As a Dog Listener , I'm really keen that we learn to appreciate our dogs for the animal they are, so I've made a 2 minute video about it below (you also get a glimpse of the beautiful Milford Sound in New Zealand).
Because, once we remember that a dog is a dog and not a human being, we can completely change our relationship with them in an instant.
One of the biggest revelations that owners have using the Dog Listener training method is that they do not have to put their dogs (or themselves) under so much pressure. I know I don't like to feel pressure myself, so it's good to relax and only do what feels natural and comfortable.
The day we start taking goldfish out of their bowls and put them on the floor for a "change of scenery" will be the day I'll have to reconsider my belief that we are like dogs and not the other way round... Although it seems that fish do like to exercise when out of water, what with all those sit-ups they do! Cheers - Tony Knight
Hi folks, I am back in Auckland after an amazing road trip on New Zealand's South Island and ready to start work on some great new Dog Listener projects to help every dog owner get the best relationship possible with their dogs (more on that soon).
On my travels I made a few films on the spur of the moment that I hope you enjoy. The tip is simple - once we remember that a dog is a dog and not a human being, we can completely change our relationship with them in an instant. We all know dogs use Flight, Freeze and Fight', so its fascinating to watch this human example of 'Freeze' in action.
I apologise in advance for the less than professional camera work at the rugby game, but I was startled by the blatant pitch invasion. Thank goodness no streaking was involved! Just to be clear the final score was 32-30 to the "non-Maoris" (I use the term loosely as the Maoris had a few ringers in their team from Scandinavia - that well known hotbed of rugby talent...). Cheers. Tony Knight
It's great to be a roving Dog Listener out here in Australia and New Zealand but with all this focus on love in February, I'm feeling the downside a little - because I'm here without my dogs.
In fact, Kez and Pru are more than 10,000 miles away, and not only that it Kez's 11th Birthday on Valentines Day. Of course, as a Dog Listener I still have plenty of contact with dogs, but its not the same as your own...
But while I sit here missing Kez and Pru, it would cheer me up to hear what your dogs mean to you. Click on the comments box below and leave me your thoughts, and as a treat for Valentine's Day we're going to be giving away a copy of my new CD, The Four Essential Steps To A Well Behaved Dog for the best 3 comments... Who says we don't love you too! Cheers. Tony
Hi folks. How does stepping off a really high cliff backwards appeal to you?
As a dog listener I'm no stranger to facing fears, but 'taking the plunge' reminded me of how many dogs face their fears on a daily basis and how important it is that we provided them with a safety harness by taking on leadership.
Before you dive straight into the video clip (no pun intended) I wanted to tell you about a dog that was terrified of buses.... A few years ago I was doing some work with the Guide Dogs for the Blind because they had 4 dogs that were failing the course and wanted some help. One in particular was terrified of buses, and one of the tasks was to get on a bus.
In the end, using Dog Listener techniques alongside their already excellent training program, the only problem they had was that the dog would jump on every bus it saw!
Once a dog realises that it can trust the person it is with, it can face all kinds of fears.
I remember once as a young boy standing at the top of a high diving platform, not daring to jump. it wasn't until my Godfather said that we had to leave the pool that I finally took the plunge - and jumped another 5 times before I left. The same thing happened with our Guide Dog! By the way, 3 out of 4 dogs passed and the one that didn't (it bit all its handlers) became a family pet. Not a bad return for their hard work and money...
OK, time to see if you can spot any fear on my face, or if yours truly has made any progress since that first jump off the top diving board...
Cheers for now, Tony
P.S. Leave a comment below and let me know what the scariest thing you or your dog has had to face
Hi folks from a very windy Auckland. I am staying with my friend Kris and today I went to see her at the beach as she continued with her kite surf practice - and couldn't help but notice a Dog Listener lesson in it for us all.
She started practicing six months ago and has only just begun to stand on her board and get majestically swept along in control of her kite (most of the time anyway).
