~ Contact the Dundee Dog Trainer ~
"My goal in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am."
- Toby EileenGreen
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Jessica Probst BSc
07505 971110 (most likely to catch me)
01307 830708
Email: topdog@dundeedogtrainer.co.uk
The Dundee Dog Trainer - after retraining Blaze an aggressive dog saved from euthanasia
The Dundee Dog Trainer is fully insured
and is currently working within the Kennel Club’s Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour which is designed to set the standard for quality of advice, and by networking its members, to provide the best service possible for dog owners and dog training enthusiasts.
~ Qualifications ~
Scientist, Observer, Philosopher and Trainer
I have been involved with many many dogs over the years, and obviously they are a major part of my life. Not only do I love my dogs, but I love yours too, and want nothing more than you to understand each other!
Previously employed by the Scottish Office, HM Forces and involved in dog training for the BBC, you can be assured of my professionalism, integrity and dedication at all times.
Working in Dundee's University Chemistry and Biochemistry departments for almost 8 years I developed a lasting interest in Science and Genetics. I worked toward my BSc Degree in Biology with Animal Behaviour, whilst working full time. I have studied canids, 'pack theory' canine nutrition and healthcare. My behavioural interests spread to humans too I study human behaviour, sociology and psychology - I believe this helps me to teach you as everyone of us learns in a different way.
For many years I have taken in dogs for rehabilitation and rehoming. There were always training issues to be addressed, and I believe it is the hands-on experience of working with so many different types of dogs that has enabled me to understand so much about what it is that makes them tick. I am thankful to each and every one of them for what they have taught me. The first, 4 feral dogs from Egypt, were sent over as unborn pups to escape a certain death sentence. Sadly they were quarantined from birth and at eight months old, when I first met them, they were completely unhandled, and no dog trainer could help me. Months of work and research led me to the understanding that lack of early habituation and stimulation in their first weeks and months meant that they would never trust strangers and get over their anxieties, and they would be better off in a quiet rural home, they are still living with a well known dog walker, where they are loved and safe. They are the reason I went on to become a dog trainer and behaviourist.
Lisa works in mental health and also has keen interest in dog behaviour
Lisa has been invaluable in helping run dog training Workshops and Classes for over 3 years now
~ Our Methods ~
My approach is calm and confident towards both owners and their dogs, we work as much as possible using positive reinforcement, but also understand how the use of punishment (as a behavioural term) if used incorrectly can cause long lasting damage to a dog and your relationship with him.
I don't use check chains or prong collars on any dogs, there is no reason to shout or 'smack' any dog - we cannot force a dog to do anything, we will never acheive compliance that way.
I follow the Complex Associative Learning method not 'Dominance' or 'Wolf Pack Theory' which previously relied on forcing the dog to submit to a higher ranking member through aggressive means. These outdated methods have been proven to cause pain, discomfort and may add to behavioural problems, as they cover up symptoms and do not address root cause.
The Wolf Pack Theory was assumed to apply in relationships between dogs and people, that dogs perceived the relationship with their owner in terms of relative ‘status’. More recent research on wolves has found that the natural social groupings is actually based on co-operative family groups of parents and offspring, with very little aggression.
Daily living, observing and interacting with a large pack of dogs I am blessed to enjoy, I have witnessed them learn a pattern of behaviour with each other, which may or may not vary between different situations, but which does not follow an overall heirarchical or pyramidal structure. If individual dogs were constantly trying to achieve dominance / social status within the pack there would be aggressive outbursts between them regularly, which any visitors will attest, just does not happen.
Aggressive behaviour is very rare in stable groups (Mech '99)