It would be no understatement to say dogs have had a big impact on the life of Nigel Reed.

The 37-year-old from Shepherd’s Bush was, in his own words, an “angry young man” before he started studying the behaviour of the animals and began learning a lot about himself in the process.

Now, the man dubbed The Dog Guardian makes a living helping owners, including some well known celebs, look after and control their unruly animals, while his YouTube videos have been viewed well over a million times.

He also met his partner through work when she called him in to help with her boisterous pooch Rex - six years later they have a one-year-old daughter.

He is now preparing to hold a seminar in Hammersmith later this month to impart his pearls of wisdom on owners who need for help improving the behaviour of their dogs.

Speaking to getwestlondon , Mr Reed said: “I never grew up with dogs, and when I was 19 I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I was jobless.

“Then I saw Jan Fennell, the Dog Listener, on TV and it just made sense to me. It’s about communication and understanding. It’s like emotional therapy for your dog.”

Originally from Cornwall, he started off by dog-sitting and training people’s dogs for free so he could gain experience, and gradually built up his profile and client base, before moving to Shepherd’s Bush eight years ago to grow his business.

Nigel Reed aka The Dog Guardian says learning how to control dogs has helped him become a better person

It can take between five and around 30 days to help the dog and owner, depending on the severity of the issues.

The Dog Guardian’s main methods of teaching involves either visiting the dog and training it with the owner present, or moving into the house while the owner is away, training the dog and then teaching the owner what to do when they return.

Explaining why his method is so successful, he says: “The problem with training is it lacks emotional intelligence. It makes you want to teach your dog to respond rather than just understanding what its concerns are.

“It’s about really understanding your dogs concerns, and then communicating to your dog that you understand them and their needs.”

Nigel Reed with his book The Dog Guardian, which was released earlier this year and features praise from Derren Brown

It is this concept which has had a profound impact on Mr Reed’s life. He said: “It’s about how you can be a better leader for your dog.

“You have to set an example for your dog.

“For me, I was an angry young man and this made me a better person. I started looking at the world how a dog would see it and then started doing that people.

“It teaches life skills, and I think its made me a better parent as well.”

His YouTube videos have attracted 1.5 million views, while famous clients include Derren Brown and news presenter and TV host Evan Davis.

Mr Reed’s book, The Dog Guardian, was published in June this year, and includes a little note from the illusionist, who writes: “Nigel is a real magician. He transformed our wayward and difficult dog into a delightful companion.”

The Dog Guardian Nigel Reed

The Dog Guardian has also started using dogs to help troubled youths.

He said: “The techniques to address canine behaviour transfer to working with children as well.

"I also teach a course called The Wolf Within with teens with behavioural issues. They are taught how to train dogs with behavioural issues so they can understand their concerns.

“They learn emotional intelligence through the study of dogs.”

The Dog Guardian Seminar is on November 25 at Linden House, Upper Mall, Hammersmith, from 1-5pm.

Signed copies of The Dog Guardian will be available to purchase.

Tickets, which cost £35, are available at www.thedogguardian.com .

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