Robin Glover - PURE Dog Listener » Consultations

A PURE New Beginning

Robin Glover — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:47:00 +0000

As you may have read on previous blogs my new puppy is called Phoenix, this is a very appropriate name with it’s connection with rebirth and rising from the ashes.

I have for some time now been working as an ‘Associate Highly Recommended Dog Listener’ under the umbrella of the Jan Fennell Dog Listeners organisation. it has been a very fruitful collaboration but for sometime now I have felt that it was perhaps time to move to a smaller operation where I would know everyone involved both as a person and also their capabilities as a Dog Listener. The focus could be put back where it should be. On dogs and their owners.

I talked with a friend and colleague of mine (and a superb dog listener) Caroline Spencer and she felt the same way. We decided to set up a new association. What to call ourselves? We kicked a few ideas about and as a starter came up with ‘Caroline and Robin Animal Psychology’ but that would give the acronym ‘CRAP’. As Phoenix had arrived at such an opportune moment we thought we might use him as the face of the new company. How about Phoenix Independent Dog Listeners? But that gave us ‘PIDL’ not a very appealing acronym although certainly better than our first thoughts.

After a lot more thought we realised that the reason for this new venture was to keep what we do pure. Going to peoples homes and helping them and their dogs in their own safe place where we could really make a difference and bring their dogs to a happy and peaceful resolution. That was it. PURE Dog Listeners. We are at the moment working flat out doing the admin and we are still mending dogs. Nothing else has changed except that we are now a much tighter unit able to support one another at all times. It’s going to be an exciting time I feel revitalised.

Literary Aspirations

Robin Glover — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:14:00 +0000

They say that everyone has one good book in them, I’m not sure that’s true but I’ve an ego as big as the next person and so have been writing mine. it’s a long way from complete as I keep getting diverted. There are always dogs and their owners to be helped and of course my own family to be considered so I write as and when I can, which is not very often.

Nobody is going to be interested in my early life which featured a happy but largely uneventful childhood. It becomes more of a story when I joined The Metropolitan Police in 1967 and patrolled Soho and Mayfair until moving to The Special Patrol Group at Scotland Yard in 1969. In 1975 I transferred to Hampshire Constabulary where after a short posting on the Isle of Wight I was posted to the Dog Section where I stayed until 2002 when I retired. I then took on my current role of Dog Listener.

My first decision has to be whether to write one huge book the size of war and peace or break it into two or three segments. I think I’ll opt for a book about my Dog Section and Dog Listening experiences because they run seamlessly into one another and at times ran parallel. If I get anywhere with publishers then I could follow up with a tome about my London experiences and believe me, they were experiences.

In the meantime I have an interest in a couple of books by other people. One written by an American colleague Kim Kapes and titled ‘From Wags to Riches‘ which features a little story that I told her about one of my dogs. Kim uses the story to illustrate a point. She also freely acknowledges the contributions made by myself and others to the book. I therefore have no hesitation in saying “Buy This Book”.

The second publication is a different matter. Some time ago myself and a colleague, Caroline Spencer www.yourdoglistener.com assisted an owner with some seriously traumatised dogs. We worked long and hard, travelled hundreds of miles all at our own expense and much of the time in the face of indifference and “I know best” from the owner. In the end we reached a happy resolution due almost entirely to the work put in by Caroline. I then heard that the owner had written a book about the dogs and his experiences. I was interested to see what he had to say about the turn around we’d achieved in the animals. I was sent a copy of the book by someone who knew the work we’d put in. I checked the index, nothing. I flicked through the pages hoping to catch a glimpse of Caroline’s or my name, nothing. When all fails, read the book. After ploughing through 299 pages. There we were, or rather we weren’t. It was at the stage of the story where the writer realised that he had a huge problem on his hands. He knew that the dogs needed and I quote. “Someone with huge patience to train them. I doubted there was anyone around who fitted that bill. Well apart from me that was” So that was that. Caroline and I didn’t exist. We weren’t after star billing or even a name check but just a mention that he’d received some help and hopefully how well our method was in dealing with traumatised dogs would have been nice. This would have had a positive result in encouraging readers who had similar problems to know that help was available. It’s no big deal but I admit to feeling a little, no that’s wrong, feeling very used and exploited. It would however be a sign of petulance and petty mindedness not to tell you the title of the book….so I won’t.

