A celebrity dog trainer has revealed the ‘nightmare’ breeds he ‘rarely recommends’ to pet lovers after 25 years working as a canine behaviourist.
Nigel Reed, from Cornwall, has worked with thousands of dogs and their owners around the world, including celebrity magician Derren Brown.
Ahead of his debut tonight on a new TV show called Wagging Rights, which will see him coach five celebrity comedians as they train their pooches, Nigel told the Daily Mail that ‘a common mistake’ people make is choosing a breed based on its appearance.
Known as ‘The Dog Guardian,’ Nigel said breeds like the Belgian Malinois and the Dutch Shepherd are popular, but he is wary about recommending them to the average owner since they can be ‘demanding’.
‘In the right hands, both breeds can be absolutely brilliant,’ he explained. ‘In the wrong home, however, they can become a nightmare.
He cautioned against ‘falling in love with the appearance of a breed without really understanding the work involved to look after them’.
Both the breeds he warns against are ‘striking, athletic, frighteningly intelligent and capable of extraordinary work’ – the same qualities that also make them ‘intense, driven and quick to react’.
‘A lot of people see a Malinois or Dutch Shepherd online, watch one carrying out impressive obedience or protection work and think, “I want one of those,”‘ Nigel said. ‘What they do not always see is everything that goes on behind the scenes.’
Nigel Reed, from Cornwall, has worked with thousands of dogs and their owners around the world, including celebrity magician Derren Brown
Ahead of his debut tonight on a new show called Wagging Rights, Nigel told the Daily Mail that the ‘biggest mistake’ people make is choosing a breed based on its appearance
Nigel explained that these breeds need ‘far more than a couple of walks around the block’, adding: ‘They are best suited to an owner who understands dogs at a high level and can give them structure, mental stimulation, clear guidance and an appropriate outlet for their natural drive.
‘For the right person, they can be exceptional,’ the canine behaviourist, who has a Dutch Shepherd, added. ‘For the wrong person, they can become overwhelming very quickly.’
‘One of my own dogs is a Dutch Shepherd, so I know first-hand how switched on they can be. With me, she is extremely reliable, apart from the occasional cat catching her attention, but I still have to be very careful about who I leave her with.
‘She is incredibly quick to spot where somebody is less consistent than I am. If a dog sitter becomes lax about a boundary or lets something slide, she will notice it almost immediately and, more often than not, push it.’
Nigel, who is one of the expert judges on UKTV’s Wagging Rights, advised pet owners to seriously consider whether they can provide the kind of life their preferred breed needs for ‘the next 10 to 15 years’.
‘That matters far more than whether you like the look of them.’
Regardless of breed, incessant barking is one of the most common problems Nigel is asked about, but he explained it is usually a ‘symptom of something else’.
‘If your dog is barking at somebody walking past the house, another dog, a visitor, traffic or a sound outside, the important question is not simply: “How do I stop the barking?”’ he said.
Nigel, who is known as ‘The Dog Guardian’, alongside fellow behaviourist Kay Attwood on UKTV’s new show Wagging Rights
Instead, try to evaluate whether he or she is scared, anxious or frustrated while asking yourself, ‘Why does my dog feel the need to bark?’
Simply shouting at them to stop might interrupt the barking for a few seconds, but it does not necessarily change what is causing it, Nigel explained.
As an expert behaviourist, the Cornish trainer said barking usually comes down to a ‘dog’s confidence in three main areas’ – including trust in their owner and immediate surroundings.
‘First, are they confident in you?’ Nigel explained. ‘Do they believe you will deal with situations, or do they feel they need to take control themselves?
‘Second, are they confident in their environment? If a dog is worried by other dogs, strangers, noises, visitors or traffic, barking can become their way of trying to deal with that uncertainty.
‘Third, do they understand what you actually want them to do?’ he continued.
Nigel shared that while owners often spend a lot of time saying ‘no,’ ‘stop’ or ‘quiet’, they rarely ‘show’ the dog what to do instead.
For example, if your dog starts barking at something outside the window, rather than simply shouting at them to stop, show them that you are aware of the situation and will deal with it.
‘Reassure them with something simple such as, “It’s OK” or “I’ve got it,”‘ he advised.
‘If they still look worried, calmly go and investigate. Keep your demeanour relaxed. You are showing your dog that you have heard their alert, checked the situation and decided there is nothing to be concerned about.
‘If they continue barking despite your reassurance, calmly guide them away from the situation, using a lead if necessary, and repeat the process consistently.’
Nigel said the aim is for the dog to eventually learn that they can alert you and then stop because dealing with what happens next is your responsibility.
‘That is very different from simply trying to suppress the barking,’ he said. ‘The dog feels heard and understood, while also learning where their responsibility ends.’
Viewers of UKTV’s Wagging Rights will follow six celebrities, including Vicky Pattinson, Rhod Gilbert, Sara Pascoe, Harriet Kemsley and Kae Kurd, as they try and teach their pets new tricks every week – from ball sports to scent work.
The person with the most points on the leaderboard will take home the Top Dog rosette every week.
Wagging Rights premieres today at 8pm on U&Dave
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