I brought him home to meet the family including two and a half year old grandson. He settled in right [... continue reading 'Phoenix Arrives']]]> A hectic week. Saturday afternoon return to the UK following flights in excess of 24 hours. Half nine Sunday morning off to the New Forest to pick up Phoenix my new puppy (I didn’t drive). Would he still be cute? Of course, even more so.

I brought him home to meet the family including two and a half year old grandson. He settled in right away. Tom and Katie the cats were not too sure but decided on a state of armed truce. Katie has accepted the situation now but Tom’s holding out for a better offer.

It’s been a major upheaval for Phoenix, leaving his mum and littermates, moving to a new pack, a new place to sleep, working out where he fits into this situation. this is where dog listening comes into its own because we can communicate in a way that he will understand. Already he is happy and settled, no problems with eating, sleeping or toileting. If he has any questions he looks to me or my wife to know the answer and of course we must, he is not able to be a decision maker.

There have [... continue reading 'Recent and Future Travels']]]> It’s a busy life being a Dog Listener hence the delay since my last posting. Already this year in the course of my job ‘mending dogs’, as well as my usual hunting ground of Southern England I have travelled to such diverse and exotic locations as Scunthorpe (twice) Northamptonshire, the Isle of Wight (twice). Still to come are France, Australia, Yorkshire and possibly America.

There have been a number of jobs on offer which it would be prohibitive in cost to the client for me to travel such a distance. In cases like these we have a network of Dog Listeners across the UK and indeed the world that we can refer the client to. In some cases clients are not concerned about the distance or cost they want a specific Dog Listener. It maybe because of their background, that they would feel more comfortable with a male (or female) dealing with their dog or they might just like the look of a particular Dog Listener. Whatever the reason I, and my colleagues will always do our best to keep the customer happy. Wherever you are we can almost certainly get someone to assist you and your best friend.

This year has already yielded a crop of super dogs and clients helped. I hope soon to update my website and get some of their stories and pictures on the testimonial page.

With a general election coming I really need to get my act together and start putting pressure on all political parties about electric shock collars, spiked collars and other brutal training methods. watch this space.

While on the subject of watching don’t miss BBC2 at 8p.m. on Sunday 15th March 2009. The start of a series on Yellowstone Park my spiritual home. the place where you will (if you know the right people) witness canines in their most beautiful and natural state. I’ll be recording it because I know that if I don’t, then at the most interesting part someone will phone me to tell me it’s on and ask if I’m watching. So everybody, yes I know it’s on and I won’t forget to watch.

Silly story number one was the introduction of a new non emergency phone number by Dundee Police to take pressure off of the 999 system which was being overloaded by trivial enquiries.

It was decided that a bright [... continue reading 'Three Silly News Stories']]]> It must be ‘Silly Season’ looking at the press this week. We of course had the one serious story covered in a separate blog about Shock Collars in Wales.

Silly story number one was the introduction of a new non emergency phone number by Dundee Police to take pressure off of the 999 system which was being overloaded by trivial enquiries.

It was decided that a bright eye catching poster was needed to draw the public’s attention to the change. After much discussion it was decided to use a picture of an eight week old German Shepherd puppy, a potential Police Dog. Sitting in his handler’s upturned cap doing what pups do best, looking cute. Next to the picture were details of the new phone number. A simple idea, people see the cute picture, look at the poster and get the information.

No problem? Wrong, of course there is a problem. What if it upsets one of the few Muslims who live in the force area? They think dogs are unclean so everyone in the Police Service must make a grovelling public apology for the ‘insensitivity’ of the Police and of course withdraw the poster. Has anyone complained? One local politician out to make a name for himself. I know that there are people of all persuasions who trawl the media looking for some way, anyway, to be outraged or offended but come on, hasn’t some senior Police Officer or Government member got the guts to stand up and point out to the troublemakers that it’s a picture of a small dog advertising a phone number? That’s all it is, furthermore, the number is to help ‘the community’ a word beloved of these easily offended people who are usually self styled ‘Community Leaders’. In many cases of course the last thing these ‘leaders’ want is a happy and contented community because then their power base would be gone and they would have to revert to their true selves, sad inadequates with a strong dose of bitterness.

It is also of interest that it is now not uncommon to see Muslims with dogs, if only to guard their premises and that a number of Muslim clerics have stated that, even those who do consider dogs unclean make an exception in the case of hunting and ‘Service’ dogs because they are assisting mankind. A storm in a teacup, or should I say a Police Cap?

Silly story two. Once again political correctness interferes for no reason, and of course, doesn’t ask the people who have to do the job. This time it’s worry in case a explosive detection dog had to search a Muslim household and as a result offended the occupants. As previously mentioned the dog would be a service dog and therefore if not OK at least acceptable. The only thing that would be offensive would be dog saliva. So what have the brains come up with to prevent potential terror suspects being made ‘unclean’ by saliva? Yes you’re right, got it in one. Fit them with little lace up bootees, that’ll solve it???

