Teens Go Through Dog Training
I really, really, really want to see this show! Please tell me one of the North American channels is picking it up!!!
Thanks to our friends over at K-9 Magazine for this article!
Unruly Teens Get TV Discipline From Homeless Dogs
Television series filmed at Dogs Trust Kenilworth Rehoming Centre to be broadcast 20-22 November, Channel 4
A three-part series will be broadcast on Channel 4 next week showing six unruly teenagers getting a slice of discipline through dog training at Dogs Trust Kenilworth.
The series was filmed at the charitys Kenilworth Rehoming Centre, where six unmotivated, underachieving, disaffected teenagers underwent a gruelling dog training programme under the professional guidance of Dogs Trusts training and behaviour expert Lynn Barber.
Based on the theory that training a dog is not only rewarding and beneficial for dogs, but can develop a sense of responsibility in people too, the series follows the kids through their journey as they grow in confidence and motivation. Each teenager was given a rescue dog to work with, and the final test of their progress took place at Crufts where they entered their dogs in the Good Citizen Award scheme, as well as taking on the mighty challenge of an agility and heelwork to music display.
The teenagers didnt just get to do the fun parts though they also had to muck in at the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre at Honiley, where they worked as Canine Carers every morning for five weeks. Duties included dog walking, feeding, and much to the horror of some of the teenagers, cleaning kennels.
Lynn Barber, Dogs Trust training and behaviour expert, says:
Taking on these teenagers was perhaps one of the hardest things Ive had to do. Training the most unruly dog in the world sometimes seemed like a piece of cake compared to trying to get these kids to be motivated! My priority was the dogs, so the teenagers had to understand that they were not necessarily the centre of the universe, but that they each had a real, live dog depending on them. The outcome was far from what I expected.”
The Underdogs will be broadcast on Channel 4 on 20, 21, and 22nd November 2006, at 9.30am.
