Recommendations

It is with the highest recommendation that I urge anyone who needs help communicating with their dogs that I tell of my experience with Peter.

My dog Lulu and I met the extraordinary Peter in Portugal last year. As Lulu was an abandoned dog with traumas I was anxious regarding her behaviour and it was so very reassuring to have Peter’s calm expertise.

Peter showed me in a most gentle manner how to not transfer my anxiety to Lulu.

He also gave Lulu a sense of quite confidence. You could see that Lulu trusted Peter and by the time he arrived at his new home where he was going to live with four other dogs he was able to take in his new surroundings with an astonishing ease. In fact even before Lulu came into the new and rather chaotic environment, Peter took me and Lulu for a walk around our home where he showed me how to behave with Lulu and how to walk the dog calmly.

Peter stayed an hour or more after that, ensuring that we all settled in to the new relationship in a calm and secure way.

I can never express enough my gratitude and relief at meeting Peter and the pleasure he has given me in knowing how to interact with Lulu and the dogs in my home in Portugal.

With much appreciation

Iona Mackay

Peter

Thanks for the written report following your visit last week.

Life with Sasha has been much calmer since your visit and we are now enjoying walking with her rather than seeing it as a test of who is leading who! and I believe that Sasha is more comfortable with the walking as well

We haven't been able to put your tips regarding visitors to the test yet as we have been out and about but we have had some success with James , Sasha has ventured into his room and sat with him while he played his guitar (even we don't do that!)so we can now start building their relationship as the growling at him seems to have stopped

I will be sending some photos to 'Last Chance' where we adopted Sasha from and will mention your name and details as I believe the service you provide would be beneficial to people adopting/rehoming a dog where their history is a little vague.

Thanks again for your time, help and tips and we wish you every success with your business.

Kind Regards
Jacqui and Steve

Dear Peter

Just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you for all the help you have given us with Darcy. From the moment you entered the house I felt your calmness spread around the room and ultimately through to Darcy. If the only thing I take from your coaching session is the phrase 'LET GO' then, for me, it's a life lesson well taught!

Although we are not going to change things overnight, we continue to practice the calm leadership techniques that you showed us and the improvements are already there for all to see. It's not our dog that is learning, its us! Once again, thank you very much, we feel that this really will change our life.

Nina & Carole

Peter,

Many thanks for your advice and guidance - I was amazed at how much you achieved in such short a time. Mollie is now spending more time off the lead and is coming back when called. She is also much better now at the door and seems to have adopted a much calmer attitude towards the kids and visitors, which is excellent, Best regards

Kessick

Hi Pete,

Just to let you know the past few weeks new regime have worked extremely well and Doogie just loves his evening bike sessions. I have never seen him so worn out but he seems very happy and keen to get out with the bike as much as possible. Once I reach Farnborough fields he is off the lead and having to keep up with me. He seems to accept I lead the way (just like the pack leader does) so like you said it has change the dynamics when it comes to meeting other dogs and especially those off the lead. I am always just ahead or a good 50/100 yards in front and when I have seen another dog approach Doogie there has been no problems at all - not one instance of dominance upon his part.

Kind regards

Simon

Tilly, a Wheaten Terrier, came to me at 8 weeks, and having never owned a dog of my own, duly went through 9 weeks of basic puppy training. However there was an escalating problem with food aggression and general dominance that the trainer seemed unable to help with. Peter heard of my problem and offered to help - with quiet and consistent guidance the difference in Tilly was immediate, walking to heel within a few minutes. Although the food issue took a little longer, whenever we had a setback, Peter was always available to give ongoing support and advice.

I found that 90% of the problem can stem from us, as dogs are highly sensitive and pick up on underlying emotions. Peter was enormously supportive in showing me how to achieve calm, even giving me some relaxation exercises which benefited us both! Because of his exceptional affinity with dogs, I would urge you to call Peter no matter what the issue is. His expertise has helped me build a wonderful relationship with Tilly - it's so rewarding when it works well!

Danielle

Hi Peter

Thank you for all your time and help on Monday night. We have received the report, which is a great summary of everything we discussed. It was fantastic to meet you and hear not only your advice but the story of how you came to be working with dogs – you are so lucky to be doing a job you love that gives so much reward to so many (dogs and humans alike). There was nothing that we weren’t happy with; on the contrary we were delighted with everything.

