Teen dog tale with rewarding ending! (From Andover Advertiser)

Teen dog tale with rewarding ending!

2:19pm Saturday 4th October 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

A DOG training course run in conjunction with the Andover Advertiser has been so successful there are now plans to takes its message into Test Valley schools.

More than 50 people signed up for the original course, aimed at helping teenage' dogs with behavioural problems avoiding doggy ASBOs.

Owners found it so beneficial they pressed Howard Kirby, a regular contributor of dog training advice columns in the Midweek Advertiser, to run follow-up classes.

They were so successful the chief executive of world-famous Battersea Dogs Home, Jan Barlow, attended to help with assessments and award certificates.

There were 30 handlers and their dogs on the follow-up course, where Howard was helped by the regular team from Mullenscote Gundogs at Quarley along with Test Valley Borough Council dog warden Rod Mason, his bloodhound Rumble, and Test Valley neighbourhood warden Kat Swavska.

"Several of the dogs had originally come from Battersea and Jan helped assess them, along with the other dogs, for their awards.

"Every dog/handler team on the course passed the assessment, with 90 per cent achieving a distinction grade," said Howard.

"Our aim was to improve responsible dog ownership along with handler skills and knowledge.

"The handlers on this course have surpassed our expectations.

"Not only have we seen a major improvement in the behaviour of the dogs but also in the general awareness and training skills of the handlers.

"Our workshop sessions were just brilliant - lively weekly discussions and debates about training methods.

"Test Valley Borough Council dog policy and dog and human psychology were just some of the subjects covered.

"The effort and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved has been fantastic. It can only help to improve the relationship that owners have with their dogs and the local community.

"Rod Mason has been an enormous help with the course and some of his ideas, leaflets and resources have been put to excellent use to assist in the design and running of it.

"I am now planning, with Rod, how to increase public awareness and education.

"Among our plans is a scheme for Rod and I to take workshops into local schools.

"Many children are dog owners of the future while others have a fear of dogs that can often be natural but irrational, based on wrongly conceived prejudices about dog behaviour.

"We want to show both groups what a fantastic experience it can be to have ownership of or contact with, dogs and how they can help humans in so many ways."

• Print
• Email
• Share