Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! With the holidays so close, it gets crazy with last minute shopping and guests and everything. Sometimes I get away from blogging at those moments. I just wanted to take this minute while I drink my yummy coffee on a snowy Sunday morning to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May it be all you want and wish it to be!

Best Christmas presents for your dog

Best gifts for your dog? Exercise, routine, training, rest and fun toys. More exercise instead of less during the holidays. I know it's hard to fit in and cold outside. But a tired dog is a good dog. Especially when you have company coming. Assign one family member the task of: long walk for dog before company gets here.

Next, keep their routine as close to normal as possible. This is also hard during the holidays but believe me, it will really help as dogs thrive on routine.It will help them to remain more calm and stress free. Also, keep up your good training during the holidays. Don't let the excuse of: too busy, too tired, out of town guests, parties and etc keep you from practice. Just let it be a part of everyday stuff. And have company help you. Show off what your dog knows. And be sure he does not jump on company. Sit to be petted.

Which leads to the next one, rest. Be sure he gets some time to chill away from all the hustle and bustle of the celebrations. That way you don't have to keep a constant eye on him and he can be successful and good too. Give him a good chew or stuffed Kong and retire him to the crate or spare room. You both will benefit.

Lastly, fun toys. There are so many interactive toys out now. Thinking toys that are fun for dogs include kongs, food dispensing balls, balls that you can record your voice, puzzles that they figure out how to get the food, little squirrels hidden in a tree trunk, rope and bottle toys that include food and many more. These kind will keep them busy for a longer time than a plush toy with a squeaky that lasts one minute.

Jerk and yell method vs Reward based training

Would someone please explain to me why oh why people still use the jerk and yell training method? It's proven to hurt dogs, hurt your relationship with them and is not very effective and can even make dogs more aggressive? They don't want to use "food" because somehow this is going to hurt their dog? What is it that they eat and need every day? Food. What is it that most dogs love? Food. Why not use something they need and love as a reward for work well done? Why is this a bribe? Does your boss "bribe" you to come to work? No, he rewards you for work well done with something you need and want-money. I am so tired of seeing people yell and jerk their dogs around. And with a metal collar no less. It's medieval and unnecessary. I want my dog to be my working companion, my team mate, not my slave or robot-obeying because they have to. I want my dog to listen because he wants to, because I hold the key to all that he needs and wants. I guess some people will forever jerk and yell at their dogs, I just don't want that kind of relationship with my dog. I want a happy face like the dogs in the picture above. Dogs deserve it.

Fix it

Vacation has been full of fix its. Sage chewed the cord on the Shop Vac, toilet leaking and new smoke alarms need installing as my furnace is old. Shop Vac was easy enough-put on a new plug and dig out the extension cord from the garage. Toilet possibly needs a new seal-simple but not easy. I've not done that before and will need a strong person to lift it but it's doable. Smoke alarms I'll put where the old ones were. Always something isn't it. And, got to play some with my dogs. That's always fun. We play every day but more so on vacation.

Also we play outside everyday as I pick up the dog doo every day. You know I have multiple dogs so there's multiple dog doo. And you can't just leave it there. You would think it just dissinegrates into the ground and I guess if you had one small dog that would not be an issue. But we have piles every day so every day I pick it up. At least then we can run and play and not step in it. And also keep the neighbors happy.

Tis the Season

Tis the season for me to take vacation. I haven't taken much this year and many people are busy this week anyway so attendence in class is down. I will be closed Monday 11-23 thru Sunday 11-29 resuming classes on Monday 11-30. Just cleaning and resting are the plans. I just need a break to catch my breath. I also rest so I can clearly and creatively come up with more exciting things to do in class. I plan to also get out with Sage on the foot trails so I can plan that class also. We may also do some beginning scent tracking this spring. I think that would be fun. Sage is a natural at it. Have a great Thanksgiving. Christmas is just a few short weeks away. I can't believe it but I love it. This season is the best.

Good bye sweet girl.

