We’re Back! And Talking about Burn Out

 

This holiday season hit HARD! We were busy as could be, just like I am sure most of you were. The dogs loved Christmas, and by that I mean they thoroughly enjoyed ripping open their gifts. I wrapped up the third unit of the CPCFT certification program, which was the most intensive yet. I started taking on in person clients and developing my online program (to be launched soon!). The dogs and I got in as many miles as we could on our local trails, played tons of “crazy time” (essentially fetch on steroids), and fit in some training here and there. It is bittersweet to be returning to a more regular schedule after the holidays. 

To be honest I really needed a break. I limited formal training, posted less on Instagram, and as you can see I have not been active on the blog. This was easier said than done. I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep all of the juggling balls in the air. Something always has to give when there is too much on your plate. I could feel that moment coming so for the sake of myself and my dogs I took a step back. 

I absolutely love the community we have found on Instagram. There are so many people that are incredibly supportive of us. We have learned so much, found inspiration, and even made real world friends through our account. When our days and weeks became super busy, it was clear to me that every moment I spent on Instagram was a moment I wasn’t giving to my dogs. I spent less time scrolling and more time playing and relaxing with my family. Why is it that time flies so quickly when it is spent glued to a little screen? 

I took a step back from “formal” daily training with Chief and Chickie. Chief loves obedience and has alway shown great interest in our sessions. He has primarily trained for food. Chickie came along and completely changed the way we do things here. She complies with food driven training, but excels at play based training. We have spent a lot of time practicing this new method and enjoying the results. This has proven to be a much needed and very fun change to our routine. I could feel the dogs and I just going through the motions, rather than making training an engaging and productive process. A short break and restructure of our training activities was exactly what we needed to avoid total burnout. 

How many of you have felt this way, and felt alone because of it? The burnt out feeling can be very isolating. When you look around, especially online, everyone seems to be on top of things and even accelerating full speed forward. Guilt is often associated with decreased productivity, which makes burn out periods even more difficult to come to terms with. I write this to tell you that you are never alone in these feelings. Taking a step back is OK, and even encouraged from time to time. There is a big difference between slowing the train down and the train flying off of the rails. If you don’t take the time you need to care for yourself, caring for others (in this case dogs) can be nearly impossible. My dogs demand an excessive amount of my time and attention, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wanted to mentally prepare myself to step into the new year able to give them the effort they deserve. 

A date on a calendar isn’t a catalyst for change for me. It is however a great symbol of motivation. We all experience burn out when we have big goals paired with large amounts of responsibility. Don’t let the fear of the work ahead dissuade you from getting the job done!

“Dog Mom Monday” thoughts on a Tuesday

 

Photo by Ella Everrett, Sport Dog Photos

Life has been challenging lately, for a lot of reasons. Some good, some bad. New job, busy schedule, daylight savings, cold weather, and just having a lot on my plate overall makes it feel like I never stop moving. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I am a very go go go type of person. But inevitably the days come where I don’t have that spark. 

I woke up this morning at 4 AM to Chickie puking up the end of a bully stick she ate the day before. My alarm was set for 4:30 AM, so I closed my eyes and tried desperately to grasp that last thirty minutes of sleep before kicking off a busy Monday. The alarm came, I got up. As I do every morning, I open the bedroom door, Chief and Vinny run downstairs. Chickie procrastinates at the top of the stairs by scratching her neck with her back leg in a sorry attempt to distract me and make her getaway to where the cats sleep. She eventually runs downstairs too, barking at the top of her lungs the whole time in excitement to go outside. I let the three dogs out and turn on the coffee pot. In that moment I thought to myself “Wow, this feels like a lot”.

Did I need to bring home another puppy last spring? No. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. This doesn’t mean that I don’t feel overwhelmed from time to time as I head into a day as a full time health care professional, soon to be certified canine conditioning coach, wife, and handler of three dogs (two of them being very high energy). This morning, these thoughts crept into my mind. I was feeling like I didn’t have enough to give my dogs. Enough time, enough energy, enough drive, enough skill. I went outside to play fetch for a few minutes while the coffee brewed. We came back inside, I poured a fresh cup, and sat on the couch. Chickie sprinted through the house and tackled her duck toy then proceeded to throw it through the air for herself over and over. She spotted me on the couch, noticeably slowed down, and hopped up next to me. To my surprise, she laid down next to me and let me just pet her and quietly enjoy the moment. She rarely stops moving, and even more rarely accepts pets without plenty of playful biting. 

