Hi folks, yours truly back from a quick jaunt down to the Mediterranean with friends and the dogs.

Holiday season is in full swing over here and the place was packed with tourists, many bringing their pooches with them.

As we walked up and down the shopping arcade so the girls could look at Tackarama (an Aussie expression which I love) I noticed not only the reaction of other dogs to my two, but also theirs to this brand new place packed with strangers and other dogs.

I couldn't figure out the pattern to how Kez and Pru reacted - either quiet and an air of "Please God don't hurt me" or occasionally a Travis Bickle "You talking to me?" bristling.

Did big dogs do it? Black dogs? One dog on it's own? None of these fitted the profile. I used to think that Kez got brave when he saw a smaller dog, a tactic which backfired on him once when he courageously barked at a little dog, only for him to discover to his horror that it was in fact a Newfoundland that was far away. He turned tail and ran behind me, looking out at the monster from between my legs. It was a proud moment for us both...

Anyway, the point of this blog was that as a dog listener I fortunately knew the right answer to the situation, which was it did not matter how the dogs reacted, rather how I reacted that was important.

In fact, that's the key to walking dogs wherever you are, holiday or not.

If a dog looks to its leader for reassurance and the leader is calm, then all is well. If the owner makes a fuss, then even if the dog does believe in the human's leadership, it will think there is a problem.

So I made nothing of it... and bought a beautiful painted shell ashtray... which makes no sense as I don't smoke. But when in Rome...  Cheers, Tony Knight

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!!

All the best, Tony

P.S. This http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaaafxPUW5E - is what can happen if you aren’t happy and in control?

Let me ask you a question.  As temperatures soar this summer, can you imagine going barefoot on hot concrete wearing a fur coat? No?  Then perhaps you should think twice before making your dog do it!

This week has so far seen a heatwave in England, and I have forgotten to bring my shorts! I'm here in the UK to teach the latest group of people wishing to become Dog Listeners. Humidity is high and energy is low - a perfect time for those dog owners who are enlightened - and have taken on board Amichien Bonding Methods - to be thankful that they do not have to take their dogs out for a walk in this heat.

For me, it's not only the sight of poor dog owners (and their dogs) out in rain, hail and thunderstorms with the mistaken belief that they must walk their dogs. If anything  it is worse when the temperature is so high. As I have said before, if we humans find ourselves sweating profusely, imagine if we had to go barefoot on the concrete while wearing a fur coat!

A late evening stroll, being happy and in control, can be very enjoyable. But most owners out there don't consider walking the dog a joy, rather a chore that can cause anxiety, fear and misery. Yet they still go out there because they think they have to.

I remember seeing an old lady in France, zimmer frame grasped firmly in hand, slowly making her way down the road in scorching conditions, followed by her three-legged dog. As anyone who has ever had a personal trainer will testify, there is a fine line between exercise and torture......

So if you are feeling the heat right now, think of your four-legged friend too and find some shade. Maybe grab an iced tea while you're at it and don't forget to fill the dog's water bowl.... enjoy the British summer while it lasts!

PS For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, I will post this blog again in 6 months!

P.P.S  After hearing about the tragic story about the two police dogs that died from heat in the back of their handlers car, I just wanted to add this warning that was made by The Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, "the charity would like to remind dog owners that leaving your dog locked in a car can prove fatal, particularly during a heatwave. It can take just 20 minutes for a dog to die and temperatures reach over 40 degrees in some vehicles.   Stay Cool - Tony Knight