Life, Change, Energy, and Dogs

Welcome to Sundance's Weekly Blog:

After a week of fun it's time to be thankful of our family and friends.

Sundance: I remember that day: Miko and Lulu were out of their minds. Lulu was insistent on climbing and running a trail that Miko was not ready for. Than we came to this marker, "Path of Friends." Suddenly, Lulu slowed down and realized that this path was not about her, but about us and our journey together.

James: Sometimes we forget about who else is on the path with us. And sometimes we start out with so much energy, only to be weighted down by this same kinetic energy on our way back. It takes some practice and discipline to be centered and conscientious.    

Sundance: So if we take a more gentle approach, would there be more harmony and less resistance in the end? I remember how Skuzum was unsure of Vixen. It took him some time, but in the end the two were comfortable sharing personal space. I find that humans are resistant to change and do not allow themselves to grow. Instead they are rooted so deep with a personal record of grief and doubt, they need a prescription from John Deere to bulldoze and shovel their way out.

James: I am certain that our path would be a more balanced and fulfilling endeavor if we allowed change to happen and didn't become fixated on the if factor. Personal growth can only occur when we want that change to come from within. So many of my clients hold onto a belief that their dog will not listen to them, or that they will forget what comes next. The only way to achieve your goals is to be consistent. Obviously, there will be bumps on your path, and the winds will change your course at times, but as long as you are levelheaded you can stay above the waterline.

Sundance: I am slowly seeing the big picture and not stumped by this huge tree. Finding a path and sticking to it takes a bit of discipline. Exercising your mind daily with patience and kindness will help make every step worth taking, and committing yourself to this practice will also encourage and bring out the best in others. 

James: This much is certain Sundance. Life with you has made me a better person, better trainer, better partner, better all around human. This was all made possible by the commitment to change from within. There is a  lot to be thankful for, but the one gratifying thing that stands out the most is the love I share with you, Mama and Skuzum. 

Puppy Control

Committing to a puppy is a very precious thing and a valuable lesson in self-control. We want them to experience everything, and at the same time keep them safe from danger. We want them to be part of our pack, and we do not want them to misbehave. We want them to be dogs, but we want them to understand human rules. Puppies are a blessing. Puppies are a true work in progress. We want them to trust us as providers, and at the same time respect us as leaders.

When confronted with a crying puppy, less is more. The less you nurture an unstable (crying) mind, the more it has to work to figure out how to get what it wants. Do this enough, and the dog will find that being quiet and calm gets it attention, affection, and other good things. The less you provide emotion and exited energy, you will find his crying will subside. As with anything that involves training the mind and body, taking baby (puppy) steps is needed. The goal is to provide training/structure in moderation and with positive reinforcement. Not over stimulation & negative reinforcement.

Dogs do not care if we are students, old, young, rich, poor, have a BMW, or drive a shopping cart. They read our energy from that very first moment, and moment-to-moment after. They know whether we are excited, dominant, loud, calm, passive, or assertive. In the dog world you are energy. Pretty simple. If you give loving energy, you are loved. If you reward calm behavior, you will have a calm dog.

Socialization for puppies is a very important part in their overall balance and maturation. If your puppy has not had all of his shots, you can still take him to places where there are humans, children, and sounds. Share with him, and those with you, that you are able to control the environment, and you will find him trusting and respecting you more. Do not allow unstable people to approach your puppy until they are calm. Always approach with a calm and assertive energy. Practicing this will aid you with training people in how you would like them to interact with your puppy.

A training suggestion: Find his threshold, and work on expanding it by baby steps. If walking out of the room triggers a negative behavior, then walk almost out of the room (or however far you can go without him leaving his post, crying, or barking) and then give a reward. If it's out of site, then walk almost out of site, then give a reward. If it's five minutes, then leave for four minutes, and if he's not crying, give a reward. Whatever it is, during trianing sessions don't push him beyond his threshold, and when you do, don't reward it, just take a step back, or "go back to kindergarden." It's all happening in grades.

I hope this helps.

LIVE HAPPY!

Alexia, James, and Sundance