Sunday, August 26, 2012

I am a dog trainer

I bought a book a while ago at a used book sale in my hometown of Gettysburg, Adams County Pennsylvania (this is what is stamped on the top of the book).  As I read the forward and flipped through it that summer day standing in the cafeteria of my old Junior High School, I knew this was a book I would really enjoy.  It's called, "Adam's Task - calling animals by name" by Vicki Hearne.  This book has sat on my "to read" book pile by my bed for a couple years. I have to note and give this book credit as it was worthy enough not to be set on the bookshelf of  "I will eventually get to these" books. It was afterall special enough to be placed by my bed.  This book has dutifully kept it's vigil, waiting for me.  I went through that pile just this week looking for something really "good" to read during vacation and after reading the forward again, I picked it out of the pile, placed it on top and will be packing it along with me as I go and have some fun in the sun with my family - grand baby and dogs included!

Here is a quote from the forward by Donald McCaig (a favorite writer of mine and dog trainer in his own right).  "I believe that training any dog to anything like his full capacity is an intricate, heartfelt, deeply intellectual undertaking which deepens the trainer's soul as surely as it satisfies the dog's.  The conversation between trainer and dog is so subtle and satisfying that I have known great trainers whose ordinary human speech has atrophied." Yes, yes and Amen!  What I wouldn't do to sit down and have a conversation with this man.

I've ventured into the first chapter of the writing of Vicki Hearn, who is also a fellow trainer of both dogs and horses, and I am excited (fairly shaking with anticipation like my sweet Ezra tends to do just before enjoying an agility course) to explore the thoughts she has written down on page. I am fairly giddy at the prospect of sitting with her on the beach next week allowing her to continue to speak to me through her writing.  I found myself stopping to think of the deep meaning of what she is conveying through her writing.  I find myself having so many questions flip through my mind as quickly as I flipped through the pages and finding myself asking these questions out loud.  I am hoping as I read further she will, in fact, answer my questions.

I have come to the realization that my entire life has been a study in training dogs...it started when I was very young (I can't remember a time I didn't know dogs in my life) and had the happy privilege to be surrounded by dogs of many different sizes, mixes and breeds.  And thankfully I observed working dogs first hand, truly intelligent dogs who made the life of my family easier by the work they did for and with them. It was natural for me to see dogs as working dogs, dogs sharing our lives, having purpose far greater than being tied to a tree out in the backyard.

When reading the works of people like Donald McCaig and Vicki Hearn, I am proud to say that I am a dog trainer.  Training dogs isn't just something to do, it is a part of me...who I am. It isn't making or pushing the dog to do what I want, the snatch and jerk method...it's a thoughtful conversation, it's intricate, working with individuals who deserve my care and respect to reach them where they will learn best, it's building understanding for both dog and human...it's spiritual, intellectual and oh, so satisfying.


I am a dog trainer...I am part of a pretty amazing community of thoughtful, intelligent people.  I am so pleased to continue in my journey to bring the best training principles and practices and to articulate them in a way it will make a difference to both human and canine.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

And another thing...

...I love about dogs is the pure simplicity of the friendship we share!  Pictured is my most tenacious terrier, Libby.  She allows me to share her life and I could be nothing more than pleased.  She is so honest too and it is the thing I most admire about her.  She lets you know how she feels and is the leader of our small pack as well.  Such a big personality all wrapped up in a small package.

I set my agility equipment up again in our front training area.  The dogs watched as I worked to put everything in place.  They were chomping at the bit to get back to something they love.  I kind of felt a twinge of guilt for keeping them away from this happy activity for so long.  I worked Ezra first as his excitement could barely be contained.  Next was Alli and it was nice to see her so forward and excited to be back to this fun. Both dogs just picked up from where we left off last year.

