Talisman Farm

Devil on My Shoulder

2012-01-23T09:45:00.049-05:00

There are so many, commonly said expressions that contain references to the Devil. Devilish is a word I use to describe, the slightly naughty....especially in a pup. The Devil Made Me Do (D'Ewe) it, comes to mind~as does Devil May Care, Dealin' With the Devil.

The Devil on my shoulder, in this case Scream! puppy....plotting his next Naughty, as all of the others are draped around, sleeping.The imagery of an Angel on one shoulder (or in this case Maze on my lap) and a Devil on the other, comes to mind with this Pup!!!! Angel/Devil...the sides of human nature, deciding right and wrong and representing how we feel about choices, operate in the world at large, etc.. Does it hurt your feelings of someone criticizes you or raises their voice to you? Then why are we surprised we see this reaction in our dogs? They live, they breath, they feel???????????????????????????????????????????????????

Some people go through life embracing their inner Devil, without a thought to what is "right" or "just", or caring how they make others feel-or allow the Devil on their shoulder, to dictate their actions. Serving their inner demons first, without thought to affect on others. While others, let the Angel rule and are never one step out of line, selfless, always thinking of how they may affect another. Most of us, are somewhere in between, the pendulum swinging one way or the other, on any given day. I wonder if in the canine world, could there be sentient thought to right and wrong? In dogtraining-an instructor can either be a Devil..giving really bad advice which screws up your dog or your relationship with your dog, or an Angel who helps you work things through and build a stronger bond!! Happy versus, not so much...any question????

I know Scientists, say it can't be so, but for how many years did we pride our evolutionary existence as seperate from that of Chimpanzees, on a human's ability to make tools, only to have Jane Goodall discover that Chimps indeed, used rudimentary tools to problem solve and laugh!! Yes, they are apes, more closely related to us than dogs, but dogs have evolved within the context of our lives for centuries. So, why do we assume dogs are just mirrors of our egos and can't really feel or think, for themselves? Maybe, not to the degree humans do, but why so far-fetched??

When working with a new pup, I see such shades of Angel and Devil in each.There may not be quantifiable evidence that a dog can "choose" to behave in a certain way, or "feels" a certain way when they do, but do you ever wonder? As pups, I often try to remind someone that the naughty they see today, does not mean that is how their pup will be tomorrow or forever. We positive reinforcement based dogtrainers are all pretty born-again in embracing the concept of and preaching to clients, that dogs live in the moment and do not possess longterm cause and effect thinking. I still hear people refer to their dogs as "guilty, or "knowing they were wrong"...all words that attach a human emotion and understanding to an action. So who's right? Whether right or not, the message of after-the-fact punishment creates stress not learning, has delightfully finally gotten through to many of the proletariat. Unfortunately, whether in terms of housebreaking or in agility or other dogsports, delayed punishment or applied correction often based on the "but he knew not to do it"..peeing on the rug-rubbing their nose in it-Huh??? Or "knows" to hold a startline behavior-if they "break" taking them off the course, rather than having done a better job of training & proofing in highly exciting, stressful or distracting environments???...all a negatively based mentality, that still exists.

The Devil~Pup @ Rest!

Reading another's blog who recently "found" positive training and seems so surprised at the results...I wonder what took you so long?????? Punishment based training, doesn't give a dog a chance to think, it brings negatives to the equation-which for most dogs clouds learning, creates robots or becomes quite demotivating. The fallout of punishment based training is irrefutable, as far as I'm concerned. Dogs must feel confusion, when they try, but we as the humans change the game, without having shared the new rules. Results are often a dog who either starts to stress high or low-zoomies, more submissive, stressed body language or shutdown-they give up, after being told they are wrong, too many times. Interesting, if you take a dog who is sensitive or stresses easily and always tell them they are right, you often get a more motivated dog. The reverse, also holds true. Focusing on perfection or results before a pup is able to handle the pressure, or before their training is really close to finished, sets many up to fail.....unless one goes into it with an attitude of just seeing what you have...even still, introducing negatives, not cool in my book!
The overall feeling of a dog being able to count on our support & trusting us to be consistent in the interaction, affects the symbiotic relationship of training & competing & life, with a dog.

I love a thinking dog-but also realize that requires me to be a much better trainer. I would say that I purposefully select for thinkers, which means the people that my pups go to, need to be better trainers, too. Part of why I am so picky!!! Overfacing a young dog, is my main concern with these furry Einstein's-they learn so quickly, yet often their physical and mental maturity needs time to catch up, to their brilliance. Yes, I have not placed pups, based on the attitude of the potential trainer!!! And, have taken dogs back, based on that too!!! Even if a child can drive a car or boat (not that they should), I would not give them keys! Same with dogs, I think how we support them and make them feel as they learn and begin to compete, is as important as the training process. A thinking dog learns in context quickly, so we need behaviors to be so solid, that we are almost on auto-pilot as we begin trialling..getting up early, noise, nerves, etc....affects us too...so we should be able to trust what we have trained well enough, to not have to think too much, ourselves or bring negatives into the equation.

So, in thinking about how Dogs think...I wonder as more people like me, select for a more operant brain in a dog, are we changing the possibility that a canine can actually read and think through situations? Are we affecting the evolution of a dog's brain, in how training also has evolved into a more sentient, shaping, operant approach? Did Karen Pryor start a Revolution by introducing clicker training??? Hopefully!! :)

I think of training as a cooperative effort, where I "pay" the dog with something they want, for engaging in the activity,that I want and hopefully it is mutually beneficial. Be it agility, working stock or just behaving themselves in public (we'll get to that in a minute)...all require the dog to think within the context of the activity. So, why do we think they don't read predictor cues or are able to assess a situation and react differently, not just based on activity or environment, but how they feel, how they feel us feeling, or how they "read" a situation? Why do some people seem to have a fluid "conversation" or relationship with their dogs, while others seem to be arguing, or "butting heads"? If we are the originators of the human/canine bond...is it not up to us, to set the tone for the interactions? You can't be a tourist on a bus, and sightsee when training a pup, and blame the lack of a view, on the driver...You ARE the Driver!!! Get off the BUS!!!!! No backseat drivers needed, if how someone tells you to drive, affects your path negatively, ignore them!!

By more people training, in the mode of shaping or reinforcing behavior offered, are we changing our dogs, or just learning how to understand who they have been, all along? Yes, there are still consequences in life and training, but lack of reinforcement, applied correctly is much stronger in teaching to a thinking dog, than badly applied "corrections".

Speaking of the Devil and reading situations..Scream! is going to keep me on my toes!! He LOVES everyone-sits beautifully to be petted and loved by admiring fans... but greets other dogs like a Bat-out-of-hell. Scared the Bejeesus out of a Shih-Tzu pup, when I took him on errands after working yesterday. He literally Speaks in Tongues...with his crazy sounding voice, no evil intent, but with prey drive oozing out of every pore and stock sense already seeming pretty strong, for such a babe-he sounds like a flock of angry geese flying into their face, can't really blame the other pups, who are a recipient. May need to come up with some alternative greeting behaviors for my little loud, grippy, tuggy, wild, control freak :) My little Devil, embracing his Inner Naughty!!! He makes me feel his Laughter!!

Cold!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-22T10:48:00.000-05:00

Scream! @ 11 weeks..Plotting....

Synchronized Running-C'ura & Clever

Maze~Frisbee...Big Air Girl!!

A Question of Contacts???

2012-01-17T09:35:00.011-05:00

So...not that I analyze or think about dogtraining much..HA HA!!!! But have had recent conversations with others about our agility contact behaviors..and of course me the ever Grand-puppy mama, giving suggestions to the poor, unsuspecting....so, some excerpts of emails, my own musings on the subject as I plan for the red girls and Scream!'s future and just because I always have a lot to say...

The weather is so yucky, wish I could do some baby plank stuff with Scream!, like I have done with last few younguns' imprints them early, so they have no fear later. May just bring a plank upstairs into the living room...ha ha, the sign of a really crazy agility person!!!! Of course, then if I post public video will get chastised by a cranky Brit again...oh well. There is always unlisted, ha ha...

So contacts.....The baby baby stuff I did with Ggrail of lie down on the mat as one of the first behaviors I taught her, is obviously quite strong in her default memory. All of the "training" was done on the flat at first and as a game, away from equipment for a 4onthefloor, liedown "Hit Yer Mat" behavior.

After screwing up her stopped contacts by putting my body language into it, too much-and slowing her so much by putting the mat onto the end of the board, rather than on the ground-I rebuilt her speed, by doing pure running for over six months now. She was thinking too much about the stop, not driving/getting to the stop-classic you have seen dogs sightseeing or creeping...I never want that!!!

I feel like her speed is such, that she is really accelerating and driving down the plank, She "owns" the board-which is what we want, no hesitation. So, have been contemplating how to add her stop. Over the however many few times we played the Hit Yer Mat game-sending to, my running past, crossing in front of while they hold position, running with close and laterally peeling off, -etc anything you might do on a real contact.

It is not something we have trained, over and over. In class the other night, had a quick conversation about it, put the mat out there, took off the hoop which she knows means OK to run, one rep to mat....and voila...a beautiful fast DW & frame, into quick liedown on the ground.

Normally, I would probably backchain it more, but she paired it so quickly, because she is just pretty smart!!! If as we start to compete (need to work on many reps and fade the mat first) I am pushing for speed, etc I can start to release her quicker and quicker and so becomes a modified running contact, but gives her the destination of low body, rather than high-which she tends to be. The 4onthefloor allows them to run wood at full speed and adjust their bodies to stop, but without the jamming of shoulders/back into a 2on2off. So, just a thought for the pup and making his contacts independent of you.

For now, just glad that Ggrail came up with a good stopped contacts plan, for us! Dog shows handler!! :) Will have to see how it goes in training and fading mat, great thing about training, it is organic and ever-changing.....so no need to say "has to be this way" if it doesn't hold up or work, we will move on to Plan B.

& More...

http://www.pawsonthewind.com/media/proof_11_12_FourOnTheFloora.pdf

Found the original Clean Run article online, for teaching the liedown or 4onthefloor. Think there is another follow-up, on Ann Croft's website-who deserves recognition for developing this method, originally..

This is what I was telling you about with Ggrail. One of the first things I taught her as a tiny pup, was the liedown on the mat and starting this with Mr Scream! Reviewing with the red ones, as my plan for them will be the same as Ggrail-lots of running wood and eventually intro'ing stop, because as much as I would love to have pure running, know that I need to be able to pull out the stop and have no wannabe aspirations, other than to do right by my dogs, on course. Have not done Hit Yer Mat with the red ones for many months, pulled it out yesterday-still a very strong behavior! Very high rate of reinforcement, like a Pez dispenser, helps!

With Ggrail, I have worked running wood fast, but wanted to add her stop. So, I decided to try it, the other night in class, paired the mat with her running-my cue is "Hit it". One backchained rep, seemed like she had always done. No hesitation, knew exactly what her destination/criteria was, etc.

By having the mat close enough (usually half a stride or body length) so that is creates a dip into position, but not on the wood-gives the dog permission to run full tilt and adjust to get into position-without slamming on the brakes. By having the contact position occur off of the wood-I see two things-first no creeping or slowing down on descent trying to figure out what is expected for end behavior and secondly, much nicer to their bodies-especially super fast dogs, like he will be.
~

Teaching the mat and working it, as you would a contact board-especially getting them to move ahead of you into position, after you have created duration by heavily rewarding position on the mat. I do all the clockface rewarding, crosses, etc with them still in position, on the mat.

I also use going over a jump to encourage collection into finding their position on the mat-much like they will need to if running full speed on wood, to adjust their bodies safely, to stop. I move the mat around on landing and also send location, so truly helps with independence in their finding the mat-regardless of handler position. Adding a tunnel before the jump also introduces speed, with collection over jump, to Hit Yer Mat position!

When first teaching mat behavior I do use guides to run through or help keep straight usually if playing Hit Yer Mat indoors, but Ann's visual of crossed poles is good-hard to setup inside though. Guides help for them to get into straighter body position-two chairs or something even non-agility like gallon jugs can be used to go through, to reduce curving back to you-want straight head/body, like the 2 x 2's. With any extra props like "guides", fading quickly is a good idea.

On the flat, away from equipment I practice a lot of letting them drive ahead as you move past and doing all your proofing and reps, while the "stick" in position, with a clear verbal release (NO Body language). OK is as much a behavior I train, as duration!!!!!!!

By the time you add the mat behavior, to the end of wood-it is a thing of beauty! Moving mat around to figure out how to let them run the wood full speed and safely get into position, usually the mat is not too far from end of contact, as that causes leaping. But, fun and really easy to teach. Fading the mat, not so hard.

Shout It Out!!!

2012-01-16T10:20:00.000-05:00

Donna & Gunner not only achieved their APDT Rally ARCH recently, but also were Nationally Ranked as #1 in RL1X for 2011-for all breeds, not just Aussies. How cool is that??
Congrats on the accomplishment and the teamwork, that got you there!!! Proud Grand-Puppy mama here :)

Scream! Just for Tricks

2012-01-16T10:08:00.000-05:00

Winter has arrived, with a take no prisoners, no mercy chill... :( It is cold, no actually it is Bone-chillin', miserably...hard to do much of anything outside, cold! Pups' feet freezing quickly, even though they think they want to stay out in it. -0F this AM....now a balmy 5.7F-ugghhhh!!!

So, when it is too cold to do much outdoors, I look for inspiration in stuff, to do indoors. The tricks videos that I have posted over the years & more recently from Silvia Trkman (ever wonder why her last name is such???? I have *)..anyway, I find inspiration in joy, which watching her train her dogs, is I think-joyful. We draw energy to us, by the energy we put out there-and watching many of the ST's students online class videos, joy is infectious!!!

ST shares her joy so freely, not always putting a pricetag on it, like so many trainers at her level. I remember watching one of her videos, maybe 5 years ago? teaching a handstand and was pretty sure, that I would never be able to do that. She also brings positive reinforcement training, to places where it may not exist. It is funny, so few knew of her just a few years ago, now she has been discovered by so many!! It is great to see someone receive the recognition they deserve, for their brilliance in training and who in turn possesses an ability, to inspire others to find their own.

Scream! is already a very operant little man-pup! Very keen to learn new stuff and make the game continue, or the reward to appear. Some of the things we have been working on for balance and learning to stretch, know where his back feet are, on video above. He also has started a lie down on mat behavior, to pull in for modified running contacts, if I choose to do so. Think he needs to do more corework, for his puppy belly :)...all in good time!

Tricks Video

2012-01-15T09:35:00.000-05:00

-1F this morning!!!! Yikes!!! So, as the weather is suddenly Winter, look for things to train the pups indoors. Silvia Trkman's stuff, always an inspiration-this is from one of her graduating pup classes.

Sweet Feed

2012-01-13T12:21:00.013-05:00

The Tilt'n Diner....is like a Pink Oasis of onion ring heaven, in the midst of highway and outlet madness, most would say in the middle of nowhere!!! But, not so far from where I live-here in the Diner, you are definitely somewhere. A mecca for locals, skiers, tourists & shoppers....One of my faves!!! My friends and I, eat here quite often. Thank god, all of the current electoral Presidential wannabees have left the state, and the Diner returns to its Switzerland-neutral, proponent of the common man, quiet self. I tend to think this Diner is more of the Democratic nation, even here in this northern part of the republic, anyway.

Alex Ray, who started the Common Man chain, is a genius. Finding old buildings and converting them into a variety of restaurants, throughout NH.

Fine dining to comfort food, the variety dependent upon the locale. Wonder if he needs a really good REALTOR to help scout out new buildings???? :) Now that would be fun to work on!!!

If I could make just one suggestion, as one who is a regular at many of the restaurants, assuming my musings are actually read by anyone????......a few more vegetarian options on the menu at the Diner? Like take your fantastic veggie burger and offer veggie meatballs & spaghetti or better yet, please, please make a vegetarian version of Shepherd's pie...PLEASE!! Or tofu pups & mac n cheese??? I'm not asking for vegan-I do eat eggs as I figure they are future generations, but not on earth yet and also have the "cheese gene" that runs in my family afterall. Some meatfree versions, of the standard comfort food, would be fabulous.

For anyone who LOVES Breakfast at anytime of the day or Onion Rings, the Diner is it! Not to mention when I asked to sub something for ham-and they made me an Eggs Florentine Benedict last night with freshly made spinach (all that shovelling means EAT!)...have to say one of the best Hollandaise sauces I have tasted. I did not have onion rings last night, but usually end up taking a bunch home and eating cold for breakfast :) If you like cold pizza or lasagne, you understand.

Anyway, yesterday was our first snow of the year and kind of, for the season, as a storm in late Fall doesn't really count as Winter. Ice this morning :( Started to get stir crazy as the storm carried on in the afternoon yesterday-balefully gazing towards the road, from my snowed in driveway. My hill is scary until the plows have also sanded heavily, so that is always quite exciting!!! Knew I needed to get out to get cat food & alfalfa and grain for the critters. Decided to bust through the mountains at the end of the driveway, made by the plows and used low gear all the way downhill.

