Recalls...let me count the ways!

One of the most important behaviors you can teach your dog is to "come" when called. This is something I teach during my very first session with a new student.  It's important that we teach this concept while we can reinforce it, right from the start and on lead.  I not only teach this concept in class, I give you a couple of great games (Fantastic Recall Games) to play at home to help you build a solid recall.

This is a concept that gets better and better the more you use it, the more you ask for it.  I often say, "we have not because we ask not".  If you don't use it, you'll lose it.  It's true!  Ask for and practice this behavior over and over again.  When your dog comes to you, I also encourage you to make a party.  Praise them like they are the best thing since slice bread.  You get the picture. 

A couple important things to keep in mind.  You will need to build the recall slowly.  First ask your dog to "come" on lead over and over again.  It's magic, your dog has no other option other than to come to you because if they hesitate you can reel them in.  When they are coming to you with ease on lead...move to asking your dog to come to you while indoors and in your back yard.  In other words, ask your dog to come when you feel there is over a 90% chance your dog will come and is not going to be distracted.  In the event your dog does not come to you, please don't get upset or angry - you will only undo the very important work you have already accomplished.  Go and get your dog and forget it.  Try again next time.

Second use opportunities throughout the day to practice!  I read an article that said you should do at least 24 recalls in one day.  Kind of like hugs, the more the better.  I started to think, "wow, that's a lot of recalls."  But then I broke it down and here are some creative ways to incorporate recalls in your day.

First thing in the morning when you are going to feed your dog, build on his eagerness to come to you to get his food.  I don't mind if they are two steps behind or in front of me, I'm gonna reinforce the concept. "Fido come!" before I place his food bowl down.  I sometimes ask for a sit or down too.  So if you feed your dog twice a day, which I highly recommend, you have now asked your dog to "come" 2 times already.  This is going to be easy...

When you let your dog out to potty and they have done the deed or are just hanging out, open the door with great excitement - something wonderful is happening in here - and say "Fido come!".  IF they look at you like, nah...pick up your baggy or box of dog treats and shake them.  Be sure when they arrive in the door they get a cookie as reward for coming when called.  Now I don't know about you but I let my dogs out at least 5 to 6 times a day and wha la...now you're up to 8 recalls!

If you practice your Round Robin Recall game with all your family members (and let's say the average family has 3 people to play) that's good for an additional 9 recalls (each member calling the dog 3 times) and you have a grand total of 18.  Don't stop at 3 each, you can do more...why not?!

Now all these suggestions are just gimmes...easy, right?  Not so hard afterall to reinforce those recalls!  Throw in some training time adding your recall exercises and you might just meet that 24 recalls in a day. Be creative and count the ways you can call your dog. 

And as always "happy training"!!

What Do You See?

          "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  Henry David Thoreau

As I sit down to write this blog post and look out my window I see snow.  Beautiful, big white fluffy snowflakes falling quietly and gentley to the ground. The world is pristine, peaceful and white, like a blank canvas inviting me to paint it. I see the dawn of a new day and realize all the wonderful possibilities this day holds.  I am alive to see this day, to continue on this journey.  I am thankful.

Now this doesn't mean that my life or any life is perfect.  Nor that everything always goes my way. I am no different from you, we all experience tough times. In fact, often what I look at lately brings me great pain. Someone I love so very dearly is going through an intense struggle. Life can be hard and tough. Things can arise out of the course of a day, a life, that can seek to knock the wind out of you...and very nearly does. You look in the face of these struggles and recognize that that which you were once so certain of and knew to be true is breaking apart bit by bit right in front of your very eyes.  I look at fear, anxiety, chaos and a future that apears to be uncertain.

But, what do I see?  I see the amazing resiliency of the human heart.  I see the strong power of love.  I see an opportunity to grow. I see God's amazing promises for me and those I love.  I continue to see the possibilities of good things ahead and not just uncertainty.

