Last weekend JFIDL attended a seminar, at the behest of the The Westie Rescue Scheme, and our Very Highly Recommended Associate, Sue Matcham, along with Recommended Associate Jenny Callaghan volunteered to fly the flag for us and give a presentation on Amichien® Bonding. This was the second seminar the WRS have given and this one, held at the Sketchley Grange Hotel, Hinckley, was even more successful than the first. The one day event was designed to give as much useful information as possible to the organisation’s members and volunteers to help them in their work with rescue dogs.
Sue was one of several speakers that day as the organisers very wisely decided that AB has a place here and are extremely interested in the work we are doing. Employing a two pronged information assault, Sue took care of the presenting which enabled Jenny to talk personally to members of the audience about their dogs and AB.
One thing that Sue didn’t expect, and hadn’t allowed for, was that WSC wanted to film the whole event for the edification of future dog fosterers. Unfortunately, Sue had left her best wellies at home but ever the trouper, once she had established the lighting for her "close up", Sue gave a talk lasting over an hour which went down extremely well with all present.
We are really happy that rescue organisations are starting to realise the value of our work and that implementing the process will result in less rescue dogs being returned to kennels.
Our thanks to Sue and Jenny for doing some sterling work for Amichien® Bonding and on our behalf.
15/05/2011 Some Really Serious Stuff For a Change
STOP PRESS – Tony Knight has been asked to be a guest judge at the annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk event in Australia this Sunday. He will be in Geelong, using his years of experience to accurately and objectively judge which dog has the waggiest tail, cutest eyes, biggest ears...
13/05/2012 Name Dropping!
Some people do move in exalted circles! In time for Her Maj’s Diamond Jubilee, Monty and Pat Roberts are back in the UK so that Monty can "present" at the biggest ever Royal Windsor Horse Show as part of the celebrations.
It’s estimated that around 3000 horses will be taking part in the event, held in the queen’s private grounds.
Wonder if he can get us a ticket?
Finding Amichien® Bonding in The Strangest Places!
Someone recently drew it to our attention that the Horse and Country Channel (sky 280) are running a series of shows called “Wonder Dogs” with Mark Leishman. The series features clips of Jan , recorded for an earlier TV show; "The Dog Listener Down Under", done a while back in New Zealand.
No one here knew anything about this and we’re not quite sure what it’s doing on an equestrian TV channel. However, although the editing doesn’t give strictly accurate accounts of Jan’s work in NZ, if it helps more people discover Amichien® Bonding, that’s fine with us!
10/05/2012
I Name This Store.....
Well here’s a first, Tony has been asked to appear at the opening of a new branch of a large pet supply company in Perth, Australia. This company are keen to provide their customers with a “One Stop Shop” solution for their customers and are prepared to call on the assistance of specialists to help in areas outside of their own sphere of expertise… and who are we to disagree?
We have also had interest from other large chains who are interested in staff training to enable their own teams to help customers with enquiries about dog behaviour issues.
We see this as a really positive step forward in helping reach more and more dog owners with the Amichien® Bonding message which, of course, will benefit both them and their dogs.
Surrey Foundation Course
We are always being asked "Why are the Courses you hold based mainly in the "North"?
It's usually because we know the venues better and where the best service and accommodation is for our students. However, we do travel around within the UK from time to time and will be back in the "South" in November this year. Although we are taking bookings now, we have not confirmed the venue yet but the course will be in either Dorking or Guildford. For Course details, or to book, click here.
Well, we did ask "Where Next?"....!
Following on from our previous international ventures, we are pleased to announce we will be holding our first Foundation Course in Wales next month. Strangely, although it’s on our door step, we have never held a Course there before and this first (of hopefully many) will be close to the nation’s capital, Cardiff. Click here for more details
3rd April ANOTHER FIRST FOR US!
Our first Foundation Course in France took place last weekend, held in Tony''s home town of Bouillac. After holding French language Amichien Courses in Belgium the next logical step seemed to be France and the response was better than we expected. So much so that we've already received enough additional enquiries to announce a second Course there on the 7th/8th of July.
THERE'S NO STOPPING HIM.....
As part of his on-going colonisation of France, Tony recently held his first talk there, so for any French speakers out there who would like to see part of that talk, for their edification, CLICK HERE!
Last week saw the completion of both our Foundation and Advanced Courses at the Fenestra Centre, Flixborough.
We would like to once again thank Andrew Green for hosting the event and all those who attended the course for showing their commitment to Amichien Bonding. It was a great pleasure to share our method with more enthusiastic people wanting to improve the lives of dogs and owners alike.
As promised back in February we are pleased to announce the release of the first in a series of ebooks “DOG AGGRESSION!”
Many owners know the frustration of having a dog that can be aggressive towards people and other animals, making every excursion outside of the house a stressful and unpleasant exercise.
Whether that’s aggression towards people (including children), other dogs or related to food, Amichien® Bonding has made it possible to address the problem in a calm way without the use of force, pain, fear, or confusion to a dog.
"THE AGGRESSION eBOOK". This eBook covers the theory behind aggression, through to practical steps to take to alleviate the problem, ensuring success when followed through at the owner’s and the dog’s own pace and, as always with my method, in your own home.
In order to assist as much as we can with this specific problem, we are also including an audio track which outlines “THE FOUR”. This audio track explains the key areas which form the foundation of Amichien® Bonding and when applied in conjunction with the information contained in the eBook, will maximise your chances of success.
This item can be purchased from the "Book" section of our ON-LINE SHOP.
MARCH 2012 "The Seven Ages of Your Dog"-NEW FORMAT
We are very happy to announce that after a brief spell out of print The seven Ages of Your Dog, previously the only one of our books only available in hardback, has been released this month in its new paperback guise. This paperback edition is still no lightweight and is a hefty 320 pages of information on the distinct phases of any dog’s life. But what are those phases? Do our dogs experience the equivalent of infancy and puberty, adolescence and adulthood? And what can we as do as owners to ensure our dogs take each step in their stride?
More detail can be found in the ”Books” section of our shop.
New Lands
Just when we were wondering where we hadn’t been yet, we were approached by Lian Elanor, who runs her own Dog Training website, about the possibility of hosting a Foundation Course in Egypt. This isn’t somewhere we had considered before but more and more people there are discovering the pleasures of pet ownership with the resulting desire to know more about the animals in their care.
Following discussions back and forth we have arranged to host a course in Cairo, with Lian’s assistance. We are really excited about this opportunity to spread AB even further afield and now just have to work out who has the chore of flying out to Egypt from a cold December UK to teach the Course.
This may even be an opportunity for anyone considering a holiday in Cairo to attend the Course whilst there and come back refreshed and informed!
