Greetings from a very cold and snowy Yellowstone, where I've been spending many hours wolf watching (as well as seeing coyote, bear, elk, bison, eagles, ravens etc). We've seen some incredible interaction between wolf packs on both days out in the wilderness, to the point where even our experienced guides are under the impression the wolves are putting on a show for us! We've seen the rare sight of the coming together of two packs, and the even rarer (but not so pleasant) experience of an attack by one pack on another's den.

The situation here in Yellowstone is unusual - there are a lot of wolves in a small territory, although this needs some perspective as there are less than 200 wolves in an enormous territory. However it does highlight the pressure cooker environment we have dogs in, where one street can contain a dozen. This is why tensions can run high on our streets and parks, with several packs coming together and either making alliances or coming to blows. What it all points to is that our responsibility as dog owners is to make sure our dogs see us as the decision makers, not the other way around.

I've been chatting to a lot of the biologists here who work every day in the park and have a fantastic supply of information (thanks to Nathan, Linda, Doug, Rick, Laurie and Jim among others), and I've even been doing a spot of filming with Bob Landis, one of the the most respected Wildlife film-makers (Emmy Award winner & film-maker for National Geographic), who asked me to help with two dogs he has rescued in quite dramatic circumstances.

One in particular, Bucky, was found after having survived in the park for weeks, surrounded by wolves, bears, not to mention freezing conditions and not much food. She needs a softly softly approach right now as she is wary of people, and Bob was keen to find out how he could successfully integrate her with him and his other dog, Aggie. He has given me a copy of the advice I gave him, so look out on the website in the coming weeks for extracts! I can happily report some improvements already after yesterday's visit, including the first play session between the two dogs and a noticeable relaxation in them. A good start!

We have one more day here before heading off to Boston and some teaching, but I hope that Bob will put the film to good use - there are over 60 million dog owners in USA and if we can reach them...... well maybe President Obama will be interested in a consultation!

The subject of language barriers was really brought home to me recently, and not just knowing the difference between English and its variations around the world (I made a faux pas in a restaurant near Melbourne which I won't go into but it's amazing how a seemingly innocent remark can have completely different connotations - surprised the waitress didn't call the police!)                                  
I have just returned from an exhausting but ultimately very successful week in Switzerland, a beautiful chocolate box picture of a country with just one tiny problem... well four actually. To go from Australia, one enormous country with one official language, to a tiny country that speaks French, German, Italian and their own Swiss-German is a culture shock. If I had been in one of the French-speaking parts I would have been fine, but Bern is not one of them.

My talk took twice as long as normal, as I had to keep stopping to let the interpreter do her thing. She was a very business-minded woman and made sure her language was appropriate (even if mine was not) so when I used the word "scheisse" (one of the few words in German I know, but then again it's always the rude words we learn first), she translated it as "schade" - a bit like when we say "sugar" instead of....... well you understand what I mean. 

The problem people have with dogs is a similar breakdown in communication, and we as Dog Listeners are in effect the interpreters, translating the language of the dog so the owners can understand and more importantly start to communicate effectively. Without my interpreter I guess I would have had to rely on imparting my wisdom in a series of clicks and whistles, as I noticed a few years ago between my French plumber and English builder, who became great friends while working together even though they didn't understand a word each other said. Somehow they muddled along, talking to each other like they were dolphins. With the barrier of language they both instinctively used body language to "chat".

If we forget the idea that dogs think like people and start to read their body language without the human eye, we can only then really start to listen to what dogs are really trying to say.    By the way, "schade" means "shame" apparently.....

The plight of dingoes in Australia mirrors that of the wolf in Europe and America - often criticised, frequently demonised and always misunderstood.

The question has to be asked - why do people think of the Big Bad Wolf, when wolf attacks on humans are virtually unheard of (seeing as they would much rather stay away from us)?

The answer is simple, and further proves the theory that the strong connection between humans and dogs is not due to human characteristics in dogs, rather dog traits in us.

