tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56633180402554423892024-03-13T05:20:37.237-04:00Agility Addictandreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.comBlogger755125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-29754527187680061002021-10-30T22:46:00.001-04:002021-10-30T22:46:39.008-04:00The blog moved ... <p> Back in 2018, the blog moved over to <a href="https://andreaharrison.ca/blog/" target="_blank">my website</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW7zUhXHkXXLX8BqpJwMW7a5nfB04emX1sVhKHYdYBCizpvC3NIsDxODKpId5R5ZwGelKAxsdCfAm_4TSdYeQ3T_uB1dW-33SFwVhVZzFct3enMsmbE7wcPzFlw42ky7m_KgC1wMZFfuo/s1080/andrea+headset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW7zUhXHkXXLX8BqpJwMW7a5nfB04emX1sVhKHYdYBCizpvC3NIsDxODKpId5R5ZwGelKAxsdCfAm_4TSdYeQ3T_uB1dW-33SFwVhVZzFct3enMsmbE7wcPzFlw42ky7m_KgC1wMZFfuo/s320/andrea+headset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Blogger didn't let me sign in here until tonight, when I popped over to read some of the first blogs ... and suddenly I was signed in ... so strange but it works. </p><p>So much has changed in the 15 years I have been writing this blog - and yet, fundamentally nothing has changed. I value the same things as always, take pleasure in being a training/play nerd and enriching as many lives as possible. </p><p>Brody and Thea are long gone .. and Sally lies at my feet as I write this - fading away faster than I think I can bear. Today she didn't want to eat. She always wants to eat. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh-n_4V8rpYTbW8D5cKRarRlsDJQhL5r3aTl6T7SmAQgGIkyr8c0uYPtlxa8oLJHm8aE_VQgh_2M5nBjd9HoimVADS6JASQl-v3pPzD-ZSHYHo1iIaoT9vxp5tkz4_2aN9DJhsTOCvX-A/s320/sally.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh-n_4V8rpYTbW8D5cKRarRlsDJQhL5r3aTl6T7SmAQgGIkyr8c0uYPtlxa8oLJHm8aE_VQgh_2M5nBjd9HoimVADS6JASQl-v3pPzD-ZSHYHo1iIaoT9vxp5tkz4_2aN9DJhsTOCvX-A/s0/sally.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I will forever be grateful to blogger.com for helping my find my voice and letting me record my journey. </p><p>For letting me help others on their journies. </p><p>Be well, and come catch up. </p>andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-73321875760234037952018-09-02T16:19:00.005-04:002018-09-02T16:19:52.326-04:00Getting on Track ... Sigh - here it is Labour Day weekend and another summer has slipped past - it's been a good one ... lots of love, laughter and inevitable challenges.<br />
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Sally is doing her August relapse thing whatever it is - and this year for the first time there is quite a bit of pain - and that hurts my heart. A. Lot. Sally is a trooper though and wants to be active. She's a dog and a half I tell you. (just search her name in this blog for plenty of evidence of that!)<br />
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Anyhow - far enough down the Sally rabbit hole (8 years of blogging mostly about her - I'll never be done) back to human concerns ...<br />
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For me September is often a New Year's of sorts - all my years in the school system as a student, and then working in it has made my system to respond to this weekend with a self check in. How am I doing with the 4 Agreements?<br />
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My mind runs through a bunch:<i> what have I accomplished? What would I like to do with my time, energy and money in the next year? How are my animal partners doing? What do they need from me? How are my relationships? Any need repair or attention? How is my quest to find peace through those four agreements going? Am I continuing to be Kind, Consistent and Thoughtful to the best of my ability? Heck - am I remembering to be the best me possible even in the face of challenges?</i><br />
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I check in with my motivation - where are any blocks? Are direction, intensity or persistence an issue? If I find one or more I will get up off the couch, create a play list that will push me a little, and set some goals for how long and what I want to accomplish in training, writing and life. <br />
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Are there people I am struggling with? What can I do to overcome the thoughts that might be interfering with my understanding of their motivations. I am fortunate now in that I truly do assume the best of intentions for people unless proven otherwise. That shift in thinking has been a tremendous asset to this aspect of my annual check in.<br />
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For everything I want to do I take the time to consider why that whatever has made the list - is the motivation for putting it there internal (just for me - that actually covers more ground than you'd think at times) external (doing it for someone else) or affiliative (because of relationships that matter to me)? I suspect the motivation experts who taught me did not anticipate that affiliative goals would include thinking about the dogs and horses and their needs and wants as well as the people in my life.<br />
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I take the time this weekend to set at least three process goals - and three outcome goals . Two for life, two for dogs and two for the horses. I am not a New Year's Eve resolution person - for me they backfire and mean disappointment and frustration with myself but 6 goals give me a little direction for the year. I am a flexible goal setter anyhow - if things need to change that won't bother me (though the reason for the change in plan might) so I can set aim at those goals.<br />
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How do you spend your long weekend?andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-8904970510621923152018-08-28T11:35:00.000-04:002018-09-03T18:43:04.539-04:00Not Webinars ... not clubs or chats ... something new is coming! and while I am not quite ready to launch the whole shebang I want to get September dates, and the overall concept out there so you can start thinking and I can ease into this FUN stuff that will make our heads hurt and our hearts full!<br />
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<i>What inspired this concept? YOU did. And wanting to help the most people possible and realizing that my "high touch" classes and private rates were out of reach for some people - wanting to help YOU work through the concepts and notions that are HARD and yet make a real difference in life ... I will commit to getting the next month's registration with dates and times out on the 15th of the previous month - and you can hold me to it!! </i><br />
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Ready? Here we go!!<br />
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: large;">More
Than A Webinar- because you deserve to be heard</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #444446; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Join me and up to nine other participants in a safe and
private space for a live and interactive discussion on a topic that matters to
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Questions and discussions, your case studies and solutions
are the focus of the session; slides, information and stories are sure to be
part of each chat too. You will get a reading (not long) and some
reflective questions to consider when you register. As well, you can save the
chat roll from each session for your own personal use and get a copy of slides
used. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Cost: $25 Canadian and when the spots are gone my not very
automated system should NOT let you sign up! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Times are expressed in Eastern Standard Time – and vary
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<b>Sept 3 (11 am)</b> Using your super power to rock your training: <span style="font-weight: normal;">anxiety, perfectionism, obsession, overthinking - whatever it is ... it can enhance your performance!</span> </h2>
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Identifying and Making the Most of your Strengths to be the best partner possible - bring your quirks to the table and we'll make them work FOR not against your goals!
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<i>Woohooo -- had to come update and take the register button OFF the page - first day is DONE and it was fabulous. As always there were a couple of first day glitches but I am ever grateful to the first day sell out group for their patience, great questions and super ideas! </i><br />
<i>We sorted out a few things - they got two packages (cognitive distortions and cognitive flexibility) before the event and I prepared just a few slides (which we didn't actually use) that I will send out later tonight ... that way there is lots of information and a framework for the people who can't make it but the incentive to get to the live event is high too - I think it will work and if it doesn't - so be it - we will adapt!! </i></form>
<i>I am feeling much more confident and even more excited about these sessions and can't wait for the next one ... there are only 5 spots left in that one so sign up soon if you are planning on joining us! I really hope you do!</i><br />
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<b>Sept 21 (8 pm EST)</b><b><br /></b><b>Trials – putting nerves where they belong to help you focus on success </b></div>
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<b>Nerves happen - what can you do to make sure you are the one controlling them - they aren't controlling you? Physical, Emotional or Social impacts can all affect your game - how are your nerves sa</b><b>bo</b><b>taging you and what can we do about it? Let's put your nerves to work!</b></div>
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<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
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<img border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" /><b>Sept 25 (6 pm EST )</b><b>Tips for Using Your tool box well – when where and how! Practice makes perfect and all that jazz!</b></h2>
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<b>What tools are you using? What tools need to move up? What tools do you need to practice and which have you always wanted to know more about? This is the space to figure out how to use your OWN tools for the most impact!</b></div>
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Upcoming Topics</h4>
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October<br />
<ul>
<li>You Know you Need it: Finding and Creating motivation that lasts</li>
<li>Managing That Green Eyed Monster: envy and jealousy in our life </li>
<li>When it just sucks – handling a show/seminar that goes badly!</li>
</ul>
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November<br />
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<li>Being Positive in a Negative and Confusing World </li>
<li>Mismatches happen: making the most of life with the “wrong” dog</li>
<li>Navigating friendships in competitive situations</li>
</ul>
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December <br />
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<li>Breeding and Adopting- finding your next companion without guilt and less stress</li>
<li>Anticipatory Grief - what is it and what can you do about it?</li>
<li>How your personality impacts your communication/training style</li>
</ul>
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January<br />
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<ul>
<li>Vision boards, confidence corners and other ways to find inspiration </li>
<li>Jan Confidence- Creating it- Keeping it</li>
<li>Jan Social Media: Pleasure or Peril, making the most of it!</li>
</ul>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Coping with
Loss – Grief is real <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Teaching Online</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Authentic You - in training, showing and life </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dream Life vs Real Life: the comparison trap</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Creating safe spaces: at work, home or in life<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Puppy Pressures: breeders, littermates - is the whole
world is watching you? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our Aging Friends: goals and reality meet <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Conflict at a show .. or lesson</span></i></div>
<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Joy (or not) of teaching</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">do you have ideas for things you'd like us to cover? Let me know!!</span></i><br />
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andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-35832503577339553132018-08-24T15:41:00.000-04:002018-08-24T15:41:08.503-04:00Self care counts ... give this a listenAnother PODCAST in the CAN!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="90" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/6964091/height/90/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/87A93A/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="100%"></iframe>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I might not have looked quite as perky when we finally got it done!!</td></tr>
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Doing this podcast had some challenges in technology - and I have to admit I fell into some negative thinking traps myself - mostly of the :"what's the point in this angst - no one will want to hear what I have to say ". type .. Melissa was a fabulous interviewer and happily rolled with my "SQUIRREL" distractions
We talked about a LOT and ranged fairly widely it's a doldrums time of year for some people and it's a time of ramping way up for others ....I'd love to know what resonates most with you ... the piece I remember being happy with in the moment was drilling into what self care really is and what it should look like. Spoiler alert - I might not say what you expect to hear!!
