I have officially incorporated my blog into my main website, so everything is in one easy location!
A few of the old posts were moved over to the new blog, and I am writing more frequently, so I hope you'll pop over and have a look!
http://www.dancinghearts.org/blog
See you there!
Kathy
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Build a Better Partnership with your Herding Dog
I've been thinking a lot about how we (me, you, most folks I know) get into a situation with our herding dogs where we find ourselves tense, frustrated, impatient, maybe even angry, because things aren't going the way we think they should. And, I've been thinking about how most of us are not prepared to deal with this, and we end up yelling at our dogs, getting mad at ourselves for yelling, and ultimately feeling bad when that happens.
I've been working on this for many years with myself and my own dogs. Sometimes it goes really well, other times no so much. But, I HAVE learned a lot. The dogs are great teachers and I really try to be a good student. One lesson that is strong and solid for me is that finding a way to communicate clear and well focused expectations to my dogs WITHOUT ANY DRAMA is the key to successful and fulfilling teamwork. So, not just telling them what to do because I said so...instead, teaching them to be responsible for their part of the partnership...while I am being responsible for my part.
OK, it's not so easy when you're in the middle of a challenging situation, right? But...it does get easier the more you practice. That's where I can help. I can read you, read your dog, read the sheep, read the situation and help you to stay calm and focused while you and your dog work out the hard stuff.
The partnership built in the herding environment carries over to all other areas of your life with your dog: home, social situations, agility, rally, therapy. It even carries over to your "other" life: family, work, job, social, volunteering. Starting this herding thing with my dogs so many years ago has transformed my life everywhere. No kidding!
Some of you have met my dog Maya. She's a smooth, spicy, saucified noodle of a border collie who was just plain misunderstood at the beginning of her young life. After being rejected as untrainable by her first three families, she came to live with us at 6 months old. Now, she's still intense, don't get me wrong, but we have worked it out for the most part. Starting at just 3 years old, last year she began competing at the national level of Open sheepdog competitions.Today she is ranked #40 out of several thousand North American border collies competing at that level, with limited trialing. We have partnered. For the most part, we understand one another and communicate effectively with one another. We are getting better all the time.
Here is a video of us competing at two sheepdog trials, if you'd like to see for yourself:
Here's the info for the event:
Sheep Herding Training Camp
Great for Beginners, Novice Teams and Herding Trial Competitors!
The focus of the July sheep herding camp is:
"Build a Better Partnership with Your Dog"
How we'll do this:
• by learning to see your dog's perspective (you might be surprised!)
• discovering how your perspective is different
• bringing those two views together into happy partnership thru calm and focused: body language, verbal cues and whistles.
Click thru to my store , and register today while there is still room left. My camps are limited to a very small group of devoted, passionate, sincerely wanting to be better partners with their herding dogs kind of people. That's you, right?
See you there!
Kathy
I've been working on this for many years with myself and my own dogs. Sometimes it goes really well, other times no so much. But, I HAVE learned a lot. The dogs are great teachers and I really try to be a good student. One lesson that is strong and solid for me is that finding a way to communicate clear and well focused expectations to my dogs WITHOUT ANY DRAMA is the key to successful and fulfilling teamwork. So, not just telling them what to do because I said so...instead, teaching them to be responsible for their part of the partnership...while I am being responsible for my part.
OK, it's not so easy when you're in the middle of a challenging situation, right? But...it does get easier the more you practice. That's where I can help. I can read you, read your dog, read the sheep, read the situation and help you to stay calm and focused while you and your dog work out the hard stuff.
The partnership built in the herding environment carries over to all other areas of your life with your dog: home, social situations, agility, rally, therapy. It even carries over to your "other" life: family, work, job, social, volunteering. Starting this herding thing with my dogs so many years ago has transformed my life everywhere. No kidding!
Some of you have met my dog Maya. She's a smooth, spicy, saucified noodle of a border collie who was just plain misunderstood at the beginning of her young life. After being rejected as untrainable by her first three families, she came to live with us at 6 months old. Now, she's still intense, don't get me wrong, but we have worked it out for the most part. Starting at just 3 years old, last year she began competing at the national level of Open sheepdog competitions.Today she is ranked #40 out of several thousand North American border collies competing at that level, with limited trialing. We have partnered. For the most part, we understand one another and communicate effectively with one another. We are getting better all the time.
