can it really be this easy?????

"Wellaway"
Originally uploaded by Natalie Winter

So - the time pressed person who also is the queen of procrastination has FINALLY found a way to fit in some training on a regular basis. It goes something like this.

My new agility yard is a cut off of land at the back of the property that we had cleared last year. I loving hand seeded it and literally watched the water grow. Thats it on the right hand side behind the pool. Long story but we had to put in a 10,000 litre reticulated water supply as part of a DA. So we opted for a pool and the only place for it to go was you guess it, in my new agility yard. The yard is long but Narrow so I could ill afford the space.

Anyway, it has worked out to be a good thing. The boys have a swim each day in lieu of a bath and being the responsible parent I need to be out in the yard. So rather than sit there and stare into space ( or do something for me like read a book), I am able to spend some one on one time with Ben and Bug doing some training. Excellent use of time as its the late afternoon and the girl is always up for a work out.

Today I learned that she really can be quiet when I train Ben and she is in another yard. Maybe she is just growing up.

Today I rescued a human.....

Going through my saved emails I came across this. How very very true.

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor,
peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I
had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel, I blocked her view from a little accident I
had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been
walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get busy and I didn't want her
to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card, I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my
past. I only have the future to look forward to, and want to make a
difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek, and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I Instantly
jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to
always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that
radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out
there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved.
At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today...

hmmm....

Radar lock on........
Originally uploaded by Natalie Winter

Okay, so I am discovering how much work goes into starting a new dog again from scratch. Its hard to keep the brain focused on what they dont know and not to expect that they do know.

Take jump training for example. I discovered that you need more than 2 training sessions for the logic of see a jump and take it when told to sink in. I mean - seriously - why does she not get it - after 2 sessions. lol. Some times I need a good whack over the head but I always get it eventually.

There is so much to remember. The main one that I struggle with from time to time is the positive voice and praise. I think I spend way to much time thinking about the mark etc that I forget to make it fun.

So - next challenge, jump training, with flat work and call offs - while being fun. Now that will be a challenge.

Today Bug taught me exactly how much work I really have ahead of me.

I dont believe it........

yes, I have to confess. I trained my dog. I stopped procrastinating and took the bull by the horns and we did some jump training. She is a very neat little jumper and I can see why some Koolies are just out of control and overly excited. I have come to the conclusion that a calm koolie while working is the sort of Koolie that I want. Not the hyper one that screams its head off when running around and what most Koolies sadly are known for. So I shall have to throw the "tug before you train" theory out the window - good choice - or bad?????? Ill guess Ill find out later along with with "you left your dog to long to train"....

"Today Bug taught me that you dont need all the hype to get a great result".

Onwards and upwards for our training now. We are even doing some trick training!

The Queen of Procrastination still reigns........

Well looking back the last post was in January which is oh well - almost a year now. So - what have I done with Bug in all that time I have had to myself with no kids about. Well - a lot - and nothing at the same time. I have taken the road of "build the bond first" and maybe even taken it a little to much to the extreme of how many months you should do that for. But although at the moment she may have forgotten how to sit, she gives good nose kisses with no tongue and is a brilliant spooner in bed . She has a great life and I have a great life with her in it.

I read friends blogs from time to time and feel oh so very guilty. I also get looks from people when they see this fully grown dog (15 months now) with little or no training and they tell me I should probably start now. Yes, they are right and I should but I am so not in a rush because I have 2 trialing dogs that are 4 & 5 and just hitting their prime. I dont want to have 3 trialing dogs as running 2 drive me insane - 3 would just bury me!

So yes, I shall start trainer her a little more seriously as I know she is looking for a job and I am sure I can provide one. I had planned on starting today but being the queen of procrastination, I felt is only right that I get onto my blog ( after 10 months) and sit down and write "how" I was going to train my dog today............

okay......turning computer off and heading to the fridge for training treats. Wonder what will jump out to stop me this time......

maybe I should be a good parent and go and watch Charlie play the Wii game......

okay.....going out the door.......Buggy.........where are you..............

First point of training - recall.

Lets see what I can learn from her today.

thinking to much could only hurt you!

So with the last child about to head off to school after what can only be called a "trying" 8 weeks vacation time, I find myself in the "now" and about to have some free time to actually train my puppy. Coming up to 6 months old we have "dabbled" with some basics but with this dog ( and due to her breed) I have opted to build a relationship with her first of trust and respect rather than of "My way or the Highway".

Our relationship is fantastic. She is defiantly my dog and every day she presents me with a new challenge which I actually enjoy as well as showing me how devoted she is to me as her partner. I was reading somewhere in a book completely unrelated to dog training about something that really struck home and a way of training a dog I never had thought about before. It was a book on quilting ( yes - I am a closet quilter) and it said that in order to really make a really nice quilt, you need to enjoy each and every process. That included picking the fabric colours, cutting, sewing, basting ( no - not turkey), quilting and binding. Thats a lot of sections but once I took this on board I truly started to enjoy the WHOLE process of quilting rather than flying through the parts I didnt like.

How does this relate to dog training? Well when I thought about it I thought that is so much like dog training. You need to enjoy the foundation work but no foundation work is enjoyable if only one of you is having fun - and that is where the relationship side comes from. If its a 2 way street then you will go much further than "my way or the highway" and now that I think about it, that would be why I did so well with my cavalier Mickey. We really did work together. I think I was extremely luck to have worked with him and to have achieved what we achieved. Not because he was a one off dog, but more the fact that I now really understand what its like to have a wonderful relationship which will help us both down the track.

So now I am faced with some free time ( well after I spend a few days on the lounge asleep recovering from school holidays) and now I have to be "accountable". So the first few days of "real" training will be working out exactly what I want and more importantly exactly how I will train that behaviour. Here is where I hit the next and biggest hurdle I will face. I had read somewhere that people who have read too much on training methods are in fact their own worst enemy. Its time to shut up and put up and yes - mistakes will be made ( many) but its time to take the plunge and I am looking forward to what ever lies ahead. Hope the water is not to cold!