Just got an email from a client informing me that they put their dog down over a bite incident. I'm sure it was serious and I'm sure they thought long and hard before putting her down. I take it very hard when a dog from my class is put down. I always wonder if I could have done more, said more, trained more, warned more. She was a beautiful little aussie and just had a problem with kids and strangers. A big problem. Her owner worked and worked with her but I still think we could have possibly saved her somehow. People will argue-why save the problem ones when there are so many good ones with no home. Because all problem dogs started out as normal puppies and a human messed them up somewhere along the way. Usually not intentionally just misinformed. I'm going to miss you sweet girl.

Back to Blogging

Took a break from blogging as other things have kept me busy. Such as out of town company, brochure designing (having a terrible time with it) and just general busyness. I'm working on two new classes for after the first of the year: Therapy Dog Training and Adventure Trails. I have to do tons of research for both to get ready. I was inspired by Moments with Baxter, a 19 yr old therapy dog that passed away a couple weeks ago. If you go to YouTube.com and search Moments with Baxter you will find a few videos of him. Lots of my clients want to do therapy work with their dogs but do not know how to get started or certified.

Adventure Trails was inspired by my Leash walks in the Park which no one was interested in but every one needs. We are going to hike the foot trails of the Hamilton County Parks. There are lots of them and Sage and I have to go and explore them first so I can plan the classes. Each course will be 5-6 weeks and have a one time charge. Possibly $60 or $70.

Other concerns for me have been clients that just don't get the whole positive training thing. They still yell, jerk and worse and their dogs keep misbehaving. They don't understand that their dogs aren't being stubborn (they're just puppies). The pups really don't get it yet. It takes repetition after repetition after repetition in a calm, confident tone with lots of rewards. Lots of practice over lots of time. Dogs are easier to train than people, unfortunately.

A Whole New Meaning for Fall (or Dog Trainer Fail)

Took a hard fall today. Adolescent Great Dane about 100 lbs took me down and busted my knee good. (or is it bad?) Hurts like hell. I put ice and more ice on it. Took some ibuprofren and rubbed Soothenal on it. I don't think it needs xrays or anything but hurts like hell. Slammed my face too. All on concrete too. Booo. Hooo. Might have been funny on video but I don't think I'd be laughing. It's the chance I take when I train. I've been bit before but not often and not recently. And you all know the problems I have with my knees anyway. Oh well. It could have been worse.

Horseback Riding on a Beautiful Fall Day

It was a great fall day to horseback ride. I got a dark horse named Phoenix, Mom rode a white and brown horse named Squanto and Kitty rode a light horse named Tucker. It was a hour long. It was about 20 minutes too long for Mom. She got wore out just riding. But she had great fun and now wants to take riding lessons. Sue took pictures which I will post later when Kitty gets home and sends them to me. Horses are so different than dogs. The biggest being that they are so BIG. You can't yank them. You guide them gently. They could throw you off if they wanted to. I kept talking to Phoenix but when he wanted to eat tree branches and leaves and we needed to go, I had to press in my feet and make kissy noises and say "Walk". When we came upon very muddy parts of the path that went downhill, I didn't try to guide him. He knows the trails and he knows how to get through the muddy parts-I didn't. I just gave him reins and let him find his best way through. It was interesting working with a different species. All in all a great time.

Brrrrrrr!

Why does it have to be so cold? I have fall home improvements I need to do before winter comes and it feels like it's already here. It's quieter now with Flame gone. I used to say I would never get another doberman because they are whiners and attention hogs. I think that's the very reason I loved her. I would love another dobe and I would get a red one again. But right now as my pack gets older and grayer, I'm just going to enjoy them till it's time for them to go. That's the bad thing is when you have a pack that is around the same age. You are going to lose them all around the same time. I just lost Oreo last November, Barney in February and Flame in October. Mo and Mary in the picture above are 8 and 1/2 yrs old. Their legs are starting to get arthritic (so are mine). They are Great Pyrenees mixes. Actually Mo (aka Smokey) seems to be down or depressed since Flame's been gone. He's kind of moping. I sent away for some Nzymes for Flame but she won't need them anymore so I'm going to give them to Mary and Mo. It can only help their old legs. I don't want to lose any more babies for a while. A long while.