New Dates for Australian Courses
Due to a great amount of interest from different parts of the continent, we will be returning to Australia in September to teach a series of our Foundation Courses in Queensland, WA and Victoria. The dates can be found on the "Courses" page on this website. Traditionally, we have concentrated in the Melbourne area but many people can't travel the vast distances necessary to attend, so we'll do the travelling instead and hopefully spread the word to a wider audience.
Tony is also planning to visit in May where he will be hosting a series of talks, including "Aggression Workshops" all over Australia. Details of these will be posted, as dates are confirmd, on our Dog Listener Diary page.
The Latest "The Dog Listener" Incarnation
The question occassionally comes up “How many languages are Jan’s books in?” To be honest, we’ve lost count but this is the very latest one and it’s in Korean.
This photo is from a complimentary copy sent from the publishers. The copies we receive from the publishers decorate the office shelves nicely and we have a gap just the right size for this one.
We expect it would be a absolutely cracking read but we can’t figure out which way round to hold it!
Spreading The Word
It’s always nice to hear when more organisations support Amichien® Bonding and it is thanks to the excellent work of our Dog Listeners that this is possible.
All of us at JFIDL wish to congratulate Sue Matcham for the talk she gave at The English French Bulldog AGM meeting in Staffordshire where approximately 50 people attended.
The one and a half hour talk was very well received by the society and their president, who expressed a great interest in Amichien® Bonding, has asked Sue to make further contributions to their society: potentially a ½ day or full day workshop and future talks where she would become the main speaker in front of a larger audience. They have also invited her to go to Discover Dogs with them on their stand.
It is good to see progress, especially when experienced dog people are now looking towards Amichien® Bondingas an alternative method to help them solve problems they have encountered.
Our thanks go to Sue and, also, Liz Gill who went along after seeing Sue’s post on our Dog Listener forum. It is good to see our colleagues supporting each other at events such as this.
COMING SOON!
New Aggression ebook release
We at JFIDL have decided to join the 21st century at last and are in the process of finishing production of our very first “ebook”.
The method, Amichien® Bonding, was designed as a way of teaching us all how to live with our dogs in peace and harmony. The method is comprehensive and covers all areas of our relationship with our dogs. However, understandably, many owners are primarily concerned with one particular problem area of their dog’s behaviour that they wish to address and their dogs may well be perfect in every other way.
In response to the many requests received by us daily asking for advice on specific issues, we are producing a series of ebooks, tailored to help dog owners address the most common problem areas, in detail.
The first of these ebooks will cover one of the three problems we receive the most enquiries about ...Aggression in your dog!
I recall some of the many challenges that I experienced with my own pets; the frustration of having a dog that could be aggressive towards people and other animals, making every excursion outside of the house a stressful and unpleasant exercise.
Whether it be aggression towards people (including children), other dogs or related to food Amichien® Bonding has made it possible to address the problem in a calm way without the use of force, pain, fear, or confusion to a dog.
"THE AGGRESSION eBOOK", makes it possible for me to share so many of my findings, combined with subtle alterations to deal with aggressive behaviour. The ebook covers the theory behind aggression, through to practical steps to take to alleviate the problem, making success absolutely guaranteed when followed through at the owners and the dog’s own pace and, as always with my method, in the privacy of your own home.
Please check the website regularly for release dates…
Rescue Symposium
Dog World magazine are holding a conference aimed at breed rescue societies and general rescue on the 21st of January. Jan will be the main speaker at this event where every aspect of dog rescue will be covered.
The venue is the Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh on Saturday, January 21st 2012.
Anyone wishing to attend this event should contact Geraldine at the address below:
After a hectic November. Courses in Sweden, Switzerland and Denmark (many thanks to those who helped organise them), and to finish off the month a full-on weekend in which I sandwiched my first ever talk in France with two birthday parties for my good mate Pascal. Maybe staying up until 6am was not the best way to prepare for a 3 hour talk in French, but when I saw the hall fill up (extra chairs were brought in) I got all the energy I needed to get over 150 French people enthused about the Dog Listening process. 2012 already looks like the right time to start courses here, both in French and English. After all, I am not the only Brit living over here... We are everywhere!
Being able to understand and communicate in another language meant that I was able to successfully get the message across (even if I did make the occasional gaffe). If I had used the traditional British way of speaking a foreign language - to shout in English - it would not have gone so well. It is no different with dogs. Once you understand their language, their behaviour is easily explained, and - more importantly - you know how to give the right answers to their questions. The great thing about Amichien Bonding is that we already know the dog's language. All that has happened is that we have forgotten how to do it. That's where AB comes in.
Even the word "Amichien" is a great example of this idea. Taking the French for "friend" and "dog" and sticking them together shows that when you understand the language, it is obvious.
OK, time to listen to whale song with the lights out - I have a short time to recover before I head off to Australia once more to give our new Safe Handling course, as well as an Aggression course and the Foundation course too. Phew - just looking at that has made me tired.
Cheers,
Tony
ONE DAY SAFETY AND HANDLING COURSE FOR PROFESSIONALS
The purpose of this one day course is to equip dog professionals (veterinary practices, rescue centre volunteers, groomers, etc.) with an effective protocol in order to safely deal with all dogs. Risk assessment of improper handling of dogs, and equally importantly the best way to interact with owners will be addressed. Attendees will receive a Safety & Handling support pack at the end of the course, together with a comprehensive concept of relevant Risk Management.
This first course will be held in Perth, Western Australia and hosted by Tony Knight.
For more information, or to book, call 0409 582 2120 or email: chevalierrosbif@hotmail.co.uk
New Aggression Workshop
Following all the recent media furore in Australia surrounding Dog Aggression, Tony Knight has decided to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions associated with this problem.
Tony will be holding a three hour seminar at the Newton Vet Clinic in Geelong, Victoria on the 15th December showing the the truth about Dog Aggression" and the correct way to deal with it.
Tickets are $27 and can be booked on 0409 854 120
A Special Evening
There is only one thing just as precious than having good family and friends and that is getting these special people together. Last night, in front of an audience of a thousand people, Monty Roberts took private time with my very good friends Wendy and John. They were one of the first to see Monty demonstrate ‘Equus’ at Stoneleigh in 1989. The following year Monty ‘started’ their 2 year old filly, which changed their lives forever. As for me, Wendy suggested that I too see this amazing process, which started my brilliant journey into finding the language of the dog and the rest, as they say, is history.
Now as I ride with Wendy we have to smile, as who would have thought that our friendship would result in me now teach my courses at the home of my friends Monty and Pat in California and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has helped me along the way. I am so lucky.
Jan F
Solvang Course
Our first Foundation Course to be held at Monty Roberts’ Flag is up Farms was a great success with everyone who attended having an enjoyable, as well as informative, experience. All of the students on the course were very enthusiastic and keen to learn as much about Amichien® Bonding as they possibly could. Such enthusiasm always makes these courses a joy to teach for Jan.
