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:

Maya Trialing

 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

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!

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.

Reblog from Nature.org: Freshwater Conservation - What You Can Do

Today is World Water Day!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Reblogged from Nature.org -- click here to read this article on Nature.org

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:

1. 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.
2. 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:
   
   
3. 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.

read the entire article...

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reBlog from peacexpeace.org: THE e-FIELD of DREAMS: build it and peace will come | Peace X Peace

I found this fascinating quote today:

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.

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?

Making Room for Abundance

I don't know if everyone gets as stirred up as I do in mid-February. Spring is so close, and my entire being responds to the longer days, the stronger sun and the glimpses of green in the grass. I imagine that I feel like a seed in the ground...compelled to burst out of its winter cave by quantum design.

The urge to purge is intense. I'm not talking about my food. No...my 55 year old menopausal body seems to find much comfort in the extra 20 pounds it has lovingly acquired. I'm talking about the drive to clean out all the things in my life that are no longer useful. I am convinced that "spring cleaning" is a genetically programmed impulse to save us from being buried alive in our own stuff.

So, last week I started with my closet and dresser. The purging happened in layers. First, the clothes that I haven't worn in 2 years and I know that I will never wear. Then, the items that I don't really like all that much. That wasn't so bad. Deeper layers of wardrobe purging are definitely related to deep emotional purging. So, next I tackled the items that I like, but no longer fit my redesigned middle-aged body. They had to go. That's it, no looking back...no hoping that I will someday loose that 20 pounds. Yes, that was a bit uncomfortable - but I did it!

Ah, nostalgia. Can I really get rid of those wonderful tokens of great experiences in my life? You know, the t-shirt from the 2003 Bluegrass Classic. The one with the wolf from our Yellowstone trip. Seriously, does one woman really need to have more than 10 t-shirts anyway? OK - so if I didn't actually LOVE the item and LOVE the way I felt when I put it on, into the charity bag it went. whew. Even though I no longer have the actual token, the memories will never go away. I hope.


Of course, purging goes beyond the physical clutter. In the process I am clearing emotional and mental clutter as I go. As if the closet items are somehow directly connected to invisible clutter that I'm hiding behind closed doors.

So, here's the thing: I know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that the dreams and goals that I trustingly tucked away into my new year alchemy box have NO chance of becoming real if there is no room in my life. Just like I know that I cannot stuff one more item into that packed closet. I choose to be responsible for making that room. If I hold on to stuff just for comfort or security, I have no room for the abundance I really want in my life. Looking at my empty drawers and empty hangers, I am filled with awe and inspiration.

And, I have to tell you, it feels liberating! woohoo!

Animal Teachers and Gratitude

Building this new blog...and connecting with the photo of me and Luc in the header leads me to feel much gratitude for the amazing animal teachers I have in my life. Luc is a very special dog, with such love and happiness gushing out of him that he spins like a top and enthusiastically greets everyone with hugs and kisses. Then he reserves that special quiet cuddling for those that are blessed with his adoration. Luc most definitely makes my heart dance!!!

I'd like to share this bit of wisdom that flows from the heart:
Our animal companions are amazing teachers who lead us to a heart-connected life. Each time we choose to teach them with patience, kindness and love, they hold our hands, leading us to find inner peace, joy and laughter! Each time we see them as bearers of wisdom and accept their teachings with gratitude and respect, our hearts open wider and we receive even more joy into our life.