About Max Muir
Over the past 18 years as a professional dog trainer Max Muir has travelled throughout his native Scotland and the UK. He has delivered seminars and workshops on dog training and teaching clients how to train their dogs effectively. Max is the founder of Action 4 Dogs.
He has delivered international keynote presentations on dog training and behaviour, and is a full member of CFBA (Canine and Feline Behaviour Association).
Professional Dog Trainer Tuition
Max’s training sessions are in high demand due to his experience, expertise, and insight. He is trained to a high standard and has built a solid reputation working with clients and students professionally. He has an international background in public speaking and understands how to work with the human mindset. He is friendly, approachable, and will work with your own
current level to boost your self-confidence, handling, and practical leadership skills.
Dog Rescue Services
A good deal of Max's time is devoted to working with rescue dogs. He is dog trainer and behaviour consultant for the charity Labrador Retriever Rescue Scotland Scio, where he enjoys a successful close working relationship and friendship with founder Carolyne Poulton BEM (The First Lady of Labradors.).
His work includes the assessment and rehabilitation of Labradors in need of being rescued, training and behaviour, and providing re-homing support for owners when the dogs find their new homes.
He has loved every minute of his work with LRRSS over the past 20 years and is affectionately known as ‘the Labrador man’.
Contact Max
Gun Dog Breeds
Through his work in rescue Max has developed a love for gun dog training. He is a popular choice for the owners of gundog breeds recognising they need specific training foundations incorporating:
- Obedience
- Steadiness
- Recall training
- Use of the voice, whistle and directional commands
- Retrieving
He guides owners towards developing observation skills, reading the dog’s body language, learning techniques improving handling skills and the bond.
Jacques’s story
When I first began working in Labrador rescue, I had no idea how much of a degree it would give me into the mind and behaviour of the Labrador Retriever. I worked with many dogs in those early years, and I helped countless owners who opened their doors to give a Labrador a home. One day founder Carolyne Poulton called me and asked me to look at a 4-year-old dog who had come into rescue feeling poorly, displaying a lot of aggression through stress, and with the advice from a vet that he would be best put to sleep.
Labrador Rescue
When I first began working in Labrador rescue, I had no idea how much of a degree it would give me into the mind and behaviour of the Labrador. I worked with many dogs in those early years, and I helped countless owners who opened their doors to give a Labrador a home. One day founder Carolyne Poulton called me and asked me to look at a 4-year-old dog who had come into rescue feeling poorly, displaying a lot of aggression through stress, and with the advice from a vet that he would be best put to sleep.
Turning Point
It took around 10 days to make a somewhat trusting connection with him and for him to allow me to put a lead on him. We started with small walks and some quiet quality time spent in each other’s company. Each day his attitude slowly changed about my presence, and he came to associate me as a find and with going some nice quiet walks together. He was somewhat aloof in parts, which was to be expected and when we sat down to relax, he was calm but remained a step or two away from me, but happy and relaxed in my company. One day, during a quiet moment as I was daydreaming, he edged closer and rested his head against my cheekbone. That for me was a mental turning point in gaining his trust and acceptance and a great bridge to cross in terms of helping him improve his outlook and move on in life.
Gundog and Retriever Training
Fast forward 18 months later and my bond with Jacques grew stronger and he made excellent progress as we built on the solid training foundation. We also became a great team through the gundog and retriever training which he excelled in.
Our training widened out and progressed to the world outside the farm and Jacques eventually overcame fear of strangers by trusting me implicitly. As with any problematic behaviour he was a work in progress as life unfolded. I focused on his talents as we went through search work, a diluted version of working gundog training, and careful socialisation to build up his confidence. He is now a happy almost 12-year-old dog who lives a full and purposeful life. What he did not like he learned to tolerate and what he was uncomfortable with he looked to me for direction. That took many small steps of hard work, dedication, and perseverance over those early years.
Rehabilitation
As time passed our bond deepened and I began the process of rehabilitation and reducing stress by giving him a home. Jacques issues were purely people oriented; he had lost trust with the human world. Slowly and surely with a steady training programme, teaching crucial exercises which would transfer into life skills, and creating outlets where he could perform his breed specific needs, we made progress.
Summary
Jacques’ case is not alone and there are many dogs like him who need emotional support and help in overcoming environmental and social issues. Jacques has in his lifetime assisted many other dogs in behaviour work and he is now a retired success story who spends his days in casual walks and lazing around the home.
What Jacques and many other dogs have taught me that no books, seminar, or academic qualification can give, is to help a dog through emotional obstacles and setbacks, it takes commitment and dedication to long term project in achieving the balance and harmony we want with our dogs. Those are the attributes to successful training and results.
