September and I continue to work with her, though now mainly with other dogs that show nervous aggression. I have been privileged to have Amber as my first dog, and offer my on going thanks to Donna Holman for placing us together as she gives so much to many around her. Amber has been my learning partner.

Little Pip is now coming into her own now she is two and a half, and is stable enough to help other nervous dogs regain composure as she is (like Amber) a past master at showing calming signals. Pip is a very high energy dog, that will for example stop and turn on a dime to come back when called. Everything she does has an air of acrobatic finesse that leaves me constantly impressed! She adores Amber, and makes an excellent addition to our home and my work.
As an aside, we now have 'Oscar' a Maine Coon cat. He settled in immediately, and the picture below shows that Border terriers can live in harmony with cats! It's all about early socialisation, control and reward for calm behaviour. Oscar is stunning and we are delighted with him. Thanks to Helen and Brenda the breeders!

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My work typically involves firstly a telephone conversation to establish the dog's history, current problems and home set up.  I then make a home visit to assess the dog's behaviour and the relationship with your dog.  This is followed by agreeing an easy to follow plan to address your concerns, complete with demonstrations and coaching of the relevant behavioural techniques and training.

I follow up the home visit with a bespoke report on my findings and the agreed plan. This report is key to help you implement the simple behavioural techniques that need to become routine for you to achieve a positive outcome. Over time this report has developed into a 'Positive leadership Plan'...read on for more details.

Why Choose Me?

I have a sincere desire to help people truly enjoy the experience of owning a dog. My work to me is far from a 9-5, get home and switch off. I am passionate about my role, and my love of working with owners and their dogs to see what can often be miraculous changes taking place under our very noses. Dogs can change behaviours (that have in some cases been perpetuated for many years) in minutes for the better. This proves the point I have long held that the change will need to start with the owner, and then over time we can see it flow along to the dog. I will fully support you through those changes!

My approach is sympathetic and non-aggressive, with an emphasis on positive leadership, and reward based dog training techniques. It's important that we don't just look at the behaviour you are concerned with, but a number of underlying factors that may be contributing to the overall situation. For example, I will want to address areas such as diet, and other factors that may be adding unwanted stress to your dog. My methods will allow you to make the improvements you desire free from shouting or feeling exasperated with your dog and as a result all parties remain calm and collected. This often restores harmony to a home that may be at breaking point due to the dog's behaviour. Yes, things really can get better, and yes I really can help!

Over the years of my working in this field, I have found that a number of small things can be done on a regular basis to gain a calm dog and to show that you are leading and in control, and all the dog has to do is simply follow. I have come to call this a 'Positive Leadership Plan' (PLP). This serves most dogs very well. It can bolster the nervous dog, and regain control of the pushy ones. Invariably people have additional concerns that we shall need to address, but the vast majority still follow the PLP along side with great results! You will receive your own free copy of the PLP.

Vale Veterinary group recommend Alpha Dog Behaviour, and I am a member of the CFBA and PAACT. This simply means to you that I have had to work hard to fulfill a number of strict criteria to be able to gain their support, thus further ensuring a professional practice, and best outcome for you and your dog.

Current thinking and approaches to dog behaviour and dog training are always on the move, and any trainer that thinks he or she knows it all is sadly mistaken. I have I feel a 'duty' to ensure that I come to you as well informed as I can be, and am able to think about the problems you are experiencing in as many different ways as possible. Every dog is different (even within a set breed), the owners and home set ups vary too of course, so this leads to an infinite (and I find exciting!) variety of situations that I might find myself in.

Each year I take on new courses to further my own level of understanding and ability, and this year is no exception. I have undertaken three new courses all connected to the CFBA. Two are aggression related, the other is an advanced behaviour course using genuine video footage which is then discussed in depth with other behaviour practitioners. These are run by the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training, and are accredited by the Middlesex University. The good thing with these courses is that a high percentage is based upon practical work as well as theory ensuring a capable practitioner. You can talk all you like about dog behaviour, but unless you can take the lead (literally) and demonstrate what it is that you are wishing to put over to the client and dog, you may as well go home.

I am proud to be an independent practitioner and self employed; not bound to follow methods and practices dictated by a franchisor for example. I have of course agreed to codes of practice in my profession, and I can provide these if you so wish.

Please see a sample of testimonials for your reassurance.

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Do You Need Me?

Here is an insight to the sorts of problems that I can help you with:

• Puppy visits and related issues.
• One to one training
• Biting / nipping
• Nervous aggression
• 'Dominant' aggression
• Excessive barking
• Pulling on the lead
• Jumping Up
• Chewing / Destructive behaviour
• Digging
• Nervous behaviour, fears and phobias
• Fear of Fireworks.
• Recall issues
• Toilet training
• Separation anxiety
• Unruly behaviour in the home
• Rank issues within the family
• Safe practice with children
• Diet, food and related behaviour
• The List goes on...
• Many people email saying their dog has all of the above! 

Please contact me free of obligation to help you decide that Alpha Dog Behaviour is the right way forward to help you with your specific concerns.

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Radio interview:

I had the pleasure of doing an in-depth interview recently with Julie who runs dogcast radio, a popular online dog-based internet show. You can listen to the interview by clicking the orange wording above, then the blue button top left on the web page. If you would like to hear my interviews on BBC radio, email me and I would be pleased to send them out to you.

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I am also a member of the expert panel in Dogs Monthly magazine...