In this moment, I realized none of my fears or worries are founded in truth. I have the most incredible dogs that make me feel capable and loved. They have plenty of opportunities to do the things they love, and are challenged to learn and grow on a daily basis. They are fulfilled, and cared for likely even better than I take care of myself. If you’re a dog person and feel the way I felt this morning, take stock of all of the positives and try to see past the negatives. So many of us live a similar existence- we wake up, take care of our dogs and family, go to work all day, and come home wishing we had more time to do the things that fill our cup. This week, I am going to consciously appreciate my dogs for everything positive they offer to my life. I might be tired and busy as many of us are (especially heading into the busy holiday season), but I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and give myself a lot of grace along the way. I hope this hasn’t come off as complaining, because it is truly anything but. This is a reality check and my way of proving how relatable we all are. If you need encouragement, you know where to find me. Let’s get through the hard days together.

Trick Training Isn’t Just Trick Training

 

I don’t remember what spurred me to start trick training with Chief. Maybe it was joining the Instagram dog community and seeing all of the amazing things dogs are capable of. One day I realized I couldn’t name all of the tricks Chief knew because the list was getting so long. I started a document in my phone and that motivated me to keep making the list longer and longer. Suddenly, Chief achieved his 50th and most impressive trick, the foot stall. Trick training has always been a cornerstone of our relationship and obedience foundations. 

When Chickie came home, I decided I wouldn’t dive into trick training with her. I had an entirely new road map in mind for her training and was sure it would bring us success. I quickly hit an impasse with her training, and realized what I thought would work wasn’t a good match for her spunky little personality. I shifted gears and tried a more silly and less rigid approach to her training. One day, we were working on introducing the heel position, and she essentially offered an orbit with not prior experience. I couldn’t believe it- this trick took me almost a year to teach Chief! From there, I started to incorporate more tricks into her training sessions. She caught on so quickly and proved that she loves a challenge. 

Trick training is so much more than entertainment for others. Through trick training, my dogs and I have strengthened our trust in each other, improved our communication, and built our confidence with each new skill we’ve unlocked. I used to think training was “sit, down, stay, heel” on repeat. When I was forced to get creative to keep my dogs engaged and excited to train, that’s where the real progress began. 

When I feel our training is becoming stagnant, I find a new trick to train. When we go to the vet and my dogs are hypervigilant in the intimidating surroundings, I ask the vet techs to do tricks with my dogs to help them have fun and ease their anxiety (this has actually worked for us on many occasions). When my dogs need a quick mental and physical workout, a ten minute trick session leaves them tired and fulfilled. There are so many times I have used trick training to work through difficult situations with my dogs. 

Ultimately believe trick training will make me a better canine conditioning coach. This practice has helped me learn to split and scaffold movements which is an important part of conditioning. I can more clearly break down actions into pieces for the dog to learn and build upon. Certain tricks require strengthening specific parts of the body to ensure they can be completed safely and successfully. I credit a lot of Chief’s strength and athletic ability to trick training. 

I would recommend to everyone to spend five minutes a day, three to four times a week teaching your dog a new trick. You will be amazed at the difference it makes in their focus, engagement, and eagerness to work with you. Plus, imagine all of the fun party tricks you can have prepared to show off during the holidays! I am so grateful for the opportunities that truck training has brought us. Chief has his AKC Advanced trick title, and was even invited to perform live trick at a large fundraiser event this past fall. We are always working to improve ourselves and stay creative in training through trico What tricks should my dogs learn next?

The Great Internet Debate- To Walk or Not to Walk?

 

One aspect of having dogs in my life that I have always loved is dog walks. My family dog growing up loved going for walks and Vinny, who doesn’t like much of anything, looks forward to his walks with great enthusiasm. When Chief came into my life, he went for walks too… eventually. It was five months before he decided he would allow me to walk him on a leash. As soon as his leash went on, he would throw on the brakes and refuse to move. I tried food luring, play, and every tip the internet experts had to offer. I even brought him to an antique car show where he refused to walk, so I threw him in my backpack. He was an instant sensation at that event, and as funny as it was I still couldn’t believe that my new puppy didn’t enjoy walks. 

As part of the instagram dog community, I have noticed both ends of the spectrum exist. There are dog people who cannot fathom letting their dog go one single day without a walk, and people that swear walks are useless for dogs. I used to think that dogs require a walk every day and viewed it as a primary form of exercise for them. Chief taught me that there are plenty of other ways to fulfill your dog’s exercise needs than just walks. So which camp is right? 

