Brit Series It’s Me or the Dog Comes to U.S.

Animal Planet Brings British Hit Across the Pond, Seeks Families In Need Of Assistance With Their Disorderly Dogs and Each Other--

Sleepless nights, friends making excuses for not coming to visit or frequent arguments over snuggling with man’s best friend instead of your spouse -- these are issues international dog trainer Victoria Stilwell helps families deal with in the U.S. version of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog. Ricochet Television is searching for families with one or more rambunctious canines whose behavior is negatively impacting their relationships.

In this new installment, Stilwell travels to Los Angeles and Atlanta and try to restore harmony in homes where the dogs are running riot, and the family is in the dog house. Stillwells’s reward-based training techniques seek to make dogs obedient family members; in turn relieving stress from pet owners so they can focus on their relationship with each other instead of the household havoc inspired by their pooch. The series debuts on Animal Planet this fall.

An author and dog trainer, Stilwell is from Wimbledon, England. She has trained dogs in London and New York since 1990 and is the co-founder of Dog Trainers of New York, a dog training and behavior modification company, which has a second location in New Jersey. She’s written a companion book to the U.K version of the series called It’s Me or the Dog: How to Have the Perfect Pet, and her second book called Fat Dog Slim was released in February 2007. She’s certified by the Animal Behavior and Training Associates and is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She also dedicates her time and skill to working with shelter animals to help increase their prospects of being adopted. www.victoriastilwell.com