The visit was also a chance for Jan to meet and socialise with, U.S. based DLs; Penny Locke and Louise Pay, who sat in on the course to refresh their knowledge. The third DL to “sit in“; Karina Rasmussen came all the way from Denmark to attend this event. (Coincidence that Solvang was holding a Danish weekend? We’re not sure, she didn’t say.)
One added bonus for those who attended was the opportunity to meet and spend some time with Monty and Pat Roberts who took time out from extremely busy schedules to make them feel welcome. The students also got to meet the famous star of film and TV, Shy Boy who most of you will know from hearing Jan speak about him on talks and courses. Shy boy illustrates perfectly how, when the correct methods of working with animals are used, the desired response can be achieved, without using cruelty, violence or gadgets, even with non- domestic animals.
Following the success of this course, Monty and Pat have agreed to us returning twice next year, so watch the Courses pages for upcoming dates.
Thanks to Karina Rasmussen for the photo.
So Special
After walking with my dogs yesterday morning, I was given a parcel containing a super oil canvas created from my favourite photo of Jen, who died 2 months ago. The artist has completely captured her and the joy of the moment, as we ventured out in the deep snow last winter, bringing to life again the amazing memory of watching her having such a wonderful time.
I want to thank Shane for commissioning this beautiful gift and all who contributed to its creation and want you to know that I will treasure this always.
China Publishes - The Practical Dog Listener & A Dog's Best Friend
Some good news this week is that after the success of The Dog Listener in Simplified Chinese our Chinese publishers 'Orient Brainpower Media Co' have now taken a second and third book, The Practical Dog Listener and A Dog's Best Friend.
SPREADING THE WORD
‘Amichien Bonding’ comes to China
First published in the UK and USA in the year 2000 ‘The Dog Listener’ has become available in over 35 Countries, with the most recent being China.
The message that there really is a kinder and highly successful way of working with dog that everyone can do for themselves, in the privacy of their own homes gains in popularity, as it responds to the very heart of all loving dog owner and carers.
The Korean translation is now in the process of being published.
Jan's thoughts on the Dangerous Dog Act
The ‘Dangerous Dog Act’ is based on the misguided, traditional belief that it is the breed of a dog that determines the personality or traits and is responsible for the misery of so many dogs and their owners. This belief results in certain breeds of dog being considered dangerous and even banned in areas, districts, even countries and, whilst I fully respect and accept that the thinking of the relevant authority is to protect the safety of its citizens, it would be much better if real truth and informed advice was sort, especially when we consider that the steps taken to eliminate any danger to people is unsuccessful and no matter how many times the legislation is altered, reformed or changed the fact that the whole premise is wrong will absolutely prevent any real change.
Another sad outcome of such legislation is that, presented with any situation associated with the ‘law’, a council will take (what they consider to be) the appropriate decision which causes others to suffer physically and this is usually an innocent victim, a dog. A further question that arises from these legal procedures is who is qualified to assess the temperament of a dog? Are they aware that removing a dog from the family that it loves and placing it in an isolated, confined space will affect its “normal” behaviour? This makes it totally impossible to make any judgement on the actual nature of the dog.
Blaming a breed is like insisting that it is inferior, aggressive or problematic in some way – this would not be tolerated in humanity. The truth is that all dogs respond to the influence of their owners and that some owners are drawn to the appearance of specific dogs and that alone is where the real problem lies.
Once we accept to blame the ‘deed and not the breed’ then the situation becomes much easier to work with; a loving pet who has difficulties adapting to the society in which it find itself (this will be displayed by the dog in the only language it understands), then there appears to be no reason for any authority to become involved. It is the duty of all dog owners to take responsibility for any situation that their dog becomes involved in, a quick and just resolution can be agreed on quickly, instead of leaving a miserable dog left abandoned in less than ideal conditions for an extensive period of time, as anything over three months is an eternity in a lifetime that spans approximately 10 years. The Amichien® Bonding process enables owners to understand their dogs from a canine perspective, therefore, allowing owners to feel comfortable accepting responsibility for this family member.
It will be a bold and informed Government or Council that decides to take the right step towards success; to learn from their mistakes and lead others to a real solution.
Jan Fennell
17-05-11
19 May 2011
Hi folks, I am back to reality in France (not a bad reality to have really). I am disappointed to see that during my absence the DIY fairies did nothing to my house so it's back to the dirty work. A far cry from the life of a TV star in Australia... Showbiz is a fickle mistress.
The subject of saying "No" to a dog came up a few times while I was Down Under, and in order to explain why it is something to avoid, I had to explain to people what an ASBO was. The Anti Social Behaviour Order was one of the British government\'s less successful ideas. Basically, if someone was convicted of being a public nuisance, they were given an ASBO with the intention of shaming them to behave.
Unfortunately, it had the reverse effect, and young ruffians (feel free to add your own term if you feel \"ruffian\" is not sufficient) would collect them like scout badges. I was briefly in the cub scouts many years ago, and only ever got my Shoplifting badge. Well, I stole it really...
Anyway, the point is that if attention can be gained by bad behaviour, it will be gotten that way. I have met many "delinquent" dogs who have tried to attract my attention by throwing, chewing, knocking over tables, pushing chairs around, barking, jumping and grabbing... the list goes on. If any of this behaviour works, the dog will do it again. The trick is to ignore this and (if the behaviour is too extreme) give the dog a Time Out, so it can think about things while it has lost the pack.
The other thing about using the negative is how we humans have problems with it. Our subconscious cannot process a negative command. For example, do not think about a blue tree right now.
You thought of one, didn't you? In order not to think of one, you HAD to think of one. Clever, huh? Today's clip is another example. All you need to know here is that one of the T.V. presenters was specifically told NOT to touch the "sweet" looking mascot...
Back in 1999, whilst filming my first series for Yorkshire Television, I was asked if I would like to go with a new carer as she arranged to collect her ‘rescued’ dog from the rescue centre and to share my expertise to ensure a successful introduction to the family home.
I was somewhat surprised to find myself outside a car showroom on a busy main road but was assured that this was the right place. Brian Wheelhouse, (at left) the proprietor, came to greet me and together we weaved through the cars, around the ramped repair area and into the ‘office’. This was like entering into another world, with every room along the corridor purposefully transformed to house the dogs that Brian had taken from the Council kennels. Each of these dogs had reached the “seven day death sentence” point, a practise that had started Brian on his quest to save these lovely dogs from such a tragic end and was to prove the start of the ‘Whitehall Dog Rescue’ and on Sunday 10th April I was invited to join a ‘Sponsored Walk’ afternoon, to celebrate this organisation being granted charitable status.
Now housed on a five area farm, with rolling paddocks for the dogs to play in, kennels with spacious outside spaces replay the fitted back rooms but although the location differed greatly there were many very familiar sights to see; the immaculate conditions, the determined care for all of the dogs by Brian and his team of volunteers, even the presence of a large number of dogs coping beautifully moving around on three legs, with one eye, or many lumps and bumps. With a couple of the original dogs still enjoying their lives, as Brian’s own dogs, the actual number of which failed to discover, just as I had all those years ago.