I love what I see in the picture above.  Ezra inviting me to join him, to follow him on this fantastic journey. I see an opportunity to take a break from my struggles, to enjoy the intense and wonderful beauty all around me. I continue to choose to see so much possibility ahead, so many good things just up the trail.

I see and am thankful for the canine companions who yet again invite me to join them in this wonderful dance we call life.

What do you see?

Thankful...that somehow it all makes sense

So thankful for the humans and canines in my life.  Four of them are pictured above.  From left to right - Alli, collie aka Moose (when Grand lady is in the house), Libby and Ezra and my sweet Grand lady Alli. Confused...I can explain.

For those of you who know me or have been following my blog or fb page for some time probably noticed my double use of the name Alli. I think it's time to finally set the record straight. I know people must be very confused when I speak about Alli collie and Alli granddaughter.  It wasn't in the plans really, it just kind of happened that way.

Alli, collie came already named.  Not something that usually happens and not something I truly enjoy. I love choosing just the right name for our new canine companions as they join our family.  But Alli collie had been named from the start and she knew her name quite well...so Alli it was.

Meanwhile, my daughter has always loved the name Alli.  She had planned that if she was ever blessed to have a daughter, said daughter would be named Alli...and so it is.  We never thought we would have coinciding Alli names in the family...really who would have thought it.  But, here we are and so we adapt.

It all worked out very well actually. Sweet Alli, collie had been nicknamed Moose by one of the terriers, long before our Grand lady arrived. Yes, she was nicknamed by one of the terriers, you heard me right. Now that's another story...

My sweet husband who is quite normal, I assure you, and not one to be gushy and mushy about our animals, like...well me, occasionally talks to the animals.  Or should I say, our animals talk to him.

One day, out of the blue, he informed me quite seriously that Libby (the small brown and white terrier) had become quite frustrated with new puppy Alli and called her "Moose" as plain as day.  He heard it.  "You heard it?," I said as I put my hand to his forehead. Well...No...not exactly audibly.  Oh, thank heavens...as his forehead was cool as a cucumber.

He further explained that while Alli, collie, was being a bit overwhelming at a particular moment - Libby, with a look of utter disgust and frustration, gazed into my husband's face and so much as called Alli "a Moose"!  I said, "a Moose. Why Moose?"  He looked at me, as if to say, just follow me, please. I don't have animals speaking to me daily and I must get this out. He proceeded to explain, "isn't it obvious...you know the size difference and all, Alli can be quite intimidating to little Libby."  He has a point, you can plainly see the size difference in the picture.

Now, I have to pause right here, dear readers, unless you should get worried about our little Libby. As all good terrier owners know, no matter their small stature, terriers are perfectly able to take good care of themselves.

And so the name Moose has stuck.  Libby seems quite pleased with herself when she hears us call Alli, collie Moose.  Very pleased indeed.  

Which is now a very good thing.  Thank you Libby!  We can now use Moose or Moosie when Grand lady is in the house.  Said Moosie aka Alli collie will come when called Moose. AND by said Grandlady Alli. Are you following me?  Good...

I know now it all makes perfect sense and I can get back to what I am thankful for...

I am so thankful for my sweet family both human and canine.  Especially thankful for my dear husband, partner in all things. I am sure he had no idea he'd be hearing the animals speak to him when we met 35 years ago. I look forward to the marathon...um, er...the Thanksgiving holiday with you - I could not do it all without you!

I am thankful for laughter and good friends, like Paula who help me to see the funnier side of life.

I am so thankful for the gift of doing what I love...training people to train their dogs.

For my new training facility that is a gift that seemingly fell right out of the sky.  I know it didn't, it was in my Father's plan for me. I continue to walk forward in happy expectation to all you have in store for me in this new place!

And...I am thankful to the One who put my feet on this wonderful journey, full of ups and downs, twists and turns but also full of His promises, grace and love... He puts all things right and helps it all make sense!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Change

Change... I thought immediately about the changes I have experienced this past summer in my training business.  From renting a room, pictured left, where I often had to rearrange the furniture to allow for room to train.  To the picture below right of my very own Classroom.