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Happy listening!<br />
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Do let me know if you have feedback - I knew the podcast was out but hadn't time to post when emails and messages starting arriving - that was lovely and so thoughtful. It also gives me ideas for other things you want to hear which is helpful for us all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7z8ta36VcqCZtwxVrzNHdTcCSs1_RZrsVu3NfzpWnEiUmvhUmBbBiyYcW0WQFzTHVasLelgsZmHbFWhnQY9Ps2k9lid9CAdSQiMUoKkIHAD-CiqW9DWWZGVvxInezi1TFfH9LhT4kC_k/s1600/KMW_1762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7z8ta36VcqCZtwxVrzNHdTcCSs1_RZrsVu3NfzpWnEiUmvhUmBbBiyYcW0WQFzTHVasLelgsZmHbFWhnQY9Ps2k9lid9CAdSQiMUoKkIHAD-CiqW9DWWZGVvxInezi1TFfH9LhT4kC_k/s320/KMW_1762.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pc: Whitfield Photography - with great thanks!</td></tr>
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I am working hard on three different projects - hoping very much they come together in a way that my mind can make sense of each of them soon! (training has happened too - and it's August so Sally has been lame - of course - more on that "fun" stuff soon!)<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-24777697720081216332018-03-31T15:15:00.003-04:002018-03-31T16:34:07.356-04:00I went for a walk this am. As a reward. Not for the dogs, for me.<br />
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It was a meandering walk that covered a couple of kilometers and got some fence patched, some manure spread (our old fashioned method as we don't over-graze is kick -spreading - and no that's not an official term anywhere else!) and checked our young trees. The dogs ran, and smelled stuff and practiced farm parkour, and got wet with no help from me.<br />
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I earned the reward by having the barn done by 10. Then I helped big T get a lovely old barn beam out of a falling building for our lovely neighbours to use in their bathroom renovations. It was a good morning, and productive, so a reward walk wasn't really essential but all who participated enjoyed it. One of us stayed home.<br />
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Thea isn't in a place where long pointless walks are her thing. She's determined and gritty and would have tried it had we asked her but she would have tired and perhaps over done it. Considering in 22 days we reach the two year mark of the day I was sure she was dying I don't do either of those things. So when we got home I sat in the sun with her for a little. I put my phone down and was present with her. She puttered and sniffed and then lay down.<br />
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If we have ever worked together you might have a sense that is not often how I spend time. You know what? It didn't kill me. I enjoyed it. Harbingers of spring deserve recognition and the dogs here, and people, and horses, and cats, and birds, all deserve to be appreciated for who they are.<br />
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When I first played agility so many years ago I was shocked at the way people at all levels didn't appreciate the dog they loved. They worked hard to be successful at agility but the dog was a tool to an end. (at least on the agility field) They believed that they had dominion and the dog did the sport because the human said so. It wasn't the way I thought - dog sports were about team for me and having such a variety of dogs to play with ensured that there was always someone up for nearly anything.<br />
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I have always taken my dog into consideration - our first dog, Kelly, an Irish Setter - was amazing, and she and I spent hours exploring the trails near our house. She's the dog who taught me the value of go no where walks .... not that we went no where - but we had no destination in mind - we just went, and went and went.<br />
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Today reminded me of her. Of us. Of the fun we had just being. No earth shaking expectation of success, no need to prove anything - just friends, together being together for the sake of that and no more. Love the dog you have. You might have a lovely surprise in store. If you are struggling to feel like team in the face of your challenges <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/7468" target="_blank">check out this term's FDSA course. </a> Sign up if you want - you might have a pleasant surprise in store!<br />
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<i> (Don't forget, actually you don't know this - I am also available for privates if you have a specific need!)</i>andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-19425991950219918002018-02-04T10:50:00.001-05:002018-02-04T10:50:22.759-05:00Taking Care of Business - you! <b><i>Self Care </i></b>- what does it mean? What does it <i>really</i> mean? It means including you in your planning, it means being aware of keeping yourself centered and in focus. It means not running yourself ragged endlessly for other people. It might mean saying "No" sometimes. (yah - I am still working on that one too!)<br />
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I am being absolutely sincere - you matter, often much more than you realize. To your family, friends and animal companions - but also to the person who was feeling down that you smiled at, and to the person who asked you for directions and ended up being on time for the job interview (that you didn't even know you were helping them with). You mean something to the judge you thanked for the fun day or the competitor who was thrilled you noticed how lovely their dog was. You touch people regularly and odds are pretty good you have no idea of the impact of you. Sometimes a kind or thoughtful Facebook comment or emoji has a bigger impact than you realize (Which is a little amusing really as you sure feel the impact of other people don't you? I do!)<br />
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Those of you who have followed this blog for any time at all know I like quotes and while the self care world is full of trite and inane quotes that make me shout at the computer at times<br />
I still curated a few to look more closely at as 2018 gains steam. Because really - why not make this the year of YOU!! I've also included some links to some of the things that I have that might help you with self care. Well they will help you - I have plenty of assurances from others that they do but ... imposter syndrome and all that jazz ....<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>– William James</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>Thoughts are guests in your body. They are. It's tough concept that regularly comes up in my <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/" target="_blank">FDSA classes </a> so I get it if this makes you snort in derision. But you <b>can</b> learn to take control of your thoughts rather than letting them control you. One thing that many people find helpful is to pick one thought that is moderate and work on it "irate thought - you don't belong go away!" or whatever.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> – Jack Kornfield</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>This reminds me of the notion of charity beginning at home. If you can't be good to yourself, at least sometimes, how can you truly be good to anybody else? Easy to say - harder to do and maybe the choices you make around this are not evident to an outsider but find the little things that are affirming for you. Do them. Cherish them. When you start to feel on edge and overloaded STOP and think of how you can show yourself a bit of love! If you missed it check out the <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/p/love-one-you-are-with.html" target="_blank">Love the One You Are (With) ebook/workbook</a> and the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/lovetheoneyou/" target="_blank"> facebook page</a> too!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>Lighten up on yourself. No one is perfect. Gently accept your humanness. </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>– Deborah Day</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">You might want to think about joining the <a href="https://heartequineacademycourses.com/courses/57/about" target="_blank">Gratitude Project </a>if this is hard for you. It's a pay what you can email that dozens of people have joined and are sending me lovely feedback about noticing small changes in thinking that are leading to deeper appreciation of self and the world around them. It is pay what you can and it's a full year of emails ... the sign up is set at $60 but if you want to pay more or can only afford less (honestly less is FINE) just let me know via comment, email or FB message and we'll get you in - with great pleasure! I would love to reach 100 people with this project and it literally takes 10 seconds of your time every day. Join us!! PAY WHAT YOU CAN!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;">It’s good to do uncomfortable things. It’s weight training for life. </span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>– Anne LaMott</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;">That said sometimes it's ok to have a lazy day, a throw away day or otherwise let other people do the heavy lifting for a bit. I've done my bit to help you through those rough days another way too with <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2017/09/dog-training-task-cards-first-three.html" target="_blank">task card decks</a> - the concept is you can pull a card out of a deck and get an idea to train or play or whatever you need to just get something done! There's a specific self care deck I am particularly pleased with. </span><br />
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<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Deck Choice" />Deck Choice</td></tr>
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<option value="Foundations">Foundations $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Scent Work">Scent Work $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Play Book">Play Book $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Barn Hunt">Barn Hunt $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Self Care">Self Care $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Foundation, Scent, Play">Foundation, Scent, Play $21.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Foundation, Barn Hunt, Play">Foundation, Barn Hunt, Play $21.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Foundation, Play, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, Self Care">Foundation, Play, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, Self Care $30.00 CAD</option>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>– Steve Maraboli</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;">So much yes from me on this one. Sometimes because of work, or family we have to do a little of this but it's OK to take a break from an exhausting friend, or even let somebody slide right out of your life. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141616; font-family: "libre baskerville" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Self care isn't easy. It is highly personal - for me self care is not usually taking a bath with candles, wine and a trash novel - it's more likely grooming a dog, cleaning tack, heading into the woods with dogs and camera or writing a blog post. But that's alright - it's my self care! Its thoughtful and purposeful and recharges your inner flame. It may inspire you - it may simply mean you can cope with life for a little longer. No matter. It's important. </span><br />
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Take care of you! For you and for the rest of your world too! Because you matter!!!</form>
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P.S.<br />
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If you aren't Canadian you might not know the song this title refers to but I bet you've heard it!<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-38183407320532890272017-12-27T16:36:00.002-05:002017-12-27T16:55:53.644-05:00When all else fails - be kind. I was writing a guest post this morning for a blog in Germany (how cool is that?) about 10 traits of happy trainers. You can be sure I'll share it when it goes up. But it got me thinking.<br />
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We, those of us who profess to be, or aspire to be, positive dog trainers sometimes miss one of the most important tenants of positive training. <b>Be kind.</b> As the Dalai Lama said, "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." He wasn't talking about dog training, nor am I really (though my point applies to dog training too). People who want to be seen as positive dog trainers need to get their act together when it involves dealing with humans as much as when it involves a dog (or horse).<br />
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For real. In classes, at shows, at the grocery store. There are ways to be constructive that are not hateful or judgmental or nasty. There are ways to build people up, open up discussions and help without tearing people down. Those ways aren't easy nor are they intuitive for many of us but they are possible. Ask for help if you really can't think of a positive way to work with people. Stop chasing them and let them live their lives unless you are asked or invited to offer your opinion. Especially when it's about something already done. Honestly. How would it now be helpful to tell me that the dogs should never have <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2011/10/kkkkkkkk-ooo-yot-eeee.html" target="_blank">met the coyote</a> back in 2011? Or that dogs will <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2008/04/psa-of-importance-to-all-dog-lovers.html" target="_blank">climb shelves</a> to get gum? I'll be blunt. It isn't and wouldn't be kind. If you want to have a discussion about how I balance agency and freedom and keeping my dogs as safe as I can? Well that's cool and a conversation I have pretty regularly.<br />
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On social media. The keyboard warriors who look to attack people for transgressions, or differences need to get a grip. The European proverb comes to mind "those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". I do things my way, you do things your way. Sometimes we work similarly and sometimes very differently. Kibble? Raw? Home cooked? Collar types? Vaccination protocols? Just because I thought long and hard about my choices for the dogs doesn't mean I won't respect your often different, choices. Don't presume that because Sampson had some complications from his double lumpectomy we weren't compliant with the vet. We were - but even if we hadn't been it would have been thoughtfully done and had cause. Maybe ask instead of judge.<br />
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Leaping to assumptions makes an "ass of you and me" and is both frustrating and pointless.<br />
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Over the last few months I have watched a couple of FB sagas play out where instead of being supportive and compassionate some people jumped to presumptions that were at best unfair and thoughtless, and at worst cruel and malicious.<br />
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We all carry guilt and grief and sadness and concern. Dogs are dogs, and, in my world, have the right to be their doggy selves. We try to protect them and watch them and keep them from harm but the reality is there may be a tragedy lurking again in our lives. Would I love to wrap the dogs in bubble wrap? Sure. Is that fair to them? Sigh, Probably not.<br />
