Just 30 Minutes

I recently heard an advertisement for a new language program.  Being a lover of languages, this commercial caught my attention.  Just 30 minutes a day and you too can learn a new language.  I'm in, I should get this program.  Only 30 minutes a day and I am speaking another language fluently.

But then it struck me, I thought about the true commitment of time.  Just 30 minutes, 30 minutes is a chunk of time.  I began to count all those things I do each day that I have committed to.  They add up, feeding the dogs, ponies, cleaning stalls, cooking dinner and the list goes on.

I thought about encouraging my students to practice with their dogs just 15 to 20 minutes a day. Doesn't seem like a great deal of time. But, very often my students share with me how busy their week was and how they just could not squeak out 15 minutes a day to work with their dog.

I started to think about practicing anything for 30 minutes a day.  You name it, practice for 30 minutes each day and you are going to become pretty proficient.

So often when I speak with young people about dogs, I hear about how high energy their dogs are, how they don't listen, they bark and the list goes on and on.  I ask them if they think that therapy dogs, seeing eye dogs, bomb detection dogs are special.  Each and every one nod their head yes!

Then I explain to them how I trained my Alli collie to become a therapy dog.  How she has been everywhere with me, well socialized, had opportunity to see many sights and sounds. In other words, I have spent a great deal of time with her.  I then tell them how she used to jump on people when she was a puppy, bark at the ponies, get into the trash.  They look at me with total bemusement.  "No way!"

I also explain how seeing eye dogs are in training from puppies.  Hours and hours spent on socializing and training.  My conclusion is this, I believe these dogs are no more special than the dogs they have in their own backyard.  The difference is...time spent.

Just 30 minutes a day...and your dog can become the good dog they were meant to be and the dog you always dreamed of.

As always, Happy Trails!

Back to School

I have this beautiful tin hanging in my kitchen.  It makes me smile each time I look at it.  I'm not sure you can quite read it but this was an actual Post magazine front page picture from Septemeber 1944.  The title of the picture is "Best Friends".

I am reminded when I look at this picture of my time as a child.  Although, I didn't ride a bus everyday to school, I had a dog that sent me off in the morning from home and greeted me afterschool.  This little poodle gave me great courage to walk into an empty house, as my Mom didn't arrive home from work until an hour or so later than me.  I remember, oh so well, Buffy's wonderful, happy greetings. I was the best thing since sliced bread. No matter what type of day I had, Buffy made me smile, made me feel good, happy and very welcomed to be home!  I remember the conversations I had with my sweet Buffy about my day.  She seemed to be able to help me sort everything out.

I think of the dog at the horse farm where I worked from the time I was 11 years old until I graduated from High School.  Gretchen, a most beautiful Golden Retriever, went with us everywhere...to the barn, on trail rides, swimming in the pond all through our wonderful summer days on the farm.  Wherever we went Gretchen went too.  What a happy life for a dog and a kid.

This picture also reminds me of my children getting on the bus everyday.  Our sweet Emma collie stood by them as they waited for the bus and watched them as they drove away down our road.  I wonder if my kids remember looking out the window at her watching them.  She never left her spot until the bus was out of sight and I almost always had to call her away.  We, my kids and I, had happy summers together with Emma collie.  I have to think she was a bit sad to see school start up and take her kids away.  Emma always seem to know when the bus was returning.  She would wait at the front door, telling me it was time to go greet the kids from the bus!  What a happy time and a precious memory.

I've always felt a little pang in my stomach when school started.  I remember the feelings of getting back to a routine and leaving behind my happy, carefree days of summer.  I remember feeling sad to have my kids return to school, no more swimming, 4H, playing with dogs and ponies.  I was one of those Moms who loved having my kids at home.

My kids, my students, that I have the privilege to teach are heading back to school.  Our scheduled classes are changing.

My son is off to college this year too.  All the way on the otherside of the country.  Some of my former students are also off to college. I find myself feeling that familiar pang in my stomach...  I can't help but miss them.

I wish them all a wonderful new year of school, of new friends, happy times and new challenges.  Challenges that will help them to grow and know how very strong and awesome they truly are!

I also hope they will remember their "Best Friends" they have left behind whether for a day or months at a time.  I pray that when they think of their "Best Friends" it will bring them a smile, make them feel good and make their hearts happy.

Happy Trails!!

Chips, the War Dog

Often I come across a story that I just have to share.  There are so very many of these inspiring stories. This story is about Chips, a German Shepherd/collie/husky mix.  He was a war dog hero and this is his story.

At the height of World War II, Chips was assigned to the Third Military Police Platoon, Third Infantry Division. He toured in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany.  Chips served as a sentry dog, alterting his handler to the approach of enemies.

On July 10, 1943, Chips and the Seventh Army, under the command of General George Patton, boarded amphibious crafts off the coast of Licata, Sicily.  In the predawn twilight hours, the craft came under heavy fire and became trapped on a beach.  Chips broke free from his handler, defying his training, and stormed a machine gun nest, capturing an enemy soldier by the neck and sending several others scattering. After the battle, Chips was taken to a hospital and treated for scalp and hip wounds and powder burns in his mouth.  It was a pretty good bet that the powder burns in his mouth were a result of direct contact with smoldering enemy firearms.

Chips later received the Silver Star for bravery and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action by General Lucian Truscott.  However, these awards were revoked when the military determined that Chips was classified as "equipment" and therefore ineligible to receive such honors.

Upon returning home, at the age of 6 years, Chips adapted smoothly to civilian life but passed away several months later from complications of his war injuries.

