A FORMER cabaret singer is helping dog owners fix their screwy pets' behaviour with some simple psychology and advice learnt from the controversial king of canine behaviourists.
A home-made family video helped dog lover Glen Stanford earn a one-to-one with Cesar Millan, the internationally renowned Dog Whisperer.
This makes him the only person in the UK to have been taught by the famous Mexican dog psychologist, who has appeared in countless TV programmes but also courted controversy with some of his techniques.
Millan's methods have included the use of chokers with inward-pointing spikes that can cause a dog pain.
The 50-year-old of Knight's Way, Brentwood, is helping dogs let go of their deep-rooted hang-ups with lessons learnt from Millan, which he says he has tailored to suit his own outlook.
He explained: "Dogs are pretty two-dimensional creatures. If a dog is doing something disruptive then they need to be given something to do in its place. I'm not about out and out obedience, I'm about re-balance."
Glen's dog is a playful three-year-old terrier called Macey, who was found in a rescue centre in Thundersley.
Her insatiable love of a toy ball, which she never tires of chasing, would put a smile on those with the harshest of dog phobias.
Glen's journey started last year when he entered a home video of his family and Macey into a Dog Whisperer competition. Winning that, they were invited to appear on Cesar's new show, Leader of the Pack.
Glen was inspired by meeting his hero and since October has been emulating Cesar with his own business in Brentwood called The UK Dog Whisperer.
He said: "It was a wonderful experience, filming in Madrid and meeting the man himself.
"It was a dream come true for me as I had been an avid fan from the very first series of The Dog Whisperer."
But things went from wonderful to fantastic when Cesar invited Glen to join him at his Dog Psychology Centre in Los Angeles for his second five-day psychology course.
Glen said: "While in Madrid, I told him what I wanted to do, and Cesar said I seemed to have the right attitude and asked if I would like to come out to LA to learn more on his ranch.
"That was like, yes! I couldn't believe it, and to think these courses normally cost about £6,000 and for me he waived the fee."
"That was back in October," he said, "and now I am working as a dog trainer and psychologist here in Brentwood. I am planning my own five-day course in May, and hope to spread the philosophy that was taught to me.
"At this time, I am the only person from the UK who has been taught by Cesar Millan."
At the heart of dog whispering, Glen says, is "the art of communicating with the unbalanced state of mind".
"You need to approach the dog in a calm and balanced way yourself," he said. "You are not going to help the dog if you have got any instabilities and insecurities yourself."
Glen, who is currently rehabilitating an over-excitable German shepherd, added: "It doesn't matter if you hold a pork chop in front if its nose; it will not calm down or listen. You've just got to be patient."
Other hang-ups and bad habits that dogs are regularly brought to Glen with include aggression towards people or animals, fears or phobias, over-excitement, severe pulling on the lead and chasing.
He said: "Is the dog going to want to meet you halfway? Because that is important."
Glen concedes that many of Millan's methods have placed him in the firing line for many animal activists.
Last year TV viewers watched Alan Titchmarsh confront Millan for using aggressive techniques.
Glen said: "He is a controversial figure and many people do not like the way he trains dogs, but I have to say when I was with him he was very kind to dogs.
"One particular dog was particularly nervous and he just sat with him until the dog relaxed.
"But I do not use those techniques. The only physical command I use is touching the back of the dogs hips."
At which point he demonstrates with Macey, who stops playing with the ball and looks up in submissiveness, perhaps even reverence.
He said: "The most important thing is to stay calm, because getting frustrated with the dog will only make the situation worse, and you have to keep directions very clear so the dog knows where they stand."
He added: "It is worth remembering that, just like us humans, dogs are not born with all this baggage, but are a lot more willing to let it go.
"If I can help make a change, and you owners can maintain that help, the dog will finally be free to just be a dog."
For more information, visit www.theukdogwhisperer.com
