Food for thought.

I am reading Suzanne Clothier's book called "If bones would fall from the sky" and she describes 3 types of trainers.

1) The Mechanical trainer - how to make the dog do what you want him to do

2) The motivational trainer - trying to figure out how to motivate the dog to want to do what you want it to do

3) The spiritual trainer - who try's to figure out how do we accomplish it together

I know with Mickey we were number 3 and with Maverick we were number 1. Having been really connected with a dog in my lifetime I hope that I can have that connection with Bug and that is my dream with her. To train and work to accomplish everything together.

So - Food for thought. Which one do you want to be and then when you really think about it which one are your really?

Where does the time go???????

One minute the time it ticking away every so painfully waiting the arrival of Bug then all of a sudden she has been here for 2 months and I have not had time to update her page ( or do anything else due to major sleep depravation). They say that a puppy is not able to hold its bladder until its 4 months old but I did not wait that long. After 6 weeks of no sleep because between a puppy and an old 13.5 year old on fluid tablets, I was up 2 -3 times every night. This did not make for a happy person so Bug has been banished to sleep outside for the summer with Ben in hopes of all of us getting some rest. I have to say, I am very happy and less grouchy for it so out she shall stay.

What's it like living with a Koolie? Well I have had a god 8 weeks with her now and I am really enjoying not knowing anything about a breed and learning as we go along. Here is what I have learned so far.

- Not every Koolie chases a ball. Instead my Koolie prefers to chase the Border chasing the ball. I mean why waste the energy on something so silly!

- Not every Koolie knows how to jump. So far she has not attempted to jump on anything. This unfortunately includes the car, the van or anything else that would make sense. Given that she is now as big as Ben ( 42 cm) and the fact that she cant jump ( or wont) amazes me ( doesnt both me though as that will come later).

- While finding chasing the ball a complete waste of energy, her energy is much better spent attacking the broom, mop, vacuum or anything else that moves. Favourite weird toys - the hose with water coming out and the blower van in the face ( that is a truly weird one)

- Koolie's really do think things out. I can actually see her brain clicking over in an extremely calm way trying to figure out what I want or trying to solve a problem. I am really enjoying watching this.

As far as training goes we are primarily working on play both with toys and with me. She adores interacting with me and is slowly getting the hang of playing with the toys I ask her to. He favourite by far is anything rabbit fur so I am using that to my advantage. She also sits, drops and hand touches. Thats about it as we are enjoying finding out a lot about each other and in the next few weeks Ill up her training routine.

So until then, Merry Christmas and see you in 2010 when the fun shall really begin.