To my absolute delight I have been invited to be Patron to this charity and so look forward to working with the Team there in any way that I can and I invite you to look at their website Whitehall Dog Rescue. and I will keep you posted as to our progress.
Whitehall Dog Rescue 07/04/11
Jan was recently asked to become a patron of the charity, Whitehall Dog Rescue and is delighted to be able to agree. Jan has known the proprietor, Brian Wheelhouse for over 12 years, back when, the kennels were housed in a converted section at the back of his garage. Today, the wonderful, purpose built establishment he runs, sits in over 4 acres of land and the kennels are of the very highest standard.
Whitehall operates a 100% “No Kill” policy and is currently looking for homes for many of its “guests”. If you would consider giving a home to one of these special dogs, or would like to make a donation, then please visit Whitehall Dog Rescue here.
MEET TONY KNIGHT, The Dog Listener in Somerset, 17th September 2011
Learn the secrets of our best friends from Tony Knight, a worldwide authority on canine behaviour.
Come and hear how to solve all dog related problems in a simple and effective way without the use of “traditional” methods of dominance.
The talk will be held at the Merlin Theatre in Frome, Somerset. Doors open 2pm and tickets are now available from the box office on 01373 461 360. Tickets are £16.50 for adults and £12.50 for children.
With lots of new information and material, a hugely enjoyable and enlightening time is guaranteed!
Mars Petcare Talk
This May, Jan has agreed to take part in a talk for Mars Petcare, the parent company of Pedigree Foods, designed to increase knowledge of dogs and their behaviour for Mars’ employees. Although this is not an endorsement of any company or product, it is a perfect opportunity for Jan to help make Amichien® Bonding more widely known within the industry and more "main stream".
Congratulations to Mars for taking this initiative, if only more companies in the pet industry realised some knowledge of animals would be something of an advantage!
18-Mar-2011
THE MAYHEW ANIMAL HOME 125TH ANNIVERSARY
With dogs that, for no fault of their own, find themselves in the need of rescue, Jan is always very happy to assist any group of people that take care of these dogs and seek new and loving homes for them. For these reasons Jan is delighted to be invited to take part in the 125th anniversary celebrations of the renowned, London based, The Mayhew Animal Home, in June.
The two day visit will include speaking at a special luncheon for their supporters, visiting the north London centre and conducting a question and answer session with the Team there, as they deal with the day to day problems that are experienced by the dogs that come into their care.
18-Mar-2011
SYDNEY VENUE
For all those waiting to book the Foundation and Advanced Courses in Australia, good news! We have (after a few false starts) finally confirmed the venue as Y Hotels, Hyde Park, Sydney.
Thank you all for your patience.
07/03/2011
Tony's Newest Blog 01/03/2011
DOG LISTENERS, DOCTORS AND DENTISTS
People have said to me in the past, "As a Dog Listener, don't you sometimes get sick of talking about dogs?"
I think I know what they mean - you hear the old chestnut about doctors at dinner parties being asked for their opinion of the host's haemorrhoids, for example. And I always like the joke about the gynaecologist who can't form a relationship, "If I see one more...".
Well, in a little down time between filming for Channel 7 and returning to Europe (next stop Sweden in mid February, which after being in the Australian summer will be a SEVERE shock), I have, among other things, been reading Russell Brand's autobiography (which may explain the rather risqué comments above. He's such a bad influence, don't you know).
Intrigued by the description of some of the TV shows he has done in the past, I have looked for them on Youtube, and as you know, yours truly has a penchant for adding a clip from said website in an attempt to entertain as well as inform.
Sometimes though, I have found a good clip, only to be put off by the barmy comments that some people feel they need to leave underneath the film, not only for or against the clip itself, but sometimes verbally attacking each other, using some right naughty language (I am sounding like Russell again).
Anyway, what does this have to do with dogs? Well, there was one rather nasty exchange between an American and a Brit, culminating with the former going on about the British and their "gross teeth".
I have heard this before from our cousins across the Pond, and speaking as someone whose teeth have "character" (in fact, I think their imperfections are part of my charm), I wonder why it is such a big deal to them. After all, if they were to criticise someone's appearance on gender or colour of skin, they would be rightfully labelled as sexist or racist (and I am sure that "dentist" does not also mean a tooth bigot... or am I?).
The reason for such an attitude is that fundamentally we are disturbed by difference. Whether race, sex or religion, we feel threatened by something that does not fit in with our world. This is a natural reaction based upon our natural instinct to survive. Just as the biggest threat to a wolf pack is the nearest pack to it, we feel our actual lives at risk from "others". I am not condoning this kind of behaviour, as our society means there is no need for it, but it needs to be understood before we can successfully manage it.
Which brings me back to why I very rarely get tired of talking about Dog Listening, or dogs - there is something of relevance in nearly everything around us, once you are aware. In any case, if ever I don't want to talk about what I do, I pretend I'm a lawyer, which usually results in social isolation! Cheers, Tony Knight
To check out Tony's recent blogs visit tony-knight.co.uk
Tony’s Latest Adventure “Down Under”
Tony was recently called in to assist celebrity designer Peter Alexander with his little "love triangle" problem……
Of course, to see the vid, you'll have to watch the ad first!
This video may only be around for a week or two and is currently on Channel 7's "Pets Page" so check it out while you can.
An Afternoon With Tony Knight - Australia
In advance of his Canine Communication courses in Sydney, Tony Knight will be hosting “An Afternoon With…” talk at Skilled Stadium, Geelong, Victoria on the 16-04-2011. Doors will open at 1.30pm. Tickets are limited and are available here , or from the Dog Listener Diary page.
SONIA KRUGER (FERGIE)
I had to be on my toes when visiting Strictly Ballroom’s Tina Sparkle, aka Sonia Kruger. Luckily I wasn’t there to dance (although I have been known to do the occasional salsa), but to help her with her gorgeous Staffordshire Bull terrier, Fergie.
This particular pooch’s problem was not only distressing, but also expensive. She has been destroying the area around the gate whenever Sonia goes away, leading to frequent replacement of wooden panels (I don’t mean the judges on Dancing With The Stars) and even unsightly damage around the doors. Fortunately, the solution is easy and takes very little time, provided it is done correctly.
Firstly, a dog destroying the house is a sure sign of separation anxiety. If a dog believes that it is responsible for the safety of its family, it will panic when those family members disappear. Chewing releases a natural chemical that calms down the nervous system. In the case of Fergie, there was also an attempt to break out in order to get to her “baby” – or Sonia as she is more commonly known.
Some dogs cannot even be left alone for a moment without them panicking horribly, to the point where their owners cannot even shut the bathroom door behind them. To help solve this problem, without stressing the dog out too much, you can practice something we call GESTURE LEAVING. It is a simple, but very positive thing to do, and it goes as follows:
Pretend to leave without making a fuss of the dog (go out of the front door, or even just into another room).