We have been wanting a dog for many years (having both been around dogs as children), but haven’t had one because we didn’t want to go out all day leaving a dog alone for 12 hours – or more. In preparation of getting Pippin, we did a lot of research – as well as being avid fans of The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan we bought two of his books, plus Dr Bruce Fogle’s RSPCA Dog Training Manual. We did lots of research on the internet and spoke to friends and family who have dogs to get their advice. We looked in to puppy training/socializing classes and it was whilst doing this that we found you. We called you, because we thought that you can read and research so much, but there is nothing like hearing from an expert.

We were really looking forward to meeting you but the service you gave surpassed expectations – there was so much that we hadn’t thought of or uncovered in our research that you were able to talk us through. First of all, you spent considerable time with us on our enquiry phone call before we picked Pippin up – talking us through how to introduce her to the house and the children. I’m so pleased you did this because whilst there is lots of information out there about what to do once you’ve actually got a dog, there isn’t a lot on how to get them home, in to the house and settled – we would have done this all wrong if we hadn’t spoken to you first. It was doubly kind because this was a long phone call which you made during your family time and with no guarantee we’d actually ask you to visit.

When you did visit, the practical demonstrations on handling, feeding and using the lead were invaluable. The advice about using the crate was brilliant – I had read about how to approach this somewhere, but in the deluge of information I’d forgotten it and we’d been putting Pippin in her crate rather than letting her find her own way in and settling. We changed our approach as you showed us and with the help of a treat – and making sure she was settled and eating it, facing the door and watching us - we have been able to start getting her used to the crate. This means that we bath and settle the children in bed without a drama, I can go for a shower without worrying about her and she’s started popping in there during the day to take her toy in and out. The advice about putting in one of her sweatshirts was also useful – we’ve had an amazing result with it: you remember we told you that the first night we had her she was fine, the second night she howled for about four/five hours? Well, the night you came (her third night) she howled for two hours and then last night she whined for seven minutes. Seven minutes! It meant we got sleep and we didn’t feel guilty!

You haven’t just helped Pippin, the biggest difference is how you have helped us. Anthony was stressed about the house training and I was stressed that he was stressed. I was also worried that despite all our research we wouldn’t be doing things correctly. You have reassured and relaxed Anthony about the house training (only one indoor puddle on Tuesday and two yesterday – one of which was my fault for not being quick enough after letting Pippin out of her crate) but most of all you have given us the confidence that we can be good dog owners and by doing so have made us feel happy and secure with what we are doing, which has to mean that Pippin is feeling our positivity and leadership!

We really can’t thank you enough.

If I had to summarise what I’d tell other people about what you’ve done for us, it’s this: we’d done the research and found out lots of information – some of it conflicting. You guided us through the most important and relevant information simply and with practical examples and demonstrations. You explained things clearly and made sure we understood. You addressed all our questions and concerns we had about our dog but most of all you reassured us and gave us the confidence to be calm, positive leaders. It was the best £95 investment in Pippin (and us!) – when you consider what it costs to look after a dog over it’s lifetime, this amount is a drop in the ocean and I’d recommend anyone thinking of getting a puppy or a dog to do what we did and speak to you before the new addition joins the household.

We’ll keep you informed of Pippin’s progress and will send pictures as we go. Good luck with the work in Spain,

All the best, Emma, Anthony, Josie, Thomas & Pippin

Thank you so much for all your help it's been so good to learn exactly what I should be doing with Bruce. He's picked everything up really quickly and we've had 2 very successful walks today! Thanks again!

Clare Watkin

Dear Peter,

It was indeed a real pleasure to see Bingo playing on the field and interacting well with all the dogs and also with people. I really didn't think I would ever be able to give him the freedom to interact successfully with 'the pack' and I definitely feel more confident and positive about his personality and possibilities.

You have been a tremendous fount of knowledge and confidence booster in the work you have done with all of us and I feel so much more positive about what Bingo is capable of in the years ahead. As another plus, I took him to his second obedience class this afternoon........................without wearing his muzzle!

