Princess Sends Killer Pooch to Stooge Therapy

from
the Telegraph (london)

Roger Mugford, an animal psychologist from
Surrey who treated another of Princess Anne’s dogs after a similar biting
incident, said yesterday that he had been asked to treat eight-year-old
Florence. He is expected to begin this week.

Techniques that he might use included using human "stooges",
such as himself, to re-enact attacks with the aim of training the dog not
to bite, he said. He did not agree with those who had called for Florence
to be destroyed. "There is probably some underlying medical factor.
We are not talking about an inherently aggressive or dangerous dog," he
said.

"
I am sure it is just a dog who is feeling a bit out of sorts about something,
perhaps pain or old age, and is feeling a bit cranky on the day. I will
be seeing her. The timing has not been arranged, but it is likely that
I will be seeing her next week."

Dr Mugford, 57, normally charges $531 for a two-hour home visit, during which he works with the dog and owner.