Amichien Bonding works brilliantly with dogs, but is combining it with troubled teenagers asking too much?
I often say to people that we need to realise the strong connection we have with dogs is down to our similarities, but that often humans misread the signals. So often people think the dog is showing human characteristics, yet in reality it is Man who shows dog traits.
A good example of this is when working with children. Both children and dogs are attention seekers, and if either get it for bad behaviour they will go down this path (negative attention is still attention). By giving attention for good behaviour we can turn around both. I often used to say (when Channel 4 were running the two shows in succession) that if you wanted to learn some good lessons about dog behaviour from either Supernanny or It's Me Or The Dog, then watch Supernanny!
Somebody I have recently tutored on the courses we run is Nigel Reed, who has been working with challenging teenagers by introducing them to Amichien TM Bonding and inviting them to help dog owners. A fascinating TV programme was made showing this process and you can watch it on the link below. I warn you now that there is a little bad language in it just in case you are easily offended or currently surrounded by fragile souls.
While I am completely in favour of certain ideas such as punishing those who overfeed their dogs or leave them outside without shelter, once again it seems people are stuck in the misguided belief that the dog walk will solve behavioural problems.
If a dog is the decision maker, making it fitter does not help. If the dog is barking non-stop, trying to tire it out will not change it's mind. If a dog is aggressive, is the physical exercise of a dog walk going to calm it down?
Or is taking away the decision-making responsibility better?
These organisations mean well, but the whole principle of an enforced dog walk is full of deep flaws, both theoretically and practically. I imagine the police will have other things to concentrate on, and a hefty fine will only encourage some people to get rid of their dogs, leading to a potentially massive rise in numbers going into rescue centres.
Disabled owners will either be fined or have to give their dogs away. Dogs will be taken out in all weathers, including scorching hot conditions. I do not walk my dogs when it is far too hot for them as it would be cruel, the antithesis of what the Aussie RSPCA is trying to achieve.
When official bodies finally realise that the nature of dogs needs to be respected and this (like so many other issues in society) means educating people is the solution, we can perhaps make some positive steps to improving the welfare of dogs.
The problem with common sense is too often it isn't very common...
It is always interesting to read comments made by some other "experts" about training your dog using Dog Listener methods, and usually they fall into the same old argument. It is claimed that you cannot teach this method quickly and easily, and that a "one size fits all" system cannot work, although they never say why. This can also mean that as we introduce this method we can get criticised by those closest to us (friends and family are often the worst to put pressure on us).
The fact is that this process is simple because the priorities of the dog are simple - only humans are complicated (although we wouldn't be if we didn't know the next time we were to eat). Never forget that the big barrier that most people have is that they believe that dogs think like people, instead of realising that it works the other way round. Also, it is only natural for "experts" to attack this method as their reputations are under threat. An ego under threat will lash out to defend itself. The nastier the comments get, the more threatened they feel. The ego is also responsible for those people who believe this work needs to be complicated, in order to make themselves feel more important.
Keep true to what makes sense to you and remember that dogs are the easy bit; people are far more complicated...
By now in Britain the fireworks and bonfires are in full swing, and while they are great to watch for us humans, for our canine friends this time of year can be incredibly stressful.
The simplest and best advice I can give is to remain as calm as possible and not to pay any attention to your dog, no matter now upset it is. It is human nature to reassure by talking and cuddling, but it is not dog nature. If you make something out of this the dog will think that it's reaction is justified and it could get worse. If your panicky pooch takes off into a bedroom and hides under the bed, then leave it there without a fuss. As always, it is your reaction that counts, and the best thing by far is to act as if nothing is happening.
I realise this is difficult at times, but previous experience has shown this is the most effective way to get through this period. So hang in there and remember that even this time will end and you can weather the storm (by the way, the same approach works for storms too!)
It's now time to relax a while after a hectic 10 days dog listener training in Switzerland.
The need for an interpreter (ich spreche keine deutsche) always brings home the value of being a Dog Listener, translating the language of the dog for the owner and giving them the ability to communicate back to help problems.
I took my two dogs along with me for the experience and they had just as packed a schedule as I did. If only the pet passports got stamped too - they are becoming quite the travellers.
It also served to remind me that this process is on-going, just like the only diet that really works is the one where you change your habits for life. Because they found themselves in new environments often, they looked to be reassured that they could still trust me, sometimes asking questions in ways they hadn't done for a long time.
My job was not to wonder what had actually triggered their behaviour, rather to reassure them through my own consistent behaviour that they could trust me here too. I do not expect my dogs to be perfect (Lassie was actually three dogs and there are many out-takes!). I expect them to ask questions, and I am happy that I have the right answers.
You can buy dogs that do exactly what you want them to - they are sliver and run on batteries, but they are not nearly as much fun. Sure, they won't pee on the rug, but it is still possible for the batteries to leak... Cheers Tony
The video of Dog Listener Sam Browne, (see below) who saved a rescue dog from almost certain death and then went on to adopt him, went straight to everyone's heart. If you haven't watched it yet, do it now - you're missing out!
I was curious to find out more about how Sam had managed to transform a dog that no-one would go anywhere near. This dog was so bad that the rescue centre staff would literally chuck his food in the cage and get out fast.
I thought you might be interested to hear more about this amazing story too, so I caught up with Sam to ask her a few questions. You can listen to our conversation below and find out what it took to tame him. Tony
P.S. Just received this photo from Sam, Cerberus has arrived in the UK and this was her first chance to see him. Apparently Cerberus is really chilled and is doing fine! Hats off to Sam.
As the guest of Kent Dog Listeners and Every Chance Rescue I spent this weekend at the Paws in the Park event at Hop Farm. Thousands of dog owners brought their pooches of every size, shape and colour (including purple).