He was very nervous while waiting in the corridor with a little collie bitch, Holly, which he met last week and he tried repeatedly to pull towards the exit and was trembling. But he was very respectful to Holly and even let her owner( A MAN!) stroke him. he also touched noses with a couple of other dogs which were leaving the first class, without incident.......PHEW!

He had a good class and let the class leader, a lady, do a recall and retrieve with him, although he did continuously check I was still there. This is obviously a huge improvement in my trust in him, as I felt very relaxed about him being off lead and unmuzzled throughout. The class leader also recognised that he was not an aggressive dog, but nervous in certain situations. He did bark and pull towards another class leader who entered the room halfway through, but he was quickly distracted and settled down after she ignored him and I was encouraged to get his attention.

I can't thank you enough for your patience and advice with all of us! It has been a real pleasure to meet you and I will definitely see you for a walk in the park before you head off to sunnier climes. Glad you are enjoying the coffee. I just hope you can get it in Spain!!!

As an addendum, I forwarded your email to Bill and he has responded with a few words of his own, see below.

I will be in touch soon about another walk.

Very best regards,
Jill Bradshaw x

Peter at The Dog You Need turned out to be very much the canine counsellor we needed after our difficult first few weeks with Bingo, a Staffy-Boxer-Lurcher cross we rescued from Battersea.

Separation anxiety, nervous aggression with other dogs – and distinct nervousness with strangers – Peter addressed them all. And he did it in a positive way which exuded a confidence that was transmitted to both my wife Jill and I. His after-session availability was also superb and he is heartily recommended.

Bill Bradshaw

We have two rescue dogs (aged 7) that had not been socialised as puppies. We had numerous problems with one of them, including constant barking and pulling on the lead. We have been to training classes, read numerous books, all to no avail, so we arranged for Peter to visit us.

Well, we were amazed at the results immediately. The problem dog always saw himself as leader and after Peter had shown us what to do, the dog's behaviour changed immediately.

We feel more relaxed around our dog and it is obvious the dog is more relaxed around us.

We need to have patience and continue putting into place the methods that Peter has taught us. It has been a whole new learning curve for us as well as the dogs and not only did we thoroughly enjoy being taught, we thought the cost was worth every penny and can only give Peter the highest recommendation - Cesar watch out!"

Jean & Paul Tregoing

Hi Peter

Thank you for your email of 5th May with attached report on training "Alfie", our Yorkshire Terrier. We were very happy with your service. You arrived at our house exactly the time we agreed ie., 10am.

Your training regime was arranged into 10 different headings which you took us though patiently, including walking Alfie up and down our road.

You did not restrict your visit to a specific time, in fact you spent over three hours with us, you followed up your visit with a detailed report which confirmed all what you said to us on your visit. You also told us that we had a lifetime support, meaning we can contact you at anytime in the future about things we were not sure about. Very impressed with your service Peter and would not hesitate to recommend you to other people.

Best Wishes John.

Hello Peter

Alfie has made rapid progress in respect of obedience since your visit. Following the correction technique, he now gives Billy (our other Yorkie) his own space, I can give Billy his eye treatment without fear of Alfie jumping or trying to push him aside, with meals he waits for food to be put down and follows Billy. He sits before seeking agreement for us to play with him or seek affection. With separation anxiety he is now calm when we need to leave him ( no Barking). Walks are much better, he has only barked once at a passerby and has come to heel when other dogs appear and waits to be introduced. Recall we are still working on. With the knowledge we gained from you visit, and having your full report on Alfie at hand we look forward to the future and can't wait to take Alfie to Scotland.

I cannot thank you enough.

All the very best
Margaret

Hi Peter,

Apologies for the delay in sending an update re. Bingo, but I have been waiting to let you have something tangible. I did not see much of anyone here shortly after you left, so did not have a realistic response to the advice you gave on your last visit.
Recently I have seen quite a lot of my neighbours from next door in the garden and Bingo has not barked, lunged or appeared aggressive in any way towards them. I also saw Mark and his wife Angie, who were a particular problem you may remember, and Bingo was very well behaved from a few feet away and made no attempt to show aggression there either. It has helped that they do not talk directly to or fuss the dog and I have taken your advice and upped my game re. the confidence and walk tall and proud now !!!!!

