Hi folks,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

- Right, that's the obligatory bit out of the way.

2010 has been a year of many firsts for me, culminating in my first TV appearance on national Australian TV, my first cricket match, and today my first try at playing golf!

It turns out I am not too bad... but it still isn't a sport (there was a recent debate about that in the local pub I go to when in England). Anyway, here's to 2011 seeing more TV, and maybe another round of golf... but the latter is not a New Year's Resolution.

On a more serious note, A friend of mine is a nurse, and she has dubbed this time of year "Grannie Drop Time". Many families get their elderly relatives admitted to hospital for "health reasons", when in fact they are getting shot of the oldies as they have plans over Christmas and New Year. Nice...

The same thing is happening with dogs as owners either get rid of their pets due to social engagements, or as unwanted Christmas presents. Add into the mix the huge number of dogs that escape their homes in fear as the fireworks welcome in the new year and the animal shelters are bracing themselves for an influx of new furry residents.

However, depressing as this sounds, here's how you can give this situation a silver lining. Giving a rescue dog a loving home is an immensely rewarding experience and using Dog Listener techniques it can be an extremely successful one.

One of my students - now a very respected dog trainer - was instrumental in reducing the return rate of rescue dogs to her local refuge from 35% to 3%. That is an impressive result, and one would think that there must be something in this 'dog listener' system to achieve such a dramatic result.

So if you're still thinking about a New Year's Resolution that will seriously make a difference, why not think about giving a rescue dog a chance to have a great life with you.

Here's to a great 2011. Cheers, Tony

As a Dog Listener, one of the problems I always find with the idea of dominating dogs, that you see everywhere, is that there are some REALLY BIG DOGS out there.

It may be good TV to flip over a Chihuahua or stand over a Yorkshire Terrier and jab it in the neck, but what happens if the animal you are working with can actually pick you up in its mouth, take you out into the garden and bury you? Better to use intelligence than brute force.

I have been lucky enough to be invited twice backstage, as it were, to see the animals at Auckland Zoo (as seen on TV).

My Facebook friends may remember the profile picture of me underwater with the seal known as Scuttle. I distinctly recall one of us was darting around with amazing speed and grace, while the other… didn’t (I won’t mention which one was which…).

The invitation came as a result of them successfully using the Dog Listening system on their animals, making huge strides forward (literally) with their resident elephants.

Click on the video below to see the film of some of the interview I did with Andrew, whom I have dubbed The Elephant Listener (all rights reserved etc etc some-latin-words-at-the-end-to-make-it-look-official-and-legal).

Andrew talks of the difference between the “traditional” methods of dominating and how the Amichien Bonding technique has revolutionised the relationship with Man’s Biggest Friend. It is obvious that he has taken the essence of this process to heart, and the conversation is so good that I will put the full audio on my website soon for you to listen to and let you know when its available (let’s be honest, you may not hear what he has to say at first due to a couple of large distractions…).

Enjoy, Tony Knight.

P.S. Never let an elephant’s trunk near your face, you may be shocked where it has been (I wish I had known that when I went to South Africa – I wouldn’t have let one “kiss” me…).

P.P.S. Here is another cool elephant and dog clip courtesy of Monty Roberts’ wife Pat. Great story.

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.