Scream! also needed his daily out and about, for socialization. No grain the woolies usually get at TSC, so Sweet Feed it was! Tractor Supply has a great All Stock Sweet Feed good for goats & safe with no copper for the woolies. I usually give grain in colder weather-to keep up their weight and just because. Luckily got hay, the day before.

Scream! had a blast, exploring a new place-including the plow mountains, in the parking lot. He is a pretty amazing pup. Not much of the body sensitivity in new places, I usually see in the BC babes. Very happy meeting lots of new people, especially men with big boots. He travels so quietly in the car, not much adjustment getting out into new environments, either. Even with the snow and cold, happy to explore. We worked on his perch work-front paws up, moving hind end, on the stacked bags of barn lime and also reinforced touching with front paws, a bunch of different surfaces. He has great duration, for such a young pup-already understands maintaining position to gain another reward-smarty boy!!! He also figured out how to ride the low, rolling shopping cart at TSC...funny boy.

Calm before the Storm~Sunset over cow pasture top of hill

The woolies were very happy with the new feed option when we got home...skidded out a few times, almost got plowed over when we (but so glad I can rely upon my trusty neighbor) needed to unload hundreds of pounds of critter feed.

The sun seems to be trying to appear today, just hoping the layer of ice melts. Scary, treacherous....maybe I need some onion rings, later..

And so it snows.....

2012-01-12T10:04:00.002-05:00

C'ura 2 x 2's 1-10-12...and so it snows...equipment mostly put away, kind of sad :( Can you go through mourning, upon packing up agility equipment and seeing your outdoor "training space" turn into a Winter Wonderland??? If a dog can be conditioned to a bell or clicker paired with a reward= Good stuff!!!, are we agility addicts conditioned to "get high" when we see contacts and weaves?? Honestly, how many of you feel like you've just gone splurge shopping (or whatever your guilty pleasure may be), regardless of the venue, agility, rally or whatever....when you walk into a training or trial space??? Is there a sense of belonging and happiness? I am already in withdrawal.......I miss my teeter-totter, my dogwalk and aframe are sadly in pieces, leaning up against walls, or relegated to the basement. I dragged the teeter into the garage yesterday, in the midst of the storm...getting out of the car last night, Scream! hopped up onto downplank, like are we training in here now???...at least we can visit :)

Quechee & Racy Boxturns!!!!

2012-01-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

Putting the ball in the box, was our "homework" from last weekend's flyball practice. Quechee had not been to a practice in six months-letting her grow up and just working on other "stuff". So, happy to see how happy she is, to have access to "Her" ball :) Using a jump stanchion to help her maintain her swimmer's turn, while I faded myself from close to the box back to 15',in this practice session-Yay!!! Now to intro over a hurdle (Still doing from offside of lane to encourgae curve back into) and backchain from there. She is a driven little maniac!!

Racy has done ZERO flyball stuff, since her lifesaving surgery this past summer, that basically put her "insides" back together-just one practice and she was so uncomfortable, primarily been working on getting her back into condition. Not bad, for both-not only doing pretty nice swimmer's turns but getting the ball out of the dummy box, which is way harder than the live box.

Love training my pups!!!!

Scream! @ 10 wks Cik/Cap

2012-01-10T17:48:00.003-05:00

The BOy'z first official Training Session so decided to start working on Cik/Cap...other than little skills we are working on, this is the longest time really "trained". Total session, edited out empty parts, 7 minutes. Long time for so much focus in a baby pup, ended while he was still fully engaged and wanted more.

Love, love, love Silvia Trkman's brilliance for creating this simple exercise-which I did with Ggrail and Maze as a baby and then C'ura & Quechee. All , have very nice tight turns, when requested, know how to use their rears to push off and be in turn, already. I really think if I can figure out where to be able to practice, would love to do one of ST's foundation classes with the little man...maybe when the weather gets more dependable.

Warmed up with Sit/Wait...he already holds position while I move around, smarty pants!! Also, doing some Bang! Game plank work, working on retrieving skills with tug reward, Two toy game-one "alive" one "dead" and then switching-so he learns to leave the "dead" one, for invite to "live" one...settling/handling when in drive, front feet up on bowl for perch work-moving back feet around circle while keeping front feet up, recalls with three cookie game...and can't think of what else. At 10 weeks, so much fun!!!

Laugh Out Loud!!!

2012-01-09T07:58:00.001-05:00

or Scream!!!! This BOy is a hoot! The group spoke...whenever I look over as I am on the laptop, in the AM....this is what I see...Ggrail especially loves the little man!

Some photos from Saturday, before heading out on a long drive south, to his first Flyball practice. He is a smarty for sure, drivey, yet a love too. He did restrained recalls on the flat to his tug-yelling to be let go, straight, fast lines flying to get his tug.

No distracted baby pup stuff with this BOy, all about business & getting the task accomplished and a few kisses for the person holding him, but watch out world and let me go!!!!...the sounds that come out of his little body, part migrating geese, part demon within...drive coming out of his vocal chords....made those watching, Laugh Out Loud.

We literally saw many flocks of migrating geese careening in several directions out in the parking/field area while practicing...not sure if they were heading south or just in an overhead holding pattern, deciding whether to land, with the bizarre 50F warm weather for January.

Taking the BOy in and out of the building, to hang out in the car-so not a constant stream of stimulus-swear he loked skyward a few times at all the geese and gave them a nod, like "I sound like that too" :)

Nice to see how turned onto task he was, we will work on the calm watching, impulse control too......don't need a screaming maniac...have another of those already, in red.

Speaking of red demons....Quechee had a lot of fun working on boxturns and restrained recalls in the lane. For not being at a practice in many months, was very happy to see that our skills we are practicing for teamwork as well as sport, coming together during this practice. We did lot's of "gotcha's" - playfully grabbing her scruff or collar to reset for next access to the ball. Funny, some trainers feel the need to always have the dog come into pressure at your side-or you have "failed". For Q, she is like her mother where when in drive, going into her pressure zone at a certain distance, is just easier for her. Moss was like this when younger too-had to ask him to lie down, to go to him, to take his collar, but by approximating our successes, developed into a lie down to give his brain a chance to change focus/emotional temperature and then recall to my side.

Know Q and I can work that through and gain more flexibility in working space, so why fight it right now, that can come later-just very happy to see the results of our other "work" coming together-I will take it! I approximate and reward my own successes too :) Quechee is bringing out the creative problem solver in me, even moreso than recent pups. She is a handful, wouldn't have it any other way. I Laugh Out Loud daily, at the antics of my crew!!! Why not, it's only dogtraining!!

Fasten Your Seatbelts!!!!!!!

2012-01-07T10:25:00.001-05:00

One of the best things I have done with the last few litters, is make playing with a metal bowl-not only a highly motivating game of tug or retrieve, but also immediately desensitizes the pups to the sound of crashing, tossed metal as it flies over their heads, or multiples get played with, like hockey pucks. It is also an incredibly useful skill-to be able to send a dog, into the back of a crate or under a hard to reach place, to retrieve a metal bowl. Of course, that also means that spoons, whisks, ladles & all things metal gain value as "toys"...but when I am missing a spoon off the counter, I just look on one of the dog beds and easy to spot :)

So, on their First Birthday-Happy, Happy Birthday to all the Wild, Crazy, Loud, Talented, Sweet, Brilliant (have to add all the good stuff too or some get upset *) Ain't No Mountain High Enough Pups!!!! The thrill ride is just beginning....hang onto your hats!!!! Or in the words of Betty Davis in the Classic movie All About Eve...."Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night" (ride)...but a fun & exciting one!!! Should have called them "the "Bring It On!" Litter!!

The Wall Street Journal thinks so too!!!

Can 2012 be any worse than 2011 for the Economy, National Debt Rating & Real Estate...I hope not!!!!! I need to sell more houses, to support my dog habit!!!! Help!!!! :) So fasten your seatbelts and hang on!! The bumpy ride is well worth it.

Yes....I use many !!!!'s, sorry about that.

Calling Ewe!

2012-01-06T09:26:00.009-05:00

Woke up this morning and made a decision! For those who know me, choosing between pups is really difficult for me...LOVE them all!!

I have been paying attention to the dynamics of the group and was reminded of that, yesterday. Raising a boy pup here, will hopefully be seamless in the pack dynamics, with the other boys. Haunt is such a lovely, sweet, affectionate and yet drivey, smart, eager to learn pup, really hard deciding...but I can't keep them all. Prefer an experienced home that plannned to do something with him, but actually think he would do fine, with someone even newer to herding dogs. He is going to bond VERY strongly with a new person, has eyes only for me at this point, but also very wiggly & submissive greeting new people, so before he gets too much more attached...I feel guilty enough looking into his soft eyes-hope to find him a loving home. Held him for several weeks, wish I hadn't but sometimes the universe has its ways. He is Calling for his person!!!....and before I change my mind.
So, a few hours later....Funny how things work out, Haunt apparently calls loudly and was "herd" and it was meant to be :)

Ggrail Class 1-4-12

2012-01-05T17:52:00.001-05:00

A few clips from class last night. Recall with two jump lead out, to round the backside of double (set as a single for the new training) to landing side front cross to push to outer loop of jumps...what??? Big, humungous air-blowy, heat-thingy, louder than loud over our heads, at startline. Enough "wind" rippling Ggrail's coat and making me feel like I was on a movie set of an impending windstorm..think she handled that and some other environmental distractions, pretty damn well!

After several reps...I mean geesh a two jump lead out is not something we've been doing for long either, so she may have felt "abandoned" under the sound torture chamber, even if she is not sound sensitive.....think it did start to bother her, but she worked it through! Good girl :)

First sequence (didn't get on tape) was fast, open stride, novicey type running-to offset some of the tight, technical stuff, we usually do. Jump to offside weave entry, big 2 jump loop to dogwalk (running in our case...gotta get that stop-training going :) with side change to big outer loop-lead change over double, tire...back to dogwalk...Fun!!! Ggrail seemed confused to not be asked to collect constantly-good to remember to ping pong back and forth, with that type of training-so they learn to run in full stride too. She did the one pinwheel of two jumps to offside at 90 degree weave entry, like a pro...slid into the first set and hung on :) I don't remember teaching her great entries, as my 2x2's with her, were sloppy and did not really follow the "method"...but somehow, guess I did something right...or else she is just brilliant!!

She got to be demo for working on "find the middle" shaping session on the tire. Tossing reward at odd angles to set-up, return and angle variation, for approach. Need to also add my movement in, but neutral, to start as refresher. Remember Julie Daniels had a fun tire to table game for this too..have to see if I can find old training notes on that.
So tire and also recall to heel where I am not a dunce standing so far into the middle of the receiving jump (like 3rd or 4th rep)....is something we need to work on. She understands lateral recalls...sort of, so not sure why I kept feeling the need to overcompensate. So much to do, so little time...maybe it won't snow...Also, not loving her aframe last night, hitting high...hmnnn. Maybe she had too much running yesterday, before class and was tired.....not like I'm analyzing or anything :)

Ffire Flyball Boxturns

2012-01-05T15:58:00.000-05:00

The Pink Girl trying her paw at flyball swimmer's turns on the dummy box~think she enjoyed it! :)

Quechee & C'ura 2 x 2~6 poles

2012-01-04T18:03:00.001-05:00

So what do "normal" people do when it is 5F outside? They stay indoors, of course. What do crazy dog people do? They train out in it, of course!!!! Ground as hard as cement!!!! Think I have on about five layers.....

Pay Attention! BRRR!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-03T21:16:00.115-05:00

BRRRRRR!!!! IT is 3F this morning!!! I am so glad that I added bedding for the critters yesterday..wicked cold night! Luckily, the Shetlands have heavy fleece and seem to prefer being out in the cold. The goats, also have developed some nice winter coat and are fat little things. They will definitely get extra alfalfa & grain today.

Got in a quick 2 x 2 session again this AM, but so cold!!!! and also did outdoor flyball boxwork with Q, C'ura, FFire, & lane to boxwork with Moss & Clayton....ground so hard, sharp edges-someone cut their feet :( Too cold to train for too long, FFire also got to work on control & walk-ups with the Woolies, while they ate their breakfast. At near 17F now, feels almost "warm", at least sun out compared to the dismal, grey-cold of yesterday.

So...in working on the 2 x 2 weave poles...Cool to see what the red girls show me. Yesterday we had six poles!!! I was seeing more curving back in C'ura on 6-wasn't sure if from being cold/uncomfortable footing-ground so hard & frozen, or changing the picture from 4 to 6 and being a little less confident....but when I reopened the poles a bit, big difference! So, today we started slightly open and worked on closing-video from today, to edit!

I leant my Susan Garrett DVD to a friend, and couldn't remember if okay to open some, all, or just the new added set..so think I was not being more tentative in my training, yesterday. Today, I had a much clearer "picture" so off we went! I need to know the big picture..to know how to approximate the behaviors, towards the final result, which may have affected C'ura-who is more sensitive to me. Thanks to my cyber coach for the quick feedback!!!

Haunt has the softest eye!!!

Think, since I seem to notice every nuance of behavior in my dogs, just trying to pay attention to what she was showing me. Want her to enjoy the process, and know that to up criteria can be stressful, but measuring in her response, I can judge what may block learning or is helping her to push through, to the next level. Quechee, well she is a savant...but then even though I know she "loves" me, access to the activity & ball is that much more lovable, for her. We continue to do well with our "other" work though...I feel the force field coming down a bit, she even took a turn draping across my lap/shoulder on the chair last night-which she used to do regularly, before this new stage hit. :)

So.....Just when you think you have analyzed, scrutinized and noticed every detail....you realize you missed a big one! My poor, baby Scream!~I looked more closely at the photo of him from our agility party that I received, and looks like he had a red bruise on his inner thigh, from his boxspring exploration tangle. I had noticed his belly was a little red over the weekend, but that would have been a few days later-happened 8 days ago, as of today.

My poor, poor boy! And to think I also did the puppy stacking video that day, feel beyond guilty..no wonder he looked a bit "off" in the rear. If I had taken any advice on him last week, would have been "off" as well, but know he and my ability to evaluate was suddenly perceived differently, by some others. Always good to pay attention, to your own ability to see what may not be evident, at face value.

Scream! Stylin' newest dog-fashions on 5F morning

Of course, first thing I did when I noticed, what I had not paid attention to enough-was to check his belly-no redness, so if he had some soft tissue bruising, must be feeling better-never slowed him down, that's for sure, but it is up to us to notice these things. I am dumb! And he is obviously a spectacular pup! Not only game to train & hit the road over several days, but was just his sweet/tough self, as always....maybe a bit more goose vocalizing, but probably sore :(

Maze with arm around Moss :)

I guess I also have not paid attention to and have missed what others have been saying to me for weeks..he is MY puppy. Funny how some people pay more attention to what they know of me and my dogs and what I look for in a pup, than I sometimes do. I think I have been pegged :) But, then Haunt thinks he is MY puppy too! Haunt is incredibly handsome!!!! He is also a drivey, smarty-boy, lovely jaunty side gait & foot rhythm and also more snuggly/affectionate-which Scream! is not, but the fire & connection in his eyes already with the "what are we doing next" question...Haunt maybe a notch better in structure than Scream! So..do you decide based on objective analysis or what your heart tells you? Just trying to pay attention to the details.

8F last night...the little men taking turns napping on my lap, when Maze & Moss gave enough room....ah decisions, decisions....

I guess part of why I hate to "choose" between pups, feels to me that it implies one is "better" than another-when they are all equally spectacular. It all boils down to who suits one another in energy & personality...so what may be perfect for one, may not be for another, or for me. I still hate to choose...maybe two isn't so out of the question???? :)

Either way, just going to pay better attention!

Silvia Trkman Puppy Classes...more resolutions..

2012-01-02T20:35:00.052-05:00

I am always looking for inspiration!!! Sometimes just spurred by a comment in conversation and sometimes just find inspiration (whether in life or dogtraining), when I least expect it. This is a nicely done video, from someone graduating Siliva Trkman's puppy foundation class. Lovely looking Terv, too!! I wonder if I should try one of the long distance classes?? If only.....or could just watch other's videos...

So...one of my other Resolutions for the New Year...find new inspiration more often-in terms of life, can always learn something new or gain new perspective. In terms of training, something new or different intrigues me and also keeps things fresh!

This video below, the beginning stages..from another trainer in Istanbul, taking ST's online classes.
So, tonight....Haunt & Scream! worked on casual hand touch recalls, setting up at heel position on both right & left, foot touching onto lid and duration there, beginning of moving back feet in circle-while keeping front feet on target, learning a stretch on pillow for beginning of frog legs kicking out behind them (Haunt so funny~he improvised adding a full body rollover, as the finishing touch to the stretch), we worked on paws and "be a bear" sits up on haunches for balance.
The photo of Scream! "Be a Bear", from the agility party, the other night...no stage fright in this one!!! We also worked on impulse control for tug toy and gaining access to it...and can't think of what else. First real session with a clicker, took a couple of reps-both BOyz got the idea, very quickly! They both like the idea of training too-such focus for such young babes!