It was a little disheartening to see so many dogs strapped up in harnesses (and still pulling), however we got through to a lot of people. It still amazes me that for the moment dog listening is not the first place owners turn to, but then again these days if somebody has a bit of a bad day they can be prescribed anti-depressants in an instant - a so-called immediate cure - rather than get coaching.
Yet the power of the dog listener process can literally save lives, and rescue dogs that everyone else has given up on, as can be seen in an amazing Youtube film by a young woman who went to South Africa for a holiday and ended up.... well watch the clip and you will see. Its a heartwrenching story.
No drugs, no gadgets, no force, just time and patience. This is why I do what I do... please make sure all your friends get to see it too.
A quick hello from deepest Ukraine, and once more I see that no matter what part of the world I find myself in, there are still the same issues with dogs.
The relaxed attitude of the stray dogs, asleep in the shade while we tourists puff and pant sightseeing, shows their intelligence.
Contrast that with a conversation I had with a girl in a bar on the first night whose Yorkshire terrier was peeing everywhere in the house and was terrified of the outside world. She told me her vet had recommended castration as a cure.
It seems my work as a dog listener is cut out here too... Now I just have to learn the language! Tony
The subject of obsessive behaviour occurs again and again - and we're often asked if the Amichien Bonding process can help. I've been told about dogs doing things from the sublime to the ridiculous. From tail-chasing to wall-licking, or as I once recall on a consultation, staring at a tree waiting for leaves to fall (true, I saw it with my own eyes).
We can speculate until the cows come home as to why the dog has chosen whatever quirk it has, but as usual it is what the owner does about it that is key.
Firstly, ask yourself - does this behaviour get my attention? This is the most common reason for a dog's 'obsession'.
I remember visiting one family and being told in hushed tones "You wait until the blue hedgehog makes an appearance". Initially I was afraid of being confronted by a monstrous version of Sonic or something, but as it turned out the hedgehog in question was a favourite toy that the dog, after failing to get our attention with other behaviours, placed in the middle of us all and watched with it's nose pressed against the toy for 45 minutes. Finally it gave up. Usually it would have worked for the dog.
Secondly, obsessive behaviour can be used by the dog as a stress relief from a responsibility it cannot cope with i.e. leader of it's pack in a world it doesn't understand.
The answer to this is to remove the stress by becoming the leader using Dog Listener techniques founded on the Amichien Bonding process. In either case, the good news is to follow the process and the dog will calm down.
By the way, if anyone has a dog (or knows one) that has a more bizarre behaviour trait than the leaf watcher then why not share it with us? Click on the Add Comments below and tell us about it. Tony
I've been mulling over the best way to get results with Amichien Bonding lately. I believe things happen for a reason, so today was no exception.
This morning I re-visited a client close to my home after a few weeks of implementing the Dog Listener techniques (Amichien Bonding). Her dog used to pull her over regularly whenever it saw another dog or person, and she lives in a very popular tourist spot.
We went out for a brief walk (due to the heat) and I noticed the huge improvement in both dog and owner. She knew what to do when her dog reacted in a certain way, and we even met another dog and the whole incident (a few woofs) lasted 20 seconds maximum. I was very pleased with her progress.
She did mention to me that she felt that sometimes she was taking backward steps in the whole procedure, and I reassured her that this was to be expected.
On returning home and checking my emails, I found one from a guy in America who I believe is a great authority in his field, and has helped me in a completely different area in my life. I opened the email and this is what I found (I must say here that I have altered some details in order to make it relevant to this site!). It says it all.
One of the biggest lies ever told is that you make real progress in life in a straight line, with bit by bit measurable results, step by step, according to a calendar or schedule.
This "do your schoolwork and get your grade" approach is one of the single biggest pieces of brainwashing conditioning driving society, and is, outside of the academic world… A Huge Load Of C**p That Can Keep You Stuck When It Comes To Progress And Success In The Real World.. In Real Life.. Including Working With Your Dog!
Listen: in the real world, progress does not occur in a straight line, linear fashion.
Your progress with Amichien Bonding will probably NOT come in a straight line either.
Progress happens in spurts: after a period of steady practice you experience a sudden grasping of principles, sudden proper execution meeting the right opportunity.
Translation: you did it right, with the dog in the right, receptive mind and… Suddenly You Are Getting Massive Success!
How's that for a scientific analysis?
Listen: In the real world, progress happens not only somewhat unpredictably it also goes hand in hand with the occasional set-backs, slide-backs and down right… Tripping Over Yourself And Sometimes Your Dog Too!
Now, what in the world does this have to do with getting a really good relationship with your dog?
Simply this: While progress may not be linear, or predictable, PRACTICE SHOULD BE. I'll say that again: Your PRACTICE; what you actually immerse your self in studying and DOING, day by day, absolutely should be constant and steady.
But don't expect your daily PRACTICE to always lead to daily measurable PROGRESS for one simple reason: Sometimes, even the best executed methods and moves just don't pan out.
This happens to my best students. It happens to me sometimes.
You can do everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - right with a dog. Do all the 4 elements correctly. But sometimes things just happen.
Someone gets sick. Someone dies. Something you could never have imagined happens, and the dog reacts to it, maybe even in a panic.
What I am basically saying here is: don't let the events (or your mood) of the day determine whether you are going to do your daily PRACTICE. Always practice. Even if it is just a few minutes that you can put it, do it.
Keep focused on the vision of where you want to go and let THAT take charge of your feelings of the moment or the events of the day and NOT the other way around.
Do that, and I promise that the progress will come.
Does that reflect your experience of dog training? We'd like to know. Click on the Add New Message below and tell me what you think. Tony Knight.
Amichien Bonding works brilliantly with dogs, but is combining it with troubled teenagers asking too much?