Good Bye, Flame.

We lost Flamey this morning. Sometime between 4am and 7:30. She woke me up around 3am and she had peed her bed. I changed her pads and got her new blankets and tucked her in. Gave her some water and chicken broth. She seemed anxious but not sick, not struggling or anything. I did t-touch on her face and ears for a hour and she loved it and did not want me to stop. After I went upstairs, the next thing I knew the dogs were barking because it was morning. I came downstairs and she was gone. I sincerely believe when she went down 3 weeks ago, she had a stroke or seizure and at that time lost her back legs. I know if she could have gotten up, she would have. She was that kind of dog, proud, pleaser, people dog. Loved attention. Drama queen. But drama queen only lasts so long. If there was anyway she could get up, she would have. I sincerely believe that. I guess it was her time. Way too early.

Cancelled-Leash walks in the Park

I'm sorry about cancelling classes. I never like to do that. But if there is not enough interest, I have so much to do, I need to prioritize cuz it's just me. I had many folks ask about the park classes and then nobody shows. It happened in the spring the same way. After about 4 times to both sides of town with only 2 people showing, I decided to cancel it. This time I just did 2 times. I hate to do that because it was going to be a lot of fun and I had a lot of fun things planned. Maybe next spring. You never know.

Howl o ween!

What a great picture! I love this time of year. It's not my favorite, spring is my very favorite but I love fall. I love burning earthy scented candles, walking and raking leaves, pumpkins and mums and all that. My dogs seem to enjoy the cooler weather. Speaking of which, Flame is still not walking. She is half way up which is good I guess. She is pitiful but also plays it to the hilt. I think she likes the extra attention. She's still eating, drinking and whining as much as ever. Is it a dobie thing? That whining, whining, whining. I swore I never get another dobie. Then came Frankie. Another whiner. Oh, great. And she is a diabetic. And as sweet as ever. Never say never.

Flame

I haven't written much on my blogs lately as one of my dogs is sick. Flame is my old red doberman and she hurt a bone in her neck. She is down and not walking. She is on 3 kinds of meds and our hope is that she will be up in a couple days. Till then, lots of turning her over (to prevent bed sores), changing bedding and doggie pads. The pullups did not work well. I'm doing t-touch and massaging and working her arms and legs. She wakes up and barks several times during the night so I haven't had much sleep in a week. She is about 10-12 yrs old. Possibly older as we got her from the SPCA 7 yrs ago. She's a character and a whiner. A drama queen. I just hope we get to enjoy her longer.

A Home for Otis

Some wonderful people expressed an interest in Otis the black and tan coonhound. They already have a redbone coonhound whom they love. We tried them out in a play room and they did great. They took him home for a home visit and he and they did great. Looks like a match made in heaven. They are bringing him to puppy class to pick up where he left off with me. I'm so glad. This little guy deserved a chance at a forever home. This is just the chance he needs. Go Otis!!!!!

Back in the saddle again!

We took my mom horseback riding for her 75th birthday three years ago. It was so much fun we are going to do it again. And family is invited. We are going to Marmon Farms in Zanesville. I enjoyed it but horses are way different than dogs and riding them is such a skill. Maybe I will ride a bit before we go so I don't look like such a doofus. Six weeks till showtime. It'll be great!!!!

Saving Nemo

Ugh. Got a call today on my day off (of which I never hardly take) about Nemo. Snapped at their daughter today so he's gotta go. This is not his picture but looks very much like him. He's six years old and has some food aggression with kids around his food bowl. I don't know the details yet but I gotta wonder what she did or didn't do. It won't matter but she's young, like under 5 so you never know. What chance does he have at 6 years old with some food aggression? I can't even place a 5 month old puppy let alone a 6 year old red husky. Huskies aren't the easiest dog either. He however is a great dog except for the food aggression. That can be worked with and is one of the easiest to deal with as far as aggression goes. I've known this dog for years and it seems like the family is just really too busy to deal with him as far as I can see. They love him, I can tell but just really busy. I guess that happens to a lot of dogs. The families get busy and the dogs are left to do whatever. And they when they have problems, they gotta go. I'd take him in a heartbeat but I have 8 dogs. My guess is if I don't help place him, he'll go to the SPCA. Great.........