Also, did some stuff with some of the others...Maze got to work on Rally stuff-her fave..she literally vibrates with anticipation and foot stomps in excitement while holding her sit, trying to not jump on me. Think I will do more of the lid work with her, for pivots at heel. We have been working on a flipfinish...as could be imagined, a vertical dog loves flying into position! What is interesting is that I know that I worked on more foundation attention heeling on both sides like ST has in her program, with Maze & Ggrail...yet not as much with C'ura and Quechee...so going to go back and do so. That, of all things will help with Q's working distance, flexibility! Duh! Last night, she was so into it...and reviewing/building more value for hand touch too...that does not seem to have the reward history association that I thought it did, for her.
Moss worked on his conditioning/stretches, the young girls also worked on crate games & also feet in lid and pivots...the others, rewarded for being quiet, while we worked :) This type of stuff, perfect for indoor training, as winter sets in.

I'm inspired, but tired!! now there's a rhyme, for night~time...ha!

Footnote: It is also a good idea to resolve to pay attention, not only to details...but to moderation. The BOyz were such willing students @ just 9 weeks last night-even with tiny reward pieces, too much...so woke me up several times to be let out to "go"...they had a large dinner, with tons of treats on top of that...dumb me. So, I am still tired....

Resolutions!!

2012-01-02T10:52:00.005-05:00

So, it is a New Year!! So many fun things the past few days, finally sitting still long enough, to ponder them. Lots & Lots of Driving!! Crazy vortex winds, heading south from Vermont through the White Mountains, last night-felt like a toy car, being tossed on the wind.

Annual New Year's day (when not entered in a trial) winter hike. Last year Quechee, this year, the Northeast Kingdom in VT-balmy, blue beautiful day in NH-mid 40's!!!!

Reached the VT border and it was winter :) Pups had a great time.

Haunt & Scream! officially seasoned travellers. I, closer to deciding on who stays/goes, after more morning stock exposure for chores...both are just so cool, so hard. Also, they have had intense socialization this past week+-hitting the road, covering multiple states!

Just so good, to get them out and about...I go through the list of who at home has not as much recently, and they each get turns too, even if just out on errands.

So, one of the common resolutions for people at New Years is to vow to exercise more or lose weight..That should be on my list.

I often neglect what I should do for myself, if it means that will take away, from what the pups need. Some of my "hobbies" like hiking, woods-walking and agility are focused on motion, because of and with the dogs. But, I still think it is my responsibility and so important, to spend more time on their needs with a minimum of solid, hard running 1/2-1 hour daily. Making sure that my dogs get the aerobic exercise that they need to be able to relax and not bounce off the walls (or I should not have an active terrier or herding breed) is an integral part of my day.

Getting a dog out and about, also just is part of what is needed for general socialization for life...but for those that trial, how can we expect them to focus and filter out environment (which is a big part of what we ask of a performance dog), if they have no basis for getting used to or understanding unpredictable variety, or outlet for their energy, in their daily lives? I would get bored in the same place, day in day out...I would expect that a dog does too!

AS much as any dogs needs physical and mental exercise-an Aussie or BC, even moreso..they were developed to possess stamina in their jobs, so if not focused into appropriate outlets, how can they be at blame for being "hyper" or "out-of-control?" Wired for sound, is not what I want to work with, in training...drivey, yes! But brain on this earth too. Yes!

Quechee is a perfect example of this....for the brain to settle & the synapses to slow down enough, for her to think, not just move at the speed of light, she needs a solid run, before training. I never worry about getting speed-as without accuracy and thinking, speed kills! I don't train to be "slow", but I also would rather have consistent and accurate, than uncontrolled flying...which happens with her, without exercise. Speed always increases with confidence anyway-at least with positive feedback methodology for training...but can also disappear in a dog who is told they are "wrong", repeatedly.

I couldn't imagine leaving a young, under-exercised dog free in my house...behavior issues like chewing & general destructiveness are often a by-product of a dog, who is not receiving enough exercise.

I would lose my mind, if I did not focus on their daily need to "run-it-off". It is so important to me, that I even have "agreement to daily aerobically exercise" written in my pup contract, as a requirement to make sure pup people understand their responsibility, as well-of course also not overdoing it with a young pup, in growth stages and keeping in mind their rubber band ligaments and joints.

To me training is the gravy, that relies upon the dog being in a relaxed enough physical and mental state, to take in the new information. They also need to be physically, up to the task...or how can we ask them not only to focus, but be able to handle what we ask of them in jumping, etc?

Picture a young child's energy after just eating candy...that to me is most dogs, especially if young. Even for me, if I had not gotten to run around, just ate a bag of chocolate and someone asked me to sit still & meditate, that would be awfully difficult. Blood sugar plays a big part in dogs too-where some who feed prey model go on the premise of a fasting day..my dogs eat twice a day, everyday! Before a trial or class, I may reduce the amount-but just because we control access to food, doesn't mean we should think our dogs are any less hungry or don't have highs and lows, thoughout the day, like we do. On days where they have really exerted themselves, they get more. If they were wild pariahs, yes they would be used to feast or famine...but they are our kitchen wolves, domestication relies upon schedule, as much as cooperation..feeding time is always a highlight of the day, for most dogs!

In agility, I can always tell the dogs that never get to run full-out off leash, other than in a trial ring or at class...some get the zoomies, some just physically look out of condition and others don't know what to do with themselves in big, wide-open spaces.

Running contacts are surely great exercise for both dog & handler, yet cross-training is what all professional athletes do. So, when I think of the various activities my dogs are involved in, I think of ways to engage other muscle groups, to help prevent injury or one muscle group from becoming overused or overdeveloped, or the reverse. Woods walks, where they are running and vaulting over tree limbs are great for cross-training, as is swimming.

So...my resolution (one of many) is to continue to focus on my dog's exercise, but make my own , when not part of their routine...equally important!

Yup, lots of running contacts to work on...and hiking...and woods-walking..need to be able to keep up!! :) After all of the sugar and such, the past few weeks...really need to run-it-off!!!!

Footnote: Gotta eat better too!! Think I spend more time thinking about the dog's diet, than my own!! More resolutions to come.....

C'ura & Quechee Rock 2 x 2's 12-30-11

2011-12-31T11:33:00.000-05:00

The red girls both rocked weave poles yesterday!! In short session, working against predicted bad weather (today a coating of ice everwhere...boo hoo, so no practice) pushed criteria with C'ura just a bit more, than I normally would. She not only rose to the challenge, but was doing 4 closed poles quickly!!!! My mighty mite, rocks!! Off side and pressure from poles' location being close to the back of the wood shed, a little harder for her when closed-tweaked open briefly, so she could be successful, then closed again...

Q's session....well doesn't seem like she has had a hiatus at all, from weave poles! We picked up farther along, than where we left off-so either she is a brilliant latent learner, or making some ground rules in life clearer, are helping with our training. Just getting her to come in to my right and curve with me, instaead of tons of cutting behind-a big improvement.

So, two weeks off to work on relationship stuff, see an improvement in lots of other ways-when playing ball, can do a playful "gotcha" on her scruff or collar..instead of her being 20' away, huge reduction in mindless running around with ball glued in her mouth-now can get her to drop the ball closer again. And yes, for those who purport or aspire to be purely positive-I am with you, but I do use a No Reward Marker (NRM) of "Nope"-as a try again signal, not as a correction....as she has plenty of opportunities to figure out, how to gain reinforcement. If I saw signs of stress with an NRM, I would not use it. I am usually pretty quiet in training, unless marking with "yes" or praise...but for Quechee she almost seems to need the feedback to understand the "correct", versus not correct behavior-or she will repetitively repeat the mistake, as motion and activity are also reinforcing to her. Remember, this is the dog who chooses her own words too...maybe she wants a different name, maybe that's our problem :)

Behavior is always in flux and of course, more to work on as they will go in and out of developmental stuff & maturation, but the uglies of teenage-doghood, just a little bit less evident :)

Love training my puppies!!!! Who says farm fashion doesn't work with agility....my Muck Chore boots also the stars of the video..ha ha!! Anyway, so much to do...so little time...have to hit the road, hope the ice is not causing too many accidents out there. Moss scared me, splatted flat on his shoulder hard earlier..some fo the others skidded, but shows how little he protects himself, going full throttle!

Bark~Howliday Party

2011-12-31T11:09:00.000-05:00

So much fun!!!! Howl-i-day agility party...look at Baby Clewe (Quechee & C'ura's Bro) fly! Thanks to the Henry boyz, as my ongoing, professional puppy helpers and for socializing Scream! & Haunt...who also fell in love with two little blonde girls. Haunt came out of his quiet period, pretty quickly last night-talk about flooding with stimuli. The sink or swim method of exposure to new people & stuff. The noise, activity, plus 50+? or so people...a lot for any dog to handle, the pups did great! Scream! even performed his "Be-a-Bear" trick in front of the crowd...too tired as towards the end of the evening, to show his leg weaving skills, but at 8 1/2 weeks...still pretty cool :)

We are off to a few more field trips, over the next couple days...stay tuned!

Happy New Year!!

New Titles!!

2011-12-29T08:04:00.002-05:00

Merle-Bliss

Titles are an achievement of effort, not just a brag-but I like to share our pup's recent news, as their people work so hard in training and in competing, yet also just love them! Also, just love the updates of happy family dogs!

Congrats to all of our pup people and Happy New Year & continued Success & Joy-whether in training, in competing, or just if raising a loving, active family dog-it all takes hard work and the commitment to get out there and "JUST D'EWE IT!!!!" :) Such a waste of talent & brilliance, otherwise.

"At the APDT trial last weekend, Aussie Druid (Talisman's Druid of Uisneach) needed two more triple Q’s towards his ARCHMX, which he completed in style, earning a High in Trial along the way."

Also entered BC FFlash (Talisman's FFlash Point) in the two Rally trials, and he finished his RL3 title and earned an Award of Excellence, so now he has the AOE for all three rally levels. At his first run in 3B, he received a perfect score, and came home with three 1st placements – two for L3 and one for L2, and his first double Q towards his ARCHEX. And on another front, FFlash recently completed his NAC (NADAC Novice Regular Agility title), and passed his ORT (Odor Recognition Test) so now we are eligible to enter Nosework trials at the NW1 level.

Fright Night Boyz 8 weeks

2011-12-27T10:20:00.001-05:00

One last video while the BOyz still together at 8 weeks...looking at their overall balance & angles. Trying to be objective.....will also get one last cute one :)

They officially do stairs!! And leap off of top steps outside...Yikes!!!

Scream! has such nice balance already, for the "Be a Bear" trick we are working on for Howliday Agility Party!!!

Especially, after hearing him screaming in terror yesterday morning while on the computer, they were playing in the bedroom... I took the fabric off the bottom of boxspring last year, after foster cat decided to play tent at 4 AM and under the bed bouncing ensued nightly, which turned into group shred-a-thon with puppies...

Anyway, I rushed in, stuffed myself under the bed as far as I could, to extricate him. Scream!'s head wedged with his throat stuck in one metal coil, back leg twisted and turned, wedged into another. Mr Explorer would have been in big trouble, not that I would have left him alone to ramble around the house if I were gone-but the consequences, could have been dire. Luckily, with one arm, as to gte two under the bed quickly would have taken too much time to thrwo off mattress, etc... able to loosen his front and then slowly work his back legs free....Yikes!!!

Meanwhile, the whole time trying to save their brother-since I am lying on the floor, Ghost and Haunt kissing my face and tugging my hair...never a dull moment!!

While I was making the Puppy Stack video, actually heard Scream!'s leg/knee click back into alignment, from being manipulated into standing position-part of why I did this. Vet arrived soon after for check-ups and said he was fine. Thank goodness!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-25T10:54:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!!

Can't keep my eyes open......

Big Naughty-Dog "Elves" already destroyed some of their Xmas toys...especially the naughty terrier. Santa hats like on many toys last year, are now banned from the house, because of her...no more ingesting of them, too costly to her health and my wallet. They got ground duck/rabbit for holiday meal....even though prepared for it, wasn't quite ready for the pieces of fur, poor Thumper!

How much do I weigh??

Considering, I saved a flying squirrel from the cats, this week..unfortunately too injured to survive, but at least not a meal for Mayhem. I have a harder time looking at warm, furry things as a meal for the pups..the dogs were thrilled with this morning's meal! Even the BOyz got some...hope their bellies can take it-they are doing great at transitioning from ground, to chopped up "body parts".

This toybox keeps moving..

Took the pups on a quick roadtrip, for last minute shopping yesterday. Rolled around big pet supply store in a shopping cart-safe way to see whole new environment, less risk of exposure-and able to get lots of pets & cheese from strangers. Getting used to relaxing, while something moves with them in it & under them, also great socialization. Elevating them this way, sure easier than trying to carry more than one and automatically takes away people leaning over them-although one guy basically put his entire upper body into the cart, with them :) Lots of people kissing them, petting them and giving them snacks-they were exhausted by the end of it. Met more people in an hour, than they have in their short lives on earth-knew it would be intense, but they did fine. Haunt a bit more reserved, as they hit this stage, but a bit more body sensitive right now too.

Racy says "I like the feisty, speckly one"

They all are used to wearing a collar, the last few days-one less thing for them to have be "new" in a new home.I have had pups or rescues do backflips in terror, the first time putting a collar on them, like they are being "strangled"...the more I can do to get them ready for transition, the better.

Fear Period of hesitancy has begun-will be 8 weeks tomorrow. Vet checks, etc...decisions, decisions....
So Merry, Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah, etc to all!

SnowGlobe 2 X 2's....Wishing All Peaceful Holidays!!!

2011-12-24T12:58:00.000-05:00

My brain feels like this round & round, after some sessions. So good to video-thought we didn't do so well, and yet seeing the reps on tape, we did pretty damn well!!

Happy Holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah

Blessings & Joy of the Season!

Peace.

(To keep both "factions" happy...Greetings for the Aussie Lovers & for the BC Lovers!!)

Rave weavin' six poles!!!!12-22-11

2011-12-23T13:58:00.000-05:00

Maybe not all of the vids publicly available...but this is LA & Rave's (Wicked X Clayton pup) result so far, using Susan Garrett's 2 x 2 method. A primer of start to getting closer to finish, for anyone looking to work on this method. Look at his entries-WOW!!! and footwork really digging in, too.

Pretty Freakin' Fantabulous, I think!!!

Ggrail Winter Solstice Class 12-21-11

2011-12-23T13:47:00.001-05:00

We braved Black Ice and busted knee, to get to class...and totally worth it!! This type of jump handling, scares the living crap out of me and blinds, just feel so unnatural...but they are back with avengence! Compressed backside wraps, to blinds to rears??? What??? :) Crazy, Crazy, Fun stuff....and Ggrail the best pup ever, just goes with it, even when we do a gazillion reps, because I screw up.

Meanwhile, CERF appt with pups, 6+ hours on the road...nary a puke, nor much whining...such good little travellers! Ghost wins as the happiest and least affected by all the stress, of it all. Scream! & Haunt a little more emotional in their response-but Haunt happy to play papertowl twist "hockey" as we waited for their pupils to dilate.

They came home-so funny to see how glad they were to see the other dogs, played on the little side hill in the dark...and when normal people would be thinking about going to bed at Midnight...I realized we had not worked on the big set of stairs all week. So, the BOyz with Quechee & Reve as helpful coaches-Up and down we went-quick studies, these BOyz! Observational learning, at its best :)

This morning, snow...boo hoo...not enough to plow, but messy enough had to shovel and clear out..Dogs very happy, though. Crashed at my feet sleeping, after a good run-and clean too...mud bye-bye! Of course, got in a short session with C'ura on 2 x 2's and when running the group, Q and I have progressed in our team building! While in huge overdrive, she now can come into my side and I can touch her or do "Gotcha" game on her scruff/collar, without her moving away from pressure.

Wish I could pinpoint when she went from a liedown at my feet, to suddenly feeling several feet away, was "close"...bad trainer. Facing her is too much pressure still, but she is trying. Turning away and calling to my side-opens the door for her & takes the frontal pressure out of the equation. Love that!

C'ura 2 x 2's .....almost closed 12-21-11

2011-12-22T10:34:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, practice session with C'ura...it was Winter, tons of Black Ice accidents, scary driving last night ..today is Spring!! A good 20F higher...good old New England!! As poles are getting closed, seeing more misses, but this is part of the learning curve in 2 x 2's, I think. Moved poles over to mulched area, so as it gets slippery, less so over there...until we get real snow.

Quechee and I also had a great bonding session, she on leash while the group ran..we tugged, worked on attention and then she got to be a dog.

Can't remember who else I worked with..had a killer class with Ggrail-compressed backside of jump to blind to rear to running aframe into collection for tricky serpentine...yikes!!

My knee is killing me still, wish I knew which dog to thank for this slam-a-rama injury...better not be permanent, I have training to do!!!!! :) Off to pup Cerf vet visit~long trip..no time to train today, unfortunately.

Mirror, Mirror....