Recent and Future Travels

Robin Glover — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:46:00 +0000

It’s a busy life being a Dog Listener hence the delay since my last posting. Already this year in the course of my job ‘mending dogs’, as well as my usual hunting ground of Southern England I have travelled to such diverse and exotic locations as Scunthorpe (twice) Northamptonshire, the Isle of Wight (twice). Still to come are France, Australia, Yorkshire and possibly America.

There have been a number of jobs on offer which it would be prohibitive in cost to the client for me to travel such a distance. In cases like these we have a network of Dog Listeners across the UK and indeed the world that we can refer the client to. In some cases clients are not concerned about the distance or cost they want a specific Dog Listener. It maybe because of their background, that they would feel more comfortable with a male (or female) dealing with their dog or they might just like the look of a particular Dog Listener. Whatever the reason I, and my colleagues will always do our best to keep the customer happy. Wherever you are we can almost certainly get someone to assist you and your best friend.

This year has already yielded a crop of super dogs and clients helped. I hope soon to update my website and get some of their stories and pictures on the testimonial page.

With a general election coming I really need to get my act together and start putting pressure on all political parties about electric shock collars, spiked collars and other brutal training methods. watch this space.

While on the subject of watching don’t miss BBC2 at 8p.m. on Sunday 15th March 2009. The start of a series on Yellowstone Park my spiritual home. the place where you will (if you know the right people) witness canines in their most beautiful and natural state. I’ll be recording it because I know that if I don’t, then at the most interesting part someone will phone me to tell me it’s on and ask if I’m watching. So everybody, yes I know it’s on and I won’t forget to watch.

Busy Times

Robin Glover — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:45:00 +0000

As the title says it’s been a very busy time on three fronts, dog listening, our new charity ‘Every Chance Rescue’ and domestically.

I am very busy at this time of year as people try to iron out problems with their dogs prior to Christmas. In the post Christmas period there are the dogs to be sorted out who have somehow upset their families over the holiday. There is also the puppy who has been bought as a present and is suffering shell shock who needs de-stressing. I’m also taking part in an ‘Enhancement Course’ in mid January. Along with dog listener colleagues I am always striving to improve both my knowledge and the service given to clients and their dogs.

Every Chance Rescue is due it’s official launch any day now. Watch this space for website details. On Friday I travelled to Scunthorpe for the first full meeting of the Every Chance team. It was a very productive meeting with a huge range of issues discussed. As with any such venture the main problem is going to be money. There is less of it about and more calls on it than ever before but if we don’t succeed then dogs will die because the dogs we are dealing with are the ones that have been let down big time by humans. Normal rescue centres can’t or won’t take them so it’s down to us. we mustn’t let them down. They’ve already been down that road.

On the domestic front it’s been a manic year with highs and lows. The high has to be the wedding of my son Richard to Kathryn in September and my trip to Montana to see the wolves in February. The lows have been varied and include my sister having her leg amputated just before the wedding. Due to the wonderful support and resources given to the NHS by the government she is being discharged to her home on Monday. She wants to go home but not in the condition she is in. Her wound has not healed and still bleeds heavily, she developed MRSA in hospital and is being discharged without the condition being resolved. She lives alone with an upstairs bathroom and no means of reaching it. The occupational therapist in the case has been superb and tried to arrange a number of things to improve the situation. However as my sister has worked all her life and contributed in taxes she now becomes a very low priority. She was stupid enough to buy her own house but has no savings to speak of and so will be left to fend for herself. I’m her next of kin but live some distance away and certainly couldn’t visit everyday. I have, in between hospital visits been making what alterations that I can to her house to make it more user friendly. Still I can relax in the knowledge that the money being saved in not treating my sister can be used in treating Waynes drug habit, Tylers ADHD or in giving AIDS medication running to thousands of pounds a month to someone who shouldn’t even be in the country and certainly has no intention of contributing anything. Bitter, moi?

The Simpsons is a very clever programme full of great observational humour. In one episode about income tax, Ned Flanders is asked by his sons, Rod and Todd why he has to pay tax. He replied “It’s to pay for the schools, the libraries, roads and hey, for those people who just don’t want to work. God bless them.”

I’m Both Interesting and Unusual

Robin Glover — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:01:00 +0000

No real surprise there then. But it’s true, my occupation although not specifically named Dog Listeners but people who deal with dog behaviour problems; was listed as one of the ten most interesting or unusual jobs.

My occupation came in at number four. Just below embalmers but above kosher certification consultants and vibration consultants. I’ve no idea what the latter do…….or do I? I would imagine that they get a buzz out of their job.