Since this is my blog, I will give you my take on the matter. I still love and rely on dog walks for many different reasons. Personally, I love walking and feel fulfilled by spending time outdoors with my dogs. I work 12+ hour shifts in healthcare, so some days the only way I can exercise all three of my dogs is on a morning walk. Walks are an incredible training opportunity as well. I use walks to teach proper leash walking and heeling, and to play engage-disengage games with potential triggers for my dogs. I always bring treats so they are paid for their good behavior. Chief struggled with car reactivity as a puppy, which is a common issue in herding breeds. We utilized walks to reverse this dangerous behavior. 

On the flip side, I can see the argument to NOT walking your dog. So many dog owners get caught up in the monotony of the day to day, not realizing how important every second they spend with their dog is. Dogs lives are short, and they spend their time waiting for us to share ours with them. My cattle dogs like walking, but truthfully they don’t love it. I learned to fulfill them in other ways. One of their favorite activities is off leash trail walking. Our neighborhood walks can be stressful for them. We have a lot of off leash, front yard, outdoor living dogs in our area. We have had countless run ins with some friendly, and some not so friendly, dogs on walks. I know my dogs harbor some anxiety from these events. Going on trail walks in the woods allows them to enjoy off leash freedom. We rarely see other people and dogs which gives them time and space to decompress. They are much more mentally fulfilled by this as well, you can tell by how hard they nap afterwards. 

As is the same for a lot of dog related disagreements, I don’t think there is a right answer. It comes down to training and loving the dog in front of you. All dogs are not the same, no matter what stereotypes suggest. I went from having low drive, low energy mixed breed dogs to high maintenance cattle dogs with a myriad of daily fulfillment requirements. Part of bringing a dog home is selflessly prioritizing their needs. They rely on us for their basic needs, but deserve to have us go above and beyond to fulfill them on a daily basis. If your dog loves walks, take them for walks. If your dog prefers other forms of exercise, make time for them to do what they love as often as your schedule allows. At the end of the day, they just want to spend time with us. I will always walk my dogs, but I will also always work hard to figure out what they enjoy most and provide them with a life full of it!

GRC Dog Sports- A Newbie’s Explanation

 

All photos by Noey Chapman // BAD DOG CLUB

When I adopted Vinny, I had no idea what incredible potential dogs hold. Vinny taught me about the “scary” potential of a dog- reactivity, bite risk, fear, aggression, and so on. Through this journey, he made me the capable and confident handler necessary to keep him safe and above all alive. My cattle dogs on the other hand taught me the incredibly positive potential of dogs- drive, athleticism, focus, relationship, obedience, and shared companionship. They opened up a new world of dog handling and ownership to me. This of course included dog sports. I am always looking for new ways to challenge our team dynamic and help my dogs reach their full potential. This led us to GRC dog sports. 

Since this is an up and coming sport, I will try to touch on the basics so you can better picture what we are involved in. GRC stands for “Gameness, Relationship, and Control”. Gameness refers to the dog’s overall willingness to participate. The dog should be able to overcome and work through stress, while showing a controlled demeanor. Relationship focuses on the dog and handler relationship, how willing the dog is to work for the handler, and their team dynamic throughout the trials. Control assesses a dog’s self control, not to be mistaken with the handler controlling the dog. The ingenious aspect behind this sport is that it encourages the dog to make good choices independent of the handler’s guidance. You can imagine how this builds a stable, confident dog.

This sport was originally founded for American Pit Bull Terriers and has now expanded to welcome any dogs. This is the ultimate sport for reactive dogs because the long term benefits for participating can be exactly what they need to break through their fear based responses to their triggers. The dogs train for and participate in Social Responsibility trials. The dogs show their ability to be obedient through different verbal command tests, loose leash skills, and a “liberty” portion where the dog shows their ability to independently make good choices. 

After the dog and handler team has passed the social responsibility trials, they are able to move on to the drive events associated with GRC. This includes slat mill racing, weight pull, wall climb, and spring pole. It is easy too see how such a vast variety of events and skills will challenge each dog differently, allowing them to overcome their weaknesses and enhance their strengths. 