2011-12-22T07:16:00.000-05:00

..on the wall..

Who's the Fflur-est..

One of all?

Fflur at almost 9 1/2 working on One Jump work. I can't even remember the last time we did anything "official", other than herding together...so a good many years, since she has played at One Jump. Very cool to see that not only does she continue to have beautiful, supple jumping style, but that our foundation from eons ago, still holds true. If not for my partially busted knee, would have been in true neutral position to reward on downward side of arc and low to the ground, as a refresher-had to settle for dropping treats low, as kneeling at the jump stanchion (should have with Ffire too)...would have been ohhh so painful.

What is funny too, is I look at Fflur's mannerisms-the hopping onto me dance, her bright, bright energy, her style of jumping & knowing she is such a tug-o-rama girl, and see it so much in Ggrail and C'ura....hmnnnnn. I also did see her kicking into the attention work mode, we did in competitive obedience. Wonder if she is too old, to give her a whirl in competing? Nothing to prove, just realize in hindsight, just how spectacular of a dog she is, but not many have gotten to see that in action.

I often say this quote from the Evil Queen in Snow White to her, not because she is bad,
but because she is so Fair of face...

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Who's the Fflur-est (as her name is the Welsh for flower, pronounced FLEER not French~Fleur) one of all?

She usually looks at me, like "have you ever really had any question about that?" :)

7 & counting....Premack This!

2011-12-21T10:19:00.006-05:00

Cold, but beautifully sunny day yesterday. The pups have become true, little explorers-got several photos of them finding a moss covered boulder in back, with Birch tree that has been down over it, from before I moved here. They explored climbing it, sampling it and climbing to the end of the tree trunk-which luckily hangs over a big depression filled with leaves, or my heart would skip a beat, knowing how high off the ground it was. Totally fearless!

Also, got several opportunities to work on recalls with them, as their network spreads...don't want them to learn too early, tune out the Momma, when new environment is so much more interesting. Always a balance of letting them just be a brave pup checking out new stuff, but not forgetting they are there with you. Blowing leaves circling above their heads, new stuff to tug on, always something outside that can be a distraction...

At 7 weeks and counting, who they are is becoming more evident, as they enter the new stage of learning & development. See a bit of the early fear period beginning, why wait until the standard 8 weeks, when you are an Aussie or Border Collie? They were so funny on the boulder and out on the limb...like BOyz playing "fort" or castle!

Haunt is my official carrier of twigs or finds a tasty one and settles down with it, or follows whichever cat is hanging around and tries to play with them. Haunt is such a wriggly, kissy, funny pup-throws himself on his back in a barrel roll greeting sometimes, but very confident in who he is.

Scream!...everything should be stalked and then tugged on. He is just who he is-deferential to the big dogs, but also not a pushover...a handful!!! :) A pup who you see a lot of his tail.....

Ghost is the super sweety now...very deferential, soft eyes, soft face-a little more laid back than his brothers. He kind of follows what his brothers do-he is a good little brother pup.

Taibshe was trying to teach them how to play "I grab a toy, playbow & you chase me" game this morning. Generally, the pups go out in front, so they don't get trampled when the herd comes in quickly...but have decided they want to go out in back with the bog dogs, at times too....so I watch when they do. Scream! went out first after the majority of the crew came in....he had no problem understanding the Taibshe game. He wasn't yet able to see well enough to keep track of him, for the chase part, but went into a stalk crouch...watching T, so funny as T dropped the toy and looked at him, like "Really?" Strong little personality, that one. Scream! came in and then Ghost went out. Totally different reaction-very low, submissive body language, read T's invitations as a need to show more deferential behavior... while Scream! read it as "Bring it on! let's Rock n roll!".

Haunt was busy chewing a bone...but think he would have been somewhere between Scream! and Ghost, confident little man, that he is. Ghost will be the pup, that away from his brothers, he will have more of a chance to develop who he is-but in their shadow, at least right now, follows their lead, the perfcet little brother.

So, now that they are official explorers...pulling a few things out of the arsenal for recalls. I taught my wooly critters to "come when called" using the sound of tapping a metal bowl or shaking a plastic coffee container, filled with grain. Same concept, with the pups...Call, make noise, call, make noise...when it is really cold, I admit I really don't want to run around outside, gathering up pups...so, as soon as they come to the door, each gets a little reward and then I also play tug or pet them in playful way as they come indoors, to reinforce their response to being called. Most of the pups in Quechee and C'ura's litter had zero response to following or coming when called, once they hit the "we explore" stage-harder with a bigger litter, but also I hate having to chase down a pup (and what that predicts for later)...so reinforcing social approach and filtering environment by presenting better stuff, that includes people, is foundation for these BOyz.

The little "play-training" on the one jump, low teeter, having them follow on chores, chase games outside, etc..the start of "you give me this, I give you that"..not really about training, but building confidence, rapport and response between human and canine...but then isn't that what all training, is supposed to do?

Funny....as I work on this foundation relationship building and recall work with the wee babes, back to this with Quechee, who has a hard time filtering. She was making lovely progress on 2x2 weaves, like C'ura, but my feeling of hitting a wall of energy working with her, was getting tiring. The more in motion a dog who craves or feeds off of motion is, the harder it is for them to think. Just taking the collar or lying down a BC, is one way to get them to switch out of potentially compulsive or feeding off patterning a response action mode....motion is self-perpetuating for most herding dogs. Stopping the motion helps give the brain a chance to kick in, but I also want a dog to learn to think through things, even when they are in drive and motion. Q has a much harder energy, so switching modes is harder for her, than her sister, which makes it also harder to work with her, at least for me. C'ura melts into what you are trying to show her, Quechee bounces off of it. Adolescence in full swing!!!!

After such a wonderful breakthrough of getting to the next level with C'ura on her weaves the last few sessions, Q's 2x2 session two days ago was about as near a disaster, as one could imagine-so I just stopped, better to put on the brakes, when it all goes downhill. I feel like I am fighting, to keep her connected-as the activity of a behavior overrides her thinking at times, and she oftens finds the activity more reinforcing, even if I initiated it. In her little red mind, I think she thinks that she "makes me" throw the ball for her...so in my mind, I think we need to go back a few steps and work on impulse control and just basic cooperation, relationship building teamwork exercises. I am the door, I open the door, I close the door...and it is locked, when I say so....I do not do any of the silly deprivation, in your crate crap unless "working" stuff to make a dog want to work with me-I don't think I would have that type of dog, to begin with. I am also not that controlling or micromanaging of their lives, nor do I need my dogs to be so perfect....but I do want a dog, who likes me and wants to do stuff with me. So, if I feel a breakdown in this relationship...go back to basics...we will be working on this type of thing for awhile, no running planks, no weaves...just the Momma!!!

This difference in who Quechee & C'ura are as pups, was made really obvious by the difference in trying to work on 2x2's (motion) and then some end behaviors for the low teeter(more static). C'ura can switch from fast and furious, to thinking with an easy transition. Quechee, not so much-she started to not be able to take food, when in drive....I DON'T want that!!!...because to me that means the synapses are firing at such a rate, that her brain is spinning in cyberspace above us...she is reacting, not thinking....so the brain needs to be brought down to earth and slowed down enough, that she is not travelling at the speed of light, mentally.

So, for the last two days our "training" has consisted of no running-her on 6' leash and just ambling around outside, my clicking (Click/Treat) and rewarding for her checking in. This is the basic work I do with a baby pup (off leash if in a safe place-but with her wanted to manage her access to self-rewarding). At first, I C/T'd head flicks, then eye flicks, then full head turns back to me, then full eyes back to me, then motion back to me, etc. Just want her to realize, that I do indeed exist in her universe. We found a ball a good 20' away...and her eyes locked onto it, as strong as a magnet to steel-so using environment, just stood there until she acknowledged that I was alive. We were able to quickly work up to watch the ball, leave the ball, to gain access to the ball...basic Premack Principle. I swear she counts, she gave me exactly three steps back, each time, to show she was taking "pressure" off of the ball, so I asked for four and then a true recall, to then be released to the ball, which I then required she bring into my space, to me...the other thing that has eroded lately.

Interestingly, just a short session of what I call "Think" work and I had my pup back! She was able to take food, and we worked on end behaviors, on leash...and actually got some duration instead of perpetual motion!! Breaking it down, for her to be successfully cooperative, before the result of the total gets any worse, is our goal for now.

After reading Silivia Trkman's article about why she considers her Bu, autistic...hmnn...Quechee is probably a lot more flexible mentally than how she describes Bu, off the agility course...but I see that state of brain fugue repeating patterns or liking things in a certain order, would be easy to create in Q, if allowed to build compulsive behaviors that tune-out receiving input, especially. Part of this is teenage-doghood, but still to be addressed. Quechee looks very sexy, fast runner, huge tugger, drive, drive, drive...but, she is not an easy dog! Working with her, will make me a better trainer....what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, right?

Once Upon a Time.....

2011-12-20T17:50:00.006-05:00

Once Upon a Time......In a cold, cold land...there lived a tiny, red Border Collie. She was small and mighty....named Chocurua after one of the tallest mountains in the land, but C'ura for short, as she was so tiny. Little as she was, she never gave up.

One day, a magician came along and asked whether she would like to learn agility. She of course, said "Sure!"...not knowing what that meant at the time. The magician showed her how to make Tennis Balls fall from the sky, everytime they worked on a thing called "2 x 2 weave poles", which to C'ura looked much like a magical forest of striped trees. C'ura grew to love this thing called weave poles, more and more each day, until one day something magical happened.

On a cold, bright morning, her feet realized a faster and more efficient way, through the PVC forest. Each time she ran through, the forest got a little tighter and closer, but she was able to continue running fast-just by moving her feet to each side. The magician laughed and told her what a brilliant little muse, she was. The magician told her they still had a lot of work to do, but today was a magical breathrough!

The next day was the magician's birthday. They began their run through the forest of striped trees, much like the day before. The magician said "let's see if you can still run fast, even if the trees are just a little bit closer"....C'ura, ever the try-er...nailed it not once, but more than 90% of the runs, through the trees. The magician squealed with glee!!

As they went back the castle, tennis balls flew in arcs of joy, over their heads, celebrating their succcess, together. C'ura said to the magician "Happy Birthday and thank you for your gift of all of the tennis balls, with wings...my gift to you...I can fly too" :)
Little C'ura, the true Magician, afterall.

Thank you Susan Garrett for creating such a fun, rewarding way to train weave poles that makes our pups & us, so happy along the way-truly magical! :)

Good Morning World!!!!!!!!

2011-12-20T09:15:00.000-05:00

Puppies always start their day with a "Good Morning World!" enthusiasm. Hard not to be happy, when happy little spirits are your first encounter, of the day :)

This one jump work from yesterday, with my Pink One. Not a sheep in sight and she was totally into figuring out what the hell I wanted. We also worked on some 2 x2's and teeter...she is so low key, like a Quiet Storm, but as biddable if not tougher, than her sister Ggrail. She is like a lilac Gazelle.

On a mission, before the predicted snow hits...to do a little one jump work, with each. If you figure most agility courses are at least 80% jumps-this training, no matter how beautifully they may naturally jump-like Maze, FFire & Ggrail do, is a skill to be focused on, as much as contacts or weaves.

I see some starting a young dog who skip this step and are pushing for speed, which naturally flattens any dog's jumping arc. Doesn't matter what "handling system" you use-if you do not work on one jump work in some form, it is unfair to a dog, to be expected to know how to use their body in all different ways, over a silly piece of PVC-slicing triples and doing cik/cap over them, is the new thing that I have been working with the girls as I teach them a triple, I want them to knwo how to jump it straight in full stride, but also know how to jump it in collection-much like the broad jump work we did in class a few months back. Can they extend and land in collection, when needed?

For Ggrail setup a triple, straight on and then on 90 degrees to weaves...now that's fun to watch!!! Especially in those breeds who may barrel through life and knock stuff out of the way, like Aussies-they need this One Jump work more than any other!!

Long before I ever work on sequencing, I work on one jump exercises so they practically learn to do handstands on landing and when setup really close, push off their rears efficiently and cleanly. As similar, with weave pole training-if you rush it, not as much a thing of beauty in footwork or form....Dog is in the Details!!!!! It is really nice to have people tell me what a lovely jumper Ggrail is-she naturally is, but I also know we put foundation into that. Reading Linda M's article reminded me that I have not done as much one jump work, recently...so on the To Do list. Great for core work too-part of Moss' ongoing strength training for his back/leg injury.

I feel, that if a dog is slaying bars, it is up to their trainer/handler to do a better jump of creating value for the jump bar, quiet themselves as a handler if the push of motion creates flatter arc, or work through that in training and push even harder with huge reward for not killing bars...and go back to the basics of One Jump work! I Scream! when I hear the 'if only not that bar'....well then, train the poor dog to help keep the bars up or drop their jump height, if they physically can't handle it, teach a "go on" if you are far behind or MOVE!!!!. Some spend so much time teaching complicated collection cues, that they ingrain deceleration cues to their dogs...and wonder why when they move on course, like their feet are stuck in mud or don't cue forward sends with real signals that are discernible to anyone watching...bars come down...hmmmnnn ?????? :)

Of course, I also love how efficient Cik/cap (my Zip/zap) is at teaching collection and turning cues, too. So simple, yet so effective...and no mathematical equations to remember. So, that is part of foundation for jump training too.

So, on this day-wishing you all a Good Morning World!!! So much training to do, so little time.....but look at my Pink One fly!!!!

One Jump BOyz & Clever One...and ETS

2011-12-19T09:18:00.050-05:00

Playing around with the pups & Clever One, to see how they manage a jump bar-to get to their desired toy. These pups at 6 1/2 weeks, have as much drive for the toy, as any adult dog and maybe moreso than some, that I've worked with :) Very cool to be able to use food or toys, so early on. Their focus and desire to continue interaction, is pretty amazing too, for such wee babes! Ghost had fallen asleep, took a few minutes to spring into action-but he looks like he will be quite the nice little jumper.

Scream! is a little shorter in the back than his brothers, but still seems to have good balance of angles and use of rear/rocking back, already. Haunt was snoring, figured I'd let him sleep-they had another big day Saturday. Moved the teeter to front of driveway, doesn't matter, they were on it, in a second-actually more interested again, as it was in a a new location. They also have been getting used to being crated separately, to eat and also learn to settle individually, with confinement.

Makes it so much easier for their new homes, for the pups to learn early impulse control including intro to crate, so I start this work for them, early. As I type-pups have just eaten breakfast, two asleep, one fretting-who just settled. Yes, they usually need to "go" very soon after eating, but I also want them to learn the skill of settle-to get door to open. Yesterday, so cute-all chose a different crate to nap in, doors wide open....my living room looks like a puppy prison cell-block.

Anyway...So thinking of the one jump work and dogs in general are we doomed (some may see as a +) to see a bigger division in BC (or any breed) type, as agility & dogsports become more competitive and demanding? Are more BC breeders going to focus on one trait, like jumping ability or speed and stop looking at the whole dog? What wins, has always drawn attention-whether a sheepdog or cattle futurity trial, show or performance dog. People like to go to a sure thing. In Aussies, it discourages me so, to see how diverged in type the breed has become, even in the last fifteen years. Showing in AKC conformation, after a new breed is adopted-changes a breed, no matter what anyone says. All the extra bone & coat is not sensible in a dog who was bred to work. In Aussies, yes versatility was part of the game in Asca, and not all have as much herding instinct as others, which interestingly I see linked to reducing the reserved with strangers tendency-reduce the territorial/protective aspect of who they are and the result is a more social, but potentially more deferential/softer personality. Still brilliant, but without the edge..maybe that is not great either to have them become too social, but preferable to me to have social response than alternative response in some Aussies.....if you walk too close to their person, car or into a person's home unannounced, try to intro new dog to the house, etc. Odd to see even just in my time in the breed-just how much they have changed.

With Border Collies...well I guess that change is a coming too :( While I love colors & merles...came from Aussies, didn't realize or care that it was such a no-no, but now it is almost cliche to see a blue merle BC at an agility trial, these days. Ten years or so ago, not so much-now, everywhere. There are some prolific breeders, just churning out pups-the new hot puppy miller/backyard/sporter breeder commodity. So sad, such a noble, purposeful breed being produced, like in a candy factory. People who put a lot of training into a dog, more and more seem to almost expect a Known Thing, with a pup and so go where there is a proven track record-could be working, could be sport.