I have a suspicion that anyone having their property searched with a terrorist connection is probably going to be less than pleased anyway and the arrival of a dog is going to be the least of their worries, unless of course the dog finds ‘the hide’. Once again people who don’t live in the real world are just looking for conflict. they are following their own agenda.

We did try boots on police dogs back in the 80s when inner city riots were sweeping the UK but found that the dogs were a little less than impressed with their new kit. Some ripped them straight off, others refused to move and those that did tended to stagger as if drunk before picking one of the other options to deal with them.

Silly story three, the top three breeds in a list of the most aggressive dogs are, 1) Dachshund. 2) Chihuahua 3) Jack Russell. We Dog listeners have a saying that to blame a dogs behaviour solely on its breed is like saying all Frenchmen wear berets. Of course breeds have certain pre-dispositions that we’ve bred into them but almost without fail their behaviour is down to the way that they interact with their owners and the signals they get from them. Owners of bigger dogs are probably more aware of the potential of trouble if their dogs bite. Many owners of smaller breeds either don’t believe that their dog would bite anyone or if they do don’t think it either hurts or matters. Owners like this often get a rude awakening when they injured party turns up at the Police Station demanding action.

Don’t worry what breed or mix of breeds you’ve got, big or small. If you give them the right information so they can rely on you (that doesn’t mean nagging them with sit, down and stay ad nauseum), they will be happy and safe dogs. the best way to achieve this is by contacting me or one of my colleagues and arranging a consultation. You can find a list of qualified Dog Listeners by visiting Jan Fennell’s website www. janfennellthedoglistener.com

To read the full ‘Ankle Biter’ story click on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2254479/Sausage-dogs-are-the-most-aggressive-dogs.html

It carries a number of articles and I’m involved in three of them. Yellowstone Experience (I’m far [... continue reading 'Dog Listener’s Newsletter']]]> We now have a new tool to help us spread the word about Amichien Bonding – the kind natural way to communicate with your dogs. Our own Newsletter. The first edition has just been published and you will be able to access it by clicking on the link below.

It carries a number of articles and I’m involved in three of them. Yellowstone Experience (I’m far right in the picture wearing a fetching little hat). Featured Dog Listeners about our involvement with rescue dogs from Afghanistan and their appearance at Crufts and finally, under the heading Health News is an article I wrote about Electric Shock Collars.

I don’t yet know how often this Newsletter will be published but hope to keep getting involved in its content.

Read and enjoy. As always, any feedback welcome. http://www.listeningtoday.co.uk/

Both these periods are very busy ones for me and my fellow Dog Listeners. The phone rings off the hook.

Problems with dogs and fireworks fall into two categories, either the dog is traumatised and afraid or they go into ‘Defence [... continue reading 'Christmas is Coming']]]> Now that the annual two month period that makes up ‘Bonfire Night’ is nearly over we are well into the the run up to Christmas.

Both these periods are very busy ones for me and my fellow Dog Listeners. The phone rings off the hook.

Problems with dogs and fireworks fall into two categories, either the dog is traumatised and afraid or they go into ‘Defence Drive’ and want to face the threat and fight it off. Both of these reactions are incredibly stressful to both dog and owners.

What can ‘Dog Listeners’ do to reduce the effect of the firework season? A huge amount, but it makes it so much easier if you put the measures in place before all the noise starts, rather than wait until your best friend is suffering a nervous reaction. Then, next time the rockets come out your dogs reaction will be, “Am I bovvered?”

The same thing applies at Christmas. You have a house full of people many of whom you haven’t seen since last year. There are excited children and noisy toys. Family arguments, loads of food and even more drink.

Dogs generally don’t celebrate Christmas. All they know is that the pack dynamic has changed. They ask questions “Who are all these people in my den? Why are they so noisy? Why do they all think they can sing? Why do they give one another packets of socks?” And, most important of all “Why, when they leave nuts, sausage rolls and Christmas cake laying about where I can reach it do they then get upset when I throw up in Great Aunt Mary’s handbag? How was I to know that a silly little thing like that would cause her to change her will?”

If you think Christmas is stressful for humans just try being a dog. At least you can get drunk or go to the bathroom with a book to have some ‘time out’. The dog is trapped and at the mercy of a pack of humans who, are all of course, dog experts. They’ll all shout contradictory commands at the dog and think it thick when it does not respond.