As one who has the privilege of working with these magnificient creatures on a daily basis, I am not surprised at Chip's ability to sense danger and act upon it on his own. He broke free "defying his training".  He knew his job well and took matters in his own paws.  Amazing!

My approach to dog training is to utilize that magnificent brain, ability of a dog.  To become a thinking partner rather than an entity on the end of the leash to be snatched and jerked into submission.

Dog's are amazing...  I see this everyday.  I share Chips story to encourage you to see your dog in a different light.  To understand that when we provide adequate amounts of organized exercise AND create value for the correct choice and reinforce that good choice...we in essence allow our dogs to become a thinking dog, a dog very able to make the right choice.

Chips is a special dog, absolutely, and it's right that we honor him here. But, I have to tell you that he is no more special than that furry friend of yours on the other end of the lead.  Spend time with your dog and with good training move from what you have now to what you want to have on the other end of your lead.  You can do it and I know your dog can do it!

If you need help...feel free to contact me.  In the meantime, Happy Trails!

I am Blessed to be a Witness

My first trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. So nice to take a break from your everyday cares and step into a new and exciting place, almost like entering another world. I have observed great wealth and great poverty within feet of one another. I find myself happy and sad all at once. 

I feel deeply and am very passionate.  I often ask, why does it have to be this way?  Why can't we do better?  Well, let's just change it, make it happen.  As I grow older and wiser, I have come to the realization that some times, most times, things just take... time. People often grow and change and gain wisdom by experience. Some of the most beautiful works of art, music, writings, and poems have been born out of great struggle. I realize I have learned and grown the most as a trainer through experiences with very difficult dogs. They often grow into exceptionally well behaved dogs, with time, miles and patience. 

I suppose all along I possessed understanding, at least subconsciously, about "the journey". I talk about "the journey" all the time. The name of my blog, my business and my training theory involves this journey in word and deed. A journey takes time, can be daunting, involve ups and downs, mountains to climb but it also brings about great beauty, confidence, understanding and dare I say wisdom.

As I think about all I have seen and heard here in New Orleans I have had an epiphany.  Instead of being sad about what I am seeing, viewing as a pity or a tragedy, I suddenly realized I can only change me and how I respond to the pain, the struggle and the beauty.

I decided to embrace the moment, realize that I am only seeing a part of a person's journey, a part of their story.  Things can change for the better. We've all heard and read about miraculous stories. I have witnessed first hand the goodness of people.  I have hope and trust in the One who gave us all a unique race to run. It's not for me to say how things should be or to make judgements (oh, my this has taken me far too long to learn), only to offer a smile, a prayer and lend a helping hand when, where and IF needed.

I started to view things differently and became overwhelmingly thankful by what I was witnessing. Amazing musicians sharing their art, artists proudly displaying their works on the street, working mules and their people lovingly sharing their city and oh, the very, very many sweet dogs doing what they do best and that is loving their humans unconditionally.  The dogs are a very obvious bright spot and companion to their people in all types of conditions and circumstances.  Amazing...really truly....amazing!

I have had a wonderful journey here in New Orleans, I feel blessed to be a witness to it all.  Life is beautiful!

I feel a renewed sense of excitement to return to what I do... for the sheer privilege of speaking into the lives of my students and their dogs.  Each one on their own journey of growing in communication, building understanding and relationship with their dogs.

I am truly blessed to be a witness!

The Nose Knows

I have long been fascinated by the power of a dog's nose.  A dog's olfactory system (their sniffer) is as big as an 8 x 11 sheet of paper, while ours is only as big as a postage stamp.  For instance, dog's can smell 1 part of urine per 60 million parts of water (4-Hers remember this fact, it's in your Dog Project book and you might just be asked this very question at State Fair).  Let's break that down into something we all can understand; dogs can smell 1 teaspoon of sugar in the water that would fill 2 Olympic sized swimming pools. Their noses are amazing!

 When my dog receives and leaves his "pee mail", he both can receive information about another dog and leave information about himself.  Did you know that when your dog smells another dogs pee (or bottom for that matter) he can tell if that dog is male or female, young or old, in good health or ill health and much more?  Did you know that the United State Military relies solely on the dog's sense of smell to keep their soldiers and our civilians safe from explosive devices?  Did you know that dogs have been trained to sniff out cancer and alert a child that a seizure is coming?  Again amazing!

 Humans and dogs "see" the world differently.  While humans see and view the world, a dog smells the world around him.  Are you starting to get the picture of why, so often, human and canine are not on the same page?  Why we can become so frustrated by our dogs actions? We actually view the world differently.

Although I believe strongly that your dog should learn to walk politley on lead with you, I also believe you should allow for some freedom for your dog to view his world.  Here are a couple of ways to allow your dog to view the world around him...

Play your "Find it" game often and in varied places.  If you have taken a class with me, I have shared with you three different versions alone of the "Find it" game to play at home. This game can be played indoors as well as outdoors in your yard.  For a real thrill take the game on the road and to a local park. Set up your game in and around the trees, picnic tables and playgrounds. Allowing your dog to use his sense of smell while spending time with you is a true jackpot!

Take a Sniff walk.  Plan a walk specifically to allow your dog to sniff and smell the world around her.  Visit a new park, a new trail and allow your dog as much time as she would like to view her world. This walk will get you no where in particular, but it will give you both an opportunity to slow down and "smell the roses". While your dog is enjoying his smell-a-vision, take time for yourself to relax, see the beauty around you, listen to the birds, a running brook, crickets and locusts and smell the rich summer foliage. You get the picture.

Allow your dog to give you the gift of living in the moment!  Winding down from a busy day, taking in deep breaths and truly enjoying and embracig the beauty that is all around you.

Happy trails!

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?