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So if you are about to preach, or judge, stop yourself. If you have a personal relationship with the person that is appropriate, ask them if they'd like to hear feedback. (To be totally honest they have probably beaten themselves up and are feeling sad and guilty without any feedback from you AT ALL but you can ask). If you don't know them personally but feel you must say your piece say it to a friend, privately in a message. Start a thread asking a question on your own wall if you must to see what feelings are out there - but leave the person who is suffering ALONE if you can't be supportive and kind. Seriously.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-38604497321009084142017-11-25T11:17:00.002-05:002017-11-25T11:25:58.518-05:00Reasons to Record Keep Letterman might be off air but his top ten lists provide a framework for me to highlight information I want to share with you and keep in my own brain. Today I was reflecting on the importance of record keeping and this top ten list took shape (<i>This blog began over 10 years ago as a way for me to record keep along with the course maps I annotate to this day!</i>)<br />
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Record keeping provides<br />
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10. <b>Accomplishment:</b> Record keeping gives you a sense of further accomplishment - there is a pride in the act of record keeping that is worth internalizing! Yay you!<br />
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9. <b>Proactivity </b>(yes I made the word up!)<b> </b>: Record keeping identifies gaps and holes that you can fill in - if you miss 4 contacts 5 sessions in a row you can see that and remedy it rather than worrying about contacts with no real sense of why you worry.<br />
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8. <b>Connection</b>: Good records let you match beliefs to facts - is your front really straighter than two months ago? Check! This connection can also be a reminder that the path in dog training is not always strictly linear - it can be circuitous and wobbly. Good records are a little like training wheels on a bike - they can keep you moving forward and reaching outwards even when you get off kilter!<br />
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7. <b>Efficiency</b>: When you record keep it reduces your thinking and wondering time - should you work on weaves again? How long ago did you last train them? How did it go? Planning is easier in the face of good record keeping.<br />
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6. <b>Autonomy</b>: You get to pick how, when and what you record keep. No judgement, no peanut gallery. There are lots of different ways - and all work just fine!<br />
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5. <b>Creative outlet</b> who doesn't appreciate pretty systems, whiteboards and new pens? Again though - make it work for you - no need for fancy if a + on training days is as much as you can manage right now - the full working process that is best for you can be built gradually!<br />
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4. <b>Motivation</b>: Especially if persistence is your downfall keeping records can help There are three elements of motivation that have particular application to dog training - records can help with each one. (Sam needs no record of his stick management program but it amuses me so I keep them occasionally!)<br />
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3. <b> Goal Setting help: </b>Determining the right process or outcome goals can be tricky - good records for training and showing will help you decide when a goal is met, or needs adjustment<b> </b><br />
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2. <b>Time Management:</b> for both extremes - the 3 minute trainers and hour and half trainers can see how time gets used which improves planning<br />
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1. <b>Memories:</b> You can treasure your trials, triumphs and successes as long as you want Looking back on Brody's trial note or Wyn's training records can always put a smile on my face or fill my heart a little.<br />
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So many great reasons to figure out a record keeping system that works for you. But right there is a KEY piece many people forget- your system has to work for you - if it's video, paper, audio notes, a system of symbols - whatever - it's great as long as it works for you!<br />
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If you aren't sure about your record keeping and motivation skills my <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/9791" target="_blank">No More Excuses course runs this term at FDSA - </a> click <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/9791#registration" target="_blank">HERE</a> to register (a bronze spot is only $65 which works out to a heck of deal when you know there are over 20 lectures already loaded!!)<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-66174718913266487462017-11-22T13:07:00.000-05:002017-11-22T13:07:07.458-05:00Teacher, Coach, Mentor Haiku ...<b>Teacher</b><br />
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Your knowledge fills me<br />
Like water in a clear pond<br />
Giving life to me<br />
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<b>Coach</b><br />
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Push me to EXCEL<br />
No more flutters in the wind<br />
Force my brain to work<br />
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<b>My Mentor</b><br />
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I look up to you<br />
Eyes wide open, finally<br />
Thank you from my heart.<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-24666727199131595902017-11-21T12:36:00.003-05:002017-11-21T13:17:56.981-05:00Teaching or coaching - how do you lay your bricks?So - how do foundations get laid? one brick at a time, one stone, one board. One little piece at a time is added until a whole is built.<br />
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A whole what? A whole anything- a house, a garage, a book, or blog post, a trained behaviour chain, an in ring performance if you can name it - we can build it!. If you build it piece by piece with attention to the foundation your structure will last a long long time. and that's the goal really isn't it?<br />
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It might be information (positive training is effective because - SCIENCE or a dog walk is three long planks connected to each other) it might be a skill (a fold back down or a sticking the end of the teeter) or it might be mechanical (in pocket hand let the dog come to the palm of your hand or this is front cross foot work).<br />
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People lay their foundation of information, skill and mechanics in different ways. Some people teach themselves, others only work under tutelage. For many a mix of self directed learning (including<a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2017/03/excuse-me.html" target="_blank"> the evaluation piece</a>!) facilitation (getting help in the learning process and ideas about what to learn), <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-know-how-to-suggest-is-great-art-of.html" target="_blank">coaching</a> (constructive feedback from experienced eyes) and <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2016/07/doing-is-not-teaching-it-just-isnt.html" target="_blank">teaching</a> (often a laid out framework of topics, feedback and information) is the way to build foundation - which leads to<a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2015/11/be-fair.html" target="_blank"> success </a>(however you <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2014/06/in-every-failure-lies-success.html" target="_blank">define that piec</a>e!)<br />
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As a dog trainer you might realize you slide between roles as you<strike> play</strike> <strike>with</strike> train your dogs. In a shaping session you might facilitate the correct choices while in loose leash walking you might teach the skill. In retrieves you might coach the dog "that's it" "get it" or what have you. As a student of anything you will likely realize that different people "teach" differently. One reason for this is that many are actually moving between the various roles as they bring you along. Other instructors tend to work from one domain more. And that's OK too, particularly if you can identify what is happening and test filling gaps you may feel you have in different ways.<br />
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As a trainer and an educator I move fairly fluidly between the approaches. I tend to coach if I can because for me personally the conclusions I come to myself are the ones I will remember longest but there are always elements and lessons that need more formal teaching. Some people prefer more instruction and I am happy to do that when I realize it as well.<br />
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Getting a good foundation matters. Learning what you need to create that and maintain it matters. If you use one person who moves fluidly between the formats for you; or use four people and lots of videoing as well, it doesn't matter as long as it works for you! Don't overwhelm yourself running from flavour of the month to flavour of the month - make plan and be methodical but if you find yourself at odds consider coaching and learning as approaches in light of your needs and see what will contribute the most to building or maintaining your foundation,<br />
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<i>(I need to thank both <a href="http://clickandrepeat.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Breau</a> for the nudge and <a href="http://playwaydogs.com/" target="_blank">Amy Cook</a> for the topic! This idea may pop up in other blogs you read - let me know if you see it anywhere!) </i><br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-4933761521726345352017-11-13T14:24:00.000-05:002017-11-13T17:07:01.824-05:00Sometimes No needs to turn into Yes ... <div style="text-align: center;">
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I say No about 5 times a day on average<br />
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"No, I can't take that dog", "No there is no room for a kitten", "no I am sorry I am not going that way next weekend". I don't always frame it in a no ... <strike>"I'm sorry I don't know anybody willing to take your problem animal and make it theirs right now" </strike> " I am sorry I don't know anybody with room for that animal right now". Being me I offer what help I can - "sure post it on my FB page", "Have you looked up (insert agency that is funded and staffed to help)", " would a list of trainers help you?" (and then the investment of time to find local good people when the response is "yes")<br />
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I also (kind of obviously if you've followed this blog or my FB stuff at all) said yes a few times ... looking around right now at least 8 times (and it's honestly quite a lot higher than that)<br />
Often animals come here to join our forever family and that's super - but sometimes the animal comes to find safety - and we are a weigh station rather than a stopping point.<br />
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I'm trying very hard to find a way to say yes to a horse in need. Not forever yes as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tvaliant/?ref=br_rs" target="_blank">Team Valiant</a> is full and we are personally tapped out (a summer of specialist trips for Sally, losing Brody and Frannie, doing 4 equine dentistries (while Team Val had 3 done) - Sam has a booked surgery in two weeks, Thea has had some blips - the vet bills are running higher than mortgage payments have ever been!) But trying to figure out how to get him safe, assess him and see what we can do for him. He's skinny and losing weight, his farm is closing this week and he is at risk of being sent to auction - high risk actually and he lives very close to the Quebec slaughter plants so kill buyers will certainly be hanging out at the auction. Sigh<br />
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<b><i>So my heart says YES and my wallet says wish I could help but NO.</i></b><br />
There are two component costs to horses - free horses can be very expensive - always look a free horse over very carefully - mouth and all! Wanna know more? Read on ... if not, skip to the bottom<br />
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Let's call the first stage <b>set up</b> costs:<br />
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Shipping - this dude is over 400 km away one way so is $800-$900 to get here<br />
Vet costs - vary - but $200 for blood work deworming and vaccines is not unreasonable and may spiral up quickly if sa he needs his teeth done - not uncommon in thin horses<br />
Stuff - grooming, blankets etc - very luckily for this fella we have stuff .. and people are generous about passing along brushes, and things that they no longer need.<br />
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so - <b>$1100 - $1500</b> gets him safe<br />
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<b>Ongoing costs</b> actually are scarier long term feed (hay and hard feed) farrier, vetting etc - <b>$250 - $400 per month</b> without any labour type of cost in there ... sigh<br />
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Where we are at ... we have stuff he can use, we have pledges of $210 in monthly sponsorship for 6-10 months set up for him and we have $200 towards his set up costs - generous, thoughtful wonderful people.<br />
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What's the gap? <b> $60 more a month would make me comfortable and $800 upfront would make it possible</b>. It doesn't sound like much if you think of community but the reality is, right now, today, it's the difference between no and yes.<br />
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But to know me is to know I don't like asking for things ... if you can give anything to help this chap with no name (how sad is that!) I'd love to welcome you to <a href="https://heartequineacademycourses.com/courses/57/about" target="_blank">Love The One You Are's Gratitude Project </a>- many of you have likely already given - we raised over a thousand dollars for Team Valiant's big fall fundraiser with it already. If you want to make a donation to help this guy paypal agility.addict @ aol.com without spaces ... and tell me to add that email to the project<br />
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<a alt="Fundraising Thermometer" href="http://www.coolfundraisingideas.net/"><img border="0" src="https://www.coolfundraisingideas.net/thermometer/thermometer.php?currency=dollar&goal=1000&current=400&color=red&size=large" /></a><br />
<div style="color: #999999; font-size: 0.8em;">
Provided by <a href="http://www.coolfundraisingideas.net/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #999999; display: block; font-size: 0.8em; text-decoration: none;">CoolFundraisingIdeas.net</a></div>
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If you don't know what to give I averaged the donations awhile ago and it came to $60 so the sign up direct link became that amount ... you can find it here <a href="https://heartequineacademycourses.com/courses/57/about" target="_blank">the link to course for $60 </a><br />
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Thanks for thinking about it, joining the project - sharing the blog or the post over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lovetheoneyou/posts/1960160130975081" target="_blank">Love the One You Are </a>.<br />