I have been using the building pictured to the left for years and it's been a true blessing.  A place I could pay per use, that was warm in the winter and had ample parking. It was also a plus that they allowed dogs.  The difficulty about this space, it wasn't "my" place. Others used the building and I had to schedule my training times well in advance so I could hold consecutive classes. I had to pack all my training tools and load them in the car and take them to this place weekly.  Often when I arrived it was set up for meetings - tables and many chairs set in various patterns.  I would arrive early for my class and start the process of tearing down all the chairs and moving the heavy tables to the sides of the room.  I did this week after week for my 6 week classes - a few times a year.  And I was happy to do so...thankful to have the space to rent indoors for the winter months.

I had been looking for my own space to train for some time.  I thought of building a place at my small farm to hold classes and found out quickly the expense was enormous.  I looked at modular buildings and sheds.  I thought of using my two car garage for a while.  It is after all finished and a large enough space to hold small classes.  But what to do with all my pony carriages, how would I cover the cement floor and how would I heat the space. Everything I thought of had quite a bit of expense attached to it and being a small business I didn't feel it a good idea to take on such a large loan.

This year another group decided to use the same building above.  They had their schedule and year well planned and filled the calendar with their various practices and events.  When I called to schedule my classes, it appeared that there was only one night free and only free for so many weeks - not 5 or 6 consecutively.  Uh, no!  I thought my training business might come to a close for the winter months.  What else could I do?  It appeared I no longer had an indoor space to use. I was devastated...  Maybe it was time to move on from something I so loved.  Just when I was comfortable with the idea that perhaps God had something else in store and I could move on...

My son invited me to go on a walk with him to reminisce.  And out of nowhere, this empty Classroom (upper right) appeared.  And the rest as they say...is history.

If you had asked me a year ago what my ideal "place" - space to train - would be I would have described my Classroom.  I always saw myself as a teacher and the humans and dogs as my students.  A Classroom setting fits this idea perfectly! It's bright and airy.  I love that lots of sun flood through my tall windows.  It's perfect for private sessions and large enough for classes as well. It's warm in the winter and will be cool in the summer and has ample parking. I can fit most of my agility equipment in the space and will be able to continue to teach basic agility - or Ogilty as I call it - a combination of working on both agility and obedience behaviors.  It's perfect and inviting!

The best part about my space is it's mine...I can set up  my equipment and decorate anyway I please.  I have all my training equipment at my finger tips. Amazing, the very moment I felt devastating loss, was the very moment my hopes and dreams became a reality.  Change is good!

A Good Work

I am all settled into my new Classroom at Pawsitive Journey Training.  It has been a very busy week, most days starting at 8 am and not ending until 9:00/9:30 pm.  So much to do with the new Classroom; cleaning, setting up and moving everything in that I will need, plus keeping up with my already scheduled training sessions.  I felt overjoyed as I put all the things I will need into place; CD player and CD's (you have to have music!), cones, pamphlets, tunnel, carpet squares, balls, leashes, collars, harness, class handouts and the list goes on.  Usually, during the winter months I use an indoor facility that is used by many different groups.  So I would pack my big black bag full of equipment, training helps, treats, cones - you name it, everything I need to successfully run my training classes - grab my sweet collie, Alli and off we'd go.  Invariably, I would forget something and have to bring that item to the next scheduled class.  I now have everything all in one stationary place!  I also experienced the joy of decorating my space for the very first time.  I love to decorate!  I decided to add a few of my favorite things, such as my children's book collection about, you guessed it - dogs, pictured above.  

My sweet husband helped me take the final few items to The Classroom today.  We asked for God's blessing over this place and all who would enter. As we talked about all the possibilities, I felt the warmth of my tears falling down my cheek...I am so thankful, so grateful to the One who guides and directs my steps. One of my favorite verses in Philippians ran through my mind, "He who has begun A Good Work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus."  I have dreamt of this day so very many times. 