Also, today I was returning from a walk across the fields and met a chap, Phil and his dog Sadie ( a Springer Spaniel) from up the lane, who I see on and off on my travels. In the past, Bingo has been wary and unpredictable, but he greeted the other dog very respectfully and even nuzzled up to Phil and let him stroke him! RESULT.................................... or should I say BINGO ????????

Thanks so much for your help Peter and please let Bill and me know if you and Jean are home later in the year for a dog walk!

Best regards,
Jill Bradshaw and Bingo.

Hi Peter

Thank you so very much for your advice for both Misty and myself. I know who needed the most! It was one of the most happiest times I have had recently to see her running off lead, she was loving it.

All the things I was nervous about including aggression towards other dogs or humans, just didn’t happen. Misty was just one happy dog thoroughly enjoying herself and it made me realise just what she had been missing.

It was good to meet you and I was amazed at the time your spent with us, it must have been around three and a half hours.

You are a lucky man doing something you love so much but not as lucky as the grateful owners and dogs you help. THANK YOU.

Kit

Dear Peter,

Thank you so much for the emails with the report etc. We are doing everything you suggested and am amazed at how calm she has been. I took her out for a walk on thursday evening and for the first time in ages she walked for about 50 mins with only a couple of short toilet stops, you could tell that she was really enjoying it. Last night I took her a different way, on the busy main road at the back which she hates, so there were a couple of times that she just stopped but I was patient and just pulled her lead a couple of times and we continued. I know she doesn't like that walk because of the traffic so I probably won't do it too many times but I do want her to go where I want to and not where she wants!

Someone dared to ring the bell yesterday and she did her usual barking but it stopped much sooner when I blocked her calmly and waited for her to calm down. The only person she still does get excited around is Nati, poor Nati only has to walk in the room and Mia starts to jump a bit but Nati is trying to give off calm vibes!! I also groomed her this morning and afterwards she got excited because I always give her a treat after I have groomed her but I just ignored her and then when she had calmed down I called her and gave a treat. So I will keep you informed but I just wanted you to know that we really appreciated your advice and would recommend you to anyone.

It was lovely meeting you, thank you again for everything,

Take care,

Julie, Nati, Carlos, Vicky and Mia!

Hi Peter,

Many thanks for your comprehensive Report on our recent discussions on our dog Evie. We were very impressed with your Consultation that provided an insight to the need for training us as Owners in addressing the needs of our dogs behaviour.
We have already introduced many of your suggestions with encouraging and beneficial results.

Many thanks and we will no doubt keep in touch regarding progress.

John Scott

Peter

It was lovely to meet you and thank you again for your help with Lola.

We received your report and have all read through it.

We continue to have great success with Lola using the techniques you outlined to us - and of course, that means we are more relaxed and confident in dealing with her...hopefully we are now in the virtuous cycle! The one area we need to focus on now is the recall!

More than happy with the service you provided - prompt response to my request, excellent understanding of our situation and our particular dog, practical and easy to understand techniques, and generally great all round advice.
We are looking forward to our next house guests in a few weeks time so we can fully test our new methods!
Thanks so much again

We will be back in touch - but for short term homing for Lola, rather than to help with behaviour!

Regards
Jackie Bowie

Thank you very much for the help you gave us. Honey and I are much calmer and she is a joy to walk on the lead now. We managed to walk straight past a cat, she looked at it, looked at me and carried on. I have bought a meditation tape and try to listen twice a day.The report you sent was great as I would not have remembered everything.

The hardest thing is not to make a big fuss of her in the morning when I go downstairs and not to play with her on her say-so.

We have bought her a new slip lead and a back pack. We are out for an hour in the morning.
She was calmer when we went to Coney Hall today,

Thanks again for all your help and support,

Lynne, Phil & Karen and of course HONEY

Hi Peter,

A HUGE thank you for yesterday - I am looking forward to continuing the walking with all three of my dogs, and developing my bond with them. I know Mason can do this and cant wait till his true personality comes out and he can relax on a walk - but baby steps for now.