My job was to take photos of her, either to help her evaluate her progress or (as I suspect) so she can put the pictures on Facebook to show off.
Her teacher is a guy called Steve, who was good enough to give me a quick lesson. We started on dry land, with a much smaller kite. The first, most important thing to grasp is how to read the wind and move the kite in the right way to get more speed and to manoeuvre it correctly. It is surprising how such a small kite could virtually lift me off my feet as I took my first steps into the world of kite surfing, and I am happy to report that I stayed on my feet the whole time and there were relatively few fatalities of those around me...
Imagine what could have happened if, for my first lesson, Steve had rigged me up in the full equipment, complete with 12 metre kite, put me into the water and said “Good Luck”. Chances are it could have gone disastrously wrong. As it was, I felt good and that I wanted to try the next stage.
Later, we chatted about what I did for a job, and the subject of walking dogs came up. At first, Steve felt that dogs needed exercise in order to avoid getting fat. However, I made the comparison with how he teaches, and he instantly understood and agreed that it is far more effective to take it one stage at a time, making sure you are happy and in control, before you take the next step.
In fact, this step-by-step approach usually means the student makes quicker progress this way.
Does that sound familiar? Taking small steps with your own dog training can actually results in quicker progress and is actually more enjoyable. One day I will stop going on and on about this - and for those who say the day people realise they don’t have to walk their dogs and learn the controls is the day when Hell freezes over - they said that about New Orleans getting to the Superbowl… Go Saints!!
26th January is Australia Day and my first time in the place itself to sample the atmosphere and I'm casting a Dog Listeners eye over the proceedings! Its amusing to note that the 'pack animal' in us all is proudly on display.
Guess the morning started in the traditional way for the average Aussie, waking up first thing to find a Huntsman spider about the size of my head (maybe a slight exaggeration) had decided to bunk up with me. He ran off without paying his share but I let him off as he said he could help my business – apparently he’s a very good web designer…
Talking of websites, today’s phone-in with my Dog Listener Website Members was full of good questions and even better feedback, and it is fantastic to hear how much progress people are making with their dogs, and also how much they are getting from my support. Hats off to them and may they keep up the good work.
The subject of flags has come up a few times today, from the sight of Australian flags decorated homes, cars and people (the group of teenagers draped in their flags singing “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!” at a main square in a quiet mountain town was a highlight) to discussions on the radio about the time being right for a new national flag without the Union Jack on. The argument is by some that they are mature enough now to cut the apron strings of Great Britain. I should add here that I also received a few odd looks as I chose today of all days to wear my England T-shirt (the others were dirty – honest). Good job it was soccer and not cricket – they are still a little touchy on that subject…
Why does a country put so much emphasis on what is basically a piece of cloth? It symbolises their identity, their tribe, and in some cases the abuse of said cloth by others can almost constitute an act of war. Worse can happen if somebody who used to be in your tribe starts to sport the colours of the number one enemy (see Carlos Tevez… from a distance, bless him).
Man is an animal, and just like an awful lot of our fellow beasts we are loyal to our pack, and see others as a potential threat. This is something we should think about when considering taking dogs to socialisation classes, something I will be covering soon on the website, so don’t forget to check out all the new information here on my blog or at www.dog-listener.com if you're a member. Until next time, cheers cobbers…
P.S. There will be an update on Cerberus, the dog saved from Death Row in South Africa, very soon.
Hi folks, Tony here. As I was throwing away last year's diary and calendar, I was reminded of probably the most random question I have been asked in all my years as a Dog Listener (and sometimes they can get very random) - by one of the months that featured a nice young lady holding a snake.
A client once asked me what her dogs would do in the event of a snake attack. Now, I would understand if she was living in rattlesnake territory, but as they lived in North London I thought it not a pressing issue. I did give an answer based on the decision and calm reaction of the leader being key, but it has popped into my head from time to time, and Miss July reminded me once again.