Wait 5-10 seconds (so the dog cannot get too wound up)
Walk back in and LEAVE THE DOG ALONE. This means no eye contact or talking to the dog. If you touch the dog, it will only be to gently push it away if it too “in your face”.
Wait until the DOG LEAVES YOU ALONE. This means the dog has accepted that you have a personal space that it should respect.
When you are ready, call your dog to you and give it a fuss.
If this seems too hard to do at first, think about doing it just before you make yourself a drink or snack. This way, your attention is on you first, rather than your dog.
If you think your dog suffers from Separation Anxiety, then I have created a Free report for you to read. Go to www.dog-anxiety.com to find out what you can do to solve this very common problem, and before you know it you’ll be dancing for joy.
Here's a link to the film Sonia's Suffering Staffie
(It's on page 2)
Cheers,
Tony
Bringing The Worlds Together 04/01/2011
The confidence to begin to make revolutionary and positive change is based on; belief, the study of success and being ready to learn new skills.
When I first saw Monty Roberts working with his wonderful procedure ‘Equus’ I knew that I was looking at genuine communication between two species, a man and a horse and I was blessed with belief. I looked to him again to see how he had discovered this language of the horse, which was based on spending months watching the interaction between the individual horses in wild herds of Mustang and then moving in such a way to try and emulate this ‘conversation’.
I knew that to understand the language of dogs I had to replicate his research and study canines living free of people. This I did and finally I was rewarded when I discovered my procedure which I named ‘Amichien™ Bonding’.
Now, for the first time these two worlds are coming together, as Monty and Pat Roberts are to graciously host a ‘Foundation Course’ in Canine Communication at their Home at ‘Flag Is Up Farms’, Solvang, California on the weekend of Sept. 17th 2011, which I will have the joy of teaching.
I thank Monty for the belief; I thank him for providing me with a clear way forward and now thank both Pat and Monty for their continued faith in my life’s work
For further information please contact my Team on 01724 761764, by fax 01724 761765, or contact by email on: amichien.office@bluebottle.com
Tony on Australian T.V 28-12-2010
Ealier this week Tony appeared on Channel 7s Sunrise Show, whilst visiting Australia. You can see this spot below. .
Meet Tony Knight, The Dog Listener
10-09-2011 Wiltshire/Somerset. Venue TBA.
Learn the secrets of our best friends from Tony Knight, a worldwide authority on canine behaviour. Come and hear how to solve all dog related problems in a simple and effective way without the use of “traditional” methods of dominance.
A hugely enjoyable and enlightening time is guaranteed!
Contact Jo Haylock at: jothedoglistener@hotmail.co.uk to book your place.
The Walk-DVD Package 28/11/2010
For every person that thoroughly enjoys taking their dog for a walk there is another owner who would love to experience the same pleasure but instead, encounters problems when walking their dog. For this reason we are proud to present the first comprehensive DVD dedicated to the subject of getting the most out of taking a dog for a 'walk.’
As always we are able to explain the 'walk’ through the eyes of all dogs and how, by working with the nature of your dog, using its intelligence and instincts along with only positive reward techniques you too can make this special time the joy it should be. The theory and explanations are complimented by practical demonstrations of every stage from teaching your dog to walk with you to successful recall at a distance.
This production is accompanied by many supplementary examples of skills and subtle ways of increasing the way to become happy and in control when you are away from home.
Unlike for “The Dog Listener” DVD, we haven’t used a production company this time but produced this 70 minute DVD “in house” to be able to offer it at the right price. To complete the package, you may choose between either a kind Slip Lead, (the only type of lead we endorse) or a 5 metre Long Line, all for the introductory price of £17.50 plus P & P.
Please see our Online Shop/DVD page to purchase.
05 Nov 2010
NOW AVAILABLE
Jan’s latest book 'The Puppy Listener', has been published by HarperCollins.
This book covers the first six months of the life of your puppy and includes Behavioural and Veterinary information as presented in Jan's fifth book 'The Seven Ages of Your Dog' and now offered as a single project, for those unfamiliar with this unique and highly successful method of working with all dogs.
'The Puppy Listener' offers the perfect guide for all owners starting on the wonderful experience of sharing their lives with 'Man's Best Friend' and wanting to create the perfect relationship that you both deserve and is offered, with a personal dedication from Jan, at the introductory price of £6.50+P&P.
Please visit our Online Shop "Books" page for details of how to order.
13th October 2010
THE PAST TEN YEARS OF WOLF WATCHING
Celebrations for the 10th anniversary of 'The Dog Listener’ would be incomplete without sharing a little of the world that I have studied extensively for the past twenty years, making it possible for me to discover the true language of all dogs, from Dingoes in Australia, to Painted Dogs in Africa.
Thank you to the special Team at Mission Wolf in Colorado, with their wonderful motto of 'Education v Extinction’. Thanks to them I have been able to get close to many of the wolves that they rescue and care for, making it possible for me to spend hours watching their body language, facial expression and communication system. With special thanks to Tracy Anne Brookes who provided the fabulous wolf photos for my books.
Wolf Park
Thank you to the people of 'Wolf Park’ Indiana who, with their captive pack, have proved gracious in their willingness to share their research and also affording me priceless opportunities to spend precious time watching and being with their wolves.
The precious opportunities afforded me by Mission Wolf and 'Wolf Park' proved so valuable in becoming familiar with the body language, postures, expressions and attitudes of these captive animals at close quarters. This close observation made it possible for me to begin to understand how their communication system serves their cousins living in their natural environment, without direct, deliberate, interaction with humans. The secrets of the drives, instincts, values and nature of all dogs can only be fully understood and appreciated by hours and hours of patient observation. Then we can watch canines that have to live with the decisions that they make daily for their own and their pack’s survival. Only when we fully understand the world for canines living with natural dangers that they must learn to recognise and cope with, along with their need to identify, locate, hunt, bring down and protect their own food source, that a true understanding of every action and reaction can be fully appreciated. This understanding is the basis of 'Amichien® Bonding’.
Yellowstone
Thank you to the coyote, foxes and the wolves of Yellowstone National Park, especially the amazing 'Druid Peak Pack', with its unbelievable characters, who played their part in the story of the pack that began in 1996 and ended earlier this year. Every one has proved my most precious of teachers, their lives documented and recorded so faithfully, providing a unique and accurate glimpse into their world. From catching glimpses of them on the horizon to watching to them play, feed, make a kill, regurgitate to their puppies, face danger, mating and snooze in the sun, the hours and hours have become so special to me. How I look forward to my next trip in October 2010, as we wait for the next chapter in the story.