<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-59513281466851014142017-10-13T21:22:00.002-04:002017-10-13T21:22:38.481-04:00Webinar wonderI don't know if you have been inundated of late with webinar invitations but I have - if I wanted to learn about expensive programs to organize retreats, use funnels, use Pinterest, get in touch with my spiritual self, self publish a book or about a million other things there's a webinar for that! I've signed up for a couple that caught my interest - course building ones mostly (because - um educator here - you know) and have picked up a tip or two in the process. Many of them are VERY formulaic and a couple of presenters pretty obviously have a lot less experience than me at applying pedagogical principles. Le. Sigh.<br />
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Some have been pretty good. If I walk away with two or three applicable things I am thrilled, if I get a solid reminder of things I already practice and feel validated that's great. Always in these webinars I end up feeling a little badly because the whole point of the webinar is to SELL some lovely sounding, very pretty program for a lot more money than I have for discretionary things right now(anybody want to trade vet bills?). So while I might covet the program and appreciate the pitch I have to be satisfied with the pearls.<br />
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Then what do you know? I get invited to present a webinar for FDSA. Not to sell anything but to teach stuff - right up my alley eh?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEpSh6toV1NezoOgwfEMbQhE8dPTKFNoJEISc_4CKDVkl2mDThCZk9_poLqDDCSfnGDQRH6z7C23IAE-BRxHjsfcCfc8Zx68qcvMAwrUBMVT3cTbaan2Dsrin6zx8M0sa1HlQpvf-LeY7/s1600/%25E2%2580%259CLaughter+is+a+sunbeam+of+the+soul.%25E2%2580%259D+%252C.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEpSh6toV1NezoOgwfEMbQhE8dPTKFNoJEISc_4CKDVkl2mDThCZk9_poLqDDCSfnGDQRH6z7C23IAE-BRxHjsfcCfc8Zx68qcvMAwrUBMVT3cTbaan2Dsrin6zx8M0sa1HlQpvf-LeY7/s320/%25E2%2580%259CLaughter+is+a+sunbeam+of+the+soul.%25E2%2580%259D+%252C.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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How cool. <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars" target="_blank"> You can sign up right here!</a> But you have to promise to both say hi if you attend and to let me know either what you liked best or how make it better after you watch it. Deal?<br />
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How terrifying. But wait, I love workshops and doing keynote addresses. Media is one of my things. As long as the internet cooperates I've got this. So I say YES. Firmly and clearly and get given a date (October 19, 2017) and we ask the FDSA students to choose between 3 topics - all get lots of votes so I decide to start with number one on the list. R+ for humans - so MUCH FUN!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimvkwNMniV2H-bST-czuUhBdLe9p9YwZnR9H-ngemzrz1s2-H6y-umw3u96cXqVgwo__0JVpVFvV8Yo0aTBJxIBWYkqBqHYkGwglSrvMdjyW-WPjCm3J69pDOScRIVsgzB3hK_TzUSl11/s1600/%25E2%2580%259CSelf-care+is+a+deliberate+choice+to+gift+ourself+with+people%252C+places%252C+things%252C+events%252C+and+opportunities+that+recharge+our+personal+battery+and+promote+whole+health%25E2%2580%2594body%252C+mind%252C+and+spirit.%25E2%2580%259D+%25E2%2580%2595+Laurie+Buchanan%252C+PhD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimvkwNMniV2H-bST-czuUhBdLe9p9YwZnR9H-ngemzrz1s2-H6y-umw3u96cXqVgwo__0JVpVFvV8Yo0aTBJxIBWYkqBqHYkGwglSrvMdjyW-WPjCm3J69pDOScRIVsgzB3hK_TzUSl11/s320/%25E2%2580%259CSelf-care+is+a+deliberate+choice+to+gift+ourself+with+people%252C+places%252C+things%252C+events%252C+and+opportunities+that+recharge+our+personal+battery+and+promote+whole+health%25E2%2580%2594body%252C+mind%252C+and+spirit.%25E2%2580%259D+%25E2%2580%2595+Laurie+Buchanan%252C+PhD.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
(and so important)<br />
<br />
I've got the slide deck ready to go. It's a pretty wide ranging webinar - think of it as a keynote address rather than an intense workshop which looks at dreams, planning, goal setting, motivation, record keeping and ends with working together on tools to help you! It isn't the same as any class I've taught but it's true to my take on all this head stuff. Don't expect a cure all ills magic wand waving by self help guru tirade. You are way more likely to hear my self help rant and yet come away feeling empowered with a strategy to help you move forward.<br />
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I am probably most excited to introduce my way of considering and using process, learning, performance and outcome in a way that's clear and understandable (or you can ask questions RIGHT THERE - LIVE ... <strike>OMG what have I agreed to?)</strike> I'm not talking much at all about some of the things people probably expect me too - brain research, gratitude, personality types - they might come up - in fact I hope they do- but it'll be because of questions not because of inclusion in the webinar slides. I've worked in question time at different stages and will be asking questions for people who show up to think about (because - um - ME) One of the things I like most about my presentation is it's relevant to everyone - at home trainers, instructors, scent, agility, barn hunt, coursing, conformation ... no matter what role dogs play in your life and what role you want them to play it's got something for you. It just occurred to me the framework could easily be applied to horse sports too.. It's not just for nervous people or world class competitors - whatever your jam there's a pearl or six in there just for you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZFqat_NEr-LXYwAVJ14dk-jy9KQgW2zUfis9aqEl_D6tJMWwFTP2Ums0Yq0Wf9uFEqzKqTQ3QG6eSr5HUyP1Qlczj2qciMXNPpOdybMRKtXmFVR7jrKqTHytnISCdJGSz9JUYSQ0IZja/s1600/joy+email+48.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZFqat_NEr-LXYwAVJ14dk-jy9KQgW2zUfis9aqEl_D6tJMWwFTP2Ums0Yq0Wf9uFEqzKqTQ3QG6eSr5HUyP1Qlczj2qciMXNPpOdybMRKtXmFVR7jrKqTHytnISCdJGSz9JUYSQ0IZja/s1600/joy+email+48.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
So, being me, and a life long learner and all I've been attending the FDSA webinars as I am able. They have been great. informative, interesting, enriching and engaging. The price point is right ($19.95 USD) and the access to them is for a full year and extended from the time of the last webinar you sign up for. You have to sign up before the webinar no matter when you intend to watch it but you don't have to watch it live to get access. There are some great ones coming up (dare I say including mine? ohh that little Imposter Syndrome Gnome raises his head - I'll stare him down this time) .<br />
<br />
<a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars" target="_blank">October 19th - 9 pm EST</a> I really do hope you can join me live, but even if you can't I''d love to share my info with you, Sign up, Invest in yourself just this once!andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-87444146628394445372017-09-04T20:39:00.002-04:002017-12-22T15:39:43.193-05:00Dog Training Task Cards - Updated!!Does motivation get you down?<br />
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Just run out of steam part way through a training session?</div>
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Not sure how to start a session? </div>
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Stuck for new ideas?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwvHHqtDfvAM8FgaEdNHpyarcxsZ5bdHDXukdMxn81SuaCj383x4IeXNKP2lv6v9lJDAcG8mFX0ND7U20YKIPL3dEkUtebdhd8XNagRnEsRfjtQYTXjwERhKz5XMU0uS76VJki2C-roHu/s1600/ZF-5011-42296-1-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwvHHqtDfvAM8FgaEdNHpyarcxsZ5bdHDXukdMxn81SuaCj383x4IeXNKP2lv6v9lJDAcG8mFX0ND7U20YKIPL3dEkUtebdhd8XNagRnEsRfjtQYTXjwERhKz5XMU0uS76VJki2C-roHu/s320/ZF-5011-42296-1-003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well well - help is at hand!</div>
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Not sure what to do with the classes you teach? Trying to figure out how to help students do better?<br />
Need to take better care of yourself/ </div>
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<b>Dog training task cards</b> to the rescue!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyPpORU6RGts4Gil9hB35hm4yJBAgKZNwcZjRXkx_txLEgGOWkRX-aWoi17iZRx4AOa_vM3C1XM_otIrDAL1C21OBxXB39UKzdLiI5pncQnonZhNFK19TGZbrEFXyCE5TC1a6Zkv0wbqb/s1600/task+card+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyPpORU6RGts4Gil9hB35hm4yJBAgKZNwcZjRXkx_txLEgGOWkRX-aWoi17iZRx4AOa_vM3C1XM_otIrDAL1C21OBxXB39UKzdLiI5pncQnonZhNFK19TGZbrEFXyCE5TC1a6Zkv0wbqb/s320/task+card+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Five editions are ready to roll out: Play (pictured above) Foundations, Scent/Nose work, Barn hunt and Self Care for you! There's a deal for buying three or all five too!<br />
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Put the fun and spontaneity back in training -- get some help getting off the couch and playing with your dog or being kind to yourself - the more decks you get the less expensive they are - and if you've already bought the early releases please go ahead and email me to sort out your rate for any additional decks you want! They are electronic - when you buy you'll get an email with your deck(s) attached - you can print them out and laminate them if you want. </div>
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<table><tbody>
<tr><td>Deck Choices</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0"> <option value="Foundations">Foundations $8.00 CAD</option> <option value="Scent Work">Scent Work $8.00 CAD</option> <option value="Play Book">Play Book $8.00 CAD</option> <option value="Barn Hunt">Barn Hunt $8.00 CAD</option> <option value="Self Care">Self Care $8.00 CAD</option> <option value="Foundation, Scent, Play">Foundation, Scent, Play $21.00 CAD</option> <option value="Foundation, Barn Hunt, Play">Foundation, Barn Hunt, Play $21.00 CAD</option> <option value="Foundation, Play, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, Self Care">Foundation, Play, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, Self Care $30.00 CAD</option> </select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Motivation has three key components and <b>dog training task cards</b> can help you with each step </div>
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<i>Direction</i> - use task cards to get you up and taking action - you can set your goal in terms of doing "at least 2 random cards' and see where it takes you </div>
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<i>Intensity</i> -- use the cards to build a warm up or cool down component to your training ... or to give you a fun mid week routine to play with </div>
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<i>Persistence</i> - you've run out of steam and can't think of what to do? Grab your deck of cards and take action! Use your deck once or twice a week to keep yourself moving forward. </div>
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Break free of training ruts ... put together a custom plan that suits your needs and training level - there is flexibility built right into the cards so you can take a step back or challenge yourself with ease</div>
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The cards are in an electronic book - 4 cards per page and black and white to make printing easy - print them, out - laminate them or print them on card stock and put them on a ring if it suits you! </div>
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Each deck has at least 28 cards most of which will lend themselves to adaptions and tweaks - so it's well over 50 activities per deck! Three decks are ready now More (rally, sports foundation and agility) are in the works already and there have been some inquiries about more advanced decks too ... </div>
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<b>Foundation Training </b></div>
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32 activities that will tighten up your training and let you focus on performance not planning.<br />
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<b>Scent Work</b> </div>
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32 activities that take the thinking out of setting hides and challenges to make nosework training easier on your own (or with a non dog helper who can set some hides for you!) </div>
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a <b>Barn Hunt Deck </b><br />
28 cards to help you focus on a sport you and your dog love!<br />
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a <b>Self Care Deck </b><br />
36 cards to you on draw when you are tired and need to be kind to yourself .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvZe7RLXzybsTrpXQAQ-iERzelGNGZKMvBt5Y-ORZAkKH4G2lVDjeVtc64CBTS0WfHOsSKbovuGkNf4nLAgMpug5rgBLKHnPS-PbsvFV6I3yLRj94PFV3XrmZrdsSb_tbdESBHn5xm0aR/s1600/%25E2%2580%259CSelf-care+is+a+deliberate+choice+to+gift+ourself+with+people%252C+places%252C+things%252C+events%252C+and+opportunities+that+recharge+our+personal+battery+and+promote+whole+health%25E2%2580%2594body%252C+mind%252C+and+spirit.%25E2%2580%259D+%25E2%2580%2595+Laurie+Buchanan%252C+PhD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvZe7RLXzybsTrpXQAQ-iERzelGNGZKMvBt5Y-ORZAkKH4G2lVDjeVtc64CBTS0WfHOsSKbovuGkNf4nLAgMpug5rgBLKHnPS-PbsvFV6I3yLRj94PFV3XrmZrdsSb_tbdESBHn5xm0aR/s320/%25E2%2580%259CSelf-care+is+a+deliberate+choice+to+gift+ourself+with+people%252C+places%252C+things%252C+events%252C+and+opportunities+that+recharge+our+personal+battery+and+promote+whole+health%25E2%2580%2594body%252C+mind%252C+and+spirit.%25E2%2580%259D+%25E2%2580%2595+Laurie+Buchanan%252C+PhD.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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and a <b>Play Book! </b></div>
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32 cards to help to choose a way to play or a play activity to add to your training plan. Food, personal and toy suggestions are all covered. Up your play game having fun with the deck.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8BL_Wy0a4z5UhfhCAPscOSF6N7zXNwR1Dnpr9zBxoL1rioWdPakt4a9cjtmCA373_b3kCIsjkutpWmwyvwj1ls-LW3o5rSVHEB3ndl6Nvl0nbhJ9Kd1_BHx4Jrm2cMtwsEURCsxPx9mE/s1600/IMG_7812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8BL_Wy0a4z5UhfhCAPscOSF6N7zXNwR1Dnpr9zBxoL1rioWdPakt4a9cjtmCA373_b3kCIsjkutpWmwyvwj1ls-LW3o5rSVHEB3ndl6Nvl0nbhJ9Kd1_BHx4Jrm2cMtwsEURCsxPx9mE/s320/IMG_7812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You should get one. Maybe you should get all three ... did I say there's a deal on three ;)<br />
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<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Deck Choice" />Deck Choices</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Foundations">Foundations $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Scent Work">Scent Work $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Play Book">Play Book $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Barn Hunt">Barn Hunt $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Self Care">Self Care $8.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Foundation, Scent, Play">Foundation, Scent, Play $21.00 CAD</option>
<option value="Foundation, Barn Hunt, Play">Foundation, Barn Hunt, Play $21.00 CAD</option>
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andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-27753352680201164082017-08-11T20:16:00.000-04:002017-09-08T19:47:08.805-04:00Old Dogs <b>This Old Dog</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heart ache entered on soft paws </div>
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Cold nose, kisses, wagging tail, </div>
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Ever so worth it </div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>A, Harrison</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS_4Ws_87ZIwylWFk8YInBDEFbVfEbnz7oAyWe4i8ck57mydz_2RYWQ0zUVLqdzrs-5ACaltyBQjKCA7PdiaVSK4fjE9vO5dbRpviocJbiMd8G_7Flcbaaqo1bxX_YWquT6q3VlxUkHmy/s1600/brody+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="400" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS_4Ws_87ZIwylWFk8YInBDEFbVfEbnz7oAyWe4i8ck57mydz_2RYWQ0zUVLqdzrs-5ACaltyBQjKCA7PdiaVSK4fjE9vO5dbRpviocJbiMd8G_7Flcbaaqo1bxX_YWquT6q3VlxUkHmy/s320/brody+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Measuring Up </b></div>