Truth be told, with all the excitement of this moment, I am a bit nervous. The what ifs have tried hard to poke their unwanted heads into my thoughts to make me doubt, to tell me there are many reasons why I just can't handle all this...time, family, finances.  And...

Just then I had a call from a potential client.  She asked so many great questions and I had a wonderful time answering each and every one.  At the conclusion of our conversation, she mentioned she had sat in on my brown bag chat that I had done this past spring at our local library about "The Language of Dogs". She remarked at how much she appreciated how I spoke so passionately about what I do.  That "it seemed this wasn't so much a profession as much as it was a passion," that I, "so obviously enjoy what I do".  

What a perfect sign to chase away all those doubts... I whispered a prayer that The Classroom will be a place of welcome, hope, peace, a place to belong for humans and a good and calm place for canines where we build communication and understanding between the two species. I am savoring the moments and thankful for each one...this is A Good Work.

Lost and Found

Pictured is my grand dog, Maxwell and me.  Maxwell went on a walk about Saturday late in the day.  It would seem my daughter went out to shop while my son in law watched their sweet 19 month old daughter.  Son and granddaughter were outside playing and working in the garden and went in the house for a moment and that's when Max apparently found a way of escape from his fenced in yard.  Upon my daughters return home, she immediately walked the neighborhood calling for Max.  No sign of Maxwell, he was missing!  She made flyers and placed them around the neighborhood and as of Sunday morning there was still no sign of Max anywhere.  She felt terrible about it and felt like they were irresponsible for allowing their dog to escape their yard.

It's hard when a dog you love goes missing.  Even leaving a dog in a fenced in yard can be tricky.  Dogs can find loose fencing, boards and slip out before you know it, which was the very case for our Maxwell. My hubby, Matthew and I went down to be with our daughter and her family on Sunday for moral support.  As fate would have it, our darling grand daughter was sick and running a fever.  You know the old adage of when it rains it pours. I felt terrible for my daughter, just what she needed.  You know how emotions can run when you are 8 months pregnant, she truly didn't need this stress...lost dog, sick baby.  My husband and I looked over the neighborhood as we drove through and went out back and called for Maxwell.  I told my daughter that this was a wonderful area of the city and I was sure someone would see what a nice dog Max was and would help him out.  It was little consolation, as we both knew that they lived in the city on a very busy city street which intersected many other very busy city streets. All we could do was wait and keep watch and...hope.

We busied ourselves with our little grand lady.  So tough to see her lying on the couch, one who is so active and busy, so still and feeling so sick. As we sat and watched a movie with her, we offered sips of juice, bits of cold Popsicles, yogurt anything to help her to feel better. I found myself whispering a prayer over my precious grand daughter and then whispering a prayer for our Maxwell dog too.

As Matthew, fondly known as Pappy to our grand lady, carried her up to bed I whispered another prayer over her.  We prepared to head home, lots of hugs and encouraging words before we left trying to console heavy hearts...wishing, as all parent do, that we could make it all better...

One final drive down their street, my eyes searching all the nooks and crannies between buildings, fence rows...  And I notice two girls about to cross the very street we turn on to catch the Interstate.  I mention to Matt to watch for the girls and...their dog..."their" dog...WAIT...I can't believe my eyes.  That's MAXWELL.  We pulled the car over and met Sophia and Novia...beautiful young ladies who found Maxwell Saturday night one street over from behind my daughter's house.  They were worried for him and the busy streets and although he could not stay at their house, they found a friend for Max to bunk with for the night and were walking the neighborhood in hopes that they could locate his family!

I talked to my daughter this morning and the wayward dog is happy to be home... The story gets even better as my grand lady woke up hungry and more active with very little evidence of fever!  I am so thankful to the One who I can turn to, run to when I don't know what to do, when my heart is heavy and my best just isn't quite enough.  It reminds me of understanding the feeling of being lost.  And I am thankful my story, like Maxwell's story, doesn't end there...I also know the feeling of being found!