By the time I got to Libby Matthew was home and came out to join us.  It was one of the evenings last week that Fall came for a visit and the cool temperatures flirted with us and added to the joy of the moment.  Finally, Libby's turn.  She was so good...I asked her to take up her starting position and she went to her spot and sat trembling waiting for me to say "Libby come jump".  The moment arrived and she sailed over each obstacle with the greatest of ease.  As I ran with her I felt the worries of the day just fall from me and I truly was wrapped up in the joy of the moment.  As Libby flew over the last jump and I stopped to praise her she ran by me and took not one, but two victory laps around the entire field.  I stopped and the joy I felt could not be contained as I clapped and laughed.   As she got the true "zoomies" running with that joi de vie, with every ounce of her being...my laughter turned into such a deep belly laugh I nearly fell to the grass in a spasm of laughter!!

My favorite book says that laughter is good like a medicine and I can attest it surely is!  Libby then came over to me and jumped in my arms.  As I sat down by Matthew we took in the magic of the moment...of the joy, the place and the possibilities of what we could envision.  Matthew said this is a good place, something to be shared...I agreed.

I am thankful for my friends...they love me...purely and simply...when I am happy, blue, silly or serious when I am...just me.


Friday, August 24, 2012

Sweet Moose aka Alli


So the other morning I see out of the corner of my eye Alli standing at the door way, patiently waiting on me.  Why?  Apparently on her way out that particular morning she snagged a panel of our fancy smancy magnetic screen door. You know the ones as seen on TV where the dogs can let themselves in and or out, depending on their mood.  The magnets that open and then close.  Well, I am sad to say that this is the 3rd magnetic screen door and the last.  All have failed our tenacious terriers and large collie, who is nicknamed Moose for good reason.

Alli cracks me up...look at that expression.  Sometimes the looks she gives me...I could write a book on the conversation I hear from her sweet expressions.  So patient is she that she waited until I could untangle her from the screen panel.  I wondered if she had taken the screen with her as she went to relieve herself?  Funny girl!

I feel compelled to make this a public service announcement...the tenacious terriers, the collie nicknamed Moose and I want to let you know that when you see the fancy smancy magnetic screen doors...smile, think of Moose tangled in the panel and pass them by...

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Your beautiful



My son showed me this picture a couple days ago of grains of sand magnified.  He was amazed at how beautiful they were and I agreed.  I hugged him and said, "if God took the time to design such beauty in a grain of sand - how much more beauty did He design in you, gifts that are just waiting to come forth to be shared with the world!"

Who ever thought to look at a grain of sand under magnification?  Who thought that they would find anything notable or beautiful in a tiny grain of sand.  Amazing...  Amazing that the Creator of the Universe would take the time to design such beauty in something so small and something that we trample on while walking on the beach without a single thought of the beauty that lies within each tiny grain.

"What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea. It is something out of his own unique potentiality for experience, something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else”.  Joseph Campbell

I read this quote recently on another blog.  It struck me.  God designed in each of us such beauty, purpose and gifting.  There are many who would tell you that you don't have a story to tell or a gift to share. Sometimes we allow others to make us feel small and insignificant.  Sometimes in life we feel trampled on and what we have to offer isn't good enough.  Although, some may not see the beauty in what we have to offer, it doesn't mean that it's not there.  I read of a gifted painter who after having someone critique her work in a negative way, she locked her paintings away and never again showed her work.  

Your beautiful...your talents, your gifting is beautiful.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise...tell your story...share you talent with the world because there will be those who need to hear and see what you have to share!


And thank you, Son...I needed to see the beauty in the grain of sand too!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

I wonder...

