About Us

Doreen & Ian Simpkins
Doreen and Ian live with their pack of Australian Terriers in rural Staffordshire approximately 9 miles from junction 14 of the M6. We have been involved with dogs and dog breeding for over 25 years. Passionate about the welfare of our dogs this and an interest in communicating more effectively with our dogs, led to the establishment in 2006 of our Dog Listening service.

Doreen Simpkins BA RGN SCM RHV CSWM
My father was an experienced stockman who had success breeding and showing rabbits and guinea pigs. I was brought up in the country learning how to care for animals from a young age, with a variety of pets including at various times, cats, goldfish, a goat, pigs, budgies, rabbits, guinea pigs, and of course dogs. Over the years we had Dixie a wonderful German Sheperd, Tara a yellow Labrador, and Lady a cross Labrador.

Unable to have dogs when I first left home, once married I decided that I wanted a dog again, and since then dogs have been a constant in our lives. Over time we became involved in a small way in breeding and showing Yorkshire Terriers and now Australian Terriers. We are involved with both Australian Terrier Breed Clubs and I write the breed note column for Our Dogs weekly paper. We have bred two UK Champions in Australian Terriers, one of whom went on to become an International Champion. In 2005 we campaigned our beautiful bitch Mary Loto her Championship title.

All our dogs whether show or pets are much loved and when breeding puppies we take great care to ensure their welfare providing puppy care information and packs as well as carefully vetting prospective owners. I volunteer one day a week at an animal fostering and rescue centre as a way of helping rescue animals, and I will provide a reduced fee for owners who can prove their dog is a rescue case.

Ian Simpkins MA DipMan
Like many people our dogs form an important integral part of the family, and have done so for many years. In the past I have questioned traditional training methods, none more so than when we had to rescue two Australian Terrier Dogs we had bred after the owner died. Despite well meaning TLC from the late owners’ relatives and the intervention of a “behaviourist”, these two boys had become very aggressive and caused major problems for those trying to care for them.

Thankfully with perseverance we were able to successfully re home both boys. Around this time Doreen and I completed our advanced Dog Listening training, which appealed to us because of its’ gentle approach. Over time however, Doreen wanted the professional freedom to explore and learn about other alternative methods of assisting dogs with behaviours which cause problems.

This is why in April 2008 Doreen and I resigned from the Dog Listeners forum organised by Jan Fennell and we now provide an independent service offering owners the opportunity to have a happy and stress free relationship with their dog.