Dog whisperer has a gift fur working with dogs
IT was a bone-chilling 25 degrees below freezing and there was a real risk of being trapped in a notorious "white out" snow storm.
IT was a bone-chilling 25 degrees below freezing and there was a real risk of being trapped in a notorious "white out" snow storm.But when "dog whisperer" Susan Matcham heard the primal howl of a wild wolf pack and caught a glimpse of the elusive creatures, it was worth the wait.
The 52-year-old travelled to Yellowstone National Park in
Montana, America, for 10 days to study the behaviour of the majestic animals in the wild.
READ ET COMMENT: Shhh . . . Susan talks to dogs
As one of around 100 dog listeners in the country, she uses a "non-
confrontational" method to help change problem behaviour in man's best friends.
She was inspired after hearing a talk by pioneer Jan Fennell, who applied the same principle which "horse whisperer" Monty Roberts used on horses, to domestic dogs.
Her studies of canine behaviour in the wild helped further her work and it was with this in mind that Mrs Matcham, from Folksworth near Peterborough, joined Mrs Fennell and other dog
listeners on the trip to learn all about pack mentality.
She said: "Seeing the purity of their behaviour in five feet of snow and watching and learning all about the wolf packs from those who know best was a fascinating and amazing experience.
"I had never worked in temperatures of minus 25. But it was
stunningly beautiful, I have never seen such an expanse of snow.
"It was awesome. Hearing them howl was spine-tingling.
"We watched them through scopes and were lucky enough to spot the wolves every day.
"Some people stand in freezing temperatures just to catch a glimpse and don't see them."
Mrs Matcham used to work at a veterinary surgery in Orton Wistow, Peterborough, but after going along to a talk by Mrs Fennell, she felt inspired and left to start up her own business, called Canine Consulting.
Today, she sees up to four canine clients a week, who suffer from common problems such as anxiety and aggression.
She said: "We deal with canine communication.
"Jan Fennell started nine years ago by studying canines in their purest form – wolves.
"It's about learning from their behaviour in the wild and transferring it to domestic dogs.
"Their DNA is just four per cent away from wolves.
"We use a proven method of non-confrontation, without fear or
force.
"There are no gadgets, citronella sprays or electric collars.
"We work with what the dogs already knows and tune into their language.
"Some people have tried everything to fix their dog's behaviour and they tell me I'm their last hope."
n For more information, call Mrs Matcham on 01733 244313 or 07711 370071 or e-mail susan.matcham@btinternet.com
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Weather for Peterborough
Thursday 29 July 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 16 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
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