I wonder...
why Father's leave their little babies (and Mother's too, in some cases), how do they sleep at night?
why things don't work the way they're suppose to and you have to spend hours on a phone waiting for help from someone who often can be so very hard to understand
why people treat other people like they are lowly servants, instead of someone who is simply trying to help them
why people frown so much when it's so much easier to smile
why people tell me I'm too nice...how can you be too nice...really?
why we have to have so many pills, procedures and doctors appointments as we age...really, is it necessary?
why people play games...isn't life hard enough without thinking up ways to "play" with others?
why honesty is something to be avoided rather than celebrated
why we don't often know our value or our worth
why we allow others to define us
why you have to have days that seem so difficult at every turn
why you can't have "do overs" more often

I wonder what the world would be like IF we truly treated others the way we would like to be treated...

I wonder...



Tuesday, August 7, 2012

My partner...

Alli is my partner in every sense of the word.  She goes to work with me when I teach training classes, dog bite prevention seminars, dog lessons at churches (www.pawsitivejourney.com) and the list goes on and on.  She goes with me everywhere my training business takes me and is my friend, helper and teacher.

Last week I had the joy of welcoming a couple new dogs to an already established training class.  One of the new dogs was a large puppy complete with all the happy puppy energy that comes with that age.  The other dog was a young dog but a bit more mature and small in stature.  I thought I might give Alli the night off as we had already been to a class earlier in the day (and it was hot, hot) and she was a big help as we were teaching a young student and her dog, preparing them for a big competition the next day.  Lots of fine details to go over and Alli was spot on as she and I showed both dog and young girl just how to do what they needed to do.

But when the young puppy was having a hard time fitting in...the smaller dogs were taking offense of his off the wall energy...I knew this was a job for Alli.  I went in the house and brought her out.  Alli was most interested in helping the young pup and went to him immediately to say hi.  She is amazing as I watch her read the new puppy and present herself in the best way so as not to intimidate but to say "Hi and by the way, why don't you relax a bit son...life isn't all that bad."  She was then interested in the younger dog who was showing signs of insecurity and seeming as though he might give a bite.  Again, Alli through her body language, allowed this small dog to know that she meant no harm - in fact, no one in the class meant him any harm and he could be a part of the class in a good and kind way.  Alli then greeted her friend in the class that she has known for sometime and that was pure sweetness.

I was amazed at her body language...the way she stands, the way she turns her head is read loud and clear by her doggy counterparts.  She in just 5 minutes or less helped me to have a cohesive group...from pent up, insecure energy that isn't good...to oh, I see everyone here is cool.  The other dogs then took turns to say hi with Alli watching over the proceedings.  Interesting, to watch her step in when I could see body language and energy beginning to spill over into an area not wanted.  I was pleased to see one of the student's Mom notice Alli's ability to help the group become comfortable with each other.  I could have struggled and interjected myself and it would have taken much longer...but Alli did something so amazing and far better than I could  have in just a matter of minutes.  We went on to have an amazing class...

A couple weeks ago Alli and I worked with a rehabilitation situation with a dog.  He was way over the top and so insecure.  Alli let me know that he wasn't ready to say hello to her in a nice way.  She told me loud and clear what was up with this guy and I listened.

It really is quite hard for me to put into words how much I love and respect Alli.  She helps me do what I do...I always listen to her and never ignore her responses to dogs or to people.  Just last night Alli and I were out on a trail in the country with Libby and Ezra.  A man came around the path and the dogs saw him.  I was alone and it was just about dusk.  I asked the dogs to sit and stay and watched them as the guy passed us.  I felt a bit vulnerable, but Alli was fine.  No response from her.  He was fine.  I've seen her react to people who she preferred we stay away from and thankfully no such reaction.  I immediately felt a calm, all was well.  She amazes me when she works a classroom of children and I am so astounded at how often the teachers say that Alli seems to bring calm to the young classroom of high energy children.  She makes my heart skip a beat when I see her lock onto that one who needs her most and works her magic.  

When I was a little girl, I dreamed that one day I would work with dogs and horses.  That I would have a partner to help me and it would be a collie.  I have had a couple pretty wonderful collie partners.  Emma and now Alli who has seemed to pick up the banner where Emmy left off.  I'm blessed to call Alli my partner and my friend!