Also on the list are court jesters, feng shui consultants and Ravenmaster at the Tower of London.

So when considering a career it doesn’t have to be banking, sales or a service industry. You could get out there and rattle those ravens.

Every Chance Rescue

Robin Glover — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:44:00 +0000

I am pleased to announce the founding of Every Chance Rescue. Not another charity you might say and you’d be right. Every Chance aims to do what it says in it’s title, give every dog, every chance.

Countless dogs are needlessly put down because events out of their control have led them to bite or even just show verbal aggression. Many of these deaths could be prevented and in an effort to make this happen Every Chance was founded.

You will be hearing a lot more about this venture but in the meantime have a look at our ‘Mission Statement’

Every Chance Rescue

Mission Statement

Every Chance Rescue, a non-profit making organisation was formed in October 2008 to bridge the gap that traditional rescue organisations cannot fill.

The organisation is run entirely by Jan Fennell qualified and monitored Dog Listeners and sits alongside Jan Fennell International Dog Listeners Ltd.

Using international best selling author, Jan Fennell’s method of Amichien® Bonding, Every Chance Rescue work with dogs that other organisations find impossible to re home and is dedicated to the rehabilitation and re homing of such dogs.

Every dog that comes into care is given appropriate veterinary treatment and is re homed fully vaccinated, neutered and micro chipped.

We work diligently to save dogs from mistreatment and unnecessary death, provide them with a safe, secure environment and foster homes where they receive the highest quality of care and treatment. Ultimately we place them with owners that are fully supported by Dog Listeners to provide Amichien Bonding® in a safe and loving home.

A Stressful Time For Dogs

Robin Glover — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:23:00 +0000

We are now approaching the time of year that puts dogs (and other family pets) under more stress that at any other. Halloween, Bonfire night and then the run up to Christmas.

For Bonfire night and the period of firework displays around it. You will hopefully already have a system in place to keep your dog safe and as relaxed as possible while all the noise is going on. If not, perhaps you’d better arrange a consultation with a dog listener before next year. Of course that is not going to help your dog now. If your dog is not concerned with the noise then that’s fine, just carry on as normal. If your dog sees you unconcerned he’ll be relaxed. Under no circumstances comfort your dog. you will give him the signal that you are terrified too and he is right to be frightened. If he does show signs of fright or stress just take him by the collar and hold him at your side with no speech or eye contact. He will at first continue to shake or bark. Ignore it until he relaxes. How long will this take? Who knows? Every dog is different but relax he will. You can then silently release him. It may be that shortly after there is another loud bang and your dog gets stressed again. Repeat as above. Each time you hold him by your side the time it takes for him to relax will decrease.

The upside of this, probably as a result of the credit crunch, is that here we are in late October and I’ve yet to hear my first firework. It won’t last of course so stay calm.

Halloween, that wondrous time of the year when gangs of small, and not so small children travel from house to house demanding protection money. “OK old woman! What’s it going to be, the sweets or your front window?”

The temptation is to go to the door with your dog. Bad move and potentially very dangerous for the dog. He doesn’t know it’s Halloween and when he goes to the door with you and is confronted by loud, squealing, strangely dressed creatures, he may well fall back into defence drive. All your dog, any dog knows, is how to be a dog. When a dog is threatened, angry, frightened or just hacked off; they don’t call their lawyers they bite. It’s called survival.

If your dog bites, or even has a near miss with a child on your doorstep, even if the callers are at fault. You will be looking at a lot of grief and potential fatal consequences for your dog who after all only did what he thought was right.

When you answer the door at anytime, but particularly at times like this. It’s a good idea to put your dog in another room first. After all it’s not your dogs job to decide who can or can’t come into the house is it? Play safe and nothing can go wrong for you, your visitors or your best friend.

Which only leaves Christmas, another stressful time. So much to do, so little time and it’s started already. Money is in short supply, tempers get frayed. By the time the big day arrives in some homes it’s a war zone. Rowing parents, unwanted relatives, spoilt children and burnt turkey. it can be bad for the humans and we know what’s going on. The poor old dog just wants to be left alone. Give him a bit of peace if you can, somewhere he can just go and chill out.

Three Silly News Stories

Robin Glover — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:08:00 +0000

It must be ‘Silly Season’ looking at the press this week. We of course had the one serious story covered in a separate blog about Shock Collars in Wales.