I guess we all have our reasons for having pups because we think we have something to contribute or to better the next generation through a chosen combo, or love the parent's temp & ability and want to have a part of them in the future for working with, or for some just to gain recognition....but hopefully the primary goal for most is to continue to produce dogs that know what to do with a sheep and maintain the beauty of the poetry in motion-huge arc of an outrun, whether or not you ever compete in sheepdog trials, more about preserving who the BC is meant to be-not just know how to get over a PVC bar or get a spherical object out of a box, or leap into the air after a piece of plastic? And only understand running straight, close lines?? If we take the working distance and curved arc out of the Border Collie, we have taken away a big part of what defines them as a breed-driven by archaic instinctual drives-that were bred into them for many, many generations. As a Natural Dog, that is part of why I am drawn to them-to see that instinct in action & no body parts required to be lopped off by some stupid breed standard, or "type" dictated by what wins in the show ring (at least-they just are. If a breed standard helps create continuity, through the ideal and helps define characteristics-especially desired structure where form follows function-that is Great!!! Reality is, breed standards are written, but still open to interpretation, as evidenced by show ring trends, or in other cases by choosing to not to adhere to certain defining characteristics, like tail docking! Reality too, there are more sport homes and active pet homes, than real working homes-farms are holding on, and cattle operations often utilize dogs daily-but how many pups, go to "work"?

I love dog sports, don't get me wrong-I spend enough time thinking about training, writing about training or training...to know this is what I love. I also love to see pure instinct at work, regardless of "training" and that is part of what makes a Border Collie, nature's work of art. It is awe inspiring to me, to watch a dog turn onto stock. Instincts dictate their reactions, like a collective unconscious mind of centuries of selective breeding, that calls them. If I look at the whole dog-health, genetics, structure, temperament & ability...I will hope to have a whole dog, not one just bred for a specific sport. Not all, even out of stellar working lineage will they themselves be outstanding working dogs, but it is in there somewhere. Figure it is up to those of us, who play god in breeding, to maintain who they are, if we can.
The Wonder of it all!

With Clever One-she is a Super! example of a dog with no Sporter Collies :) in her pedigree, just a humble little farm dog, with parents who daily work for a living. No history with agility or jump training-but tons of desire & drive & biddable to the nth degree. The first day she arrived, I saw the glimmer of this. The first day we played tug-it was like igniting the beast! Her eyes glowed like Fiery Topaz's, as the realization hit, that it was okay to tug & be wild.

She has such drive & hangs on like a Pitbull, that teaching drop it, was one of our first primary goals. She was also relentlessly focused on herding C'ura at first. The cattle bred lineage behind her is different than the sheepdogs-move into pressure not away from it, more like an Aussie or Australian Cattle Dog-yet she is also a flexible, lovable noodle who will crawl inside your skin with affection. Very cool to see the difference in what her instincts dictate but also of course, not letting that be expressed inappropriately onto the tiny red girl. If moved into by C'ura-when she was on the opposite side of the herding bubble, she would push in and then heel her, if as C'ura turned to run to get the ball, etc she moved into Clever One's pressure bubble...

So, I taught an opposing behavior of having Clever come through the herding bubble into my side and lie down, for setup-which opened the door for C'ura to run, by bringing Clever One to the opposite side of the invisible flight zone bubble surrounding C'ura. This released the pressure of Clever's reaction and stopping of C'ura's motion. Clever then was released to follow the melee, but would run with, instead of into or after. Bringing her off of balance point onto the far side of the circle near me, Clever was not then on a pressure point-so no need to instinctually react to another pressing on her herding bubble. We progressed, with my being able to just tell her to lie down, wherever she was-even in mid-run, which again would "open the door" for C'ura. Problem solved. Can't wait to start training her on stock, in the Spring-she has some serious intensity there too.

Having not recently lived with a group of wild, big dogs, like mine...Clever One has seamlessly fit in, almost like she has always been here-she has made friends with all, and is quite the silly, raucous player. Her first foray with a jolly ball-a total Riot! She would make a good soccer player, for sure. She also picked up the metal bowl tug & retrieve game in a nanosecond-actually she reminds me of Caleb. Anything, that I pick up, has instant value for training-she will tug a wire whisk, glove, or phone book-just because it is attached to me and I present it. I remember with Caleb once working on some exercise-no toy or treats at hand-picked up a large pine cone and rewarded with that. No need to build value, it gained instant value by his relationship with me and my touching it...Clever is the same kind of dog. She is able to get the most serious of them to roll around, and mouth wrestle with her. She is not perfect in some details, but pretty perfect in general. If only we knew how perfectly well she got along with everyone :)

So, I was inspired to play at One Jump Work with the babes & Clever One, after reading another article yesterday by Linda Mecklenburg's on her Early Takeoff Syndrome theory-very interesting stuff and which obviously started me thinking. It would appear that rather than just considering it a structural issue-which is how many I know interpreted her findings in familial lines in dogs at first and so then labelled all those dogs even remotely related -but more likely a combination of degrees of lack of depth perception or ocular deficiencies, that cause a dog to not rate a jump/distance, properly. In conversation years back, with my vet ophth and in seeing student's dogs & one of my own, have seen those with an inability to judge distance, or what is front of them, or go up or down stairs well (dogwalk planks)-like a person who is nearsighted or farsighted, or may have an astigmatism, etc. I know in some of the field trial breeds, this has been noticed too-in those who can't "find the bird". Thinking responsibly, of what you have or have produced or may produce-looking at the whole dog, helps in making decisions.

I have no groups of dogs documented, no research of my own-but I wonder if it is a recessive or polygenic trait?? Or maybe a simple dominant, that requires modifiers to express itself as a "syndrome"-like the primary cataract gene in Aussies may? If it is a heritable trait, that they know where to look, finding a gene marker for identifying this visual deficiency, may be very helpful in making breeding decisions. Any affect on vision will affect the whole dog, regardless of the intended purpose.

If so, that would explain why it shows up more strongly in some crosses-where both sides of the pedigree may contribute genes? Or, can one dog contribute, as a simple dominant and the cross provides modifiers, which express the syndrome? I have to reread the last two pages of breedings LM mentions....looks like Greek to me, the dyslexic. I wonder in working breeds, where there were not generations selected on their ability to crest a PVC jump bar, is it now popping up more as people look outside, to new sources for agility pups? Or maybe it is like the HD gene (which I have always understood HD or ED to be polygenic-but easily tracked and reduced), where even from clear parents with good hip history, there is still a 12.5% chance of producing HD.

Agility or obedience or flyball, is not seen as "work", to the real ranch or working-not just weekend trialling-sheepdog people, so the thought of looking at a dog's jumping style, when choosing a breeding combination, would be laughable. I have recently asked some cattle ranchers about dogs, stats, behavior, etc and looking at some of the dogs behind Clever One....a whole different world!!!

If someone needs to wear glasses, do we look badly upon them? With dogs our criteria for perfection is so tight, any malady becomes a stigma and a source for gossipy parrots :) Genetics are not always predictable, and I think most that breed dogs, try to do their best. Until those that speak, take the risk of assigning their name to a litter and work for years at developing a "line" and take responsibility for that-not just churn out pups for the market, it is easy to sit back and be an armchair expert, with little knowledge, when you have nothing on the line.

Dismissiveness or fear, blocks learning. Rather than label an entire line or kennel (unless of course you feel they are unethical...then I say go for it!) for overall "problems", look for quantifiable evidence, as LM is. LM is obviously trying to find correlations of dogs that show this ETS behavior, by looking at families or the specific dog that is either affected with obvious ETS to some degree, or has passed that trait. Good to keep an eye on that :)

Training for tighter courses may also be bringing this more to light. Ten+ years ago, I primarily competed in big, open, speedy Nadac courses. The dogs rarely jumped in collection. Training this way, also created big striding dogs. With a dog that appears to have mild ETS, would that only be made more obvious on tighter courses? One of my dogs was never a pretty jumper-very flat arc, but was lovely in Nadac-I had always assumed he had some eye/depth perception issues, which was made worse by an eye injury & resulting cloud on the lens. He had many, many half sibs and their offspring-many of whom were lovely jumpers. If ETS is apparent in only one offspring-a very small, overall % of the total. So, in a combo where one parent is they themselves affected or is related to one who is affected, are more pups likely to show symptoms, or is it a small percentage of the offspring that may tend to show ETS symptoms naturally, as in the HD %?

Is it from both sides of the pedigree...where a combo completes a BINGO theory of genes aligning-like other possibly recessive or polygenic traits-HD, etc? Or, a simple dominant, as I myself have surmised in some breedings-seeing half-sibs not showing any signs and actually the reverse-but then I constantly watch body awareness & jumping style? If one dog does indeed, carry a heavier load of genes to the party, as in a simple dominant mode of inheritance-it might be that much easier to identify and eradicate. But if polygenic or recessive a bit harder, without a gene marker. Like in humans, do we expect that even if your parents didn't wear glasses, you still might-although the odds are greater you will, if one or both of your parents need corrective lenses early on? So, in a dog who may have mild ETS, if bred to a fantastic jumper-what are the odds, they will need glasses?

I have seen dogs that poor jumping, is also a result of stressful, bad training too-but they may be predisposed to this default mode of jumping, because of vision or structure? Watching Shelties over the years, before LM developed the name for this theory-always wondered about their butterfly stutter stepping, but then have seen many Belgian Tervs & Malinois too (some of that is also much straighter shoulder assembly). Wonder if those that have done Shutzhund for years, noticed signs of ETS in their sport, long before agility became such a thing! Working dog breeders or breeders that focused either on the breed ring or pet homes...agility does create a different expectation on a dog. As courses get faster and more technical, are we looking at creating little furry scientists, born to help analyze and naturally do their best, without as much needed input from us...just by nature of their visual and structural acuity?

Even the training of jump handling has changed in the last few years-teaching commitment point early with throw and goes, Cik/Cap and Point N Shoot just running-often ahead of or behind your dog-so no more "assisted" jumping-and yes...taking your eyes off your dog for blind crosses, Ketschkers-all handling created to tighten a line and reduce seconds with tighter turns. It would be worrisome to me though, to think that more people really are going to start breeding just for a dog's jumping style and not look at the whole dog? Yes, I look at how a dog uses their body, or I wouldn't play at ground bars & one jump with 6 week old pups :) But I think it is important to look at the whole dog, as a sum of their parts, not to focus on just one part or trait-that limits the gene pool and variety within. I do often avoid popular sire syndrome (unless fantastic health/genetic track record or we were one of the early ons and didn't know...)-too scary to be linked into multiple-bred genetics, where the odds are, something in one of the combos is bound to go awry and there you go. The new or unknown is too scary for some, but I'd rather find something obscure or new, to broaden the genetics.

Some who sepcialaize in dog genetics say "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" if a malady is to appear, if not so, so serious...but, would I breed a dog known to have epilepsy or have produced it multiple times? Hell No! But, with something not yet quite defined through controlled Scientific study, such as ETS, it is hard to know what to think, without more study, but very much worth considering in future plans. When something is not quite quantifiable-going on gut instinct, sharing information and tracking results of breedings, is probably all we have, for now.

Footnote: I of course would never do real One Jump work with a pup, until growth plates are closed or they are over a year or more!! Just do baby-pup stuff to see if they understand their rears.

Happy 10th Birthday~to the Revster!!

2011-12-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

My little Reve turns 10, today. Holding her in my hand the instant she was born-hard to imagine how much life has changed and gone past, in the last ten years. Only her teeth and getting older eyes, reveal that she is no longer the bubbly, puppy she continues to appear to be. A sweet, talented little spirit...have tried to recreate her many times...and haven't been able to...guess I will stop trying. She is one in a million! My forever co-pilot, both on the road and in my heart.

Crazy~Bad 2 x 2 Training 12-17-11

2011-12-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

& some not so crazy-bad training :)

Fright Night Boyz @ 44 Days Bang! Game...what???

2011-12-15T11:17:00.000-05:00

Okay, so the disclaimer....written at length on the vid descrip, before anyone freaks out, seeing such young pups on a low teeter. Contemplated making the vid unlisted, or not posting at all...but I think this is exciting and honestly think this is pretty cool to see such young babes, generalize from their wobble boards and little plank mazes indoors-to wanting to make a 12' board tip, back and forth.

The Fearless little men!! Wow!! Surprised the hell out of me, hopped on the board, enjoying making it tip, unfazed by the noise or motion...just amazing. Was getting ready to work on some 2 x 2's with the girls-this little "training session" ended up on video, instead :) Hopefully, those that watch it will realize how low the board is, and not judge that the pups are in any danger...I do know what I'm doing...but then the cranky Brit who villified one of Ggrail's baby vids...there are always going to be one of those with opinions!!

Years back, I remember watching a French World team member testing out 4-6 month old pups here in the US, that she planned to bring one back with her. One who looked quite a bit like Scream! running full height dogwalk...Yes, I cringed, worrying if he fell off. He didn't. Another person (actually a cranky breeder/judge who later took it upon herself to dress down a friend's rescue at a seminar, who I then took on..) laughed at my concern and said "They start them young in Europe" in a very condescending tone, like "You idiot!"...rather than just saying it in a way, that might allay someone's fears. I get looking at drive and seeing who has the body confidence (geez I'm looking at reactions from the day they are born)-but influenced by the status quo, especially a few years back, that dictated to not do much of anything until a pup was over a year. But, kind of like taking the gospel, as someone else has written it and maybe realizing that you do not agree with all of it? Or, the idealogy? Or, just questioning if there are alternative views?

Reading some of Silvia Trkman's articles a few years back, did get me thinking about bone density and her belief that like weight training for people, low impact work with pups, actually builds stronger & better bodies. I do worry about too much slamming on their shoulders & spines, when young or old-and especially careful with green long-bone growth & baby joints...but have to say, I think exercise & training in moderation, done right is beneficial. Where, underexercising or not conditioning a pup or adult, is more detrimental. People that don't run their dogs daily and expect to go a trial and have that dog to be in top form, well that is not fair. If you don't do situps everyday-could you suddenly do a hundred, if asked to? That is pretty much what we ask a dog to do in agility, as jumping requires overall good body condition and core strength. Most courses are what...80% jumps??? Hmnnn...

Silvia's thing is also about the dog being in fantastic condition, which like with us, the better shape that we are in the less likely we are to suffer from chronic injury...I will never be in as good condition, as my dogs-but their daily aerobic conditioning and exercise is a focus, moreso than any "training"!

With training and then trialling, I know if anything, I am probably too cautious and am considered to not push my dogs enough-I certainly don't trial as often, as others. I can't help but notice the first sign of stress in one of my dogs-some I can work it through for them, some not as easily..but I am always protective of their well-being and always worry about rushing a pup mentally or physically too soon. Maybe, I wait too long to do some things with pups, while I let them grow up and don't drill training. Some have asked why I don't have Ggrail out there, when they see her run. Simple answer, because I feel she (and Maze) needs a bit more time to grow up and be ready...I would rather train to the level above where we begin trialling, than just muddle through and barely get around the course or make excuses for being a crappy trainer/handler. We did a few trials, to see what we've got and now need to finish our training, and they, their growing up. For Ggrail-reworking her contact criteria for her dogwalk and pairing a stop with the running wood is our training focus (because after class last night-her running DW is so freakin' fast...there is no chance in hell, that I will ever be able to handle it properly..although she did collect beautifully to nail a weave entry, at full speed off the DW) and then we will just go out and have fun!

You will never see me jump a pup under a year at full height or do closed weave poles, or for that matter do much of repetitive, anything. Working on the 2 x 2's with the red girls a few minutes, every few days-not more than the running, climbing & jumping over downed trees, they do daily in the woods.

Guess, I figure with these BOyz-letting them explore and play on the very low teeter, just builds their body confidence and will assist them in overcoming life obstacles later-formal training, much later......do love to see how quickly they figured out place of reinforcement for reward, at end of board!!!! Now at 44 days old, have to say I think that is pretty BRILLIANT!!! and just so much fun, to see the wheels turning already. If dogs are always learning, why not put some info into baby brains, if they show they are receptive?? No rush, no pressure-just rewarding behaviors offered, like the training I do with them all. LOOOooove training my dogs!!! So, guess I have opinions too...but I never expect anyone to take it as gospel, just my humble view!! :)

Grateful

2011-12-14T11:47:00.000-05:00

A true friend goes with you across a dark, cold parking lot, to check out a barking puppy, tethered to a gas station convenience store. Young guy, down on his luck with a lovely, sweet pup, wrapped in a blanket, sitting on cold cement-worried about them all night, but helped as we could.

Came home last night and had to squeeze the pups, just thinking how lucky they are to be safe and so well-cared for-just grateful.

This time of year, the holiday season means more to me-in the spirit of giving, not getting. Contrast in how life is lived, reminds you to be grateful for what you have and those you have. Just grateful!

Sharing empathy and compassion, is what true friends, do for you. If you lack compassion for others, for animals, for those less fortunate, who are you? Yup, sappy as it sounds.....all about sharing & caring :)

Some photos of the Boyz @ 44 Days exploring the little hill, to the side of the house, this morning. They were playing hide-n-seek with their momma and eachother. Scream! & Ghost also went all the way across the front driveway, in to get the hay/feed ready for the critters and both very curious about them. Watching, watching...

Fright Night Boyz @ 5 1/2-6 weeks

2011-12-13T17:58:00.000-05:00

For my friends...who refuse to join the social media network...the newest Fright Night Boyz videos!!!

Really, truly trying to be objective in analyzing these pups, yeah like that will last long...but working on stairs & puppy cavalettis (ground bars) gives a lot of good info on how the Boyz are using their bodies and feet.