Today feels like Fall

It feels like fall today. Great, really. I turned off the air and opened the windows. And August is almost over. So fall is really near. I love fall. I guess I love the inbetween seasons. Inbetween as in it could be cold, cool, hot or warm. Unpredictable. Like life itself.

Still thinking about a german shepherd puppy. Not yet though as I don't want to add to my pack just yet. It's not fair to my old guys (and girls). They deserve calmness and peace in their old age. And lots of dog cookies. And lots of love. The puppy can wait, there is always time. And I can investigate and find the best place to get her. I like the name Ariel. But I guess I'll name her when I see her. She might not look like an Ariel. I named Sage on the spot. He just looked like a Sage. And that's not his picture to the left. It's not quite fall yet here.

Stil

Lazy Days of Summer

Finally sent out my August newsletter. I've been working on it and working on it but just couldn't get it all together. I have fun doing these. Now I'm archiving them. You can go to http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs049/1102258079501/archive/1102676771533.html and see all the archived newsletters. I added it to my website and it will be in my next newsletter. And due to some changes in Constant Contact who sends them, they will no longer be marked DANGEROUS. Why it was like that, I'll never know.

More puppy classes tonight. I love teaching them. They are so young and impressionable. I just want to make sure it's the right impression. All adult rescue dogs were once normal puppies. Just think about that.

Otis, the coon hound

Had Otis now for about a week. His owner gave him up as he was not a good family dog. He can be a resource guarder when it comes to rawhide. I have been working with Drop it, Leave it and Take it and he does well. He has attended several of my classes and does well except for the baying which that's what coonhounds do. And he's very good at it:) He loves, loves, loves puppy class. I might keep him another week so he'll have another week of puppy class. Hopefully we can find a forever home with people who know and love coon hounds (and their baying).

Ozzy

Just received new today that Ozzy of "Puppy Chow is Better Than Prozac" died a couple weeks ago. He was instrumental in helping his owner cope with Bi polar and severe depression. The book is wonderful and the pictures adorable. He was 13 years old and lived his life well. He will be terribly missed.

10 Things that make me happy

I saw another blog with this so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

1. Spending time with my loved ones: mom, daughter, dogs

2. the color yellow-sheets, towels, candles

3. german shepherd puppies-saw one the other day-too cute. And of course, Jamaican.

4. Warm but not too warm days with some clouds.

5. Good coffee with lots of cream.

6. Peaceful music: Native American fluke, celtic, south African, classical

7. Dogs and owners working as one team. Beautiful.

8. Chimes ringing, binging, clonging, pinging. I have 7 chimes in my yard.

9. Wolves. Especially when they howl.

10. Macaroni and cheese. Just had to add that one.

New Stuff

I just thought of a couple things I want to try in class. One is talking about the Invisible Leash. It's not a new gadget or letting your dog run loose. It has to do with the relationship you have with your dog. The invisible leash that connects your heart to theirs. The one that is always connected and continues past the grave.

Another idea is to have most of the commands or behaviors that we work on printed on big cardboard signs that I can put out during class. It will signal when we are moving from one thing to another and at the end of class I put up all the ones we worked on that day.

Also playing music when clients and dogs walk in and the stop to the music indicates the class started and at the end when class is over, the music comes back on. It can be a transition from one level to another.

Another one is more emphasis on the head turn, graduating to the Whip lash head turn. I swear it works, worked on an Aussie in Focus class today. I have to remind them to use a "I have something really wonderful for you" voice and not the "You're really in trouble now" voice. That's huge.

My last idea-I need a digital camera bad. I see so many opportunities for pics in class and with my own dogs. Pics that I can post here or my website or my newsletter or graduations or just perfect moments in class. Well, I will add it to my list, right after a car, a dryer and a new pair of shoes. Some day.......