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A third of my life, </div>
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A moment in time.</div>
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Seventeen years </div>
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A heartbeat at my feet. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Fame, and glory</div>
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Car rides and trials</div>
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Walks in fields</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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My rockstar</div>
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<br /></div>
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is gone</div>
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<br /></div>
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Nothing is left to measure. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>A, Harrison</i></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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"It's just a dog" they said </div>
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"He lived a good life" they said/ </div>
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"Good thing you have other dogs" they said. </div>
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"He was really old" they said. </div>
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"You were lucky" they said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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They can't begin to know.</div>
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<i>A, Harrison</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3oHO5umeY22DTPWhHZ08vuz77WR1xvprgFgt_IKQW1LcjrmYKeThZu7N4p6lGlO2MKMmsV9zSJa9AkI4pPj3JiiVXa9sf9zpkpgz03Fwh4tTOlwY3TZWzhsra1J2NBNONjpTOA1cMRKw/s1600/brody+scenting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="960" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3oHO5umeY22DTPWhHZ08vuz77WR1xvprgFgt_IKQW1LcjrmYKeThZu7N4p6lGlO2MKMmsV9zSJa9AkI4pPj3JiiVXa9sf9zpkpgz03Fwh4tTOlwY3TZWzhsra1J2NBNONjpTOA1cMRKw/s320/brody+scenting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>and the Auden poem comes to mind as well </i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,<br />
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,<br />
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum<br />
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.<br />
<br />
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead<br />
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,<br />
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,<br />
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.<br />
<br />
He was my North, my South, my East and West,<br />
My working week and my Sunday rest,<br />
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;<br />
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.<br />
<br />
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;<br />
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;<br />
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.<br />
For nothing now can ever come to any good.</div>
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andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-27551218806247962552017-08-10T16:23:00.001-04:002017-08-10T16:23:28.916-04:00How will you know .... One of the questions I am often asked is in regards to euthanasia, and that is "how will I know the time is right?" and honestly, even with years of experience and many many euthanasias under my belt, my most honest answer would be "you won't".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxd1z9Dt0DOfbFF5wXNbdx3EEFeJV2RC_LGX7H_Dd28oxivgwz3RZCkmUw5o4jaidF6Xj10QfdQKKVk4oRMRHkY6RiHnk48_mtvxcwHGaKLZwbCzT4C82g7WfC5BLJntgn-Hhwjc6d9FF/s1600/IMG_9331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="800" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxd1z9Dt0DOfbFF5wXNbdx3EEFeJV2RC_LGX7H_Dd28oxivgwz3RZCkmUw5o4jaidF6Xj10QfdQKKVk4oRMRHkY6RiHnk48_mtvxcwHGaKLZwbCzT4C82g7WfC5BLJntgn-Hhwjc6d9FF/s320/IMG_9331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's not to say you won't have some pretty key indicators that will work for you and your animal partner ... things like<br />
<br />
<br />
degree of pain,<br />
awareness of surroundings,<br />
mobility,<br />
pleasure in the environment,<br />
appetite,<br />
your ability to cope with increasing needs.. all of those things will contribute to your decision of course but there is no piece of paper that suddenly appears to say TODAY. is IT.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF5R-nE3-7Hw3HmWtkimkEQzwRLtHJBCW2_7YEDRDHKYioch77qI_x_XxROwxouyp06n2PcN8g4zi2PsP9q3xMMQXO1idc_JJezw5p9N4YvzvBCKpCf6YHe8ppcHojJojKQjdPLE3hHrD/s1600/lane+in+dream+land.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF5R-nE3-7Hw3HmWtkimkEQzwRLtHJBCW2_7YEDRDHKYioch77qI_x_XxROwxouyp06n2PcN8g4zi2PsP9q3xMMQXO1idc_JJezw5p9N4YvzvBCKpCf6YHe8ppcHojJojKQjdPLE3hHrD/s320/lane+in+dream+land.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Ideally our animals, and human, companions will pass away peacefully at home with no assistance beyond pain relief but I have to be honest and tell you that I only have that experience once with Dumont, I wish it every time but it's not the way the cookie crumbles around here, and it's really not a reasonable expectation either. We can be kinder and more compassionate to our animal family than our human family in most parts of the world and while that is a heavy burden to bear it's an important one to stare in the face occasionally.<br />
<br />
What do I mean by that? I mean think it through. Where are your lines? Knowing ahead of time helps. (Only a little but any bit of help is a good thing).<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>If a dog can't get to bed or out to the garden what accommodations can you make?</li>
<li>If a dog spends long hours with their head pressed on a wall is that acceptable?</li>
<li>What can you afford? Both financially and emotionally? You absolutely need to identify these things. </li>
<li>If your dog falls over occasionally are you ok with righting them, steadying them and repeating again and again through the day?</li>
<li>If kibble no longer is tasty is there quality of life with tempting daily and possibly force feeding or doing fluid therapy?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Only you know your own answers and to be completely frank what is acceptable for one dog may impinge greatly on quality of life for another even in the same home. Brody was a goer and doer, if he fell over he stared at me til I righted him and then trucked on again. I can't imagine Thea thinking that was at all acceptable. But she has needed to be tempted to eat off and on her whole life. Brody never once turned down a good meal.<br />
<br />
I always thought Brody would tell me he was ready by not eating but he ate, and ate, and ate right up to his last hour here. Instead he told me very clearly he had had enough of hurting. His pain meds weren't enough and his mobility was decreasing by the minute. He started to lose feeling or strength in one front leg as well as his back end and I knew. I heard myself sharing a piece of wisdom I heard long ago "it's better three days too early than one hour too late" and I knew - deeply and viscerally.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYF1fuAv0_Js9cXNWCgkMT9-DR_EXrDROvLRnW_6qB_jg5gbi-anMrjJVxd0e3rvZ5Ublf_odAVibmpDD4yegqJBN8DENma6ErOyzeEfsHYcGndjSnpITrS3yhCV7j-cO-ybE0ikMk-NI/s1600/IMG_4349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYF1fuAv0_Js9cXNWCgkMT9-DR_EXrDROvLRnW_6qB_jg5gbi-anMrjJVxd0e3rvZ5Ublf_odAVibmpDD4yegqJBN8DENma6ErOyzeEfsHYcGndjSnpITrS3yhCV7j-cO-ybE0ikMk-NI/s320/IMG_4349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I called my most amazing vet clinic who found me an appointment 3 hours later and I said. Um. Stephanie heard my um and said "come now'. I will be forever grateful. Everything was ready - I walked in holding him close and he, the dog who hated grooming allowed his leg to be shaved, we made no effort to insert a catheter, no effort to tranq him ... he was ready and he was gone as the euthanol hit his system. My best vet, My best tech, Me. Brody. Tom and the amazing staff on standby and close at hand. I've had lots of experience with death and this was truly a "good death" it was quick, it brought comfort. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglry9X5g496bYbMa3ApGsIHjM9tuUeiAjAXz6ugKXTKD3sTRRfqJ6b61gA69sYS0rCnuOY-_NGNgZOfVdl8U8IS8o8lKr_CvtQmHUf9j_RHiwpy4RNSPK9reST_h-dEqI34r0NumHVkF-h/s1600/IMG_7970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="800" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglry9X5g496bYbMa3ApGsIHjM9tuUeiAjAXz6ugKXTKD3sTRRfqJ6b61gA69sYS0rCnuOY-_NGNgZOfVdl8U8IS8o8lKr_CvtQmHUf9j_RHiwpy4RNSPK9reST_h-dEqI34r0NumHVkF-h/s320/IMG_7970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I am bereft. My heartbeat at my feet is missing. Tom and I have lived with Brody more than half our life together. Life will never be the same.<br />
<span id="goog_1591130035"></span><span id="goog_1591130036"></span><br />
<br />
Yet, still, somehow even today, I would choose this pain over not having loved and known and cherished our little devil dog. The doors he opened for me, the things he taught me, I will be forever grateful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S1HDTfIUo0eaTy2PJIpUxn817DsKLVleUJzFiFJgbxn45T8-e2dVG74j_Ejl9oOkfuqLDf6G4qiLSXcCRVdxOpNrmgU1W3SlXYHmQaJ8_lIdMbWhMri8jm-UyYLNH-ckKmviY7hTdaNH/s1600/let+your+heavy+heart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0S1HDTfIUo0eaTy2PJIpUxn817DsKLVleUJzFiFJgbxn45T8-e2dVG74j_Ejl9oOkfuqLDf6G4qiLSXcCRVdxOpNrmgU1W3SlXYHmQaJ8_lIdMbWhMri8jm-UyYLNH-ckKmviY7hTdaNH/s320/let+your+heavy+heart.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-30657005243202687472017-07-26T21:42:00.000-04:002017-07-26T22:00:40.615-04:00Make it So ... living a positive life with dogs Dogs here live a life of <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/search?q=agency+" target="_blank">agency </a> but sometimes being their doggy selves has to be put on hold and they NEED to conform to expectations. <br />
<br />
There are plenty of instances you might think compliance was critical but it isn't ...<br />
<br />
Sam leaping through a guest's open car window to look for a wrapper? Not a big deal. We tell people to roll up windows and give them the reason. If they don't believe us and a large golden leaps through their truck window - so be it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7eUWc4SsVCrgudu1-2XMvh3OqZKQKHia-XBfLz7jba71QO7lnNC3aqmsUVb_GDF55NeR4v6eDC3etktpKJz-nGq91tc8BDftgLWGx7n5zDvKshnJ6R07d6t-3g2OTg4f2P0vUyw29VZE/s1600/iphone+dec+2016+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7eUWc4SsVCrgudu1-2XMvh3OqZKQKHia-XBfLz7jba71QO7lnNC3aqmsUVb_GDF55NeR4v6eDC3etktpKJz-nGq91tc8BDftgLWGx7n5zDvKshnJ6R07d6t-3g2OTg4f2P0vUyw29VZE/s320/iphone+dec+2016+039.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Thea insisting on lying on a big dog bed so a big dog has to find another spot? Big whoop.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3YGJLUCGb1vXXcLqM51t6KLKFKS18eNKyhJZjO-0YOknOyYImN6-dpvTXFYtfXOvT4_t-uB2U9IQOAMvIZxR1EilsDFihIs_HNiiUANcM_GpNqOgPEAWhy2NrOn6LWzLYi2J2nOY8S0x/s1600/photos+including+time+from+iphone+488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3YGJLUCGb1vXXcLqM51t6KLKFKS18eNKyhJZjO-0YOknOyYImN6-dpvTXFYtfXOvT4_t-uB2U9IQOAMvIZxR1EilsDFihIs_HNiiUANcM_GpNqOgPEAWhy2NrOn6LWzLYi2J2nOY8S0x/s320/photos+including+time+from+iphone+488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
but then there are those other times ....<br />
<br />
Like the times enumerated in this blog that Brody has been unhappy to be groomed or when Sally slinks away from a painful eye treatment or won't take a pill no matter the inducement.<i> (you might know how much I dislike the word try - yet here it fits!) </i>If Dora has to suffer a nail trim <i>(we are still working on confident nail trims - never have I had a dog so slow to accept this!) </i>Maybe it's when Sam is offended and barking at the horses because they might steal his stick ... Or, or, or ..... you get the drift .. <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2012/03/sunshine-and-roses.html" target="_blank">the perfect dogs</a> aren't always perfect as shocking as that is.<br />
<br />
These moments happen in life, no matter who your dog is, what your bar is (some people could live with some of the things I feel are essential to work through - and others probably have a much longer list of problematic behaviours) and no matter how you train.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe3MzFVuD4hyphenhyphennMCA1IDeZllRlFRCpJ1ouKG0I0ua6ndaiAQESxqTP2jOPkFiiOroexdK4f07K05JS2yoCQvPEwy7uq_uURsiO9ESus_k3HPyizajDniSxxXsXqKxtMBgfCcQnTL73EoSe/s1600/photos+including+time+from+iphone+445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe3MzFVuD4hyphenhyphennMCA1IDeZllRlFRCpJ1ouKG0I0ua6ndaiAQESxqTP2jOPkFiiOroexdK4f07K05JS2yoCQvPEwy7uq_uURsiO9ESus_k3HPyizajDniSxxXsXqKxtMBgfCcQnTL73EoSe/s320/photos+including+time+from+iphone+445.JPG" width="240" /></a>But I take comfort from being a positive force-free trainer... so my thinking has to be adaptive, and flexible. The same answer will not work on a soft scared dog as on a dog determined to have agency over whatever. Yelling and screaming are out ... as are striking the dog - I'd like to say obviously ... but there are days that my old nemesis of a hot temper flares deep in my core and I need to stop and breathe for a second or twenty. Then I think and problem solve.<br />
<br />
The solution varies and sadly is not always immediately offering the behaviour I want in the way I want.<br />
<br />
Brody sometimes simply needs to be held fairly firmly to get groomed. He gets treats and short sessions and all the "right" things but sometimes I have to hold him pretty firmly to trim around his eyes. Sally sometimes is forced to take a pill - I smear peanut butter on the roof of her mouth let her work it for a second then pop the pill in her mouth hold her jaw shut and smooth her throat. Dora gets kid glove treatment .. dogs are cleared (she will redirect frustration on occasion) and I trim nails ... not all of them but more than one ... big meanie that I am. When Sam is leaping around the horses and yelling I walk up to him, ask him to stop and if he can't I snap a leash on him and lead him away. I don't reward him by luring him with a toy or food, nor do I get angry. But I certainly don't allow this unsafe behaviour (for both horse and dog) continue.<br />
<br />
None of these things happen often. But they do happen.<br />
<br />
Finding the balance point between positive and permissive is not easy, It's personal. But it's important. I am a positive trainer. I work hard to stay a positive trainer. With foresight and planning there are times I will make a management choice that gets something essential accomplished. I think about it hard, plan it carefully and then implement it - along with a training plan to remedy what I can.<br />
<br />
(and in the midst of a dog fight, animal attack or any other such thing all bets are off the table - control the anger if you can - but do what you must to end the situation and keep yourself and the animals safe!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-64598622208161684152017-07-17T15:13:00.001-04:002017-07-17T15:13:37.244-04:00the Mad Hatter Podcasts yep - I did TWO podcast interviews in relatively short order ...<br />
<br />
and then started this post - and left it sitting in draft form way too long ...<br />
<br />
