Sheila has helped me look at the relationship between humans and dogs from a completely different perspective – the dog’s perspective. This has enabled me to understand so much more about my dogs and how I can help them to have a fulfilled life.

 

I found the whole course a wonderful experience. I have a companion rescue Border Terrier aged 13 who came to Sheila totally under my control. Prior to attending she was not allowed to do anything without a command from me and was highly reactive to other dogs. I now have a low-stress friend who I love being with, rather than doing with.

 

The whole emphasis is about seeing both the dogs and the students as individuals. All the methods encouraged are both gentle and humane with the needs of the dog central to the teaching. The structure and timing of the teaching sessions is just right, with plenty of time for reflection and discussion.

 

 

 

So many people arrive at Sheila’s door having gone through dreadful experiences with so called conventional trainers who teach command and control techniques. In many instances the effect of this ‘training’ has been to make worse the underlying causes of the behaviour that the dog exhibits because of the intensive stress that the dog is experiencing.

 

Sheila’s training is thoughtful, humane, and keeps the dog at the centre of the focus at all times. This is not command and control training. Sheila’s courses are about understanding each individual dog’s needs and wants – as communicated by the dog – and creating a safe and secure environment in which the dog can relax and become a partner and companion, not a servant or a toy.

 

 

 

It is useful to get away from the word trainer – if there is any element of training it is all directed at the owners and not at the dogs! But this is an informative, teaching environment: knowledge is shared and individuals draw the appropriate conclusions and behaviours appropriate to their own human / canine partnership. The kind of harsh methods and aversive devices such as you mention, are never used under any conditions and are not accepted behaviour from students with their dogs.

This is very important, Sheila and her team have your dog's interests (and yours) at the centre of the course. Flat collars or harnesses are recommended where appropriate and long-line / loose-lead walking is taught and encouraged. Sheila would not allow any mistreatment of a dog in the ways you describe – it is entirely against her philosophy and ethos.

 

Shouting promotes stress and sends the wrong signals out to a dog as does any form of manhandling, startling or scaring. There are no circumstances where this type of behaviour would be acceptable as it is completely contrary to the well being and the protection of dogs.

 

 

 

Sheila covers this during the course, but the emphasis is not on the method, rather the needs of the dog. Sheila does not promote the sit / down / stay culture. The concentration is on having a positive and gentle development with your dog - you are a team - so that you can both enjoy your life together in a stress-free manner.

 

 

 

Members of the team work calmly and quietly so as not to frighten the dog or the student. They use techniques such as creating barriers or increasing distance. In the early stages of the course, a team member will be there to support a student and dog so that both will be confident and comfortable in a situation. Dogs are not allowed off lead in the immediate environment and you will experience a different way of thinking about the lead and lead work. The issues you have mentioned above are all discussed and you are helped with whatever problems you perceive your dog has. (Mostly they end up as being recognised as owner problems not canine problems!)

 

You and your dog are never forced into anything and you can question all that you like. There is never any judgement about what you say or what you do.

 

 

 

Sheila is an excellent facilitator and recognises the fact that both humans and dogs need comfort breaks. Be sure to alert Sheila well beforehand if your dog has an issue with being in the car. Dogs may be allowed in some of the venues but Sheila only encourages dogs to meet in the right environment and circumstances, so it will be one at a time (unless from the same family group). Dogs are not tied up.

 

Not all students bring their dogs every day. I travelled to and from home each day so sometimes left my dog at home - but not often because she is very happy in the car with breaks and walks during the day. You can volunteer your dog for appropriate practical sessions during the day, so the time in the car is up to you. Sheila has frequent breaks so that you can see to your dog.

 

The structure of the days is well thought out. There is a mixture of theory, practice, discussion and reflection. No one activity goes on for too long and the work is sometimes done in smaller groups, which are regularly changed around, to make sure everyone gets a chance to interact with each other.

 

Also there are usually a number of supporting members of the team at each session as well as the tutors, and this helps students get even more one to one support and attention.

 

 

 

If Sheila considers the environment and the circumstances to be appropriate. Each dog is treated on its own in as stress-free an environment as is possible. As many stressors as possible are eliminated from your dog's experience. Any meetings or socialisation were, and must be carefully managed! For example if there is a problem with a dog’s socialisation skills, Sheila may suggest looking at this in detail during a future case study if appropriate,  where any meeting or socialisation will be carefully organised and structured. Meetings will only occur if it is considered to be appropriate and to the benefit of each dog concerned.

 

 

Accommodation is not included in the course and students find suitable accommodation for themselves their dogs. However, an accommodation list can be provided upon request and Tracy from the office will be happy to offer guidance. There is a wide choice of different types, standards and costs of accommodation in the vicinity.

 

 

 

That is not what Sheila will expect you to do. My dog is happy to be left for an hour or so but some other dogs may become stressed as soon as they are left alone in the vehicle. Sheila will have the dog's care as paramount and will do all she can to alleviate your problems. However, it is essential you tell her well beforehand - on the application form. Do not think that if you declare that you perceive a "problem" in your dog, that she will refuse your application. It does not work like that.

As for crates, some dogs are used to them whilst others are not. Most are restrained somehow when the vehicle is in motion, yet are free in the car when stationary. Sheila does not advocate shutting dogs in crates. Sometimes there is an open crate next to a student so that the dog can settle and other times it’s the dog's bed, or blanket or whatever the dog is comfortable with. No dog or student is forced to do anything against their will.

 

 

 

You are most welcome; I share your thoughts and love my dog. It took a horrible route through behaviourists, trainers and aversive methods to find Sheila, but now my dog and I are a happy

team enjoying being together and able to cope.

 

I remember my daughter saying “our dogs are so clever, they understand things we say to them and yet we can’t understand what they say to us!” Sheila will help you to learn how your dog is communicating and as result, enable you to have a more complete relationship, based on mutual respect and understanding, that will enable your dog to live the best life possible.