A Little About Me
Originally from the North East
of England, I now live about 12 miles south
of Edinburgh with my partner Terry and my German Shepherds Holly
and Arro. I am a
practicing Canine
Psychologist and Trainer working within the Lothian and Borders area,
with particular interests in large breed aggression and the psychology of the rescue dog.
From a very
early age, I was involved in the dog show world, and have shown prize
winning Corgis,
Schipperkes and German Shepherds, In America I have shown a
prize winning Caucasian
Ovcharka.
I have done
behavioural work with Husky teams in Canada and I have bred top working
trials champions. I have assessed and placed suitable dogs with the prison
service, the army and police services. I have been involved with various dog
rescues and associated re-homing projects as well as a telephone help-line.
Owning and
training dogs has been a
major part of my life for the past 25 years and I have a particular interest in
working with rescue dogs with behavioural problems.
Troy
(pictured on the left) came to me at eight months old having previously had four homes. His
veterinary records stated that he was considered untrainable, uncontrollable
and extremely aggressive. In addition to these very obvious problems, he
was also one of the largest German Shepherds I have come across, in adulthood
weighing in at almost 60 kilos.
Troy turned into one of the best dogs I have ever owned
and handled, sociable, relaxed and incredibly willing and able to work.
Sadly Troy passed away two years ago but he will be forever missed
Tara (pictured on the
right) entered our lives aged seven when my local vet asked me to assess her
suitability for rehoming. She was incredibly nervous and prone to fear
aggression and had allegedly killed another dog. In addition, her previous
owners had given her no training whatsoever. One year on she had
successfully completed intermediate level obedience, was
bomb proof with
other dogs and had become my shadow.
Sadly Tara
passed away peacefully in her sleep in November 2006 aged fourteen years.
I have retained the photographs of her on this site in loving memory of a
truly special dog who worked tirelessly with me to help cure other dogs of
their own aggression, just as she had been cured of hers. I know she
will be waiting for me with all the others at the
Rainbow Bridge.