DOGGEDLY DETERMINED TO CREATE CANINE HARMONY A blissful state of canine and human harmony is the ultimate goal for dog trainer and psychologist Tina Meaney. For five hours a day, seven days a week, this determined 57-year-old from Carrington, Cheshire, devotes her time to helping dogs find a way to live in perfect harmony with their human companions. This enthusiastic volunteer is the co-founder of the Animal Behaviour Centre in Lymm, and firmly believes it is always possible for an old dog to learn new tricks! “Dogs should always fit in with a family and not the other way round,” explained Tina, whose work brings her into contact with misbehaving and misunderstood canines, and their owners, all over the North West. “One of the most satisfying parts of my job is working with families whose lives are in chaos with their pet and helping them turn the situation around so everyone is happy and enjoying the amazing benefits this special canine/ human relationship can bring.” Tina, ‘dog mum’ to bulldog Luna and English Springer Hetti, began training dogs 17 years ago after acquiring a hard to handle Belgian Shepherd. “She was a rescue pup that had issues with food and people and at my wit’s end, I turned to Altrincham Dog Training Society for help,”
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explained Tina. “I was soon told that my ‘kid gloves’ attitude to Amber was the problem and I needed to be firm and take control.” Tina believes that there’s no dog, and owner, who can’t improve with training and her subsequent experience has shown her that the training and attitude of the human is often more important than that of the dog. “Dogs don’t realise that they are being trained so ‘dog rule one’ is make sure classes are fun; and ‘human rule one’ is that persistence and patience will pay dividends,” says the lady who became so hooked on the pleasure she gained from working closely with her pet that she worked her way up from tea maker to trainer at the Society. Since that start Tina has completed courses in animal behaviour and psychology, training with the Kennel Club Accreited Instructor scheme and even first aid – human and canine, of course! On call to assist vets, the police and social services with difficult
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and sometimes dangerous situations this grandmother of 12 also acts as a private consultant to people whose dogs are acting strangely. “We’re often called in by members of the public whose dogs have been spooked by ‘ghosts’,” she said, “but there’s generally a simple explanation once we investigate. I’ve met dogs acting strangely because someone had changed the polish on a floor making it too slippy for their paws, being spooked by birds hopping across a conservatory roof and simply from the scent of a fox that had crossed a familiar path. “If there’s bereavement in the family the dog will pick up its owner’s emotions and may act differently, looking away or yawning for example,” added Tina, “dog emotions really do mirror those of their owner.” Which is perhaps why when Tina introduces Luna and Hetti at the end of the interview we’re greeted with enthusiastic wags and ‘smiles’.