Thank you again

Pat

Hi Peter

Thank you very much for the report. I am pleased to say that Zoe has improved a lot since your visit and I'm getting a good nights sleep now. I did the hand movement and the noise on the Saturday night. She barked at me and I thought this isn't going to work. I tried it again changing the noise as the first time I had used the shush noise then realised that's what I used to use to get rid of the wild cats that were after my cats food. I then used the click noise but she still barked at me so I stopped. Then she went and laid down and slept the rest of the night. She still wakes me during the night but she needs to go outside. After a little while she comes back in and lays straight down and sleeps. We had some fireworks going off the last 2 nights but they didn't bother her that much. She usually freaks out but she seemed to listen and then laid down again. She has improved on the lead but I'll keep at her until it becomes automatic.

We are both pleased with her improvement and thank you for your help. Will contact you again to let you know how she is getting on.

Regards
Pat and Chas Munday

Hi Peter

Hope you and your dogs are okay and thanks again for all your help. Honey is now a PLEASURE to walk and I am so much calmer with her.

Hope to hear from you soon

Lynne Phil and Honey

Amazing! UK's own Cesar Millan.

RAE MARTIN

We have just finished an afternoon’s training in our home with Peter. It was a fascinating, fun, interesting and insightful lesson into the way a dog’s mind works and why our dog behaves in the way she does. We covered in detail what we can do to help our dog achieve a happy, calm and fulfilling life, and to solve the issues she has.

I have been having problems with my Jack Russell for a couple of years. She has issues with trying to be the dominant one in my household and my Mum’s household. My dog has picked a fight with my Mum’s dog three times; making it virtually impossible for me to visit my Mum without me worrying a fight might break out.

Peter took the time to find out how I interact with my dog, what sort of leadership I am actually showing her (compared to the leadership I ‘thought’ I was giving her) and what sort of signals I am actually giving out to my dog.

He brought his adorable dog Billy to help work on techniques with me and my dog so we had practice while Peter was with us.

We covered so many interesting things, including leadership, toys, treats, behaving in a calm way, walks, one-to-ones, correction techniques, de-humanising my dog, bonding with my dog, feeding, relaxation, separation anxiety, affection and so much more. The whole afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable and Peter injected just the right amount of humour into the lesson.

I cannot tell you how much more confident I now feel with solving my dog’s problems. Peter has given me the tools I need mentally and physically to solve the problems and he has also given me a 5-page report on everything that was covered in the afternoon so that I have a dossier to refer back to.

I can highly recommend Peter, and I am so glad I decided to make the call to sort out my dog.

Paula Preedy

Hi Peter

Sounds like you've got my review at last. Please believe me, the pleasure was all mine. I am so grateful for the knowledge you brought to us. I have been telling everyone how wonderful you are!
One of my clients has just got a job at Battersea Dogs Home and she and her friend David know you. David does lots of work for Passive Pressure I think. Our dog Minder Jo also knows you. Plus the whole of Sydenham will soon know you because my clients have a way of spreading the word!

I'm sure I'll have a few questions soon re jody's training, so I'll keep in touch.

I do hope Billy is a bit better. He is an amazing dog.

Talk soon, all the best,
Paula

Hi Peter

Thanks for the gorgeous photos of Billy and Mr Gizmo! Gosh, they look inseparable! Really lovely. I'm so glad Billy is well.

Thanks for the tips on how to keep Jody in her bed. She is actually going in there much more now anyway, (now it's not choc-full of toys) but I just wanted to know if you had any extra tips. So thanks for that. I will do what you suggest. She really is so much better all round. It's amazing really. She is starting to wait now, to let me through doors first, she doesn't beg for food hardly now, and lots of other little things are much better. Oh - and I have been seeking out yoga and meditation classes in the area! (For me, not her!) There's one I quite fancy called The Yoga Den and another one called School of Yoga that combines both yoga, meditation and visualisation, and I plan to start next week. Yay! The new calm me is emerging!!

Well, I shall be off to my parents in a couple of weeks, to test out all Jody's new good behaviour, so I'll let you know how it all goes!

