Croxley Green History - Barbara Woodhouse - Croxley Green History Project

Barbara Woodhouse

Barbara Woodhouse (1910-1988) was a prominent British dog trainer, author, and television personality who lived in Croxley Green. She was renowned for her distinctive and assertive approach to animal training. Born Barbara Kathleen Vera Blackburn in Ireland, she developed a deep affinity for animals from a young age. She displayed an early interest in horses and dogs, which would shape her future career. She attended Harper Adams Agricultural College, where she demonstrated a pioneering spirit as one of the few female students. She gained experience training horses in Argentina. She began to develop her dog training techniques and ran kennels.

Barbara Woodhouse and Great Dane Junia

Barbara Woodhouse dog training at we believe Campions

Barbara Woodhouse lived at Campions on Loudwater Lane Croxley Green from the 1940s to the 1980s and during this period she established herself as a well-known figure, both locally and nationally. It was from her base in Croxley Green that she began to grow her dog training reputation. Her 1980 BBC television series, "Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way," propelled her to national fame with her no-nonsense demeanour. Her memorable catchphrases, such as "walkies", became iconic. She emphasized the philosophy of "no bad dogs", attributing behavioural problems to owners rather than the animals.

Barbara Woodhouse dog training at the top of Scots Hill

Barbara Woodhouse outside the Sportsman

Clearly Barbara Woodhouse left a legacy that influenced dog training and remains significant, although her methods have also been subject to debate. She authored numerous books on animal training, further disseminating her techniques. Her time in Croxley Green was a very important part of her life, and of her career development.
Barbara Woodhouse's presence in Croxley Green contributed to her rise to prominence, and she became a recognizable figure in the area.

Barbara Woodhouse - In the Media

Cattle are pets to her
A WOMAN who can turn cattle into pets and break-in horses by breathing down her nostrils into theirs uses a pet cow for riding round her farm at Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. She is Mrs. Barbara Woodhouse, a 44 year-old author and broadcaster. Mrs. Woodhouse learnt the' art of talking to animals by nostril blowing when she lived on a remote cattle station in the Argentine. Here, she' is shown riding a pet cow, while . her daughter, Judith, 11, is riding a pony.

THE "NOSE" HAVE IT
Barbara Woodhouse, 42 years-old farmer, has made a claim that she can speak to animals by breathing on their nostrils. Mrs. Woodhouse lives at Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. Yesterday she said: 'Every animal understands my 'language'. 'I bought Florin my latest pony, only a week ago, but already we are the best of friends. 'To speak the "language" you approach a horse or cow, or even a 'bull, with your hands behind you. 'Walk towards it without fear and breathe on its nostrils. 'Then with thumb and fore finger rub your hand down its' mane.' ''From that moment you are the best of friends and the animals will do anything for you. I buy old cows culled by their owners. With warm overcoats and a little animal language they give milk again — more milk, than they have ever given before.

January 1954

Sleepy Head Wake Up!
Florin, the two-year-old pony belonging to Judith Woodhouse, of Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, found his stable door open. So he went over to wake Judith and ask her to take him for a morning ride. Soon Florin will be waiting on the hall stairs, which he can climb, while Judith dresses. Florin is so well behaved that he is given the freedom of Judith's home.

May 1954

Barbara Woodhouse to visit Australia
That determined dog-trainer, Barbara Woodhouse, is not only being shown in Australia — and Canberra — but now she is planning to come here. Mrs Woodhouse, who describes her training methods as "non-fail", will visit for a session on 'The Don Lane Show'. During the program she will demonstrate her methods on dogs belonging to several television staff members.
Mrs Woodhouse makes no secret of the fact that she considers the dogs to be smarter and more receptive to training than their handlers. She is "kind but firm” with the dogs less kind and much more forceful with recalcitrant owners. Her program 'Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way' is shown in Canberra on Capital 7 on Saturday afternoons. She became a national institution in Britain after her brief, fill-in-type program on the BBC became practically required viewing for the millions of dog-owners in the United Kingdom.

BBC - I Love 1980 - Barbara Woodhouse "Training Dogs"

The late Larry Hagman introduces 1980 featuring Barbara Woodhouse "Training Dogs" among her catch-phrases were "walkies" and "sit!"

Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way was a British television series presented by Barbara Woodhouse first shown by the BBC in 1980. It was taped in 10 episodes at Woodhouse's home in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, England. The show was also internationally syndicated.