Bootsie

Had a fun time this week training Boots (aka Bootsie). He is a foster dog and his foster mom went on vacation and asked if I'd work with him. He was so much fun and such a pleasure. It is refreshing to work with dogs that love people and other dogs. He is about 8-9 months old, mixture of: Plotthound, Akita, German Shepherd and who knows what else. He's big and adorable. He came to 4 of my classes this week. We also did private training. He's walking well on an Easy Walk harness. We even walked in front of Animal Ark today and he did great. He's not going to have any trouble finding a home. I wish I had a picture to show you. He is such a mix and soooooo handsome. If you are looking for a great dog, check him out at Safe Haven.

Money, money, money, money

It amazes me how some people are so money driven. It is over everything-people, relationships, pets, everything. I need money, we all do. But it is not the driving force of my business. I will talk to clients and help clients even before they pay me. Sometimes even if they don't pay me. Or take my classes. People and your relationship with them matter most. The money will come. And even if I'm not rich like Cesar Milan at least I can sleep peacefully knowing I helped people and their dogs live better together.

I don't say-money first and then I help you. You don't run a business like that. It's people and clients that drive the business. If you sincerely want to help them, and they know it, they'll come to you and they'll pay you. It just drives me crazy how people are money, money, money, money. It's just not my nature, it's not my personality, it's not how I choose to run my business. I love what I do and hope to continue for a long time. Even if I have to scrape and scrimp which sometimes I do. But having a job you love and love going to and love the clients is so worth it to me. I guess for the money people it's counting the paper money every night.

Just chillin'

Just had to add this pic. This was not today but it looked exactly like today. Me and Rock just chillin'. I had the day off so I rested and chilled. I never get tired of what I do. I just get tired sometimes. I now teach 24 classes a week plus privates and sometimes I get really tired. I don't have a regular day off but I have days when I just have a couple classes so I have most mornings and afternoons. And 2 evenings a week. So chilling time is important whether it's morning, afternoon or evening. I have to decompress and put everyone else's problems aside for awhile and enjoy my life and dogs. Just chillin'.

My New Campaign

My new campaign is to heavily promote puppy classes. I'm not sure if I want to offer something free but I know I'm going to hit all the vet, groomer and pet stores with my new Puppy Packet. It needs to be cleverly designed to grab attention right away. It needs to have helpful info that new puppy owners can use. My aim is not to make money but to get those puppies trained before they start developing bad habits that are hard to break. I get so many calls from owners whose dogs are a year or two and their habits are so bad they are ready to get rid of the dog. I ask if the dog has had any training, the answer 9 times out of 10 is no. Most dogs are given up to shelters in the adolescent ages of 6 mos to a 1 year or 1 year and a half. That's because people don't take the time to train them.

And other positives are that they are with other puppy owners to help support them and they have a training coach to help them and the other puppies in class to help them. Sometimes that can make all the difference. I answer calls and emails as soon as I can. That is another resource outside of class. I tell them about a free book download from one of the greatest trainers ever. I have to start working on the puppy packet right away. Then I have to sell it to the vets, groomers and pet stores so they will give it out and not just sit on it. Lots of work to do.

We miss Michele

Michele is on an extended stay in Nevada. She has been gone 3 weeks. Although fun, I miss her here. Her dog Ganja really misses her. She isn't eating much and last night she was crying and crying. I think it was part fireworks. I could tell by the look of the street when I came home that they shot off a lot of them and it isn't even the 4th yet. And we had a little thunderstorm. So at 3am Ganja came up to bed with me. Then Mary came up to bed. And the cat was already in bed. It made for little sleep for me. Hopefully she'll do better tonight. I think Michele will be home soon. She isn't having much fun. I didn't think she would but you can't tell kids anything.

I made a Vision board last night. It envisions what I'd like to see in the next few months to years. A converted barn into a home, a new Explorer, a training center with training assistants and lots more customers, 2 german shepherds and some land for training purposes and of course, more money. More to be added but it was a beginning. It is all bordered in yellow, a happy color and one of my favorites. The lettering in purple another favorite color. It gives concreteness to plans and dreams and helps me to vision them. Try it for yourself.