the first podcast was Hannah Branigan's: Drinking from the Toilet (yes THAT <a href="https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/Branigan_Hannah" target="_blank">Hannah Branigan</a>!). Probably the best name ever for a podcast about dog stuff eh? It was a riot - Hannah wants a sitting around the dining room table tone for the conversations so she didn't share the questions ahead of time although we did bounce around some different topics to discuss. We covered a whole lot of stuff - and we laughed and talked over each other some. Whoops! But there is a wide range of material in it - and I really appreciated the opportunity to talk to Hannah (we had NEVER spoken to each other before the podcast - which truth be told made us both a little nervous to start.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/hannah-branigan/14-conversation-with-andrea-harrison" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/hannah-branigan/14-conversation-with-andrea-harrison" target="_blank">Podcast link - HERE</a> ... but I had to share the cover too - Hannah picked that lovely Len Sylvester Photo with no prompting from me at all <3 nbsp="" p=""><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETmfK6BQDK3aVx8jsVUx7QBYjg6Aappfs5tw-D9Bg7DrDVcDwaYs0SI4533B0QWB8HT0A066ENEeD6xEkWmCX0_puG4q0KhhAio67n3cpoApHpuLPkhs1Sfs1hs9S6xCV_uR0nlg_zs-l/s1600/DFTT+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETmfK6BQDK3aVx8jsVUx7QBYjg6Aappfs5tw-D9Bg7DrDVcDwaYs0SI4533B0QWB8HT0A066ENEeD6xEkWmCX0_puG4q0KhhAio67n3cpoApHpuLPkhs1Sfs1hs9S6xCV_uR0nlg_zs-l/s320/DFTT+cover.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Give it a listen and tell me what you think!<br />
<br />
Then the lovely <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/9-people/12292-melissa-breau" target="_blank">Melissa Breau </a> interviewed me for the <a href="http://www.fenzidogsports.libsyn.com/" target="_blank">FDSA podcast</a>. More fun was had, by me anyhow, and Melissa didn't have to work too too hard on the editing board.<br />
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We talked a lot about the human half of the team. In any sport - not just agility.<br />
You can listen to that <a href="http://fenzidogsports.libsyn.com/episode-15-interview-with-andrea-harrison-the-human-half" target="_blank">podcast HERE </a>... or read the transcript if you prefer - warning - I say "right" a LOT!<br />
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I have no idea of the reach of either podcast - and to be honest I don't much care - if I was able to give one person an idea to test that will help them be the best partner they can be for their dogs I am happy. I suspect I might have given a few more than two people some ideas though!<br />
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Give em a listen ... tell me what you think - help me do a better job if I get another invite ever!<br />
<br /></3>andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-76732553361942712412017-07-16T15:37:00.002-04:002017-07-16T15:37:39.958-04:00Does your dog lie? What to do if they do! What a tangled web we weave ourselves sometimes ... becoming the best partnership possible involves a whole lot of flexibility, thinking, learning and planning ... as well as the recognition that things aren't always going to go perfectly. Sigh.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit Len Sylvester </td></tr>
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<i>Do dogs lie?</i><br />
Dogs may ignore what we KNOW they know ... ("I can't hear you" at the dog park comes to mind) but they don't , maliciously or hatefully set out to lie to humans. That said, there is some pretty good evidence dogs can be deceptive. On purpose. This flies in the face of my beliefs generally and strikes me as pretty anthropomorphic but some evidence suggests I am wrong about canine honesty. There was <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10071-017-1078-6" target="_blank">a study</a> that determined that dogs could protect their own interest by choice (they got to choose which food to take a human partner to - that partner then (predictably to the dog) either kept the food, shared the food or with their own companion gave the dog all the food). The dogs choose which box to take which partner to carefully, suggesting they can be deceptive to protect their own interests.. Anecdotally I know am not the only person to live in a multi dog house where one dog is very good at distracting another away from a chew or bone. " Woof Woof - who is at the door??" and then a sucker grab of a coveted item. Many of us may realize that our dogs will only take "forbidden" objects when we can't see them do so. There was <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130211090840.htm" target="_blank">another study </a>about this which further illustrated that dogs understand humans can't see well in the dark.<br />
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The very definition of "lie" in the context we are discussing is to purposefully deceive. So if one is to believe the studies, and come on, SCIENCE ... why yes, in certain circumstances and for specific reasons (to get that awesome primary reinforcement of FOOD) it appears dogs can, and do choose to deceive us.<br />
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<i>BUT</i> .... when you *think* your dog has lied to you about a training or trialing (<i>or filming as illustrated here!</i>) problem evaluate your position on this thought. The word lie has negative associations for humans and connotes a deliberation in intention that may not be true to training or competing. The pejorative feelings the term evokes may also be unhelpful for problem solving. Anger is <strike>rarely </strike> never a constructive solution (<i>and to know me is to know how rarely I am that absolute</i>) What other words might fit the situation you are characterizing as deliberate obfuscation (<i>fancy word eh?</i>)?<br />
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This is an instance that applying some, or all, of <a href="http://blog.journalistics.com/2010/five-ws-one-h/" target="_blank">the W's of journalism</a> to process events will keep your thinking moving forward instead of spinning down a rabbit hole. Applying this framework and working through these reflective questions will help you decide why your canine made the choices they did and determine what your part in the issue was as well as give yourself some answers to apply to a plan to move forward in the future.<br />
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Obviously we aren't story telling to ourselves , or anyone else applying this technique but it can be a helpful (and easy to remember way) to hunt for information. Often to reduce our stress and anxiety when things go wrong it can be helpful to have an easy framework to process the events. This framework is useful for instances of communication breakdown between dog and human - including "lies". <br />
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Let's look at each of the <b>W</b>s and that final <b>H</b> to determine how to best use them in this context.<br />
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<b>Who</b> matters in this situation? (free pass to working on this answer - you, your dog - you as a team - those are the answers to this one!). It's important to start here though as that reflection will ground you and remind you why you are taking the time to do this even if all you want to do is cry in your car.<br />
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<b>What </b>happened? (Who misread who? What factors influenced the events of the "lie"?) If you have video watch it carefully. If you have a friend or coach who saw it ask them what they saw. Brody once ran under an aframe instead of doing a tunnel. I was shocked, and pretty confused. I left the ring and thought hard about what part of the course he did that on and exactly what had happened. I walked back onto the course and felt the sand with my hand. It was burning hot. I had asked him to run on boiling sand surface and not realized. By looking hard at what happened I was able to understand why is happened. <i>(not to get ahead of our list here) </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brody literally made so few mistakes on course I remember them to this day. </td></tr>
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<b>Where </b>did you first get confused? By delving into this W some unexpected answers about what caused the miscommunication to occur.may become apparent.<br />
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<b>When </b>did you believe the 'lie"? This matters more than you may think. I was watching a friends Nosework trial video and with hindsight being 20/20 her dog stopped and really was interested in the hide but then moved on and spent much the same amount of time with a similar indication on a drooly spot on a different car. Sigh. The handler believed the misinformation over the right answer perhaps because time was ticking? They'd moved around the whole site? The dog's style was similar to the alert? She felt badly and was wondering if she'd already missed it? I haven't asked how committed to believing the last indication she was ... but it might make a big difference to choices she'll make going forward.<br />
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<b>Why</b> did it happen? What has happened in the past? Does false information end the potentially stressful search? Were you stressed and anxious? Was your dog hot and unable to perform normally? Were environmental conditions confusing in some way? Spend awhile working on this question because it's where a plan for addressing moments like this will come from in the future.<br />
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which segues very nicely into<br />
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<b>How</b> are you going to use this information to become a better team? The learning in a "lie" matters. Your canine partner is not doing anything other than sharing information. Stress (for either or both or you) , a gap in training, an off day or a simple error can all create results we don't want. This framework will assist you in your quest to be the best team you can be - even in the face of adversity.<br />
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Use the framework to decide what to test to reduce the "lies". A plan for stress reduction? More training in a skill? More generalizing and proofing? Application of these questions and reflection on the answers will help you decide what to test and change first. This technique is easy to test, and can lead to greater clarity (and therefore results!)<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-10068215113367518512017-06-28T20:10:00.000-04:002017-06-28T20:26:33.809-04:00Sometimes you just have to: Why Videoing Yourself is Hard (and what you can do about it!)So, in one of those synchronicities of life in the last 24 hours I have been asked not once, not twice but FOUR times about the need to video oneself. Many people hate it. And I get it. On every level.<br />
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Way back before camera phones even existed I had a university assignment that involved videoing myself. I refused to do it. The prof, saint that he was, worked so hard to accommodate me. I worked so hard to stymie him. Don't film your face he offered. I said no. Think of a creative way to share your info that doesn't involve your voice he finally offered. I don't remember how we finally came to terms but I know part of the filming involved me writing on a blackboard before the camera was turned on and me holding paper with printing on it up. Sigh. I was supportive, constructive and happy to watch my peers work. I even recall thinking it was a great activity <i>for everybody else.</i><br />
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Fast forward about 4 years and I was organizing a walk a thon. I got invited to speak in our local TV show, Breakfast TV. I said maybe and lined up a partner to take on the show to do the talking part. I figured I'd do animal wrangling (cute animals would get attention in all the shots of me that way) and my buddy would talk. Um. No. They'd only let one of us on and I was the animal savvy one who would keep cats and dogs where they belonged. Thrown in the deep end I would have been quite happy had we experienced a national power failure. The event and the animals mattered enough that I did the show. Survived. Got compliments from the lovely host of the show. Adopted the animals I had shown and the walk was a success. Sigh. I did that show and others many many many times, and while I never loved it the pain was worth it by the end. I recently did two podcasts and loved doing them ... but had that old familiar sense of dread when I realized I had said "yes" not "no".<br />
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A long winded way to explain that not only do I hear the concern about video but in my own unique way I totally understand it. So, that said, how can you work through your TOTALLY legitimate concern?<br />
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<b>Break it down</b> my friends - break it down. "But HOW?" I hear you lament. <br />
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<b>Think</b> about why you are resistant.<br />
Are you worried about your body image? Your voice? The mess in the background? Being interrupted mid taping? (check each of those for me - especially the second!) Identifying why you are worried will give you a chance to address those concerns in a way that works for you. It will also let you decide if you might want to throw things in a box, or set the camera on an angle to minimize what people see.<br />
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<b>Decide </b>why you want to video at all.<br />
Is it to improve your training? Watch for a particular behaviour? Measure your own handling? Record keep so you can see gaps and improvement? Take an online class and get the most salient feedback for your situation possible? Create lovely memories that you can cherish?<br />
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Perhaps revisiting your reasons - YOUR reasons that is - not the should be your reasons - will help you decide the pain of videoing and working through your angst is worth it. It's quite possible that the reason you THINK you want to video is not a sufficient motivator for you - looking for all the reasons video is good for you in your situation may help motivate you.<br />
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<b>Plan</b> for your comfort and success.<br />
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<i>(this sounds a bit like a plan for training your dog eh?) </i><br />
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<b>Do </b>some videoing - use whatever tips and thoughts below will help you take action.<br />
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<i>Start Small</i> ... pick something you like doing, or are curious to see, and video JUST one minute or less of it.<br />
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<i>Ground yourself </i>before you begin Do a breathing sequence, or a roots to the ground physical grounding, meditate, or stretch. Prepare your body for what's to come.<br />
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<i>Organize </i>your thoughts ... know what props you want and what you want to film. 10 seconds of planning can make a huge difference to your video.<br />
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<i>Test</i> your set up. Run film of the space you are using and see what the boundaries are - perhaps put cones or other markers in place so you can see what the camera will catch. You might want to deliberately focus on your dog - cutting off your head is fine if the resulting video suits your purposes!<br />
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<i>Admit your concerns</i> to the people who support you Maybe one of them will volunteer to film for you or lend you a camera ... or simply watch the video and point out the good things instead of every little blip you may find yourself obsessing about.<br />