So how did we get involved in GRC dog sports? Last winter one of Chief’s trainers first introduced the idea to us, saying how great Chief would be at the drive sports. I had never heard of this sport before so I started to research it. Turns out, the founder Jay Jack is based in Portland, Maine which is fairly close to us. At the time, I didn’t feel that our schedule would allow us to pursue regular training in Maine so I tucked the idea away. Fast forward to this fall, a club started in our area based out of the Bad Dogs Club in Hooksett, NH and we were invited to join! I was very nervous, as I always am when trying something new. The added layer of uncertainty in bringing your dog with you into a brand new environment is something that doesn’t get easier, but having Chief as my partner in crime motivates me to show up despite my fears. 

I feel so fortunate to be included in this club. The members are supportive, welcoming, and bring a wealth of experience to the table. We troubleshoot each other’s challenges, find creative solutions, and learn together. We have been involved for just over a month now and I am happy to say Chief and Chickie are loving it. We are currently working on confidence building with Chickie and fine tuning obedience with Chief. Chief has always loved formal obedience training so this is an extremely enjoyable sport for him. As for Chickie, she tends to be more sensitive than Chief ever was, which presented a significant learning curve for me. This club has given her a new environment with strange people and dogs to work around, and is teaching her to be confident and trust our relationship no matter the situation. 

I cannot recommend this sport enough to any dog. No matter what your dog enjoys, they will find an aspect of this sport that they love to do with you. I can’t think of a better way to build drive, work on obedience, and strengthen your relationship with your dog. More GRC clubs are popping up all over the country, you can go to their website to find an affiliated club in your area. If I inspire you to do anything, I hope that is to try the new thing with your dog that you’ve always wanted to try. Their time with us is far too short to put things off until another day. You never know the potential of your dog, no matter the breed, unless you give them the opportunity to show you what they are made of. I look forward to updating you all as we continue to work towards our GRC goals!

My sport dog became my best friend

 

When I made arrangements to bring Chief home, I will never forget what my now husband said to me. “If you’re going to get the dog, you know you have to do the things.”. The “things” he was referring to were dog sports. I had never been involved in dog sports before Chief came into my life, and I was determined to do so with my new little heeler. Chief came home and as you all know, we did the things. 

It started with disc. I had four month old Chief out on the field at disc league. He was so young and clumsy, but he loved to play rollers. He didn’t know how to retrieve them yet, so that became a challenge for us. A few months later, he was fetching frisbees like a natural. 

Next, we got involved in agility. Chief was great at the drills and enjoyed playing with me, but didn’t seem to be loving the game. We had a lot of frustrating moments- he would run off after other dogs or to visit the instructor during group class, he would avoid obstacles to stay close to me, and he even did a swan dive off of the A-Frame. We reluctantly walked away from agility after a few months, which was hard for me as this was the sport I intended for us to do. 

Next came dock diving. If you read my post “Our Rocky Road to Dock Diving Success”, you already know the back story on this sport. Chief was scared to swim at first, although he was a great swimmer. Then he was scared to jump off the dock, although he was diving like a pro off of the pool ramp. Soon enough he was diving full speed ahead and gaining distance every week. He was always the calmest dog in line at competitions, patiently waiting for his turn. Until he wasn’t. Suddenly standing in line was a major challenge for us as Chief screamed at any person and dog that dared to walk within feet of us when he was near the pool. Over time, we have learned to manage this behavior so he can safely continue to participate in this sport. 

Nosework has proven to be a wonderful environment for us. The National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) is extremely invested in creating a safe and welcoming environment for all types of dogs and handlers. In our class, we follow “crate and rotate” so each dog can enjoy their searches without worrying about the presence of other dogs. Chief has excelled in the early foundations of this sport and is able to participate fully unencumbered by his big emotions. We plan to continue this sport and hopefully trial in the near future. For what it is worth I recommend nose work to anyone looking to do more with their dog. It is easy to get involved in, mentally challenging, and so rewarding to watch your dog happily work through searches!

Throughout all of these experiences, I have referred to Chief as my “sport dog”. I think this title has a different meaning to every dog and handler team. To me, it started out by meaning that this is my dog dedicated to competing in sports and getting me involved in the dog sport world. As you know, I place high value on relationship building with my dogs as this is the foundation of obedience and successful training. Through this process, my sport dog surpassed this title and became something so much more significant to my life. 

Chief is my best friend. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for the opportunities he has given me and the companionship he provides me. Today I can say with honesty that I do not care if he competes in a dog sport ever again, as long as he is happy and healthy. If he someday decides that dock diving isn’t for him, we will no longer compete. This summer I found that I enjoyed our private dock rental practices so much more than competing. Him and I could both be ourselves and play the game together without expectations or results on my mind. This dog has added so much value to my life, and I hope to provide him with a life he loves to wake up to every single day. 

