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Crissie Chambers |
Official ‘mediator’ aims to bust ‘devil dog’ myths
Crissie’s canine socialisation classes counter scare stories
“DON'T worry, he’s very friendly”, is a refrain unlikely to calm your nerves when confronted by a broad-shouldered, tooth-bearing, pit bull terrier in your local park.
With innumerable tales of demented devil dogs and their feckless owners, lawlessly roaming around council estates and mauling helpless children, it seems there’s a lot of bite in the barking when it comes to so-called “dangerous dogs”.
One woman in Queen’s Park has got so fed up with the scare stories, she has started holding dog socialising classes to try and bring owners and the canine-fearing public together in a match made in doggy heaven.
Not only is Crissie Chambers bent on myth-busting, she is also about to be given the bizarrely named job-title of “dog mediator” by Westminster City Council to try to prevent neighbourhood spats escalating into eviction notices and abandoned pets. She says the response has been amazing.
“There’s so much misunderstanding about these kinds of dog, especially Staffies (Staffordshire bull terriers).
“The classes help people to get over any intimidation and recognise that most of their fear is based on perception. Often it’s prejudice against youths. We get people holding each others’ dogs and learning how to interact with each other,” said Crissie.
But the classes, which are funded by the council for the first time this week, are about more than just breeding familiarity. Crissie, who owns two rescued Jack Russells and has a degree in dog psychology, says it is about educating people how to look after their pets.
“I do think some kids get dogs because of bravado but that is not to say they aren’t animal lovers. Instead of villifying them for owning dogs, I try and help them learn how to look after them. There is a lot of ignorance around, and I’m able to gain the trust of youths and help them.
“At the beginning a lot of people thought the idea was dumb but I think we’ve managed to get through to them,” she said.
Since starting the classes last year Crissie has become something of a celebrity, Queen’s Park’s answer to Dr Dolittle, transforming snarling animals into domesticated lap dogs with her Assisi like whispers.
Many of the prize pooches she helped train were showered with awards at the first Queen’s Park dog show, Scruffs, in July. MP Karen Buck, has praised her novel initiative. The member for Regent’s Park and Kensington North said: “I think it’s a great idea and shows a progressive approach to something that has been one of the roots of anti-social behaviour. The area has been screaming out for something like this, and it’s good to find a real community solution without depending on the police. I think there’s only one dog warden in Westminster as it is. I give three cheers to people like Crissie who don’t just see a problem but become part of the solution.”
Crissie was alloted a wedge of cash from the Queen’s Park ward budget by Labour councillors to keep the classes going.
The council has offered her a paid job as mediator, which she hopes to expand to other councils across London.
Dog owners in the area are invited to attend her classes in Ilbert Street, Little Queen’s Park. The sessions from 3pm, start tomorrow and are free. There is room for up to 16 dogs and owners. |
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