I would also like to say a very special thank you to Linda and Nathan my invaluable guides and friends, who like so many other experts and dedicated wolf watchers associated with Yellowstone, have given their time and knowledge so readily to me. From their gracious patience with my endless questions to their caring enough to place an extra blanket around my shoulders, when I was unable to take time away from my viewing scope because so much was happening.
I dedicate this section to 21M, 42F, 302M, 472F and especially 569F for making this such a brilliant adventure.
Now Available!
With Guy Fawkes Night approaching in the UK with its traditional firework displays, the season of UK winter celebrations worldwide begins. As that date gets closer many people face the worry of their best friend’s reaction to the accompanying noise and we recognise that this can prove a very distressing time for many dogs, and their loving owners.
We have made it possible to eliminate this distress, without the need for drugs or gadgets, on the audio CD 'Fear of Noise'. To aid in preparing for the event, we are offering the “Fear of Noise” CD at the reduced price of £7.50 + p&p, which will be valid right up to November 5th.
The CD will also be available in the following package:
'The Fear of Noise' CD and the 90 minute DVD of 'The Dog Listener', for £22.00 + p&p, a saving of £8.50!
Advance orders can be made through the Scotterthorpe office on +44 (0) 1724 761 764.
Offers will be valid until November 5th
To purchase please visit our online shop/merchandise page.
Taunton Foundation Course
Jan is delighted to announce that due to rescheduled work commitments, she will now be free to tutor the 2 day foundation course in Taunton, on the 2nd and 3rd of October.
As this is her favourite course, she is really looking forward to the weekend and also to seeing her friends and colleagues in the South West.
A special thank you goes out to Pam Shaw for hosting this event.
Case Studies
In response to the many requests received by my Team from people wishing to see me “in action”, and whilst going over older footage for the “The Dog Listener” 10th anniversary celebrations, I have decided to post some early video clips from my career to enable those people who are not so familiar with my method to see Amichien Bonding working.
In the main, these case studies are taken from regular spots on television and may not be familiar to you as they are not taken from the television series "The Dog Listener". As you will appreciate, not all of the case studies filmed were shown on national television purely because of time constraints and I would like to share some of those with you now.
Experiencing common behavioural problems with dogs is very distressing for many people, all of whom are loving owners, and can ruin what should be a happy and enjoyable relationship. Hopefully, if you are experiencing any of these problems, you will see something in the clips which will assist you in dealing with them.
The first case study I will show you was a rather large fellow called Benson, who shared the family home with other dogs but just couldn’t get on with any of them. Because of his sheer size, chaos reigned!
Jan Fennell - Benson
07-09-2010 COMING SOON
The method I discovered, Amichien Bonding, was designed as a way of teaching us all how to live with our dogs in peace and harmony and to find how we could invite our dogs to behave in a way that is both appropriate and acceptable but also, safe in “our” world. However, understandably, many owners are primarily concerned with one particular problem area of their dog’s behaviour that they wish to address. In response to the many requests, to me personally and also received by our office asking for advice on specific issues, I am producing a series of comprehensive packages which are tailored to help dog owners with certain problem areas, in detail.
The first of these packages, will cover the one problem I receive the most enquiries about ...Walking your dog!
When I think back to the days before I discovered the language of all dogs and I recall some of the many challenges that I experienced with my own dogs, from the frustration of having a dog that constantly pulled on the lead, no matter what I tried to do to correct it, to the distress and embarrassment of having a dog that could be aggressive towards people and other animals that we would meet when we were out and about. This was one of the many reasons that I determined to seek the truth, by discovering a method that made it possible for me to really overcome all behavioural problems, a method that was kind as well as effective.
I first had to accept that there can never be a lead, head-brace or harness capable of correcting any walk problem without inflicting either pain, fear, or confusion on a dog, which meant that I was finally liberated and able to look at the ‘walk’ in a completely different and honest way.
I am so proud to present "THE COMPREHENSIVE WALK PACKAGE", making it possible for me to share so many of my findings, combined with the subtle alterations to the walk experience, starting with our thinking through to our practice, making success absolutely guaranteed, when followed through at our and our dog’s own pace and as always, with my method, in the privacy of your own home.
I have made it possible for you to compile your own package to suit your individual needs and budget. Details of the full range of package options will follow very soon.
My Thank-Yous To The People Who Helped Make A Success Of My Work
As I celebrate the 10th anniversary of my first International best- selling book 'The Dog Listener’, I want to take this golden opportunity to thank everyone who had played such an important part in the success of the method I was able to create, known as 'Amichien Bonding’
Firstly to Monty Roberts who showed that it was really possible to communicate successfully with another species. His fame as 'The Man Who Listens to Horses’ was earnt, not only for his studies of horses living free, in the deserts of Nevada, providing him with the deep understand of the language used by horses but primarily his skilfully development of a system that faithfully translates that knowledge into a procedure that could be used by almost all people, making it possible for us to understand horses and more importantly making it possible for horses to really understand humans, a system he named 'Equus’
Naturally I knew that the language of the horse could never work for a dog, as the horse is a prey animal and a dog is a predator, which demand very different reactions to situations but the enlightened magic that I took from Monty was his desirable premise that to kindly shape desired behaviour and build the trust that is essential to any valued relationship, we have to eliminate all fear, pain and force from any interaction with the animal, which he did so brilliantly by replacing traditional coercion with the joy of inviting willing co-operation, thereby 'allowing the horse to work for us because it wants to, not because it is made to’, 'working with the horse’s nature’, thereby makes it possible for the horse to choose us as the 'Chairman of the meeting’, or family (herd) leader.
I knew when I heard Monty refer to 'Starting the baby’, instead of 'breaking the horse’, when he first asks the young horse to accept a saddle, bridle and rider for the very first time, that his approach and attitude was what I had been waiting for. The simple reason being that this different way of thinking liberated me from the forceful dominating training that I had always believed essential when working with a dog. This complete turn- around in thinking made for rapid progress, as our frame of mind and intension brings us half way to our ultimate goal. Happy in the knowledge that, as long as I held true to this and studied the canine family, just as Monty had studied the equine family, combined with the highly influential similarity between horses and dogs both functioning in family groups, such as herds and packs, a further factor that tied in with our own tribal way of life, which I knew had to work to my advantage, so I had to find the hidden language of our dogs
What followed was hours, days, weeks and months of research, made possible by the dedicated wild life film makers and their telescopic cameras, which supply the plethora of wildlife documentaries available on TV and as always some were excellent whist others so inaccurate and misleading. Both proved invaluable to me as I began to reveal and understand the subtle and very effective way that dogs use signals, body language, intent, expressions , stance and presence to quietly exchange vital information and with this knowledge I was able to create a way to finally engage in silent 'conversation’ with my own dogs.
Respecting and appreciating the level of study that had gone into my success in recognising the 'language of the dog’ making it possible for me to create a simple and very effective way for almost all people to communicate with any dog, just as he had with 'Equus’ Monty so graciously put his name to this book in the form of a very honest foreword, for which I thank him so sincerely.