A Night Full of Students

Tonight every class had 5 or more owner/dog teams. It was great! Six newbies in Level One. I love seeing new ones starting out. I know what they will look like in 6-10 weeks if they keep it up and it is exciting. I also love Level Two-building on basics with Stay, Wait, Settle, Loose Leash Walking and more. I love Level Three because they are doing amazing things that their owners never thought they would-like backup, roll over, some Rally moves, some Obedience competion moves, better and longer Stays and Comes and some Canine Good Citizen. I also love Level Four-they are just about ready to graduate and to pass their Canine Good Citizen. Which most do. I am so proud of all my graduates. They stuck it out 20 weeks and do wonderful and amazing things. Most of all the relationship between dog and owner is so beautiful now. I urge them on to bigger and better things like Rally, Agility, Obedience Competition, Therapy Dog, Flyball dogs and more.

My daughter is on an extended stay in Neveda and it is so different living alone. Or as alone as you can be with a pack of dogs. I haven't lived alone much in 28 years. Maybe in all of my life. I came from a family of 10 kids. So you were never alone. It's wonderful, quiet and different.

Saturdays

Saturday is my puppies day. Six classes full of puppies. It is so much fun to be a part of their lives early on. And to make sure they and their owners get a great start in life. Saturdays are early, get up at 6:30am and keep going all day. Break at noon to let out my dogs, feed the diabetics and give insulin then back out for more.

I wish more people would start them this early in life. I see so many clients with problem dogs and most did not take them to puppy classes. It's sad because sometimes you can't turn them around. And even if you do, you gotta wonder how much better life would have been for everyone had they had early training. I guess people have these sweet puppies and they think of that old harsh training that trainers used to do and they don't want that done to them. They don't want their spirit broken. That's the people I want to reach. I want to tell them that it is full of learning and fun just like kindergarten for kids. We celebrate their puppy spirit-not break it. Ever.

Now you see it, now you don't

My new (to me) SUV is gone. My daughter totaled it May 31. Lost control and crossed the center line, went into the woods and over the embankment-only 1/4 mile from home. Now I'm in a rental car (no smoking, no pets). Car is luxurious but not my SUV that I worked so hard for. Now I just have to keep going and find another one. And she is not driving it. Ever.

Dogfest is coming up. I was looking forward to bringing Sage but not in the rental car. I'm not as excited about going since I can't bring him. Maybe me and him can catch a ride with someone.

Classes are going well, they are well attended for the most part. Especially since it's summer and everyone is busy with summer stuff. I am starting a special class for Focus and Confidence. I have handpicked 10 dogs and owners to take a trial class and provide feedback. It is generally for dogs that can't pay attention to their owners for whatever reason-fear, excitement, no respect for owner, etc..... Typically they bark at people or dogs most of the class. It will be an intense 4 week class and they must be willing to practice everyday and do exactly what I say. They have to for me to know if it will work or not.

Still tossing around the idea of a german shepherd puppy. A female to play with Sage. Only a few of my dogs will play with him. The others ignore him or scare him off. We'll see.

My Sage

Sage is almost 3 yrs old. He is the black german shepherd mix you see on my blog at the beginning and on most of my newsletter. He might be part wolf. I did not get him from original owners so who knows. I only know what people told me where they got him and the owners told them. He lives with dogs and I've trained him as I would a dog. I never lose sight of the fact he might be part wolf. He was going to be my training dog and go with me to classes and be a demo dog. The first sign that this might not work out is that he was carsick from day one. I took him in the car a lot and it is better but he still prefers not to ride in the car.

The second sign is that he guards the treat bag. He thinks it is ours not those other dogs hanging around (the class dogs). I'm working with that one. And I guess that knowing he might be part wolf, I find it hard to trust him off leash. Even in the classroom. If it is just us, he's fine. And dogs he knows like his brother or half sister. I should trust that he is a pack animal and he wants to be with the pack. When he goes outside, he does his business and is right back at the door to come in. We are very bonded and I hope to perhaps do some Rally with him and maybe compete if he's good at it. It is something we can do together like Oreo and I did agility. It really helped him in a lot of ways. Maybe Rally will help Sage.

