DON’T speak to Sian Dodd of Torquay about disruptive pet dogs — she’s been full circle with one in the past year.

Sian, who lives at Babbacombe, took in German Shepherd pup Klay nearly 18 months ago. and quickly found she was losing the battle for training and control.

“I thought I knew a bit about dogs from previous experience, but how wrong I was.

“Klay wouldn’t stop barking and I began to fear the dog warden from environmental health would be knocking on my door complaining my neighbours were being driven mad,” she said.

Worse still, a prosecution for an unruly dog could have followed, with the possibility of an order to put Klay down as the ultimate sting in the tail.

And it got worse. “He’d literally push me aside and run off down the road just to bark his head off.

Klay was on guard 24 hours a day and I didnt have a clue how to stop him.”

Indeed, only Sian’s pet cat China, seemed to have control of the situation.

“She would snarl and hiss at Klay and, if necessary, put a paw in his face. He seemed to respect her.”
 
Then two months ago and at her wit’s end Sian consulted her vet who suggested a course of therapy might do the trick for Klay.

“That’s when I was put in touch with Sandra Hughes, the Bark Buster company’s therapist in the Torquay area.
 
“As soon as Sandra arrived and started her course, Klay immediately responded, and we haven’t looked back since,” said Sian.

So just what was the therapy skill that Sandra displayed

“I spoke to the owner and suggested certain changes in the method of handling Klay and also changing his diet, and things started to improve,” said Sandra.

Sian says the Dodd household is now a much changed place. She is delighted with the results.
 
“Sandra has given me a lot of fresh confidence.
 
“I knew the training course would work, but the results were much better and quicker than I had hoped.”

So to every other dog owner experiencing behavioural problems with their pets. Sian would recommend a chat with Sandra Hughes of Bark Busters.