10 years on this professional relationship has become a treasured friendship and just as I shared many of Monty’s demonstrations when possible I was so delighted when, in 2006, at the Irvine College in Orange County California, where I had been invited to speak about my unique work, sitting in the front row of the audience was Monty accompanied by his wife, of over fifty years, Pat, their daughters Debbi and Lori, along with other members of the Roberts family, a family that have all become so special to me and who make my visits to their homes so fabulous. With a special place in my heart for Cody Pat’s 'blue heeler’ and Shy Boy the 'mustang that came home’
Presenting an approach that flies in the face of traditional thinking , so radically different to accepted practises will always create suspicion and confusion for some people, a further factor that Monty made me aware of and how right he was. I know that just as he had the support of Pat, their children along with their numerous friends, I too have been lucky enough to have family and friends that have helped me cope with whatever has come my way and again like Monty have been able to share the absolute delights of the continuing success of the work that I started over twenty years ago. A pleasure confirmed almost daily when people, who have found my work right for them and their dogs, contact me to let me know of their joy and success.
I wish to thank all who have put their trust in my method 'Amichien Bonding’, which for most people has been by reading the books and privately creating the relationship with their dogs that they both deserve. I have had the pleasure of spending time with the thousands of people who have attended my presentations around the world and answering their questions is always such fun and joy for me. There have been hundreds of people who have attended my many various courses, worldwide, in their desire to learn more about the subject I have dedicated myself to and as with every area of such great interest there are the dedicated people who have continued with me, constantly improving their knowledge and skills by becoming my recommended Dog Listeners. People I respect and thank as they freely take part in my Quality Control system, thereby making it possible for me to ensure that the standard of professional behavioural advise, so important to me, is guaranteed to every dog owner putting their faith in my name, reputation and method, and those Dog Listenrs that I am able to professionally associate with can all be found on this website.
To my Team here at the office Karen and Tania, as they take care of every enquiry, phone call and query that come to us daily, with such grace and courtesy. To Tony, my son and colleague who is constantly working to make this work available to every dog carer who would like to know more about our work and who travels the world representing the entire Team and teaching many of the courses alongside myself and our colleague Gill Tuxworth, who as well as teaching leads the Q.C system, in her natural helpful, encouraging manner.
To Mary Pachnos, my literary Agent, who guided me through the maze that is the publishing world, her Team who are responsible for the numerous language translations of my books and to those who have worked with me at HarperCollins over the decade. With a special thanks to 'Casper’.
It is impossible for any one individual to make a real difference without the trust of others and I am so grateful to all who have made it possible for me to help dogs worldwide, by adopting my method 'Amichien Bonding’ and for understanding that, like any language, it will always be appropriate and timeless Thank you and let us look forward to the decades to come.
Jan Fennell
September 2nd 2010
A 10th Anniversary Message From Jan
HarperCollins press release celebrating the release of the 10th anniversary edition of
Published on 2nd September 2010 by HarperCollins, £8.99 PB
You’ve heard of the Horse Whisperer – now meet the woman who uses similar methods to train dogs.
Sunday Times bestselling author Jan Fennell.
Fennell’s remarkable gifts have earned her the nickname “the dog listener”. With over 25 years experience working with dogs, Jan’s unique understanding of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and delinquent of dogs to heel.
This easy-to-follow guide to understanding Jan’s simple techniques draws on her countless case histories of problem dogs – from biters and barkers to bicycle chasers – to show how we can bridge the language barrier that separates man from his best friend.
In The Dog Listener Jan shares her secrets, telling us how she grew determined to find a more compassionate alternative to standard “obedience” training techniques and ultimately how to communicate with canines.
- Author Jan Fennell is available for interview –
Jan Fennell International Dog Listeners Ltd
Pond Farm | Scotterthorpe | Lincolnshire | DN21 3JL
Tel: +44 (0) 1724 761764 | Email: info@janfennellthedoglistener.com
Registered in England No. 6623023 | VAT No. 971430917
Last weekend JFIDL attended a seminar, at the behest of the The Westie Rescue Scheme, and our Very Highly Recommended Associate, Sue Matcham, along with Recommended Associate Jenny Callaghan volunteered to fly the flag for us and give a presentation on Amichien® Bonding. This was the second seminar the WRS have given and this one, held at the Sketchley Grange Hotel, Hinckley, was even more successful than the first. The one day event was designed to give as much useful information as possible to the organisation’s members and volunteers to help them in their work with rescue dogs. 
STOP PRESS – Tony Knight has been asked to be a guest judge at the annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk event in Australia this Sunday. He will be in Geelong, using his years of experience to accurately and objectively judge which dog has the waggiest tail, cutest eyes, biggest ears...
Some people do move in exalted circles! In time for Her Maj’s Diamond Jubilee, Monty and Pat Roberts are back in the UK so that Monty can "present" at the biggest ever Royal Windsor Horse Show as part of the celebrations.
Someone recently drew it to our attention that the Horse and Country Channel (sky 280) are running a series of shows called “Wonder Dogs” with Mark Leishman. The series features clips of Jan , recorded for an earlier TV show; "The Dog Listener Down Under", done a while back in New Zealand.
Well here’s a first, Tony has been asked to appear at the opening of a new branch of a large pet supply company in Perth, Australia. This company are keen to provide their customers with a “One Stop Shop” solution for their customers and are prepared to call on the assistance of specialists to help in areas outside of their own sphere of expertise… and who are we to disagree? 
We are always being asked "Why are the Courses you hold based mainly in the "North"?
Following on from our previous international ventures, we are pleased to announce we will be holding our first Foundation Course in Wales next month. Strangely, although it’s on our door step, we have never held a Course there before and this first (of hopefully many) will be close to the nation’s capital, Cardiff.
Our first Foundation Course in France took place last weekend, held in Tony''s home town of Bouillac. After holding French language Amichien Courses in Belgium the next logical step seemed to be France and the response was better than we expected. So much so that we've already received enough additional enquiries to announce a second Course there on the 7th/8th of July. 
Last week saw the completion of both our Foundation and Advanced Courses at the Fenestra Centre, Flixborough.
We are very happy to announce that after a brief spell out of print The seven Ages of Your Dog, previously the only one of our books only available in hardback, has been released this month in its new paperback guise. This paperback edition is still no lightweight and is a hefty 320 pages of information on the distinct phases of any dog’s life. But what are those phases? Do our dogs experience the equivalent of infancy and puberty, adolescence and adulthood? And what can we as do as owners to ensure our dogs take each step in their stride?
Just when we were wondering where we hadn’t been yet, we were approached by 
Due to a great amount of interest from different parts of the continent, we will be returning to Australia in September to teach a series of our Foundation Courses in Queensland, WA and Victoria. The dates can be found on the "Courses" page on this website. Traditionally, we have concentrated in the Melbourne area but many people can't travel the vast distances necessary to attend, so we'll do the travelling instead and hopefully spread the word to a wider audience.