Dragging the tug toy, also great to see their prey/chase/tug instinct and ability to focus visually, as well as ignoring their brother's attempts to take them down, while on task. For six week old pups, they are pretty damn cool!!! Laughed out loud, listening to the unearthly sounds of a migratory flock of geese, coming out of Scream!-when tugging. He was really in drive-guess he is aptly named. Oh My!!

C'ura & Quechee 2 x 2's @ 21"!!! Progression 12-10-11

2011-12-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

The girl's 2 x 2 practice from last Saturday. C'ura is a ahead by several sessions, forgot to tweak poles to start Q's session, so did so, after realizing she wasn't there yet. Longer session with her, in which we worked to where we started :) Both girls so keen!!!

Lots and lots of rural & country neighborhood noises (chain saws, big hay trucks bouncing down the hill, etc.) in background, so audioswapped music...Q's cutout for some reason..

Should I Stay...or Should I Go????

2011-12-12T19:23:00.003-05:00

Wore the Boyz out tonight-introduced more metal bowl hockey & wild, crazy tug...at least the six week old pup version of it. Quechee, was happy to show them how it is done! Ghost was the winner of unfazed and most motivated by the chaos! Scream! and Haunt thought it was all a bit too much-their bro was "Bring it on!!" Lots of visitors over the weekend-they seemed to like more, new laps to occupy :) Still need to edit new photos and video...more working on stairs, this week. And....decisions, decisions...I have given many people permission to quote me, in a few weeks should I stay, or should I go....ahhh the Boyz.

Meanwwhile, final hoof trim & worming, before winter-for the wooolies & baahhhhsss....successfully scraped most of the skin off one knuckle, courtesy of Willow's freshly trimmed hoof-at least it wasn't a black eye. Picked up alfalfa and feed....another sign winter is on the way. Trying to decide if I should send another few sheep, off into the sunset.....Full moon last night amazing!!!! Looked more like a Harvest than a soon to be Winter Solstice moon-hanging like a giant, orange orb, on the horizon. Rising over the back field right now, like a beautiful spotlight, rising above the treeline. Just glad the weather, although cold, has been cooperating to allow for weave pole training. Have new vids of the red ones, to post...and more training to do....ice and snow, snow stay away for now, thank you :)

Puppers!!

2011-12-11T08:57:00.000-05:00

Photos from the last few days-starting to learn big set of stairs, introducing skateboard, metal bowl "hockey" and "Bang the Drum Quickly" game. Ghost & Haunt, now the big explorers outside-just a day or so behind their brother Scream!

Have video to edit & upload-funny little men. Eating like Sumo wrestlers, they are really growing!! Still small, but think when they start to get real proteins, there is a quick difference in bone & muscle development.

Basically weaned-I let the Momma choose-so feeding several times a day. And really holding it over night-very cool!!!!! Haunt even went to the door, last night and "asked" to go outside...not even six weeks old yet :)

Natural Progression

2011-12-10T10:08:00.000-05:00

The Red sisters are kicking it, in 2 x 2's!!!! Naturally progressing from 42"-we are now at 21"!! Our poles are 21" spacing...really want 24" poles!!!

Tweaking closed on 12'0 clock line as we go. Probably not going to be super methodical about how much they are closing up, but will do a few reps, tweak, do a few reps, tweak...Quechee's next two sessions not on tape-she did really, really well-so resilient, all the misses and lack of reinforcement for, does not ever shut her down. Latent learning, strongly evident as we pick up where we left off-rarely backtrack. Think, I also tend to pattern starting a little bit easier the next session and with these girls, not necessary. Having my video coach in Canada-such a help in reminding me, to press on and raise criteria-don't get stuck at one stage in this weave training...it ain't going to be perfect (I get stuck in the details) at each step-but with a high %+ that are good, move on!!

I did ask for several other behaviors to reward, if Q missed more than three entries-no point in pressing on with that rep, if she has patterned the mistake (which she patterns more quickly than her sis, C'ura) and gives her a chance to mentally, reset. Her session probably went on too long-let the camera just run and was close to 8 minutes.

One great thing to see, is how much she is still trying!!! Also, as my thrown reward takes down the first set and almost falls on her...doesn't phase her in the least :) Lots of tugging, etc. edited out in between, for sake of uploading time. By the last few reps, could tell she was getting tired mentally-just did not want to end on the negative-with misses. My cue for knowing that is that she does not drive back to me as quickly and starts to drop the ball further away-so Know to do short & sweet & intense with her-but not be-labor the training.
Live and learn.

Meanwhile, C'ura's second session on 12-08 and then AM session on 12-09...WOW!!!! Ground a little less hard, but slippery-so weave bases sliding pretty easily, if the pups even brushed them. Did stake down the front edge of first set and back edge of second set for the sessions on 12-09-11.
C'ura hit a pole 2x, but when they didn't move out of her way-she didn't hit them again. Watching her not only look for, but drive thru entries and use her tiny little feet, so nimbly-WOW!!! :)

So, just a note about me....I HATE to be on video or have photos taken, but realize that in order to see what I'm doing & how well or not that I am rewarding, I have to be in view. Could make vids unlisted, but then feels like I am hiding-who cares about me-all about the dogs and their brilliant natural progression, in training. Moved camera angles closer on reward line, to be able to see what the pups are doing better, too. I probably should plan my wardrobe a bit better....would never know I worked in the fashion/advertising world all those years in NYC :) Now, I'm just a humble hobby farmer (or Fah-mah as they say in NH), who loves to train her dogs and sells houses, to support her agility & herding habit. Have to say though, 2 x 2 & running contact training is good for the waistline-the eternal optimist (have to be when you work in real estate and you often feel more like a volunteer than a paid professional )-having a fever and sore throat during the last few days of videos, felt rather blah-but no time to have a pity party, training to accomplish!!! Maybe I should create an out-take vid of bad winter wear.....

Comfort Food

2011-12-09T17:38:00.000-05:00

Dogs need comfort food too!
Great article about link between stress or behavior issues (especially fear & impulse control) and a dog's gut. Immune system seated in the gut too-so makes total sense. Wasn't I just musing on this recently??? Hmnn...looking at the whole dog, rather than just the symptom, always important. I tend to think some of the behavior "issues" that may be correlated with a stress or gut reaction, also a "symptom" of a dog who is not getting the blowing off of adrenaline or mental outlay, their bodies/minds need daily. Always learning! Always interesting!!

We are what we eat :) What we eat, is what we are...or not. Wonder if the whole excess grass eating thing, has something to do with quelling this "gut feeling" in dogs?? As, I watched my crew chomp marsh grass today, also know they just like it-but would make sense why excess licking of surfaces, water drinking (polydypsia-or however it is spelled), pica, etc develop.

Humans...well we tend to eat all kinds of white & starchy stuff, when we need comfort...this is one of my faves. Skip the bread part, use panko crumbs. Not as healthy as the Cooking Light version I also love...but we only live once...

Mac-N-Cheese OMG!!!

And another...photo above from

The first website link has more mac-n-cheese variations than one could imagine. Sinful & decadent-starch & cheese lovers unite!!! The apple & gorgonzola, and goat cheese pesto, oh my@...gonna try them all....This one below, from a recent holiday party. Pure heaven in cheese.
~

Martha Stewart’s Creamy Mac-and-Cheese

Adapted from Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The Original Classics

Now, please be warned, this makes a ton-a mac-and-cheese. Not interested in going on an all-mac, all-the-time diet this week, but wishing to try the recipe at last, I halved it and guess what? We still had three dinner’s worth of mac-and-cheese, or a full six servings. Which is, of course, what the recipe said it would make if halved, but I was in denial.

This is particularly delicious with a big, crunchy salad and a steamed vegetable, like green beans or broccoli.

Serves 12

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for casserole

6 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to l/2-inch pieces

5 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for water

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar cheese

2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyère or 1 1/4 cups (about 5 ounces) grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1 pound elbow macaroni ( I use Cavatappi)

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place the bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour the melted butter into the bowl with the bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside.

2. Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When the butter bubbles, add the flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.

3. While whisking, slowly pour in the hot milk a little at a time to keep mixture smooth. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick, 8 to 12 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyère (or 1 cup Pecorino Romano); set the cheese sauce aside.

5. Cover a large pot of salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook the macaroni until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir the macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyère (or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano), and the breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes (though we needed a bit more time to get it brown, but your oven may vary). Transfer the dish to a wire rack for 5 minutes; serve.

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Randomly Rewarding the Naughty

2011-12-09T16:42:00.001-05:00

Fright Night Boyz @ 38 Days

Boyz doing great!! Really, truly holding it over night. Really starting to explore outside and expand their little area they investigate & play in. Scream! follows the most into new and different places-"helped" feed the sheep this morning and investigated the veggie garden beds, across the driveway. Pretty cold, so don't expect them to do too much exploring, yet. Limit time outside, so that they don't get chilled. Haunt and Ghost happy to stick closer to what they already know. But, then they are only 5 /12 weeks old-so pretty amazing already! Scream! really did keep running through the 2 x 2's...no staging.

Today, they started to eat out of separate bowls and also ate in one of the big crates-to begin to learn how to settle, with confinement. Not too much fussing-a little-but as a little group, they need to learn to settle, to earn their freedom. May setup three little crates, but for now any confinement that is new, is a little stressful. There is no fussing when they are put in their bed-area for the night, but new is different.

Say What?

If I were to ever write an official dog training or behavior book, I think that I would title it "Randomly Rewarding the Naughty!"

Say what? Yes, really :)

KNOWing when you are being a bad trainer, can be as enlightening as when you are being a good trainer. So many books & the trainers-in-the-know and even in articles/pamphlets I myself have written, focus on how to get it right, rewarding, timing, etc...so, so serious. But, what if we purposefully, shaped Naughty behavior??? Or, in those who do not understand shaping behavior...we "in-the-know"see the results through unkowing reinforcement...so, so serious!!! Geez..I wouldn't be able to knowingly misplace modifiers, skip partciples, prepositions or use all of my bad puntuation and favorite thought separators (.....-----!!!!!), if I did anything "official:....stream of consciousness, much more fun.

These two photos are a great example of my randomly rewarding the naughty, by letting it continue. C'ura heard me editing her 2 x 2 video and then the pup video above, and her ears perked up each time she heard "Yes" or "Good".

She is a little past the age where I see them generalize wood and dining room tables-but I also see she is in a bit of a phase-reacting to dogs yelling at each other, people yelling at each other or dogs yelling at people, people yelling at dogs.. you get the idea. So, my normal reaction to a pup deciding to lie down on the table or counter (after getting a picture of the badness :), would be to remind them that it is unacceptable behavior-even in this dog-central house. As she is showing some need to be closer to me, after one of the dogs was being too rough playing and bounced off of her by accident, worried her-I am torn between being the tough guy and the good guy-one who comforts.

Even, as I realize her sitting in my lap was the alternative she tried to solicit first-but with time deadline, trying to get the video stuff edited & uploaded. So, I screwed up by not letting her choose what I have previously encouraged & reinforced, so she the ever-thinking pup, figured out a different way to be close to me.

Recognizing my failure as a trainer, in not reinforcing her first, more appropriate choice that I have encouraged to reduce the perchance Border Collie spatial force field-I opted to randomly reward the naughty, rather than be the sheriff. The next time, I will be the sheriff...but the nice one, not the gun toting one. The first step to being a bad trainer is to not be aware. The first step to being a good trainer, is to know when you are being a bad trainer!! The first step to being a really good trainer, is to be aware!

2 x 2's @ 21" C'ura

2011-12-09T15:34:00.002-05:00

2 x 2's @ 21" as my weaves are 21" and rotating tiny bit closed each session...yay!!! So...the mighty mite is brilliant. After this session on Thursday AM-Staked down the base on entry end, so can swivel on 12'0 clock line to open and close as needed. Torrential rain softened up the driveway enough to pound stakes in, otherwise it is hard as a rock packed dirt/stone. Guess, one of those Blessings N Curse things...MUD back today, the downside of more melt & 2-3" of rain, prior to little snowstorm.

Trying to work on 2 X 2's with them prior to exercise-so they are wired and have to hold onto their brains, working through drive. Easier for C'ura, not so much for Q at times.

Also, have a session to edit with Quechee-who is so much more Go, Go, Go we are working on her thinking about finding entry-not just blowing by it. Two Toy game & recalls coming along too :) Suddenly, today Q was the good puppy and C'ura the one with "horns"....didn't want to come in when her session was done, wanted to keep training....ruh-roh..

Todays' session with both even better!!!!! Ggrail and Maze worked on WAM poles-love the footwork that creates :) Also have a friend who will weld my channels!! Yay-will have weave pole mania in the basement-over the winter.

Fright Night Boyz~Play Beauty Collie

2011-12-07T12:07:00.001-05:00

Boyz Play at being Beauty Collies!! Have been getting them used to being put upon washing machine and other tall surfaces-just so it is not a big deal...very trusting, relaxed pups!!

So sleepy-woke them up to do this "photo shoot"-but nice to see their little bodies!! Haunt looks like has no bones, as he slides into down :) Ghost & Scream! more able to stand-but also shorter backed, than Haunt, right now. The redheads all helping with the "experiment".

Fright Night Boyz @ 34-35 Days

2011-12-07T08:19:00.002-05:00

Ggrail is such a good girl, playing with the pups. Maze & Ghost were doing similar gentle wrestling...missed it on film. The Terrierest, Racy is being good with them-she is such a rough player, watching her and Maze they sound like they are killing eachother, as Maze does whirlwind spins to offset the Terrier launching "attacks"-at least Racy doesn't seem to see them as prey to grab anymore..but still being carefully supervised..she can't help her limbic brain, kicking in!!

Yesterday was 61F in December!! This morning foggy, rain...huh??? Found new place for hay, 2 minutes from me-coolest HUGE barn (as in could easily fit 2-3 houses in it) with real ell connecting barn to old farmhouse. Light was just falling, at the top of the hill looking out onto a valley and opposite hills, acres and acres of interlaced stone walled fields-sheep out grazing, like the green jigsaw puzzles you see from a plane. Moments like that, hard not to love all that New Hampshire is. Rounding corners in the road, on roads less travelled, often surprised by something lovely here. To come upon a beautiful sunset, vista or scene like this- always catches my breath. Old barns of course one of my faves...guess I'll stay for awhile... :)

Keeping the Faith!

2011-12-04T12:23:00.000-05:00

Before it snows again, while melted getting in some other training-after spending time on 2x2's with the baby pups-feel guilty not having time to do stuff, with some of the others. Set up this compression grid to work on bounce jumping & collection Cik/cap-Zip/Zap at last jump.

On one hand, thrilled to see how nicely Moss is doing-coming from nothingness to somethingness in his physical abilities. While on the other hand, sad to think he has may never get a chance to show what a rockstar he is!! While I keep the faith, in seeing how strong he is, I of course worry about him and reinjury-but thought we had support & hope for a venue for him to shine in. We will find somethingness, for him.

Working on recalls with teenage-brain Quechee and two toy game, rather than obstacles, right now. C'ura just so much more cooperative-did a little bit of everything-including closer sets of 2x2's at 1/7 line and this jump grid, with her this morning.

Also, did a bunch of teeter games with Maze & Ggrail-got some on vid....:) Teeter at class-rubber and wicked heavy@!!! so using my light, fast board, just playing around. Dragged out of the basement, wanted less tip to start-so used boulder outside of basement door. Maze was funny-she knows the difference of full height with criteria and low means hit it...so dragged to side of house and worked on recalls up board. Nice to see as the board fell out from under her on boulder, no worries...the value of Bang game!!!

When all else maybe not so great...Keeping the Faith and training my pups, makes me smile.

Fright Night Boyz @ 32 Days

2011-12-03T10:30:00.002-05:00

The Boyz are getting used to all kinds of things that move & make sound. Playing tug with them, very, very funny-even got some growling and backing up & pounce action...Drivey little men. They slept from Midnight to almost 7 Am without a peep..thank god as I'm exhausted-went out to "go" immediately...about an hour later Ghost went to the door and whined...let him out to "go"-very cool!!! When all else kind of not great, the pups make me smile!!!

Sleepy Pups

2011-12-02T09:05:00.102-05:00

It's official-the Boyz @ 30-32 Days old, are becoming little men! Spending more time out in the house, really exploring and investigating, playing with toys & the big dogs, crawling in and out of crate against living room wall and gazing at themselves in the big floor mirror. Also, starting to chew on little bones, while lying on the dog beds-so cute. When they get tired, if they don't crash out on one of the dog beds, they take themselves back down the hall, to "their room" and crawl into their crate bed there-funny, smart Boyz :)

Sleepy Pups (click link) also refers to late maturers-as in a recent great post by Denise Fenzi about innate talent & working with the pup you have, allowing for maturity & natural ability to emerge, rather than the "goal-driven trainers", as she puts it, who want a pup to "perform" out of the box. If only I could have verbalized this so well in recent past, having experienced some of these types and not comfortable placing pups with them, or hearing how they either describe or in watching them train their dogs.

