An intro (part one)
I’m Alex Wallace, dog photographer and trainer at The Dogs By Alex. Both dog photography and dog training are very personal to each dog and person, so I want to introduce myself so you know who I am and why I started The Dogs By Alex!
I had to return to the top here after writing - it’s a long one but I felt it needed to be…buckle up.
Why dogs?!
Growing up
To me it’s obvious! But, to try and explain…! When I was born my grandparents had a gorgeous golden retriever called Algie who I spent a lot of time with. I wish I could remember him better, but he looked after me beautifully and was a typically great family dog, as often the breed are. He was at the centre of everything we did when I was there, from play to snoozing.
After much persuasion my family welcomed Jed into our home, a black Labrador x collie crossbreed from Woodgreen Pets Charity. He was a wonderful dog - a gorgeous nature and extremely bright - a lovely combination for a well-rounded family dog.
Rescue centres
In my early twenties and with a dog no longer in the family, and having moved to London, I volunteered in rescue centres and still help the Celia Greyhound Trust today. Without a doubt this is where I learnt the most about dogs. I’ve always been told I’m natural around them, and I certainly feel it, but in some centres and charity kennels you were often met with some behaviours that were extreme.
However I loved the opportunity to rehabilitate dogs, whatever their behaviour looked like - some with severe fearful aggression and handling issues, some that would cower and flee, some that were just completely shut down and would stare at the wall. I hated seeing them like this, but loved seeing them grow into much more content and happy dogs. I thrived off working with them, from tiny fiery terriers to ‘fearsome’ Rottweilers. I was going to name a couple in particular, but to be honest it got me thinking of so many others.
The commonality is that the most joyous feeling is when you’ve earnt their trust. Sometimes it was a shut down dog who eventually decided they could creep forward to say hello and rest their head on your lap - something they hadn’t done with anyone, ever. You can feel them decompress, physically and emotionally. Sometimes it was the unruly XL dogs that had calmed down and could direct their energy into positive outlets, all with patience and guidance. But again, the same outcome, trust, a head on the lap or a lean. It’s magic.
The arrival of Ludo
Continuing my love for rescues I fostered numerous dogs to help charities find them a home. A special mention to Jet, my soul dog, a beautiful whippet x deerhound mix, now living his best life in Kent. It was seeing him with his new family that finally broke me (the family are incredible and he is the happiest, beautifully looked after dog!), but knew I finally had to have my own.
Enter Ludo in 2018. I thought I’d had a challenge before, by my oh my!
I went to a ‘charity’ to see another potential dog, admittedly. However after walking into the huge yard, some dogs were scared and fled at my mere presence, some were exuberant and boisterous, some were loud and ‘aggressive’, and my potential boy had scarpered. Through the disarray and mud walked a beautiful big lad I obviously hadn’t seen before - calm, graceful and very handsome. He walked right through the pack, calm as you like, and gave my hand a little nudge. They say they choose you - he certainly did. After asking about him I decided to take him on the pack walk. He settled into a great loose lead walk, responsive to subtle corrections if needed, looking up at me as if already in tune and listening for guidance. After reaching a field and letting all the dogs off the lead (a wild scene of around 30 dogs doing whatever they wanted) I watched Ludo and another dog start to run circles around a horse (do not ask me why they were in the same field yet, that’s in the next paragraph!). The test - he was called Danny at the time - ‘DANNY, COME!’. Without hesitation he bombed in back to me, looking up at me with a big grin - someone he’d known for twenty mins or so. Sold. Totally sold. I of course went through all the details with the charity owner and he came with a glorious review - gentle, well-behaved. Everything you could wish for and more.
I won’t mention the charity name. But after visiting for a second time and taking him home, it was quite the shock. He is without doubt the most challenging dog I’d come across, through rescue centres and fostering and beyond. You could tell he was fearful, but my was he aggressive. At people, dogs, movement, everything. Let’s just say that it pushed me, and him, to the max, and low and behold the truth came out that he’d been returned not once, but three times, for biting people, including a child. Mis-sold? Yup.
Here we are
Fast-forward to the present day, Ludo is wonderful. People often say what a soulful and gentle dog he is, and they’re right. I’m proud to have never given up on him even after two real ‘I can’t face this any more’ moments in the early days. I made many mistakes in those early years, and just like the days in rescue centres Ludo taught me an unbelievable amount about dog behaviour. I’m so happy to say I wouldn’t be without him. He’s old now, and we have had quite the life together!
Norah
Norah’s story is shorter, but no less poignant. She arrived after a four day journey from Romania to live with us in April 2023. I was looking to take in another rescue dog and what better way to welcome a scrappy little terrier. Was she a training challenge? Yes. She hadn’t experience any of the world and, being a terrier, had a fire inside of her! But much like Ludo I’ve learnt so much from her, and she has thrived off a consistent, structured training routine. She’s sparky, far too clever, and the most loyal and openly loving dog I could wish for. People adore Ludo and Norah for very different reasons, and I love to see it.
Why dogs?
Because of their unwavering love, devotion, infectious ability to be in the moment, enjoyment for life, hardiness, strength, courage, their willingness to love and to be loved - it’s all-encompassing. I can’t imagine a life without them, truly.