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and hot on the heels of above - <i><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/turning-straw-gold/201106/how-ask-help" target="_blank">Ask for help</a></i> - if you aren't sure what to film, or how to film or anything else use your supports to find the answers. Google is how I figured out editing in iMovie.<br />
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<i><a href="https://tinybuddha.com/blog/define-success-to-create-success-starting-now/" target="_blank">Build from success</a>.</i> Sure the point for you may be to show an instructor your struggles and get feedback but start with something you like, that gives you pleasure. Create a memory video - or celebrate a success.<br />
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<i>Fake it til you make it</i> ... yup - <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/74310/8-fake-it-til-you-make-it-strategies-backed-science" target="_blank">put on your acting hat and do your thing</a>. Pretend to be a trainer you admire (I can give you a long list of names if you want!) pretend to be confident and loving it. Smile and your brain will believe you!<br />
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<i>(yes I hate this video, Yes I share it because I hate it so. The things I do for you) </i></div>
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<i>Remember you control this</i> - you can ALWAYS turn off the camera, change an angle, erase a video instead of showing or even viewing it. You are your own boss here.<br />
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<i>Take your time .</i>.. there is a way to edit every movie -<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/video/video/2015/05/iphone_imovie_app_how_to_edit_video_on_your_phone_video.html" target="_blank"> in iMovie</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSSdlP6OC-Y" target="_blank">movie maker</a> or even as you upload <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3ypVoN4NVM" target="_blank">to YouTube</a> ... so set yourself up to catch what you want - you can edit the pause at the beginning and the wander at the end<br />
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This is getting long ... so I am going to wrap it up but I suspect there will be questions - feel free to ask me ... and perhaps the answers will appear in part two or three!!<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-15963822383817379152017-06-26T21:26:00.000-04:002017-06-26T21:26:01.786-04:00Why foundations in dog sports matter ....<i>(sorry for the gap in blogs - June was crazy busy here ... sigh I anticipate being back to twice monthly posting!) </i><br />
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"Start them right", "Make sure you do your foundation work", "Build those blocks" are the types of things you may have heard when thinking about foundation work for dogs. <br />
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BUT WHY? Why is it important to invest time, learning, and energy (sometimes oh SO MUCH energy) in foundation work?<br />
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It would be easy to be trite and say something along the lines of foundations lay the ground work on which all other work is born. And while that is correct it is not complete. Foundations do so much more than train your dog.<br />
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Of course <b>foundation work teaches your dog</b> building block skills. It's about building those basic skills you will revisit again and again and again as you layer them into whatever sport you want to play. Pick an example - any example will do but let's look at crating just for fun. By building the skill of your dog happily being able to be in a crate you may have beginning of stay (a la Susan Garret), a way to safely and comfortably confine your dog in a car on a warm day (in the shade, under supervision, with water - yadda yadda ). You may be building skills for confinement in case of injury, or wild small children house guests or any number of other possibilities. Happy crating is great foundation skill not just for dog sports but for life itself !<br />
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<b>Foundation work helps your dog's condition</b> by laying the ground work for building correct muscles, and condition. I don't mean starting puppies on equipment or even doing whole lot with them ... but basic walking, climbing on, over and through things and learning to control their bodies allows condition to be built slowly with dogs learning about their own bodies.<br />
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<b> Foundation work builds relationship</b> through early games, play and training you get the best opportunity to experiment. See what works for your dog, for you, and decide how to combine those two sometimes disparate points of view. Consider, if you will. the <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2012/12/50-ways-to-play.html" target="_blank">skill of your dog playing with toys, you and food</a>. A dog's ability to play with whatever you are able to offer in any given moment creates a way to appreciate each other and to reward great work. The act of building these varied skills through many different games and opportunities will help establish relationship and strengthen your bond.<br />
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Taking the time to do things right from the start is frustrating. It feels pointless - what if you don't WANT to show in dog sports at the end of the day? You'll never get the time back that you invest in lovely heeling, or great independent weaves, or staying at source - BUT. and it's a big but - it's WAY easier to take the time to teach something right than to try to reteach it. Brody's weaves are my most often referred to example of this. Brody weaved quite well. As long as I was on his right side and right beside him as he did his thing. I never knew there was any reason he should weave alone when I started teaching him and by the time I realized it would make both our lives easier he had hundreds of weaves under his collar done just the way he liked them. Sigh.<br />
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Rushing things, skipping steps are not doing yourself or your dog any favours in the long term.<br />
Slow down. Think. Plan. Then Do.<br />
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Put another brick in the wall. You'll be glad you did.<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-76006543718539803422017-05-24T18:44:00.000-04:002017-05-24T18:44:21.231-04:00Whispers in the Wind <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/" target="_blank">FDSA</a> has a saying "be the ripple" it's right on the banner for the school.<br />
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I have to tell you the students blow me away with the way they keep right on rippling and whispering and shouting from the tree tops. (The instructors are a pretty incredible group too rippling away; I am always humbled by my inclusion in that group).<br />
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I pretty actively promote good self care - I have truly come to believe that without self care you have nothing ..your well will run dry and so will your energy and spirit. So when students are having a tough time they KNOW they will hear - what have you done for you today?<br />
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Maybe it was doing laundry, maybe it was walking the dogs. Lunch with a friend, tears with family no matter what - there should be something. I don't know what the answer will be but I push (sometimes pretty hard) for there to be something for you when things are hard.<br />
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One of my wonderful students decided that 10 minutes was all she could do - and it would work best for her to carve it out of a work break so Self Care 10 was born. The idea of just 10 minutes a day for HER. Listen to something, read something, watch something, put her head down and shut her eyes - it didn't matter WHAT, just that it was.<br />
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Then she got "caught" at work and her boss asked her what she was doing. Bravely she explained Self Care 10 and discovered her boss loved it. And borrowed the idea!<br />
Talk about a whisper ... what an awesome thing eh?<br />
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Ever grateful, ever awed by the amazing people I get to work with.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-17989927726533311762017-05-23T19:24:00.001-04:002017-05-24T09:05:11.876-04:00Play is Life <br />
Or is Life Play? That sounds sweet eh? But the reality is play is not easy or intuitive for every one.<br />
The very definition of play includes the pursuit and attainment of fun but there are plenty of instances when play is only fun for one participant.<br />
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Elements of play include:<br />
<ul>
<li>anticipation</li>
<li>surprise</li>
<li>pleasure</li>
<li>understanding </li>
<li>strength </li>
<li>poise </li>
</ul>
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Each element relates to the others and can move "the game" forward as this neat little graphic from The Strong illustrates so well.<br />
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Play has many emotional, social and physical benefits. Canines and humans alike feel better after a game, we are better able to interact with others through play and our bodies appreciate the physicality of play. Mental challenges enrich us both as well - and can tire us out. Mutual play can be wonderful. It can also be hard work - as we learn each others rules, preferences and develop the ability to balance together in an harmonious dance of joy. An oft held belief is that humans are the "only" species that plays as adults. The dogs, horses, cats and parrots here all beg to differ. The amount of play and the purpose of play evolves as we (all!) age and change no doubt but play is a valid and important use of time through life.<br />
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Play can be personal and individual ,,, as Sampson so ably demonstrates when he grabs a stick on the lawn or this crow does<br />
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Play can be group<br />
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and it can cross species too.<br />
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Play is a demonstrably important aspect of learning for many species. Predators learn to hunt through play, horses learn social manners through play, and children develop all kinds of skills through games, Birds learn skills including their song through imitation and play. <a href="http://creativesomething.net/post/84134598535/why-play-is-essential-for-creativity" target="_blank">Creativity</a>, <a href="http://www.yukonwellness.ca/playischildswork.php#.WSRDUOsrLIU" target="_blank">ingenuity</a> and <a href="https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/e-family-news/2014-developing-critical-thinking-skills-in-children/" target="_blank">critical thinking</a> are all enhanced by play.<br />
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Sadly, life tends to choke some of the fun out of play as we grow. Play isn't equally easy for all children nor all adults. (Nor for that matter all horses or dogs - the two non human species whose play I have observed and worked with). But, <i>and this is a critical concept</i> .... play is a skill. Yes there is an element of art to it - intuition and guessing can work well in play - but there are actual definable skills that can be applied to principles of play. <b>Play can be learned. Play can be taught.</b><br />
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Learning appropriate play is as important for young humans as young dogs. Revisiting basic play principles and learning to work together is one of the fundamental key concepts embedded through the classes at <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/" target="_blank">Fenzi Dog Sport Academy</a>, Courses with names like Obedience Games, Heeling Games, Relationship through Play, Focus Games, Training with Remote Reinforcement, and so on fill the list of course offerings. Many, if not all, of the amazing instructors use play as a tool to help build relationship and mutual appreciation of the work of a given dog human team.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> <i> (my magic wand is STILL out for repairs - much to my chagrin!) </i></span><br />
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This term alone (classes start June 1) there is a <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/1708" target="_blank">Toy Class</a>, <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/4839" target="_blank"> </a>C<a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/4839" target="_blank">ookie Jar Games</a> and my newest general offering <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/11131" target="_blank">Don't Worry: Be Happy</a> which looks very hard at the human side of play. It builds human play skills (which will enhance dog play skills too - have no doubt of that) by breaking down what play is for humans, why it matters and further considers strategies to enhance play skills for people. Toy, personal and food play will all be assessed particularly in light of individual team differences. When, why and how to use play and when to call it quits with grace are also topics. I'm looking forward to taking my personal love of play and my drama teacher training and applying it to play in an online class.<br />
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There is room in gold, and there is always room in bronze.Registration is open so if you want to explore, enrich and understand play better you might want to sign up!<br />
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<i>I have blogged about play a great deal over the years ... the word "play" in search pulls up over 6 pages of posts ... the posts range widely but cover all kinds of divergent and dog focused thoughts. </i>andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-18634638999148125052017-04-08T21:03:00.001-04:002017-04-08T21:03:44.193-04:00The Mad Hatter Learns Stuff <i>and so will you ... I asked a genius I know to explain the differences and similarities between barn hunt and scent work ... believing as I do that the person and dog in any sport have a relationship - both contribute and both are vital to success ... I wanted to know if she felt the same way ... </i><br />
<i>She, Sheila, was kind enough to write a guest blog post on the subject! Enjoy - I know I did ... </i><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
How is a raven like a writing desk? Technically speaking this riddle has no
answer – famously from Lewis Carroll’s <i>Adventures
in Wonderland</i>, it is steeped in crazy nonsensical logic. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice ends up at a tea party at which one of the arguably
craziest characters, the Mad Hatter, asks her this now famous question… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Alice asks him how, he admits that he does not know –
he was just asking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is how I felt when Andrea asked me “how is barn hunt
like nosework?” Indeed, I wanted to
respond with the same chiding remarks as Alice gives the Mad Hatter: “I think
you might do something better with the time than wasting it in asking riddles
that have no answers.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Knowing Andrea and her Mad-Hatter-ness, I knew she wouldn’t
accept such a simple answer to her query. <i> (Sheila should know how simple, and lazy, I am!)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been involved in both sports – Barn Hunt and Nosework
(or Sport Detection) – since both were first introduced to Canada. I had the privilege of being involved in some
of the first trials in each sport in the country, and work with some of the
best trainers and judges in both sports.
