Brighton animal behaviourist features in The Customer is Always Right

Former vet Trixie has designed a dog training tool and was given the chance to show it off on the BBC show The Customer Is Always Right, in which entrepreneurs and inventors compete to win praise from customers who test and review their products.

Trixie, a consultant animal behaviourist in Brighton, said it was “amazing” to take part.

She said: “If any opportunity comes up I never say no.

“My mum actually entered me for the show while I was in the Arctic Circle on holiday, playing with huskies. I found out while I was waiting to board my plane home.

“I sent them an email and we started filming the following week.”

Trixie has volunteered on animal conservation projects around the world and worked as a vet for 25 years.

Now she runs her own business as a dog and cat behaviour specialist.

She also runs puppy training classes at Coastway Vets in Kemp Town and has developed a tool, the Chase n Tug, to help dogs learn to return to their owners when called.

Trixie said: “It’s the first product I’ve made and I came up with the idea about five years ago.

“The tool is to motivate the dog to come back, and after trialling it with my own clients I’ve found most dogs just can’t resist it.

The Chase n Tug training tool which Trixie designed

“Most dogs were bred to have this chase instinct and it’s very important they have an outlet for that.

“If they don’t, they can get frustrated and start chasing other things, such as cyclists, motorists or even their owner’s feet.”

Similar to the fishing rod style toys available for cats, Trixie’s dog recall tool is designed as a handle with a squeaky toy on the end of the cord, and the toy can be replaced.

The idea is for owners to train their dogs to come back to them using the toy, which Trixie said can take just one go for some dogs, as it fulfils their instincts to chase and grab.

She said: “As a responsible dog owner you have to control your dog in public, or you can end up with a dog Asbo and face court. A lot of dog owners are not aware of it but it’s serious.

“You’ve got to be able to call your dog back to you, whether it’s getting them away from other dogs, running towards a road, or even chasing livestock.”

Once the dog’s attention is on the toy and they want to chase it, they are rewarded by being able to grab it and have a game of tug.

Trixie said: “The aim is to make yourself the best thing in the park. That is the trick to a good recall.”

Trixie got the chance to demonstrate the Chase n Tug in action on the show, with camera crew filming her using it at Coastway Vets and in Queen’s Park.

She said it was her mother Simone who helped her develop the tool.

Trixie with her mum Simone, who helped her develop the Chase n Tug

Speaking on the show, she said: “My mum has always been quite creative and she has run several businesses so she decided to go ahead and try and make one.

“The next time I visited, hey presto – there’s the toy. I started using it on my clients and it worked a treat.”

Trixie was up against two other entrepreneurs in the show, with one showing off her vegan nail polish and another demonstrating her colouring-in T-shirts for children.

Although Trixie did not win, she loved the experience, and received positive feedback from customers on the show.

Trixie demonstrating the Chase n Tug in the show

She said: “I think my product is great and I know my clients and the dogs love it.

“Unfortunately the customers on the show didn’t read the instructions properly – apparently that’s quite common on the show. It was also raining a lot when they tried it out.

“I didn’t win but it was great fun.

“I do think I have the best job in the world.”

Watch Trixie in episode four of The Customer Is Always Right on BBC iPlayer.

The Chase n Tug tool is available on her website at trixiespetbehaviourandtraining.com.