Through my son's eyes...

Standing 3 to 5 seconds, one of the elements of our dressage test  This has been a hard element for Billy to learn and he stood stock still - Good boy Billy!

I finally have a moment to write about our first ever Combined Driving Event.  We had a fantastic time and I could not be more pleased with my pony's efforts. We have both matured and grown as a team.  It would seem we have prepared for this moment our entire lifetime together. I knew my pony had it in him, it just took him and I a bit longer to get to this point than most.  I suppose that's what makes it so sweet.  We've had a special bond and connection from the day he was born on our small farm.  He's not been an easy pony to train, but I have learned so much from him and would not trade one second of our journey together. We started our preparations in February, walking the neighborhood in the snow for fitness. We drove through sleet, snow and raindrops, not having the luxury of an indoor arena.  We traveled to visit our driving instructor, Stacey Giere, for lessons.  Trailered out to woodland trails, with great friends, to drive to build our fitness on the hottest days of the summer.  We worked steadily day in and day out until our big weekend in July.  Our hard work paid off with our best dressage test ever, scores of 7's, 7.5's, 8's and a 9 for turnout.  I am still on cloud nine!  I made a driver error during our dressage test, Billy swished his tail and let me know he wasn't happy with me, but even in his confusion he chose to trust me and allow me to get us back on track.  What a good pony, he had to wonder what in the world I was doing during that one moment of lost focus, but he forgave me quickly and moved on, which is a huge step for us.  We placed 4th overall in the Combined Tests out of a group of 7 total. Who knows where we might have fallen had I not made such a costly mistake, but how could I dwell on that when my pony gave me all he had and then some.  It is so very satisfying to know the highs and lows over all these 13 years together, that we should experience this shining moment is a true thrill! 

Billy during our dressage test - going across the diagonal in a lovely extended trot

My heart was full as I returned home.  I had a lovely weekend with my pony, filled with my family and so many wonderful friends.  My husband Matthew and my son Nicholas attended the three day show with me - helping me with loading/unloading the trailer, cleaning Billy's stall, feeding, watering, helping me hitch a wiggly pony to cart, to cheering me on, keeping me well hydrated and fed, calming my nerves and telling me - "you can do it, you've got this"!

Dressage...lovely extension

And then...I viewed the pictures - they took my breath away!  My son, Nicholas agreed to take the pictures of the event for me.  My hubby has long ago given up on taking pictures of my events. It just isn't his true talent or gifting.  I have never met anyone who can get a camera chord, a finger or the bill of a hat in a otherwise lovely picture.  He has many wonderful talents and gifts but taking pictures isn't one of them.  When I pulled my camera out from amongst harness, helmet and gloves, my husband looked away immediately pretending not to see it, as my son smiled at me and said, "I'll do it"!  Wonderful, I had hope again that I might get a decent picture of Billy and I at an event.  Little did I know what a true talent my son has for taking pictures. If you know anything about horses, their frame and movement you will see Nick's very educated and knowledgeable eye.  He captured the moment brilliantly; movement, focus, energy...absolutely amazing!

Asking for impulsion coming out of the corner across the diagonal

After our dressage test, leaving the ring with a happy pony not at all tired and moving well

Onto our cones course following our dressage test

                                                                                                    Lovely bend!

My son's artistry

These pictures are such a gift to me.  A gift to see the creativity, the talent of my son the budding artist. Nicholas has been on a huge journey of his own this last year, growing from teenager into adulthood. This hasn't been an easy transition for him and I am amazed at his courage as he meets the challenges he has had to face. There seems to be a bit of a parallel of stories here.  I am thankful, more than you could ever know, to view the world through my son's eyes. It's not about the ribbons or accolades, it's about meeting the challenges of the day and coming out on the other side, knowing you did your best - with a smile on your face. 

Life is good!