Silly story number one was the introduction of a new non emergency phone number by Dundee Police to take pressure off of the 999 system which was being overloaded by trivial enquiries.

It was decided that a bright eye catching poster was needed to draw the public’s attention to the change. After much discussion it was decided to use a picture of an eight week old German Shepherd puppy, a potential Police Dog. Sitting in his handler’s upturned cap doing what pups do best, looking cute. Next to the picture were details of the new phone number. A simple idea, people see the cute picture, look at the poster and get the information.

No problem? Wrong, of course there is a problem. What if it upsets one of the few Muslims who live in the force area? They think dogs are unclean so everyone in the Police Service must make a grovelling public apology for the ‘insensitivity’ of the Police and of course withdraw the poster. Has anyone complained? One local politician out to make a name for himself. I know that there are people of all persuasions who trawl the media looking for some way, anyway, to be outraged or offended but come on, hasn’t some senior Police Officer or Government member got the guts to stand up and point out to the troublemakers that it’s a picture of a small dog advertising a phone number? That’s all it is, furthermore, the number is to help ‘the community’ a word beloved of these easily offended people who are usually self styled ‘Community Leaders’. In many cases of course the last thing these ‘leaders’ want is a happy and contented community because then their power base would be gone and they would have to revert to their true selves, sad inadequates with a strong dose of bitterness.

It is also of interest that it is now not uncommon to see Muslims with dogs, if only to guard their premises and that a number of Muslim clerics have stated that, even those who do consider dogs unclean make an exception in the case of hunting and ‘Service’ dogs because they are assisting mankind. A storm in a teacup, or should I say a Police Cap?

Silly story two. Once again political correctness interferes for no reason, and of course, doesn’t ask the people who have to do the job. This time it’s worry in case a explosive detection dog had to search a Muslim household and as a result offended the occupants. As previously mentioned the dog would be a service dog and therefore if not OK at least acceptable. The only thing that would be offensive would be dog saliva. So what have the brains come up with to prevent potential terror suspects being made ‘unclean’ by saliva? Yes you’re right, got it in one. Fit them with little lace up bootees, that’ll solve it???

I have a suspicion that anyone having their property searched with a terrorist connection is probably going to be less than pleased anyway and the arrival of a dog is going to be the least of their worries, unless of course the dog finds ‘the hide’. Once again people who don’t live in the real world are just looking for conflict. they are following their own agenda.

We did try boots on police dogs back in the 80s when inner city riots were sweeping the UK but found that the dogs were a little less than impressed with their new kit. Some ripped them straight off, others refused to move and those that did tended to stagger as if drunk before picking one of the other options to deal with them.

Silly story three, the top three breeds in a list of the most aggressive dogs are, 1) Dachshund. 2) Chihuahua 3) Jack Russell. We Dog listeners have a saying that to blame a dogs behaviour solely on its breed is like saying all Frenchmen wear berets. Of course breeds have certain pre-dispositions that we’ve bred into them but almost without fail their behaviour is down to the way that they interact with their owners and the signals they get from them. Owners of bigger dogs are probably more aware of the potential of trouble if their dogs bite. Many owners of smaller breeds either don’t believe that their dog would bite anyone or if they do don’t think it either hurts or matters. Owners like this often get a rude awakening when they injured party turns up at the Police Station demanding action.

Don’t worry what breed or mix of breeds you’ve got, big or small. If you give them the right information so they can rely on you (that doesn’t mean nagging them with sit, down and stay ad nauseum), they will be happy and safe dogs. the best way to achieve this is by contacting me or one of my colleagues and arranging a consultation. You can find a list of qualified Dog Listeners by visiting Jan Fennell’s website www. janfennellthedoglistener.com

To read the full ‘Ankle Biter’ story click on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2254479/Sausage-dogs-are-the-most-aggressive-dogs.html

New Year New Status

Robin Glover — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:08:00 +0000

Well here we are in 2008 and my trip to Montana to visit the wolves is getting ever closer. I have a very busy year ahead with many engagements already booked. I am, for once, so organised that I didn’t think anything could surprise me. I was wrong.

I was until recently a ‘Recommended Associate Dog Listener’ which was the highest achievable ranking in the world of Dog Listeners. It’s a hard earned title starting with attending a foundation course run by Jan Fennell ‘The Dog Listener’. Selected people who successfully complete that course are invited to attend the advanced course. All the participants are selected personally by Jan as having that ‘certain something.’ Once the course is completed it’s a long road fulfilling a number of criteria involving consultations, evaluations, canine welfare work moving fom ‘Non Active’ to ‘Preliminary Dog Listener’ to the highly coveted ‘Recommended Associate Dog Listener’ . When I got there I thought I had it made.