The Story Of Joe

His picture is at the bottom. I have no idea where he is today. His owner passed away last fall. Everyone knew her as Miss Mary. She worked for the park district and knew so much about nature. She taught classes and did workshops and held nature hikes and geological digs. I was privileged to be called by her to teach her 8 month old adopted german shepherd-Joseph. AKA Joe. She lived in a wonderful log cabin in the woods and it was so beautiful there. I trained with her there a couple times and then suggested I bring Joe to classes with me on Sundays. I didn't know what I was in for. He was a terrible rider in the car, all over the small car I had, almost changed gears for me unexpectedly, was in my face and barked and barked. He barked all through my classes and I had to put in back in the back kennels more than a lot of times. He eventually got better. The memory that stands out for me is picking him up the Sunday the hurricane hit Cincinnati. The winds were horrendous, branches flying, trees being uprooted, the power off at the Animal Ark where I trained. We stayed for a few hours to see if anyone from my classes would show up. Taking him home was another matter. All power was out. No traffic lights. Debris everywhere. Miss Mary had a fallen tree in her drive and had to walk up the drive to get him. It was a terrible time for all. Some folks didn't get their power back for weeks. We were lucky and got ours back in a day or so.

I imagine a member of her family took Joe after Miss Mary passed away. She loved that dog so much. She would drive her golf cart and he'd run along side to the creek where he would go swimming. She had a pen built in back for him when she had to leave. He also went inside and had a big crate and lots of bones. He loved to play ball.

Days off

I hardly ever get a day off. I teach every day. But that's my choice and I love what I do. But some holidays I just call a day or two off to rest or catch up or catch my breath. Invariably every time, someone wants to start classes on one of my days off. One client even got mad because I had no classes on Easter Sunday. I guess that's good in a way because people WANT to train their dogs. I guess I need to clone myself so there's more of me. Seriously, I was thinking in time, one of my goals would be to train trainers to teach for me. I would try to be there as much as I could, as I LOVE teaching but the day to day classes would be taught by others. I would train them and pay them. Worth looking into.

I added some lookalike pics of Jamaican. I have no real pics of him. Why oh why in all the time I was with him I didn't take any pics of such an adorable guy. It's been a week today. I try not to think about it but he creeps into my mind and heart often. I haven't told many people, it's too painful for me right now. As you can see, he was a few days short of his 7th month birthday. I found a little poem. It suits him: The Gift

I'll lend you for a little while
My grandest dog he said.
For you to love while he's alive
And mourn for when he's gone.
It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But, will you, till I take him back
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief
You'll have treasured memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But, there are lessons taught on earth
I want this dog to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
With trust I have selected you.
Now will you give him your total love?
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come
To take him back again?
I know you'll give him tenderness
And love will bloom each day
.And for the happiness you've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should I come and call for him
Much sooner than you'd planned
You'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And someday you'll understand.

Author Unknown

My Dogs

I started thinking about my dogs and how much they mean to me. My Pyrenees are going to be eight years old next month. Mo is starting to have trouble getting up from laying down. Mary always wants to stay outside. I make her come in because I want her to be with us. Gable the beagle will be 11 years old in December. He's diabetic and the insulin is robbing him of his eyesight. Garcia was born on a farm in Kentucky. His mom was hit by a car and killed when he and his siblings were only 3 weeks old. So he was hand raised by the farm family. They said he was a beagle and as a pup he looked close enough. When grown up, he looked nothing like a beagle. More like a coonhound mix. Garcia is 10 years old next month.

Rocky the pitbull is about 7 years old. I love that dog. He is always so happy. He loves to lay in the hot sun on the deck and sunbath. He loves to heel, front and finish, spin, sit, down, stay and leave it. He is really good at them. He just hates the neighbors.