So, if you have a dog and expect a hectic household at Christmas I strongly recommend that you prepare in plenty of time. If you think that it might get too much for your dog contact a ‘Qualified’ Dog Listener, preferably me if you live in Southern England, before the problem arises. If you live out of my area I can still assist you by putting you in touch with your nearest ‘Qualified’ Dog Listener. I know that I keep stressing the word qualified but it is for a reason. There are a number of people who give themselves the title when they have no connection with Amichien Bonding at all. I know of one person who uses the title and advocates (and sells) electric shock collars and other cruel and stress inducing equipment. If you’re not sure if someone is genuine go to Jan Fennell’s website and there you will find all fully trained Dog Listeners both in the UK and around the world listed. They are either ‘Recommended Associate Dog Listeners’ like myself, or, ‘Preliminary Dog Listeners’ who are working their way to full accreditation. If they’re not on either list then they’re bogus. If you decide against employing a Dog Listener then at the very least buy a copy of ‘The Dog Listener’ and read it. Do it now so that you can take action early.

Whatever else you do PLEASE DO NOT buy a dog as a present. It will only end in tears. the pup will be removed from it’s Mother and siblings and placed into what will seem like a madhouse to them. They will get under peoples feet, they will not have time to work out where they fit into this new pack, you will not have time to start with house training which in turn inevitably will mean ‘accidents’. The list of problems is endless. If you are being nagged to buy a puppy then wait until spring when people are more relaxed and you can have the outside doors open more often to help with house training. But what can you give at Christmas in place of a puppy? You can give a vitual puppy, a picture of a dog that the recipient can change for a real animal in the Spring. you could also give leads, collars, food and waterbowls as well as a copy of ‘The Seven Ages of Your Dog’ by Jan Fennell which is a brilliant book and covers from birth to death and everything in between.

A couple of bits of advice, if you’re going to book a ‘Dog Listener’ don’t hang about, we tend to get very busy around this time of year when people remember what happened last year. We also have a rush of bookings straight after the festive season with clients wanting to avoid a repetition of the latest ‘stressfest’. If you want to buy any of the books mentioned the simplest way is to go to the links page of my website.

If you give a dog, you’re not giving a present you’re giving a life. Can the recipient deal with that?

My attention was drawn to the case of the American ‘sportsman’ Michael Vick and his involvement in this illegal ‘sport’. It seems his lawyer [... continue reading 'What does it take to put a ‘Celebrity’ behind bars?']]]> For all of you lucky people who have never seen an organised dog fight. I can tell you that it takes a special kind of person who having seen one is not physically sick and doesn’t have nightmares as a result.

My attention was drawn to the case of the American ‘sportsman’ Michael Vick and his involvement in this illegal ‘sport’. It seems his lawyer is sorting out a deal so that the poor little love is not inconvenienced too much by contravening some boring old law. He is after all famous, surely laws only apply to ‘little people’. It is only dogs that have died or been maimed so that’s alright then.

Read the story and see the video here http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=8fd_1187417726&p;=1

Vick then pleaded guilty http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a33_1187638783&p;=1

And then the apologists came out of the woodwork. You have to listen to this guy. Did he listen to what Vick did? Is he from the same planet as the rest of us? How can he sleep at night defending people like this? “Mr Vick is a redeemable human being”. Yeah, right! http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=bf5_1187816021&p;=1

And then we have the case of the rapper DMX who loved his multiple dogs so much he they were like family so, like you do, they were tied up and he didn’t visit them for two months. Obviously these dogs were much loved family pets and not intended for any other purpose.http://www.usatoday .com/life/ people/2007- 08-24-dmx- dogs_N.htm? csp=34 Will he receive a substantial penalty at court?

Think Paris Hilton and all the other C list celebrities who drive around in an unfit state often without a licence. Think of Pete Doherty who’s more likely to make the news if he wasn’t in possession of drugs when stopped by the Police for some unpleasant behaviour or other. He must be on his tenth ‘Last Chance’ . The list is endless both sides of the Atlantic, actors, musicians, ‘Super Models’, sports personalities, children of the aforementioned. They assault people, steal (you have to fill the wardrobes in your mansion somehow), demand ‘freebies’, get unpleasantly and dangerously drunk, openly take drugs and laugh about it because they’ve just told the last judge that they’ve found God and turned their life around. They do all of that and more and expect to get away with it, and they do! Weak judges, weak prosecutors and we wonder why young people are killing one another at an alarming rate!

Young people need role models, well duh! Young people would pay a lot more attention if they saw that just because someone has been on tv in a reality programme or crawled into the underwear of some scrawny model they were not exempt from the law. No wonder so many young peoples only ambition is to be a ‘celebrity’.

In between my clients and their dogs with behavioural problems I could happily fit in the job of Home Secretary, vote for me! I would have a simple philosophy, Bad things Happen to Bad People and not to Good People. Very Bad Things Happen to Very Bad People!

Finally if you really feel strongly about cruelty to dogs please sign my petition to Downing Street to ban cruel training aids such as spiked collars http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Traumatised-Dogs/

The quality is not great but it gives a flavour of what we are attempting to do.