We are starting a new dog sport this week, and I am extremely excited about our future in it. I will share more as we go, but for now know that this sport is full of components of training that Chief is passionate about. My sport dog is my best friend, and I will always put that title at the forefront of our relationship. If you see us doing dog sports, know we are there because he loves it and I know our participation is fulfilling for him. Never do something solely because you think it is what is expected of you. Find what you (and your dog) love and give it your all.

Are you scared to start?

 

I certainly didn’t coin this phrase but I heard it in a song recently and felt the need to share- it is never too late to start. These thoughts aren’t necessarily just about dogs, but I will put them in this dog blog. I want to share this reminder with people who know us, have supported us, and maybe even look to what we do for inspiration. 

Everyone moves so fast, myself included. We are all chasing the next goal, big event, or life move. I recognized this pattern in my self over the last few years and set out to change my pace. I can’t be alone in having settled for jobs that weren’t the best place for me, or not taking chances because I didn’t know where to start or where the “chance” would take me. Change is hard, and I recognize that. If I hadn’t chosen change, I wouldn’t be writing this blog today. I wouldn’t have three dogs that I absolutely adore, a house they love to make a mess of, a husband that supports me so strongly that he created and manages this blog, or any of the goals and dreams I have today. 

I grew up wanting a dog, to the point of asking my parents for one every day. I ended up rescuing my family dog, Buckley, at age 16. He came to us as trained as a family could hope a dog to be, so he simply existed to make us smile. He never attended a training class in his entire 15 years of life, yet rarely misbehaved beyond a little too much barking at inopportune times. When I rescued Vinny, I had never experienced a dog with such severe behavior issues. I was forced to choose a new path to learn how to safely handle this out of control dog. Through this process, I was given the confidence that I needed to bring a high energy, working breed dog into my life (shout out to Terence at My Dog’s Mind for believing in me). This dog, of course, is Chief. 

Chief inspired me to train dogs because I enjoyed it, not just because it was necessary. This was the start of a new lifestyle for me. Before dog training, I worked as much as possible, I was always tired, and I was hyper focused on image and fitness. Dog training became the healthiest of obsessions for me, and I have Chief to thank for that. His tenacity to try anything for me with his huge happy heeler grin on his face forever changed my perspective. With our success, I continued to gain confidence in this new journey.

Many times I have doubted myself. I am in my 30’s, married, work a job I went to college and grad school to qualify for, and have all of the expected responsibilities of adulthood. How could I start working towards a completely different lifestyle now? If I let these thoughts darken the bright light ahead that I work towards every day, I would never have met so many incredible people in the dog community, tried new dog sports, started this blog, or applied for the CPCFT program. I used to see my future as a long road to retirement. I now see clearly that this is not the only way. It is not too late for me to try to let my passions inspire my future. 

This is my story, and I urge you to take some time to think about yours. What can you start today that will improve your future tomorrow? Since we are dog people, let’s start there. Have you been making excuses instead of taking action? Sign up for the training class, try the dog sport, start preparing for the difficult hike you’ve been intimidated by, plan the meet up with the local person you get along with best on “dogstagram”. Since my cattle dogs came into my life, I don’t dread the early morning alarms, walks in complete darkness to get in the miles before work, and all of the coffee spilled on myself while trying to simultaneously wake up and play frisbee in the dim light of New England dawn with them. I wish I had started down this path years ago, but I would rather start today than never start at all. It is never to late to start working towards creating a life you love to wake up to every day. 

Bring the dogs, but train them first!

 

I think a lot of multi-dog household handlers get the same comments when we take our dogs out in public. “You have your hands full”, “How do you manage all of that?”, “Good luck” are a few I have heard. I don’t think they are all necessarily negative comments. I think the new norm of providing our with dogs fulfilling lives beyond the backyard is still new to some generations. My family dog growing up never had the opportunities that my current dogs have already had in their short lives. My vacation away from my dogs made it extremely obvious to me that my reality includes my dogs experiencing things with me, rather than allowing them to exist in the background. I love my new normal, and have spent a lot of time reflecting on how we got here. 