Imagine my astonishment (and a little bit of pride) when Jan announced that she was introducing a new enhanced status for a small number of ‘Recommended Associates’ who would be known as ‘Highly Recommended Dog Listeners’ And that I was one of them. For once my name was on the list and I was getting in;-)

I’m not after fame and fortune, just recognition and money.

Christmas is Coming

Robin Glover — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:58:00 +0000

Now that the annual two month period that makes up ‘Bonfire Night’ is nearly over we are well into the the run up to Christmas.

Both these periods are very busy ones for me and my fellow Dog Listeners. The phone rings off the hook.

Problems with dogs and fireworks fall into two categories, either the dog is traumatised and afraid or they go into ‘Defence Drive’ and want to face the threat and fight it off. Both of these reactions are incredibly stressful to both dog and owners.

What can ‘Dog Listeners’ do to reduce the effect of the firework season? A huge amount, but it makes it so much easier if you put the measures in place before all the noise starts, rather than wait until your best friend is suffering a nervous reaction. Then, next time the rockets come out your dogs reaction will be, “Am I bovvered?”

The same thing applies at Christmas. You have a house full of people many of whom you haven’t seen since last year. There are excited children and noisy toys. Family arguments, loads of food and even more drink.

Dogs generally don’t celebrate Christmas. All they know is that the pack dynamic has changed. They ask questions “Who are all these people in my den? Why are they so noisy? Why do they all think they can sing? Why do they give one another packets of socks?” And, most important of all “Why, when they leave nuts, sausage rolls and Christmas cake laying about where I can reach it do they then get upset when I throw up in Great Aunt Mary’s handbag? How was I to know that a silly little thing like that would cause her to change her will?”

If you think Christmas is stressful for humans just try being a dog. At least you can get drunk or go to the bathroom with a book to have some ‘time out’. The dog is trapped and at the mercy of a pack of humans who, are all of course, dog experts. They’ll all shout contradictory commands at the dog and think it thick when it does not respond.

So, if you have a dog and expect a hectic household at Christmas I strongly recommend that you prepare in plenty of time. If you think that it might get too much for your dog contact a ‘Qualified’ Dog Listener, preferably me if you live in Southern England, before the problem arises. If you live out of my area I can still assist you by putting you in touch with your nearest ‘Qualified’ Dog Listener. I know that I keep stressing the word qualified but it is for a reason. There are a number of people who give themselves the title when they have no connection with Amichien Bonding at all. I know of one person who uses the title and advocates (and sells) electric shock collars and other cruel and stress inducing equipment. If you’re not sure if someone is genuine go to Jan Fennell’s website and there you will find all fully trained Dog Listeners both in the UK and around the world listed. They are either ‘Recommended Associate Dog Listeners’ like myself, or, ‘Preliminary Dog Listeners’ who are working their way to full accreditation. If they’re not on either list then they’re bogus. If you decide against employing a Dog Listener then at the very least buy a copy of ‘The Dog Listener’ and read it. Do it now so that you can take action early.

Whatever else you do PLEASE DO NOT buy a dog as a present. It will only end in tears. the pup will be removed from it’s Mother and siblings and placed into what will seem like a madhouse to them. They will get under peoples feet, they will not have time to work out where they fit into this new pack, you will not have time to start with house training which in turn inevitably will mean ‘accidents’. The list of problems is endless. If you are being nagged to buy a puppy then wait until spring when people are more relaxed and you can have the outside doors open more often to help with house training. But what can you give at Christmas in place of a puppy? You can give a vitual puppy, a picture of a dog that the recipient can change for a real animal in the Spring. you could also give leads, collars, food and waterbowls as well as a copy of ‘The Seven Ages of Your Dog’ by Jan Fennell which is a brilliant book and covers from birth to death and everything in between.

A couple of bits of advice, if you’re going to book a ‘Dog Listener’ don’t hang about, we tend to get very busy around this time of year when people remember what happened last year. We also have a rush of bookings straight after the festive season with clients wanting to avoid a repetition of the latest ‘stressfest’. If you want to buy any of the books mentioned the simplest way is to go to the links page of my website.

If you give a dog, you’re not giving a present you’re giving a life. Can the recipient deal with that?