Underachiever-ing sport homes, I guess the flipside of the coin...where a pup is not challenged or their qualities cultivated...Somewhere in between, especially if hobby trainers or competiton is not the focus for the home, where a pup gets structure, love, work, exercise, socialization, hobbies & training...is all I can hope for.

Of course a BC or Aussie is never going to be the same intensity as a Malinois or some Tervs, but very interesting to read her posts. Really, really worth the read!!!

For this litter, I have a feeling that these pups, will not be in the least sleepy, although there are always shades of temperament & drive in development...but if they are at all sleepy, also know that the genetics will kick in. Their papa has taken time to mature, their momma an early bloomer with never quit, drive, drive, drive.... :)

Photos yesterday afternoon and again last night of them stretched out sleeping on one of the dog beds, in the living room-taken with my camera phone....knew if I moved would lose the moment, so kind of dark. Have been spending a lot of time sitting on the floor with them, just hanging out or engaging them with toys (as they hit the teeth coming in pirahna stage) playing tug and beginning opposition reflex work (funny read this DF post in regards to this, as I looked for the other link), to see who is motivated and who is softer/not pushy in response. DF is doing more in terms of go-outs & sends-which is useful for agility/flyball as well.

Wish I had done more of what is described by DF with Quechee, who even with early collar grab play, sees as a negative, as she has hit teenagehood. Have been incorporating in tug, with her, more.
Anyway, with the babes, I am gently pushing them away in play, to see who comes right back at me. I have also seen the leap up to re-engage in Ghost and some in Scream! Both to me and to engage the big dogs-trying to get their ruffs or tails :) C'ura, Ffire & Ggrail all do the bounce on me or in mid-air dance around my feet, before we train...guess it is something I select for, without thinking much about-just shows me a pup who wants to work with me, not against me. The other dogs not so much, partially from training not to-Maze has such nosebreaking potential, kind of had to.

As expected from early reactions when pushed away, Ghost says "Bring it on!" and is right back atcha. At least he is now kissing chins, instead of just biting you in play-when picked up. Scream! also engaging, strongest social approach & following response, but I would say not as strong-minded & pushy as Ghost, right now. Haunt likes to tug, but an easier going, more deferential personality. Haunt loves to sit in your lap and just look at your eyes :)

As I expect, but always forget until I see the result, and learned by accident years ago, all the kissing of the tops of their heads and sides of their faces, from the day they are born, has translated into a lovely "smooch" noise, that prompts a recall. To see 4 1/2 week old pups, not only alert but run (yes they can now run :) towards you, gives not only a glimpse into each pup's future social nature, but makes for getting them in and outdoors, that much easier.

The big step the last few days, has been that they are holding it overnight to go outside, in early AM. I know they may use their papers to pee in the middle of the night (although they are pretty heavy sleepers and don't think I've heard them stir), but upon awakening are asking to get out and so are swiftly ushered outdoors. Seeing such strong denning instinct, so early, love that! Expect this clean instinct in the Aussies, not always the case in some BC's after generations of "living in the barn", but as both parents ar very clean, and Taibshe was a breeze to housebreak, nice to see passed down genetically to the Boyz. Guess I need to try to get to bed earlier, if I will be getting up earlier with the pups. I debated whether having them downstairs was a good idea-think I highly prefer it, even if it means I will probably be sleep-deprived.

Started official weaning this week also. (Also, gives me a chance to look at structure as they eat-seeing some nice, up on their toes already-strong fronts & rears :) Momma is getting into the skinny, skinny stage and their teeth are prompting her to be less inclined to allow them to nurse. They are doing great on a Raw ground whole chicken HVM mix and Fish Based Grain Free. Not a minute of stomach upset, after solving the first one!!! Will still have the vet run a check in few weeks, but think we got whatever it was from the food that made their Momma sick, under control quickly! The immune system starts in the gut, so also nice to see them recover so well, so fast.

Interesting, the more I hear or read about dogs that show upset gut or colitis symptoms, etc-hear people at trials say their dog only get upset gut at shows, so peristalsis can be triggered from over excitement-when stimulated, from fear, stress, etc. with some dogs. But, if not that or one of the elusive or resistant forms of Giardia or other buggies (which for those of us that hike or have woods & water, is always a possibility), and is hard to find, requires a few weeks of meds-not just a few days in my experience with a rescue....seems that the protein source or using lower quality commercial kibble is the source of the sensitive gut??? Not sure why so many feed lamb as primary source-I have always read it is a poorer protein source & too greasy for some. For those with food allergies, seems more vets prescribe fish based diets and that works better??? On RAW and rotating with grain free, rarely have an episode of upset gut-unless like with the last go round, from something they ate, that was not good. I regularly worm my dogs, because of the sheep & goats and finding "treasures" when hiking. Momma's naturally carry oocytes/eggs, with each generation have reduced any signs in my dogs-but this Momma farm dog girl may not have had regular tune-ups. Diatomaceous earth helps, but can't give to pups under six weeks-so as much as I prefer no chemicals or poisons, when it comes to something trying to eat my house or "bugging" my critters, will do whatever I have to. Funny, I read a quote about those that are diehard against vaccines, but have no problem with feeding roadkill to their dogs...

Source of RAW is as important to me, as the feeding model you follow, whether BARF or prey model. "Farm-raised" unless I know which farm and the conditions of how that animal was fed, cared for, slaughtered and processed, means crap. USDA seal of approval has a reason for existing...offal or meat from diseased or dying animals, or those kept in crappy conditions, or after the fact storage, is no better than meat from a commercial, factory farm. If it is not good enough for a person to eat, is it good enough for a dog?

I know some RAW feeders like the idea of letting "prey" naturally age, and granted dogs have much shorter digestive tracts, so microbes & such, can't take hold as easily...but feeding body parts makes me queasy enough..let alone thinking of one "aging" to the point of stink-i-tude in the sun or other. We find enough of those in the woods, or that the cat's bring. If the animal were worthy of meat going into the human food-chain, the market will bear a better price for that, than for RAW feeders. Maybe, I am too picky, but feeding my dogs the "right way" includes starting at the source, not cutting corners, because it may be cheaper, etc. Organic certfied meats are really the only guarantee, unless you yourself raise the animal. All of this, very odd for me a longtime non-meat eater, to even have to consider....all for the dogs!!!

Fright Night Boyz Playing @ 29 Days

2011-11-30T10:51:00.000-05:00

The Boyz 28-30 Days

2011-11-30T09:22:00.002-05:00

Ghost

"Helping" in the "kitchen"...some of our percussion instrument "toys"

Toys that are not toys :) The louder the better!

Scream! & Haunt

Scream! outside first time @28 days...look at that forward extension!!!

You wanted us to crawl over this, right?

Scream! first over...many times

Ghost & Haunt soon to follow

Sweety face Haunt

Scream! already nice angles @ 29/30 days!!!

Plum Island~Dogs @ the beach

2011-11-28T08:12:00.002-05:00

Yesterday began early with the little puppy-men waking me up, to get out of their sleeping area to "GO"!!! Four weeks today and already beginning "crate-training" or at least recognizing keeping their sleeping area clean and wanting to move farther & farther away. They followed me through the house...picture puppies the size of large hamsters, they are pretty small...and went outside quickly, for their first time. Still some snow on the ground-so good, short sensory experience too-not to mention starting thier housebreaking ahead of our usual time of five-six weeks, first time out in winter.

They are also now all in the "crawl in your lap" stage-even Ghost is letting go of some of his feisty independence, for some love. Scream! is just a wiggly love-first to kiss chins on being picked up and already uses his whole body in a wag, to greet you. Haunt, the comedian-rolls around, just because. Over the last few days, increasing stuff to climb on-they love the wobble board and upside down, flat wire crate (more puppy cavalettis) and ribbed rubber car floormat. Sounds do not seem to phase them yet-Yay! Will keep banging on stuff & tapping the floor loudly-with fingernails, metal spoon, etc, they already see as a recall signal, when sitting on the floor and approach!!! :) Love my brave little men.

Speaking of brave.....my tiny little C'ura surprised the hell out of me yesterday. Met some friends & dogs at the ocean-C'ura's eyes lit up when everyone produced Chuck-it ball holders out of their cars. With spherical object involved-latches on to whoever will throw-sees the Atlantic Ocean for the first time and jumps right in. Not just jumps in actually, but Dives! and follows a strong swimming adult Golden out fairly far, as I look at the rip current just past their path....my heart skipping a beat, but so proud of my little one. So, after about two dozen times jumping into the ocean, she is officially a fish!! This is her first time in a large group of dogs in a strange place, unfazed by it all!! Maybe I should try dockdiving with her :)

Reve & Ggrail also along-Reve has not been to the beach in a really long time-she had a blast. Ggrail was also having a good time at first-she too not used to running in large group with strange dogs-enjoying herself, running with all & something happened that I missed, that spooked her and she started showing strong avoidance. Just out of heat, where she was very sensitive this time around-will have to keep an eye on her for false pregnancy, or may have just been too much for her, when dynamics of group changed. She acted like she had been slammed or hurt, which when it is has accidentally happened at home in group play, or she has hurt her paw, etc. she will come sit behind, like she did yesterday. At least, she sees me as her safety net and does not take off, like some dogs would, when worried-I do try to reinforce that. I rarely take my eyes off my dogs, feel bad that I did not see what caused her to worry, so that I could address it.

Anyway, very much fun @ the beach! Tree lighting ceremony in downtown Newburyport (MA) where Plum Island flanks, at dusk. Almost too perfect New England scene-crowded downtown with kids running around with their families, Beautiful towering Christmas tree just lit, tiny white lights on storefronts, concentric brick pavers leading to center of town square, fog rolling in...kind of felt like a movie set. Found a great place for dinner and visited quickly with family, before heading home.

The memory of what a great day, helps offset being woken up in the middle of the night to a CO2 detector. Poor Reve, know she and Crash hate that sound-after the day I came home and an alarm must have been going off, for hours. Opened all the windows-yes it is cold, but luckily seasonably mild for November! turned on the ceiling fans, shut down the source and tried to get a bit of shuteye....today is going to be a long one!!!

Fright Night Boyz @ 26 days Breakfast!!!

2011-11-26T09:51:00.001-05:00

Sound enrichment, with stuff that moves is something I do with each litter. How and what changes-no specific plan-Just Making Some Noise!! One of the most useful things I have taught a pup, is to love and retrieve metal bowls-especially if there is one at the back of a crate or under a hard place to reach :)

Approach & investigative or non-reaction behavior, is the name of the game! Pairing what could be scary either with food or a game, helps to reduce extreme startle and avoidance, later. We are starting small and not so crazy in noise-but this morning moreso, will build up to metal bowl "hockey" and banging wobble boards, skateboards, etc.-as they show they are comfortable with it...Quechee & C'ura's favorite game :)

Yesterday, saw first sign of startle to sound of vacuum, so will continue to vacuum, as they eat, daily. Want to do more overhead noisy & strange stuff with these pups-think I didn't do enough with last litter, but some of the ANMHE pups are in Tween more sight sensitive-at least right now. The Fright Night Boyz did spend some time in the rest of the house, hopped on their first little wobble board, had ceiling fan going, watched TV with the crew last night and also heard loud singing...couldn't think of anything else new to do at the moment, but after just 26 days on earth, want to give them time to adjust with each step of the way, not overdo or overwhelm..just too funny & cool, as they become little dogs.

Takes a Village

2011-11-24T10:27:00.026-05:00

It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a (well-balanced) pack to raise a puppy. Pups are 24 days old today on Thanksgiving. This morning, the crew took turns coming in to visit and check out the pups.

Momma dog not worried by the melee, luckily they are pretty careful around small babies. Racy is still not allowed full access yet-the terrier predatory side kicks in too readily, as sweet as she is, until they are more mobile, selective interaction with her.

C'ura giving soft play bows made me smile. Ffire just sitting and letting them explore her.

Quechee just too funny @ wanting to step in and be momma and clean them. I expect this from Maze, but not from busy Q-nice to see the girls have their momma's nurturing side.

Snow 2 x 2's @ 4'

2011-11-23T19:57:00.000-05:00

It's official, I need an agility intervention! It snowed last night-icy, heavy snow-trees broken or bowing down across blocking my driveway, kind of snow. Saved some of the young White Birches, dragged the others out of the way...and got some training done.

Making such progress with C'ura and Quechee, just want to get as much work into this foundation for entries & independance in the weaves, without actually planning to do real weaving until they are another few months older. The few minutes we train, is nothing different than the running they do daily-but keeping in mind their young age and baby bones & joints. Do not plan to go past the stage of getting some understanding on six poles as they are tweaked closed in increments, but not actually torqueing their spines to really weave-it will be solid winter by then anyway.

I think this method doesn't just create value for the poles for the dogs, it creates value for us as trainers, as it is nearing addictive...and even more interesting for me the non-addictive type. I am on a mission!! :) Like Ghost-Puppy, geesh he is a strong willed little man. He and Scream! are growling, tugging at my sleeve half-heartedly and just such strong personalities. Haunt much less to prove and just a love.

Anyway, no agility class tonight because of more icy wintry mix & possible black ice on roads...so took the whole crew for a hike back into my woods. The ticks and hunters have made that impossible for quite awhile- snow not too deep and perfect for a walk. Collected a bunch of Winterberry to take with, to family Thanksgiving tomorrow. The brook and sparkling, ice covered branches and undisturbed snow-it was like walking in a faerie tale forest. Beautiful! I am thankful on this Thanksgiving holiday for the beauty of Nature, as you see and feel the wonder of a moment, when you least expect it to fill you with awe.

Happy Thanksgiving All.....Run Turkey Run!!!!!

Fright Night Boyz @ 22 days

2011-11-22T19:34:00.000-05:00

Unbelievable how much these pups develop from one day to the next. Coordination improving as new textures, with different levels-like the baby gate, help them to "find" their feet. Today, more play behavior with eachother and in greeting. Also, the beginning of playing & shaking/"killing" of toys...really???? Ghost even trying to play tug...really??? Either I have forgotten this so early, or these pups have their Momma's mannerisms when training, already. She is so easily motivated by tug/toys~very cool to see in infants, just learning to walk. I missed the moment to video of also seeing baby play-bows to the big dogs-Maze & Quechee were hanging out with them this morning..

So, meanwhile it is going to snow. Yes, really it is going to snow :(((( Although, expect it more now, than a month ago. But, really making progress in our 2x2's.

Quick session this morning with C'ura & Quechee going from 7' apart and rotating from 8 /2 to 7 /1, to 4' apart back open to 8/2. Then another quick session C'ura, Q and Clever One, PM. Have video from AM to edit and upload-LOve seeing their training in action. Maze also got to work on entries this afternoon...she is brilliant :) So sad, as I put away the jumps again & put the weaves in my wood shed. Hoping it won't be a huge storm as they are thinking....warm again this weekend, so may melt....have 2 X 2's to train!!!

And they go 2 x 2.... (@ 7' with the girls)

2011-11-21T16:25:00.000-05:00

I am really having fun training 2 x 2's with the young girls! Actually able to practice this morning, instead of rushing to beat darkness..as it is pitch black soon after 4:30 PM in the NorthEast. Getting the videos edited & uploaded takes awhile...so while the weather holds this week, hopefully... may video a little (as it really does help me see what they are doing), but may not have time to edit.

C'ura really just is a good girl!! So much fun to train and so biddable-my cooperative thinker. She feels like a combo of Maze & Ggrail in working with her.
Love my little mighty mite!!

Quechee is such a "doer"...although our working on two toy game is paying off-less time wasted as she is bringing ball back in order to tug the other ball on rope toy. Scary smart, I have to randomly alternate which I throw as she knows which one was thrown last! Patterning her own rewards...yikes! :) She reminds me so of Moss!!!

Clever One also got a session-actually she was first after helping feed the sheep this morning. She has such great tug drive, knew some basic obedience when she arrived, but nothing else. Shaping and offering behavior, totally new to her..yet she is so keyed into training, as evidenced by her screaming in backgound as the other girls get their training. Hard to believe she is a new mother too.

Fright Night Boyz @ 19 & 20 Days

2011-11-20T14:29:00.001-05:00

Expanded the pup's area this morning and they had their first goat's milk pudding meal-added probiotics & some Greek yogurt. Later on, needed to vacuum, so gave the rest of it to them -no reaction to sound and motion of vacuum, which is how I plan to continue to pair it. They notice the mobiles, toys & windchimes strung overhead, but eyes pretty unfocused for a few more weeks.

They are on the move!!! Lots of real tailwagging from Scream! this morning, too. Haunt has such soft eyes. Ghost...still on a mission!!

Baby Boyz

2011-11-19T10:31:00.001-05:00

Got some more photos of the boyz-they are 19 Days old today! Got my first tail wags last night and this morning :) They are vocalizing, growling, pawing and mouthing eachother or their paws-like "hey you are attached to me?" :)
With their bleary, little unfocused eyes trying to make eye contact. They change daily! Haunt is a sweety! Scream! too-but seems bolder, stronger energy.