Sage is the youngest. He will be 3 years old in July. Rumored to be part wolf, he is about 90 lbs now. His picture is at the top of my blog. He is very handsome and getting to be grown up. He goes to classes with me sometimes. He's good but he guards the treat bag. Frankie is the newest but not youngest. A black and tan doberman.We think she is 4 years old. We just adopted her in November around the time we lost Oreo. She is also diabetic and starting to lose her eyesight. I also take her to classes and she does very well. She is black and tan. Flame is the red doberman. We have no idea how old she is as she came from the SPCA. I have had her for 7 years and when we adopted her she had just had pups. And they thought then that she was older. So she could be 8-10 years old also. Sometimes I think I'm running a Resthome for old dogs. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I know we will lose some of them in the next year or two. I will probably never have this many dogs again. It is a lot of work and I'm getting older. But when I'm down to 1 or 2 dogs, I will get a german shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder. I have wanted one for a while. A female for Sage to play with and keep company. She will be my training dog.

Still trying to cope

I'm still getting over the shock that Jamaican's gone. I can't talk to his owner anymore right now. It makes me too sad. I don't want to hear the details. It will just play over and over in my mind. I want to remember him when we were training and he was a puppy. His little joyous handsome face. The walks we took on the nature trail before spring was even here. And how we watched the construction men build the new school. He loved to smell the same trees on the walk so I let him. He could almost walk off leash next to me on some of our last walks.

I'm sure his family is suffering too. They lived with him and he was their dog. But I get emotionally involved with my clients. I guess that's what makes me different than the training clubs and Petsmart. And it makes it hard for me. I want everyone to succeed. But I guess if you are in the business long enough, you will lose some.

And sometimes if you are really lucky and don't even deserve it-you get to experience a little bit of heaven on earth. Just a little snippet. Extreme happiness and joy. Over in flash but oh so worth it. That's how I'll remember Jamaican. The eternal puppy. Baby shark teeth and all. At first one ear up and one down then they both stood up. Handsome dude I called him.

My Heart is Broken

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I write today. Jamaican-the german shepherd puppy that I did a board and train with some weeks back, ran into the street and was killed by a car today. I am so sad I could not even tell anyone for awhile till I could process the news. His owners called me today to tell me. He was about 7 months old-just a pup. I trained with him for about 6 weeks everyday. He was so smart. He picked up 28 commands in his time with me. I took him in classes and on privates. We went to the park and on walks and more walks. I never had to use a harness on him, just his collar to walk. He was so smart I would have taken him to competition. And I've never even done competition before!

He was so handsome. You just knew he would be a great looking dog even as a puppy. He was more black than tan. And I had him when he had just puppy teeth. And I'd say "no bite!" and stuff his toy in his mouth. He would carry it on our walks. If not a toy, he'd carry a stick. The whole walk. We had a special bond that only training can give. He'd look forward to me coming every day and was always ready to work.

Dogs come into our lives for a reason. Sometimes for a long time, sometimes for just a season. They are here to teach us. They bring the gift of themselves. It's all they have. In my heart I told my Oreo to find him and hang with him over the Rainbow Bridge. Jamaican would like a buddy.

First posting

I just decided to start a blog. I will write about dog related topics and maybe not so dog related topics. I can't promise to blog everyday but I will give it a try. I teach 22 classes a week plus in home classes plus a few hours of doggie day care (what fun!) and love and care for my own dogs. Plus market my business. That's a lot of work. Most of it comes from word of mouth so I try to make sure I am meeting all my customers needs and that of their dogs. I help dogs and owners be successful and live a more harmonious and balanced life.

I hate that it keeps raining although I enjoy the cooler weather. You can keep that hot, hot weather. I just got a new (to me) SUV and I want to wash it and keep it clean but that rain. And I have to keep mowing and mowing. It burns up my knees. I guess I need a riding lawn mower.

I also write a newsletter about dog training and my classes once a month. I try to come out with it more often but it usually is once a month. It is full of training tips, congrats to great owners and dogs, helpful info and more. I love writing it and have been for about 9 months.

Four classes tomorrow so I better get prepared. I'm sure they will be full of dogs and owners ready to learn.