The question occassionally comes up “How many languages are Jan’s books in?” To be honest, we’ve lost count but this is the very latest one and it’s in Korean.
It’s always nice to hear when more organisations support Amichien® Bonding and it is thanks to the excellent work of our Dog Listeners that this is possible.
New Aggression ebook release
Dog World magazine are holding a conference aimed at breed rescue societies and general rescue on the 21st of January. Jan will be the main speaker at this event where every aspect of dog rescue will be covered.
After a hectic November. Courses in Sweden, Switzerland and Denmark (many thanks to those who helped organise them), and to finish off the month a full-on weekend in which I sandwiched my first ever talk in France with two birthday parties for my good mate Pascal. Maybe staying up until 6am was not the best way to prepare for a 3 hour talk in French, but when I saw the hall fill up (extra chairs were brought in) I got all the energy I needed to get over 150 French people enthused about the Dog Listening process. 2012 already looks like the right time to start courses here, both in French and English. After all, I am not the only Brit living over here... We are everywhere!
The purpose of this one day course is to equip dog professionals (veterinary practices, rescue centre volunteers, groomers, etc.) with an effective protocol in order to safely deal with all dogs. Risk assessment of improper handling of dogs, and equally importantly the best way to interact with owners will be addressed. Attendees will receive a Safety & Handling support pack at the end of the course, together with a comprehensive concept of relevant Risk Management.
Following all the recent media furore in Australia surrounding Dog Aggression, Tony Knight has decided to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions associated with this problem. 
There is only one thing just as precious than having good family and friends and that is getting these special people together. Last night, in front of an audience of a thousand people, Monty Roberts took private time with my very good friends Wendy and John. They were one of the first to see Monty demonstrate ‘Equus’ at Stoneleigh in 1989. The following year Monty ‘started’ their 2 year old filly, which changed their lives forever. As for me, Wendy suggested that I too see this amazing process, which started my brilliant journey into finding the language of the dog and the rest, as they say, is history.
Our first Foundation Course to be held at Monty Roberts’ Flag is up Farms was a great success with everyone who attended having an enjoyable, as well as informative, experience. All of the students on the course were very enthusiastic and keen to learn as much about Amichien® Bonding as they possibly could. Such enthusiasm always makes these courses a joy to teach for Jan.
After walking with my dogs yesterday morning, I was given a parcel containing a super oil canvas created from my favourite photo of Jen, who died 2 months ago. The artist has completely captured her and the joy of the moment, as we ventured out in the deep snow last winter, bringing to life again the amazing memory of watching her having such a wonderful time.
Some good news this week is that after the success of The Dog Listener in Simplified Chinese our Chinese publishers 'Orient Brainpower Media Co' have now taken a second and third book, The Practical Dog Listener and A Dog's Best Friend.
‘Amichien Bonding’ comes to China
Hi folks, I am back to reality in France (not a bad reality to have really). I am disappointed to see that during my absence the DIY fairies did nothing to my house so it's back to the dirty work. A far cry from the life of a TV star in Australia... Showbiz is a fickle mistress.
Back in 1999, whilst filming my first series for Yorkshire Television, I was asked if I would like to go with a new carer as she arranged to collect her ‘rescued’ dog from the rescue centre and to share my expertise to ensure a successful introduction to the family home.
Jan was recently asked to become a patron of the charity, Whitehall Dog Rescue and is delighted to be able to agree. Jan has known the proprietor, Brian Wheelhouse for over 12 years, back when, the kennels were housed in a converted section at the back of his garage. Today, the wonderful, purpose built establishment he runs, sits in over 4 acres of land and the kennels are of the very highest standard.
Learn the secrets of our best friends from Tony Knight, a worldwide authority on canine behaviour.
This May, Jan has agreed to take part in a talk for Mars Petcare, the parent company of Pedigree Foods, designed to increase knowledge of dogs and their behaviour for Mars’ employees. Although this is not an endorsement of any company or product, it is a perfect opportunity for Jan to help make Amichien® Bonding more widely known within the industry and more "main stream".
With dogs that, for no fault of their own, find themselves in the need of rescue, Jan is always very happy to assist any group of people that take care of these dogs and seek new and loving homes for them. For these reasons Jan is delighted to be invited to take part in the 125th anniversary celebrations of the renowned, London based, 
For all those waiting to book the Foundation and Advanced Courses in Australia, good news! We have (after a few false starts) finally confirmed the venue as 
DOG LISTENERS, DOCTORS AND DENTISTS
Tony was recently called in to assist celebrity designer Peter Alexander with his little .jpg)
SONIA KRUGER (FERGIE)
The confidence to begin to make revolutionary and positive change is based on; belief, the study of success and being ready to learn new skills. 
For every person that thoroughly enjoys taking their dog for a walk there is another owner who would love to experience the same pleasure but instead, encounters problems when walking their dog. For this reason we are proud to present the first comprehensive DVD dedicated to the subject of getting the most out of taking a dog for a 'walk.’
NOW AVAILABLE
THE PAST TEN YEARS OF WOLF WATCHING
Thank you to the people of 'Wolf Park’ Indiana who, with their captive pack, have proved gracious in their willingness to share their research and also affording me priceless opportunities to spend precious time watching and being with their wolves. 
Thank you to the coyote, foxes and the wolves of Yellowstone National Park, especially the amazing 'Druid Peak Pack', with its unbelievable characters, who played their part in the story of the pack that began in 1996 and ended earlier this year. Every one has proved my most precious of teachers, their lives documented and recorded so faithfully, providing a unique and accurate glimpse into their world. From catching glimpses of them on the horizon to watching to them play, feed, make a kill, regurgitate to their puppies, face danger, mating and snooze in the sun, the hours and hours have become so special to me. How I look forward to my next trip in October 2010, as we wait for the next chapter in the story.
With Guy Fawkes Night approaching in the UK with its traditional firework displays, the season of UK winter celebrations worldwide begins. As that date gets closer many people face the worry of their best friend’s reaction to the accompanying noise and we recognise that this can prove a very distressing time for many dogs, and their loving owners.
Jan is delighted to announce that due to rescheduled work commitments, she will now be free to tutor the 2 day foundation course in Taunton, on the 2nd and 3rd of October.
The method I discovered, Amichien Bonding, was designed as a way of teaching us all how to live with our dogs in peace and harmony and to find how we could invite our dogs to behave in a way that is both appropriate and acceptable but also, safe in “our” world. However, understandably, many owners are primarily concerned with one particular problem area of their dog’s behaviour that they wish to address. In response to the many requests, to me personally and also received by our office asking for advice on specific issues, I am producing a series of comprehensive packages which are tailored to help dog owners with certain problem areas, in detail.
Published on 2nd September 2010 by HarperCollins, £8.99 PB