Thanks for everything Peter, all the best to you and the gang,

Kind regards,
Paula

Hi Peter

So here is our next update nearly a month after your visit:

Everything is good apart from barking very loudly at guests, they do bark at other dogs but seem to calm down after about 30 seconds. Tinkerbell has become a dream and walking them is now a pleasure.
I tell anyone who'll listen how marvelous you are, we can't thank you enough :)

Love Rae & Phil

Peter

Thank you so much for this and for your time yesterday.

I don't know about you, but I was wrecked yesterday evening emotionally and physically! All good though. I was going through things from the day in my head ( thinking !) and it finally sank in what I had achieved. It was huge really. I am so very proud of me and the girls - the team. I ran through all the areas in brief with Alex and later with Regan and both took on board what I had to say. I will now read through the report with them to ensure we have a consistent approach. I had a long bath listening to Vivaldi's four seasons and I was so chilled afterwards - no tummy knot- it was great. I look forward to reading the books and getting more in tune with the here and now.

Thank you for your time, giving me the guidance in using the tools I have and the confidence to continue on my journey. I am getting ready for our first daily walk. I am very excited, but trying to convert that to calm so that I can pass that down the lines to the girls.
I will keep in touch with you to tell you of our positive progress.

Happy happy

Fiona and family!!!

OMG (in massive massive letters!!). Team Girls ROCK!! We did it. We went for our 1st walk of the day and it was a repeat of yesterday, calm exit, clam walking. We past a few nervous historic (cat houses) points and I must be honest I did let it get to me. I got to the top of the road and wanted to run home and cry. Belle thought or smelt squirrels/cat and I thought crap. I was shaking like a leaf and all sorts of negative disasters ran through my head. Thankfully I had been on this website before my walk www.stopbeingserious.com. I just sat on a wall and "spaz'd" out. It worked all the shakes went, my mind was clear and I became calm and on we went. I made the girls just wait a couple of times on the pavement and corrected any behaviour I didn't want. We walked up towards the park but I went a different route than usual which made the cogs turn in the girls head. We went down what from now on will be called squirrel alley! (I didn't know this would be the case which is probably a good thing). We met a squirrel about 10 foot away. Belle clocked it 1 sec before me. She did her usual attempt to dash and it was then I realised I had the same if not more control over her with the slip rope vs the gentle leader. This was instant relief and instant calm. This went straight down the line to Belle. She sat down still a bit keen to dash, but she gave it up. We then carried on past the squirrel (I'm guessing was in the tree or even long gone, I didn't bother looking). I broke the rules slightly by letting them free run (off lead) in the park but I thought they deserved it and more importantly I needed to replenish my bank of calm. We had a shortened walk around the park and then back down squirrel alley. Just near the main road we met our 2nd squirrel. Again Belle saw it 1st. I was like, "a squirrel so what", gave a correction and within 2 seconds Belle was back in walk mode. We had a very pleasant -smiley, yes I had a big smile on my face imagine that!! The girls made a calm entrance back into the house at gate and door. After leaving them to water and chill I shared my news with the boys. Regan started smiling as he was so happy to see me in great form and proud of our achievement. I got the boys to look at one of the clips on that website ( they are pretty dumb, but funny) the catch phrase of the morning is now " spaz out man" followed by crazy noises and movement. I am still living the high from the walk which ended over an hour ago!! My energy has increased 10 fold, its fantastic, can't wait for walk number 2 and for the rest of our lives.

The girls have been calm since they got up this morning not play fighting or anything just calm.

I just wanted to share with you the joy you have brought to this home, it is freedom and peace. I now need to work on team Montague (bringing the boys into the all girls team) but that will come in time. Alex has been great today doing all the right things at the right time. Oh this is just so wonderful. Sorry to blab on but I know you'll understand where I'm coming from. Thank you again. I will keep you posted going forward.

Take care and keep bringing peace and freedom to all those who come into contact with you, it's priceless.

Fiona and family xx

Oh I am smiling. I just mentioned to Regan that since speaking to you a week ago I have been working at being calm and in the moment and that since doing that my TMJ (jaw thing) has eased off big time and that I am so glad I didn't take the anti depressants. Regan had noticed a change in me but had assumed that I was taking the pills and that as they take a month to kick in, they must now be working. Imagine that he has noticed a change. I am soooooo happy I'm crying with joy and pride.

Dry those eyes and smile with me

Fiona and family xx