I was honoured to be asked to give a talk in Queensland last night as part of a fund-raiser for the Victoria Bush Fire Relief effort, and in particular an organisation called Fun4Paws.  They're putting so much effort into finding foster homes for dogs who cannot remain with their families who have been placed in temporary accommodation after losing their homes in the devastating fires.

One story was particularly touching - a guy who had already lost all his possessions was heartbroken to think that he would also lose his dog. When he was told that thanks to Fun4Paws a place had been found for his pooch only 20 minutes from him he broke down and wept.

They say things happen for a reason..... well today on the way to giving a talk at Auckland SPCA (not Royal over here!) as I was driving along fellow Dog Listener Sue spotted a dog wandering in and out of the heavy traffic at a major intersection.

"We can't just leave it there" was quickly followed by a U-turn. Like the man of action I am (the previous night saw me crowd surfing at an Iron Maiden concert - ROCK!) I jumped out of the car as Sue found somewhere to park. Luckily the dog hadn't gone too far and was heading in my direction and as I knelt down and called it to me it came bounding up and virtually leapt into my arms.

On my travels here I have recently heard of a test for dogs approved by councils to "make sure" they don't attack kiwis, which are a protected species. The test involves kiwi feathers and an electric shock collar. The dog is let off the lead in an area where the feathers are. If the dog starts to try to go to the feathers it receives a shock. The idea is to deter the dog from approaching that smell. Then (and only then) the owner receives a certificate to state that the dog is "kiwi friendly".

The first proper rain in ages has fallen in New Zealand as I set off to Wellington on my road trip down to Christchurch to give a talk.

Yesterday I met with some police officers involved in the dog section and we exchanged views and practices. They were open to my thoughts and could see a lot of sense in them. It was also good that the Amichien Bonding technique does not interfere with the training they do, rather enhances it. The sergeant however wasn't present as he had been dog training for 30 years and "Knew it all".

G'day from New Zealand on Waitangi Day - a public holiday over here.

Exciting day today - I'm filming a series of short TV programmes all about how to introduce a new puppy to the home which should go out later this year at primetime. It's been a challenge to condense all the information I can give into one minute chunks but I think I've succeeded. I am filming with the team that for years has done a show here called "Wonderdogs", as well as working with Mum on "The Dog Listener Down Under" which is still running on Animal Planet. I intend for these shows to appear later on the website so fingers crossed I don't fluff my lines!

Next stop is Christchurch in the South Island for a talk on 15th so it's goodbye to Auckland for the moment and hello road trip! I have been told about a statue down there in Mackenzie country to commemorate a dog that was executed for sheep stealing - more about that if I find it, but apparently it's a famous (if grisly) story over here. On the way I have been invited to talk to the police dog handlers of Hastings on the East Coast so more about that later too.  Cheers, Tony

Above: I'm with the lovely 'Little Kate' near Cape Kidnappers, NZ 

I'm supposed to be taking a week off for a break in Bali and a chance to dive with some Manta Rays (well it's my idea of fun anyway!) But as ever I'm drawn to watching dog behaviour wherever I am.  Its a little tougher for dogs here - not just for dogs though, people too. Life's definitely more about survival and it's funny, but life here reminds me how similar we are to dogs.  I recorded you a short piece about it, which you can listen to here

For fun I threw in a bit about my encounter with a large, deadly, black snake. A narrow escape! 

Tuesdays live phone-in session on how to keep your dogs safe and happy over the Christmas season was great fun.

We had a long list of questions sent in ahead of the session and more on the night. The wonders of technology - we linked up Australia and the UK without a hitch for a session that took place simultaneously on Tuesday and Wednesday - and who knows what time-zone callers were on because we've got subscribers right across the world.

Questions covered everything from getting a new puppy at Christmas to dealing with the very real dangers of chocolate to a dog - and much more besides. If you missed it - don't worry because we recorded it for you.

So grab yourself a Mince Pie and a glass of Sherry, put your feet up, and get ahead of the game by knowing exactly how to deal with some of the extra pressures facing you and your dog over the festive season.

Click here to listen to the FREE recording

By registering with us you'll also get notification of the next session I run - and get a chance to join us and ask your own questions too.