However, this time I can offer a visual demonstration courtesy of my Mum, Jan Fennell, as she took her dogs down the lane opposite her house:
I can assure you that no snake was harmed in the making of this film. Curiosity killed the cat, but the dogs listened...
I'm in Australia now, so I'll test this theory with the various beasties that live there. Wish me luck with the sharks....
Hi folks, back from a day at the beach (maybe I shouldn't be telling you this - I don't want to get back to the Northern Hemisphere with a bounty on my head!)
Anyway, I couldn't help but notice from the numbers of dog owners walking their pooches along the shore that the Aussies have really fallen for the "oodles" fashion. Poodles crossed with Labradors, retrievers, spaniels (I feel sorry for these poor, exhausted poodles) are sweeping the nation, with people paying up to AU$1500 for what is basically a mongrel. Go figure.
The story of the origin of the species (good title for a book I reckon) is a simple one. A blind man wanted a guide dog but had allergies, so some bright spark decided to cross a Labrador with a poodle to produce a guide dog whose hair wouldn't fall out. Brilliant. However, one question springs to mind. Why not just train a poodle?
When we stereotype dog breeds, we miss the obvious. Not every Labrador is a guide dog, and not every guide dog is a Labrador. Not every Jack Russell spends it's time listening to a record player and St.Bernard's never carried brandy up to stranded mountaineers. Sorry but it's true (I'll be telling you there's no Santa next...).
Dog breeds were initially created to be more physically able to perform a function, but it doesn't mean that the individual will be naturally good at it. So never forget these wise words - a dog is a dog is a dog.
Interestingly, it turns out the allergy was caused by dog's saliva...
Hi folks, having shifted my Dog Listener Training to Australia for the next few months, it seems I escaped the Big Freeze just in time, leaving Gatwick airport just before it shut.
Reports of the terrible weather have been shown often on Australian television with a mix of disbelief and just a little smugness (they still haven't got over losing the cricket, bless them).
One statistic of the current situation caught my attention - apparently sales of custard have gone through the roof as Brits huddle together, eating stodgy puddings to keep warm. My childhood memories of treacle suet puddings that would stick to your ribs as you ate it came flooding back.
Also, supermarkets are quickly running out of supplies as the hoarding begins ready to dig in should the Antartic conditions continue. On the plus side my niece Ceri has been very happy to have had extra days off school, so I guess it's swings and roundabouts...
This behaviour just goes to reinforce the point that I make time and time again - that human beings are so similar to other animals that it only takes a slight survival threat for the old instincts to kick in and take charge.
When we realise our own nature it becomes much easier to respect that dogs are animals and not "little people". Reversing the way people typically view dogs is a major step forward in understanding, and therefore getting the right relationship with them.
A great philosopher once said that human beings are only three meals away from revolution. I will add that they are -20 degrees from chaos...
Tony
Happy New Year from Tony and my Dog Listener Team. I hope that everything is returning to normal little by little...
I received a fabulous clip recently and I am sharing it with you all, and I dare you not to say "ah"!
As well as being adorable, it highlights one key point that Dog Listeners make about what dogs really want from us as owners. Human beings and dogs are social animals (like the two chaps in the film), and far more important than any amount of exercise, toys or training is CONTACT.
Just spending quality time is highly desirable. If you had the choice of taking your dog out for a long walk in the biting cold and driving rain, or sitting on the floor of your living room cuddled up together and watching your favourite show or reading a book, what would you choose? That's right, and so would your dog!
If you have ever tried to let your dog out to pee and they look back at you as if to say, "You expect me to go out there? Are you crazy?", then you know exactly what I mean. So here's a great new year's resolution that may actually be fun to stick to - have even more contact with your dogs in 2010. Enjoy the clip and keep an eye on www.dog-listener.com for lots of exciting and exclusive offers for dog owners this year.
It's great to be a roving Dog Listener out here in Australia and New Zealand but with all this focus on love in February, I'm feeling the downside a little - because I'm here without my dogs. 