Here is a video of us competing at two sheepdog trials, if you'd like to see for yourself:
Here's the info for the event:
Sheep Herding Training Camp
Great for Beginners, Novice Teams and Herding Trial Competitors!
The focus of the July sheep herding camp is:
"Build a Better Partnership with Your Dog"
How we'll do this:
• by learning to see your dog's perspective (you might be surprised!)
• discovering how your perspective is different
• bringing those two views together into happy partnership thru calm and focused: body language, verbal cues and whistles.
Click thru to my store , and register today while there is still room left. My camps are limited to a very small group of devoted, passionate, sincerely wanting to be better partners with their herding dogs kind of people. That's you, right?
See you there!
Kathy
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Guys Get It! Men Who Build and Nurture Peace
The Guys Get It! Men Who Build and Nurture Peace
Here's a great tribute to the guys who stand up for a peaceful world, from peacexpeace.org.
Happy Father's Day, guys...we love you!
Here's a great tribute to the guys who stand up for a peaceful world, from peacexpeace.org.
Happy Father's Day, guys...we love you!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
reBlog from peacexpeace.org: I Want Culture Change | Peace X Peace
I found this fascinating quote today:
I’d be preaching to the choir if I used this space to write about how when women lead they tend to put so-called women’s and family issues (such as health care, education and the welfare of children) on the same level as homeland security, foreign relations and defense. And hopefully you’d be bored if I started to talk about how women tend to use a consensus-building approach in leadership. Among some audiences this is common knowledge, perhaps even common sense.peacexpeace.org, I Want Culture Change | Peace X Peace, Apr 2010
You should read the whole article.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Reblog from Nature.org: Freshwater Conservation - What You Can Do
Today is World Water Day!
Monday, March 22, 2010
The problems facing our fresh waters are complex. We need to work together to conserve water.
Join The Nature Conservancy by taking these simple steps to help conserve water, and restore rivers and lakes around the world:
- Consider cutting a little water usage from your morning routine. Does anyone really need to shower for more than 5-10 minutes? Keeping a timer in your bathroom will remind you to wrap up and get out. And please turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. All that perfectly clean tap water is just going down the drain.
- If a home renovation is in the cards, splurge on low-flow and water-efficient appliances − they’ll save you money in the long-run:
- Perhaps most importantly, introduce a child to a river or stream! Giving a child the opportunity to discover freshwater habitat is the best way to manifest a sense of stewardship towards preserving our fresh water resources.
Posted using ShareThis
Monday, March 15, 2010
reBlog from peacexpeace.org: THE e-FIELD of DREAMS: build it and peace will come | Peace X Peace
I found this fascinating quote today:
You should read the whole article.
Come with me, women … and men. There’s an e-field of dreams growing in virtual space and our collective minds. Peace X Peace re-entered this field by recreating itself as an e-media site for global women’s commentary and connection. Peace is the vision. Meet me there!peacexpeace.org, THE e-FIELD of DREAMS: build it and peace will come | Peace X Peace, Mar 2010
You should read the whole article.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Signs of Spring!
Spring was everywhere this morning as we went for our ritual walk and did chores. I captured a few signs of spring with my iPhone...but I couldn't get a shot of the Robins and Redwing Blackbirds that have returned! Such a sweet sound...
New life starts with the grasses...shoots are turning green...Prairie Creek is freely flowing...new leaf buds are swelling...ewes are heavy with lambs...and the hens are offering beautiful and colorful gifts every day now.
No reason to dwell on the mud and mess that comes along with the inspiring beauty, right?
New life starts with the grasses...shoots are turning green...Prairie Creek is freely flowing...new leaf buds are swelling...ewes are heavy with lambs...and the hens are offering beautiful and colorful gifts every day now.
No reason to dwell on the mud and mess that comes along with the inspiring beauty, right?
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