Duo's doggy dialogue (St Albans Observer)

HEARD of the horse whisperer? Now meet a dog listener.

Jay Adams, of School Lane, Bricket Wood, has set up a new business to help dog owners understand their canine friends with special training methods that teach them to speak to their pets in their own language.

Jay, 34, and her friend Amanda Hardeman, 29, of College Road, Abbots Langley, have set up Wagtail Animal Care, to look after dogs, cats and small animals while their owners are at work or on holiday.
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They have been inspired by writer Jan Fennell, author of bestselling book The Dog Listener, who created her own dog training methods from her study of canine behaviour, where she adapted the "pack" relationship of wolves to reflect the leadership roles between a dog and its owner.

Without the need for gadgets or aggression towards their pets, Jan's methods allow humans to build better relationships with their dogs.

Jay is practising the training methods on her own dogs.

She said: "We've been talking about it a lot. I have two really difficult dogs and after I read Jan's book, I definitely agreed with it. I've worked with animals for more than 13 years and I've seen lots of training methods. This one definitely seems to work."

Amanda said: "Each dog is different but once you have established the leadership between human and dog, it becomes a lot easier."

The training principles are the same for all dogs, focusing on food, walks, the threat of danger and reuniting after separation.

For more information about Wagtail Animal Care, visit www.wagtailanimalcare.co.uk, email info@wagtail.co.uk or telephone 07780 608789.