Dangerous dog owners offered training by expert - Uxbridge Gazette

Jan 10 2011 By Dan Coombs

Dog trainers Graham Popham and Linzi Follett, with one of their charges

IN RECENT months the Gazette has reported on a series of dog attacks around Hayes, Hillingdon, West Drayton and Ruislip, with fellow dogs killed and owners taken to hospital.

With the debate raging whether it is the pets themselves or their owners who should be made responsible, DAN COOMBS met up with Graham Popham, a dog behaviour trainer, who has set up classes in response to the attacks...

FOR many it is their worst fear, taking their dog out for a walk only to see it attacked and destroyed in front of their eyes, by a more aggressive and vicious breed.

This was exactly what happened to two women walking in Court Park in Hillingdon in October, while in November in Eastcote a greyhound was killed by a Japanese Akita off its lead while in the street.

Graham Popham, of Iver Lane, Cowley, has over 27 years experience working with dogs and their owners, and is keen to pass on his knowledge to new owners.

"It is all about ignorance, and I want to put a dent in this. It is about teaching the owner to be responsible and to spend time with their dogs from an early age. I have seen dogs destroy families, and even cause break-ups. Each dog has a character, you have to find that and bring it out."

Graham's business, Acot Dog Training, has operated for the past few years offering just one to one classes. Since the spate of dog attacks he has been inspired to set up 'puppy socialisation' classes, beginning this January, allowing dedicated time for them to interact with other dogs and their owners in a safe environment at a young age.

The classes will be held at St Laurence Church Hall, in Church Road, Cowley, with the help of his dog training colleague Linzi Follett.

"Of late there have been real problems, one of our friends dogs was attacked and it was a really horrible thing to happen, the dogs and owner responsible just walked off and were never caught. People buy dogs for status. Wouldn't they rather train it and show off how well behaved it is?

"I would encourage people to call me and I will offer advice, I have learnt how to read dogs and it is not an easy art to learn. The first 24 weeks are very important in a dogs life, they are very much a blank canvas and you have a chance to mould them. But there is no short term fix, bonding and learning with your dog is a long term experience.

"Dogs are so much more hyperactive now, they get such good food, filled with nutrition, and so much protein, you rarely see a sick dog. Children also need to be taught how to act around dogs, if I was young and the dog bit me I'd get a clip round the ear because it would mean obviously I had done something wrong to upset it."

To tackle the issues of youths owning dogs for status, Graham says he would like to see opportunities set up with the police to teach them how to be responsible.

"If the police wanted me to, I would take on the challenge. I expect there are many other trainers who feel the same way."

Linzi Follett, a trainer who works with Graham, has a campaign website called 'Be Puppy Farm Aware' and is keen to push the message out that puppy farms are cruel in the way they rear the dogs, and do lasting damage, meaning they can find it difficult to settle into a normal home.

Graham said: "Whatever you do you must go to a reputable breeder, puppy farm dogs are allowed to run riot, and some of these do not lose the traits they pick up. They are often more aggressive and more nervous."

Graham's puppy socialisation classes begin on January 17. To find out more call 01895465368 or visit www.acotdogtraining.co.uk

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