Ghost is on a mission and feisty!!! Also, doing lots of noise and over their head sight enrichment stuff, just to get them started.
Got all the creepy crawlies under control quickly-for the baby pups made a combo of almond oil with rose & geranium oil. Seemed to do the trick, so far. Unfortunately, last batch of food for big dogs from a different source, seemed to have an overload of something-maybe the unfrozen stuff started to spoil with no refrigeration? Several of the adults refused to eat from one boxload and those that did, ended up with stomach upset. Unfortunately, this has affected the babes a bit...so going to start them on goat's milk, yogurt mash early at three weeks instead of waiting until four weeks-to get some probiotics into them. Not happy about that.

Otherwise, they are strong little men and Scream! & Ghost were out of the box, napping on the rug when I got home from the office on Thursday-bigger setup will be needed soon. They are already moving to opposite side of where they wake up to "go"... so showing strong understandign of denning instinct early on-love that! They all sleep on their backs too :)

Intention!

2011-11-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

This is a quick 2 x 2 session, again as it quickly got dark with my baby girls. Added 2nd set for C'ura 15' away rewarding every 2nd or 3rd rep, in between both sets, so that she doesn't lose value for intently finding the first entry.

Quechee needs more reps on one set and we need to work on her not going into the "all about the ball" Border Collie Fugue state, that she has recently entered. Very hard to throw cheese and get to correct 12'o clock line of reinforcement, may just put her Air KOng tennis ball on a rope toy, on a long line-so we don't waste time. C'ura is my little thinker :)

I love working on 2 x 2's as you see how it creates intention in how a dog "finds" their weave pole entry. Susan Garrett is pretty brilliant for creating this system. Weaves are so unnatural, yet this system seems to work organically, by training weaves as a series of entries-becomes natural weaving as you go through the steps. Thank you to my friend L`A for helping me with feedback and for keeping me honest, as I am starting to work through the steps with these wee girls.

Running with Intent is my other mantra-I watched Ggrail's birthday class video and see the hesistation as I waited for her..when I should have just trusted her and run like hell! My intent is to run with more intent!

Intention is a big word! Holds promise, as well as impact. Some words by ommission, speak louder with intention, than those intentionally uttered. So are there really after-thoughts or is that intentional forgetting? Hmnnn...

Happy Birthday Winter Storm Warning Pups!!

2011-11-17T14:28:00.000-05:00

For Ggrail's Birthday...we went to class, well we go to class anyway, but she got extra good stuff :) Also, finally figured out how to upload from phone to edit, of Bro Ffynch & Suzann at his first DAM Tourney with his first Q!

Cik Cap Pups

2011-11-16T10:15:00.000-05:00

Starting some jump handling with the baby pups C'ura & Quechee, who are now 10 months old. No "plan" in mind here, just doodling on sending and pulling with traditional post turns into extension and running on pinwheels, back into collection tight turns or Cik/Cap-my Zip/Zap. Working under the floodlight at the end-pitch black so quickly, this time of year.

Should have slowed down a few of the clips-as when Youtube hiccups can see how they chip in and are already turning, before takeoff. I love this way of teaching tight turns!! Silvia Trkman is brilliant :)

For anyone, who has not watched Silvia's Cik/Cap DVD, you should get it! I started with the pups on a 1/4" fiberglass driveway marker pole stuck in the ground and then moved up to a wider, electric fence post, before adding to a jump stanchion with feet. So simple, clicking and rewarding at the pole-named the direction as they did it. I know on vid, can't hear me...but I am cueing Zip for tight right turn and Zap for tight left turn-usually using a precue, same side hand, but also starting to work on as a send and tight turn back with acceleration. Love training my puppies!

I Can Hear ewe!

2011-11-15T12:49:00.009-05:00

Yesterday at fourteen days, was a pivotal one for the Fright Night Boyz. Eyes mostly open, up on their feet more and have discovered mouthing their front paws and each other. Also, started pawing at each other, as they roll around and can obviously see me-as I was getting first signs of social interaction and approach. As of this morning-at almost 15 days (really 14 ½ if you count time they were born) first sign that ears are open!!!!! They all lifted their heads and oriented to squeaky toy and then wind chimes, not to mention voice of course-Cool!!! So, they will soon be entering the “Bring It On!” Stage :) Think I already see who is the comic and who is the more serious.

A bit of stress yesterday, discovering that one of the cats must have brought in creepy crawlies-over a foot of snow two weeks ago mostly melted, and now near 60F for 15 days straight…figures ticks, fleas and other nasty critters would be looking for a warm blood snack. Don’t usually worry about it, after first frost. Danger is, there is not much that is safe to use around infant puppies-so my worry was how to get rid of uninvited buggy-guests, without doing harm to the pups. I must have gone to four different stores yesterday looking for natural alternatives, that did not contain cedar oil or some of the others I have always been told/read are dangerous to developing neurological systems. Found several, luckily.

Lots of laundry, vacuuming, sprinkling of food grade diatomaceous earth, Mule Team Borax and more cleaning…several hours later, felt better, but exhausted.

DE is not good for baby lungs or mature lungs to inhale, from what I have read, so very careful when sprinkling or dusting the crew. As a desiccant, it works in the environment and topically by piercing the exoskeletons of creepy crawlies. So, hopefully, on the first sighting…I will not suffer from what I read online of the 1 critter seen=20,000 potential unseen…thanks Google for increasing my stress level. I have everyone on it internally as natural preventative for periods of on and off times, luckily.

So, need to get some work done! But, also working on starting some 2 x2’s with the younguns and also the Momma Dog~Clever One, who picked it up in 2 seconds. She has such strong tug/play drive not to mention focus for a dog who really knew just basic obedience. She loved having visitors this past weekend, but need to work on her farm dog greeting :) Don’t plan to do much weaving with the girls until they are over a year-but just want to get entries started and adding sets outside-before the real snow flies and limits our practice ability. Sets were at 8 + 2 ‘o clock here.

Will review and add second set at 15’ away next session. Instead of three sessions in a day as Susan Garrett recommends, our three sessions are more likely to occur over several days to a week-so think it is safe, if not pushing too much, to start them at 10 months. Not like I drill my dogs in anything, anyway. Although...it is never too early to start working on Running Contacts or contact criteria!!!

Show Me Some Love!

2011-11-12T08:28:00.018-05:00

Beyond surprised at how quickly these pups are growing. Really up on their feet, so expect that eyes will be open in next few days. They had their first official pedicure yesterday-tiny , tiny nails!! Scream! already has black toe dots...think he will have ticking, like his momma.

Momma dog, Clever-One just continues to surprise me too! These photos show Quechee and C'ura taking turns checking out and showing some love to the wee babes, as they continue nursing and momma has no issue with it. Quechee now loves the pups!! She is just more sight sensitive than her sister, think now that she has figured out they are little dogs, she is cool with that.

Never have let other dogs in so early, not only is the momma fine with it-she seems to not want to be out of the "pack loop". Normally, have baby pups upstairs in their own bedroom, but knowing how quickly Clever-One became bonded to me, had a feeling that wouldn't fly. When they need bigger expanse in about 10 days...will have to renegotiate the space they are in. Love having pups learn stairs so young at around six weeks (of course with me spotting to keep from falling and we backchain from bottom to top)-really helps in body awareness and confidence as it carries over into real life and dog-sports, later.

Watching this stair-learning video from earlier in the year-when Quechee, C'ura and littermates were getting the hang of it-C'ura is still my determined, mighty mite at just 22 lbs, catlike in how light on her feet she is! Exemplified by lightly hopping onto the kitchen island, to get closer for showing some loving, to our visitor yesterday :)
Like seeing each pup's response as they learn stairs too-tells a lot about their "trying" and ability to work through stress. Here they experience hardwood, granite and plywood stairs up and down to basement. Also, metal of ladder. Of course, up to the pup's people to continue exposure to all surfaces-especially as they go through awkward growth or fear periods. More than any one jump work, learning stairs really teaches them their rear. Super Puppies!!! :)

What the World Needs Now!

2011-11-11T09:45:00.005-05:00

Happy Veteran's day on the onetime, forever 11-11-11. I literally woke up with this song in my head "What the World needs now, is Love, Sweet Love". Don't think I have heard it recently, but seems fitting for a day that commemorates the loss of life, for serving your country. I wonder if there were more people that practiced love, instead of hate, would wars be so necessary?? Ideological differences spur such contention. Acceptance of difference, impossible for some.

We honor today, the love of our country.

And for me, of course the love of these pups! Eyes are starting to open and they are really doing the Monster Mash wobble walk :)

Puppy in a Bowl

2011-11-08T09:56:00.001-05:00

Scream!

Pups are 8 days old!! Yesterday they experienced a dry-erase bulletin board as a new texture and Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel lotion and Seventh Generation dish soap, as new smells.

Scream!

This morning, they smelled Cilantro, for the first time.

Scream!

Today....we started Puppy in a Bowl exercises. The reason I do this is to see how a wee pup deals not only with being seperated from their littermates, but also how they deal with the stress of a cold surface that confines them.

Scream!

Many of the pup's photos are blurry, as they are trying to orient themselves.

I might add, that for every stressor, regardless of their response, I then hold or soothe them until calm, prior to the next exercise.

Ghost

This is just what I do-seems more fair to them, to give them the chance to recover. Some do the sensory exercises in a quick succession..I the non-methodical one, do not :)

Ghost

Ghost seems to like his toes tickled-yesterday with a spoon handle, today with the traditional Q-tip. All fretted a bit, for their first time in the bowl.

Ghost

Scream! not much fretting in the bowl, but held onto it a bit longer afterwards-so his recovery right now, not as quick as his brothers.

Ghost

The working field Lab breeders also add a test of, move one pup away fom Momma and littermates-to see who tries, who frets, who gives up and who keeps trying (to find their way back to the Momma)-great to see what they do when presented with early problem solving.

Haunt

As, they get bigger and eyes are open, the Puppy in a Bowl exercise expands to things with higher sides, to teach early body awareness & problem solving.

Haunt

At this stage, their smell & touch receptors are how they are experiencing the world. Until their eyes open at around two weeks, will continue lots of scent & sensory enrichment.

Haunt

When their eyes open and then ears-usually my pups way ahead of the curve at 1-2 days after eyes open...none of this waiting until 21 Days stuff! :) we will start more visual & auditory enrichment.

Haunt

At 3 weeks, they are definitely becoming more mobile and as depth perception improves-start introducing safe things to climb on and over. Impatiently waiting to see who they are..even though I have my theories, already.

So, could you raise some pups in a barn or kennel or small room with limited sensory stuff and socialization, and they turn out the same or better than pups raised with all this "stuff"? Yes & maybe. Is there a huge difference between pups that are raised one way or another? Who knows. Genetics will still come into play-but I figure giving them the best first start, doesn't hurt. I like a thinking dog-so helping them along the way this early, seems to have worked so far, with my pups.

Putting words in my mouth!!!

2011-11-06T17:36:00.036-05:00

T~pups Clewe & Gromit & friend Ziva
Nahant beach Sunday
photo by Rachel Henry

Clocks back last night, so had very little time this afternoon to try to get in some training. Thought about going for a hike, light was golden!!! There would not have been enough daylight left-guess I need a headlamp :) After the Nor'easter dumped over a foot of snow on us last weekend, today was warm and sunny. Debating pulling agility contacts back out, but figure will give me a chance to work on jumping and weave skills with everyone. So, that is what we did tonight, with what daylight we had.

First off need to say that indeed Quechee is putting words in my mouth! Tested out her "crazy, bad girl" again earlier in the day for bringing the ball back, and indeed that is the cue she has chosen to mean something! Maybe now that I am starting to speak "her" language that is carrying over...We had a simply fantastic training session on 2x2's and one jump work. Practiced zip/zap (cik/cap) and one jump arc work. There were a few times where Quechee could have chosen to self-reward from environment, but instead chose to stay with me!!!! She is much like Moss was at this age and stage of drive kicking in, sometimes shuts down thinking. So, this was HUGE for her and us. So happy to see progress.

When we came in, she was the last to train, before dark descended, told her how proud of her I was and started petting her-which with her working mode body~force field is not something I think she always sees as rewarding (but have been pairing touching her with tug)..but not only did she respond to that, she wagged her tail each time I said I was proud of her.

So, in my experiment of trying to figure out just how this crazy red puppy's brain works..asked her if she liked the word proud...and wag again, she did! This is getting a bit strange. It feels similar to speaking to someone you know who's first language is not the same as yours-yet seeing recognition when you hit upon a word or phrase, they understand. Like a lightbulb goes off in their eyes as they connect...or in this case Quechee's eyes. Either she is scary smart or I am losing my mind? :) But, she obviously has words she likes-don't think I have ever noticed a dog who seemed to so overtly, think through the words spoken to them-not just respond as a conditioned association, reinforcer or cue.

Quechee & C'ura-looking so innocent at 17 days

Maybe she reads lips???? It is starting to feel a bit like we are having a conversation, by her showing me the value of certain words, that are not ones that I feel that I have "trained".

Who is training whom??????? Ha Ha!! So, it is official...my dogs are indeed crazy! and I am right there with them!!

One Week & Counting!!!

2011-11-06T11:15:00.032-05:00

Days and counting days until an anticipated event, are the source of much frustration, for some. They are also a source of Joy!!! Watching pups grow is both frustrating, as you wait for them to be sentient and reveal themselves-while also incredibly joyful, as you see the steps they take towards that end, of becoming aware. If dogs can also feel joy or smile...think Maze is, in the photo :)

People ask me what I do in raising pups...honestly, I am the least methodical person on earth! What I do will vary from one time to the next, one litter to the next...and in the end, their instincts & genetics are as much at play, as are their early experiences. I believe that all of the textural, neuro stimulus and early problem solving makes a huge difference in how quickly pups learn and deal with stress, but I also think that as they go through developmental stages, that reactions to some stressors with some pups will still be extreme, while others nonplussed-depending upon who they are.

It may boil down to basic fight versus flight response-introvert versus extrovert-but I think there are shades of grey mixed in with levels of sight/sound/body/environmental & instinctual sensitivity mixed in. You can only modify behavior with ongoing socialization and training, not change hardwired genetics. So, here I will try to chronicle some of what these pups are experiencing, as they follow the path to becoming little dogs and yet....possibly still end up crazy, psychopath canines :)

Ghost, Scare! & Haunt

This morning, the pups experienced their ENS exercises-cold surface was feet held to a window for count of 3-5 and my addition of scents-Fresh ground Coffee & a Peach strong smelling candle. Scream! and Ghost leaned into the new smells, Haunt pulled back at coffee, no real reaction to peach smell. Scream! and Ghost seem to be trading days, in reactions. Scream! was Mr Mellow today in holding and reactions. Haunt is middle of the two, in reactions. He was a bit busier in his reactions today.

Pups also got lots of nose kisses from step-in Grandma Reve. C'ura loves them!!! Quechee is afraid of them-but after our day out, visiting at an agility trial yesterday, I've decided she is a nutcase :)! She is just in a majorly sensitive mode-crazy Border Collie!!! She is also a split personality....discovered yesterday what words she thinks apply to a behavior, the ones that I thought I had taught, apparently have a very different connotation for her.

When running the crew playing ball-I throw several toys in different directions, so that the key dogs & their migratory-formation entourage (crazy herding dogs!!), do not slam into one another. Quechee's cue for resetting ball being thrown has been "Bring It" and "Drop" when needed as reminder, for many, many months. The last week or so, she seemed to "forget" this behavior chain and seemed to not know how to let go of the ball, nor come close to me (usually lies down & drops in between my feet) and would stay in motion-while I wondered what may be causing this-wondering if she was feeling pressure from me or one of the other dogs. I figured she had entered the stage of "forgetting", which I have seen in several dogs as adolescence really kicks in, prior to next maturation stage. At almost 10 months, seemed like a natural developmental progression & a also with a slight change in the dynamics of the group, this past week.

So, yesterday in mock exasperation to her seemingly mindless continued motion, with the ball in her mouth, circling in a very BC ADD way...said to her "You are a crazy, bad dog" . Her head cranked to me, she stopped, her eyes locked on mine, she trotted over from 30+' away and dropped the ball at my feet! ???? So, the next rep on return, as she started to repeat the pattern of mindless, "is the ball in my mouth?" mode I repeated the same phrase...and she repeated the trotting over, lie down, dropping ball and waiting for me to throw.

Crazy, Bad Dog Quechee!!

We did this for at least a half dozen reps, and at that point I had verified-that for whatever reason she had chosen the words that meant something to her. I use "bad" in a loving, kidding way with my dogs-not a cranky, scolding way. In her crazy little red mind, for some reason this is the cue she has chosen or has associated with her behavior-yet I have not really said that particular phrase to her or any of the dogs, that I can remember recently. When she was doing her mindless circling this week, I had asked her what words she wanted me to use, so that we understood eachother.

So, do dogs really get us, more than we think??? I think so and I will guess that my Crazy Super-Puppies may think a wee bit too much-if they are naming their own behavior, with human words. I am pretty sure while not methodical in much, I am consistent in teaching cues and attempting to maintain criteria. Just too funny!!!