My herdy mix was one of the first titled nosework dogs in Canada, and my
terrier mix is the top Barn Hunt mixed breed dog in Canada. </div>
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Both sports are similar beasts for sure. In Barn Hunt, the dog runs naked in a course
of hay bales and must find a certain number of rats, complete a tunnel, and
climb within a set time. In nosework, dogs
must find a certain number of hidden essential oils and alert within a set
time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two sports can benefit each other heavily – often I
encourage my barn hunt students with specific issues (and no access to rats) to
try nosework. I equally encourage my
nosework students to branch out into barn hunt!
They are complementary. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
You certainly can’t have Barn Hunt without nosework. To be successful in barn hunt (as my scruffy
partner and I have had the pleasure of doing) you really benefit from a strong
bearing in scent theory and dog behaviour around scent. Barn Hunt is also a sport which relies
heavily on those two factors that Andrea drilled into my head as a student –
timing and reward placement. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Barn Hunt is also a sport where you need to delicately
balance your drive and energy level as a team – screaming at a high prey drive
dog to GETITGETITGETIT is going to send them over the top. Standing in the corner with a solemn and
distracted worker is going to get you timed out. I am not sure who first introduced me to this
concept of balance (it was likely Andrea – take classes from Andrea, is the
lesson of this post), but it is essentially this: Rank your dogs energy level (when
hunting/searching) on a scale from one to ten.
Your job, as an effective partner, is to ensure that when you add your
dogs number with yours the total equals 11.
So my terrier works rats at about an 8-9. I walk around the course following him,
watching him, but unless he has missed an area of the course or I see something
I want him to check, I rarely speak to him (other than our party at the
end). I have to keep myself at a 2. My puppy is a little unsure in the ring so I
cheerlead her more – praising her for checking areas and doing obstacles. This is a skill that was also engrained to me
in nosework training. </div>
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When I started doing Barn Hunt the sport was trained
primarily as a drive / instinct based sport.
Essentially, throw the rat in front of the dog. If they go nuts – terrific! You get to play. If they don’t – wave the rat in their
face. Still no reaction? Maybe this sport isn’t for you. Fortunately for me in those early days of
training my dog was one of the naturals.
My herding mix played nosework for years, and it is truly one of his
favourite games. I threw him in a Barn
Hunt ring “just to see what happened” and, based on our training in nosework,
when faced with containers in which only one is different (in this case, had a
rat), he did his formal alert on that container/tube. I was surprised, but not shocked considering
how similar I considered the two sports. </div>
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Fortunately there are a lot of trainers now teaching the
sport with the same methods of nosework – target to scent, commitment to odour,
methodical searching. This is great for
opening the sports to dogs without natural prey drive. And in my experience many of the dogs trained
with these methods are more methodical and do not face some of the struggles as
the high drive dogs (especially when facing distraction tubes). You can listen to a fantastic podcast between
renowned Barn Hunt judge Liz Carter and nosework instructor Stacey Barnett and their
thoughts on this topic (which are similar to my own) here: <a href="https://scentsabilitiesnw.podbean.com/e/a-tale-of-two-scent-sports-barn-hunt-and-nosework/">https://scentsabilitiesnw.podbean.com/e/a-tale-of-two-scent-sports-barn-hunt-and-nosework/</a></div>
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REALLY, one major difference between the two sports are that
Barn Hunt uses live rats rather than essential oil. (If you are concerned about rat safety, there
are manymanymany things written on this topic – I assure you the rats are well
loved, cared for, and protected as central to the sport – I wont go into it
here but am happy to answer questions or concerns). The use of live quarry isn’t important in the
base terms of “ find target scent, alert!” however, Barn Hunt adds the
challenge of distinguishing between live rat + bedding and just bedding – so
the dog must distinguish rat smell vs live rat smell. This is a challenge that is not thrown at
beginner nosework competitors. It would
be akin to distinguishing between week-aged scent and fresh scent. Possible, for sure, but difficult.</div>
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Indeed, distractions are all over the place for the novice
barn hunt dog. In addition to dirty
bedding tubes, the dogs must ignore whatever scents are present in the bales
and ring. Unlike nosework, it is nearly
impossible to keep a Barn Hunt ring completely sanitary of distracting odours.
When I started training nosework it was drilled into us to use gloves and never
contaminate anything ever. In barn hunt
you are using bales – that possibly were pulled from storage where they were
lived in by mice and cats and goats and whatever other animals inhabit a
working farm. Perhaps the farm dog
marked every single bale. Maybe mice
were running tunnels through them (this has happened in trials). Who knows how many humans or animals touched
them. The tubes move all over the course
throughout a trial so there is residual odour everywhere. Etcetera.
Your dog must ignore all of these distraction scents and only hit on
live rat. Impressive skills when you
think of it that way, eh?</div>
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Barn Hunt has truly changed my perception on keeping scent
areas sanitary and about how many distractions dogs can deal with. And how
soon. It really brings home that “beef
stew” theory of how dogs smell (you smell stew, they smell beef and carrots and
onions and garlic and…)</div>
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Along this it is also important to note that many people are
often concerned that teaching their dog barn hunt will increase their prey
drive. Or that barn hunt will ruin agility
because often agility is run in barns.
These are the two big hesitations I see in people considering the sport.
I think to both concerns I would answer that it is quite the opposite – have a
dog who sniffs in corners of barns during agility to find the mice? This gives them an outlet. No bales? No mice! Also giving high prey drive dogs an outlet
for that energy creates an easier to live with housemate. I live with 6 terrier things in a house with
7 rats in the basement. They all know
they are there but is it a constant struggle to keep them away? No, they are
normal happy dogs because they have a time and space for that. </div>
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The only other (major) difference between the sports is the
requirement of obstacles – dogs must climb with all four feet on a bale and
complete a bale tunnel at some point in their run before time is up. These challenges seem more minor, but I have
seen more dogs struggle with that tunnel than any other aspect of the sport. Dogs are clever creatures and learn very
quickly that there is never a rat in the tunnel – so why bother going
there! This is an added training
challenge for sure. And is easily
remedied (pro tips here) by rewarding your dog with a rat for doing the
tunnel! Do the tunnel – boom a rat
appears. My terrier now runs through the
tunnel to clear the course (a Masters level skill) because if there are no rats
on course – maybe running through the tunnel will make one of those magic ones
appear! </div>
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Essentially, I think to answer Andrea’s initial question –
though perhaps nosework is nothing like barn hunt, barn hunt is
indistinguishable from nosework from a training and dog behaviour
perspective. Andrea may not know but was
just asking – and perhaps (hopefully) my answer brings up more questions and
opens a dialogue between the two sports.
My ultimate goal is to slowly lure nosework people into the sport so –
<a href="http://barnhunt.com/" target="_blank">join us</a>!</div>
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<i>WHOA - thanks so much Sheila ... I learned tons .. and will have this to reference now too! Thanks!</i></div>
andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-54884010170074051062017-03-24T16:48:00.000-04:002017-03-24T16:48:31.414-04:00Excuse ME! <i>Pardon me; forgive me; I didn't get around to it; the judge doesn't like me anyhow; it doesn't matter I didn't practice; my dog has never understood that anyhow; well, you know he's the wrong breed for that; she's too soft to be competitive.</i>.. the excuse list is long. Endless in fact.<br />
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<br />
<br />
And then there is the whole issue of motivation ... where does your motivation break down? Planning? Direction? Activation? Intensity? Continuation? Persistence? Ways to get back on track vary depending on where your challenges are .. and we can work through and find solutions that will work for you! <br />
<br />
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I wish my magic wand would get repaired and back from the shop - life would be so amazing and wonderful if I could just wave it around and some motivation would waft down on people like magic fairy dust ....<br />
<br />
or heck even if I had a magic pill to just cut through excuses and get to work ... wouldn't that be awesome! I don't.<br />
<br />
Sad eh? But the next best thing I can offer you is the course <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/9791#registration" target="_blank">No More Excuses</a> that I teach over at <a href="https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/" target="_blank">FDSA </a> Last time I looked there was one more Gold (working) spot left but silver had room, and bronze is unlimited ... practice truly helps - and this course gives you lots of opportunities to select and rehearse the things that matter to you! There's lots of thinking, processing, planning and reporting in the class ... but there are also lots of chuckles - and I can pretty much promise you - you are NOT alone! <br />
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<br />
I am going to be a sneaky deaky and let you see the list of course lectures ... some are long and some are short ... but there is some MIND BLOWING science backing up some of the good stuff I share ... it's pretty likely more will get added, and things might move around - students often need things in slightly different orders class to class - and I'm nothing if not <a href="http://andrea-agilityaddict.blogspot.ca/2012/09/aint-no-cookie-cutter.html" target="_blank">flexible</a> and adaptable!<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Terminology and word choice </li>
<li>The components of motivation </li>
<li>Your blocks may have purpose </li>
<li>Planning an Overview </li>
<li>Blocks and Challenges </li>
<li>Time Management - know yourself </li>
<li>Time Management - planning</li>
<li>Time Management - distractions </li>
<li>Time Management - last thoughts! </li>
<li>Finding those Blocks </li>
<li>Andrea's Self Help Rant </li>
<li>Grief ... </li>
<li>Know yourself </li>
<li>Dealing with Disappointment ... </li>
<li>Be good to yourself - Self Care Review </li>
<li>Why rewards can fail and some more on "brain stuff " </li>
<li>Networking </li>
<li>Realistic Optimism </li>
<li>Accountability and The Importance of Record Keeping </li>
<li>The word “Try” </li>
<li>Handling Challenges </li>
<li>Setting your Sails </li>
</ul>
<br />
I'd love to see you over at NME - I'd love to know what you believe your biggest blocks are - by all means let me know in the comments ...<br />
<br />
<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5663318040255442389.post-75255379983207947762017-03-18T16:54:00.001-04:002017-03-18T16:54:44.949-04:00a little bit of filming fun at the farm yesterday<br />
<br />
it was for a hoof webinar series for <a href="https://www.heartequineacademy.com/" target="_blank">Heart Equine Academy</a> Online Learning for horse people!<br />
<br />
I pulled together a little making of video (there's volume - but I captioned it too- all the learning all the time!) ... the horses and dogs were amazing ... the barn was scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed and I think looks pretty darn good ...<br />
<br />
Give it a watch and let me know what you think!<br />
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I'm going to be teaching over at HEART too - a confidence course - aimed at horse people but lots of great info and tools for anybody struggling with anxiety and fear (In fact we get into the difference between the two). It's a PACKED course ... with more being added all the time ... fear is so pervasive in horses - as is anxiety generally .. an <a href="https://heartequineacademycourses.com/courses/18/about?price_point=21&url_hash=ef8157f164f9a0ccc1246d29cdfcf9" target="_blank">auditing spot is $50</a> and a <a href="https://heartequineacademycourses.com/courses/18/about" target="_blank">working spot is $100 </a> (and look at me making links to both levels so easy!) You already know I'd love to see you - but maybe there is another course you'd love to take? (ever wanted to draw better? there's a course for that!)<br />
<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08911146116540091798noreply@blogger.com0