I fully recognize the fact that I have surrounded myself with like minded dog people. When I brought Chief into my life, I dove into the world of dog sports and became much more serious about dog training. These two activities go hand in hand when you have a high energy, high drive breed like a heeler- without proper training, you can’t expect the dog to excel in the dog sports setting. The dog needs to be prepared to exist around other high drive dogs without letting the stress get to them. I started with socialization (new experiences, sounds, busy locations, variable environments) and by nature of the activities we participate in this evolved into much more challenging training scenarios. Because of all of this hard work, not only can Chief participate in high stakes dog events, but he can also sit quietly on a brewery patio and enjoy lunch with us. This wide spectrum of behavior training was not easy to achieve but it was always a goal of mine for Chief, as it is now for Chickie, too. 

Much like myself, the majority of dog owners now bring their dogs everywhere with them. The tough part about this is that I don’t believe most dog are given the preparation they need to succeed in busy social situations. No dog is born with proper obedience, it is up to us to help the dog achieve a level of comfort in social situations that we ask them to participate in. Not all dogs are going to be perfect patio pups (Vinny would NEVER be able to enjoy this type of outing). Our communities are becoming more dog friendly than ever, which I believe is shedding light on both the benefits of consistent dog training as well as the fall out from a lack of dog training. 

You won’t find me at many “dog friendly events” with my dogs. Something that is important to me is building such a strong bond with my dogs that they would rather spend time with me than anything in the environment around them, other dogs included. This is not to say that my dogs don’t have dogs in their lives that they enjoy spending time with. At the end of the day, our family dynamic hinges on the fact that we prioritize each other and enjoy experiences together.

I remember walking Chief and Vinny past an active construction crew in our neighborhood last summer. As usual, Chief was on my left and Vinny was on my right. As we passed, one of the workers yelled out “You’ve done a great job with those dogs”. That kind comment stuck with me to this day- in the moment, I was so worried that Vinny would react to the crew, and get Chief riled up. But as I heard that comment and registered what was being said, I looked at my dogs and realized they were walking in sync with me, focused straight ahead, entirely unbothered by the chaos around them. My hands may look full, but I have it under control thanks to training, community support, and setting proper goals for each of my dogs. Build the life you want to live with your dogs, and work tirelessly to achieve these goals together. There are more opportunities than ever to share life’s experiences with your dogs!

“what are you training for?”

 

When I train my dogs in public, I am often asked “What are you training for?”. At first, I didn’t know how to respond to this. To me, training with my dogs is a lifestyle. I don’t even think twice before clipping on my training pouch, making sure my dogs have the right gear on based on the outing, and pre-planning how to help them succeed. The answer to this question is a lot more in depth than I think the normal passerby wants to listen to. Everyone has unique goals for their dogs, but I think writing objectives down is the best way to stay accountable. 

Opportunities

In an increasingly “dog friendly” world, you never know when an opportunity to include your dog might present itself. After becoming involved with the dog instagram community I have had the opportunity to meet so many great people and their dogs. If my dogs weren’t prepared to handle these social situations appropriately, I would have missed out on making friends and meeting some fantastic dogs. Another opportunity we had this summer was to enjoy our first partnered stay at a cabin in the Adirondacks (shout out to The Good Chalet!!). My dogs are both crate trained, and extensively trained to not chew/destroy/play with random household objects or furniture. Without training, I don’t think I would have been confident that my dogs could respect the new environment. I am proud to report both dogs, including Chickie at  just under 5 months old, were wonderful house guests, settled in the cabin without any drama, had no accidents, and were extremely well behaved around the other people we invited to join us. 

Overall Wellness

Training isn’t alway sit, down, stay. For us, a lot of training is showing the dog the difference between right and wrong. Chief will not grab dropped food off the floor. He doesn’t put foreign objects in his mouth when we pass something on the ground in a hardware store. He has never destroyed a piece of furniture. This is all from training and consistency, and could be potentially life saving. Teaching your dog how to live safely is a huge piece of everyday training. This is something they learn through real life experience and the reinforcement of boundaries. 

Injury Prevention

The majority of our formal training involves conditioning. This is like “gym time” for my dogs.  While you may think my dogs are conditioned only because they participate in high impact activities, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Every dog can benefit from conditioning. Thinking about your dogs’ future in the present can keep them doing the things they love for many years to come. My dogs condition for sports, hiking, high impact play, running, and even walking. This may not be the most exciting part of training, but I assure you seeing the results over time becomes addicting. Think the equivalent of “making gains” in the gym. I love watching my dogs become stronger and more confident through routine conditioning. 

They love it!

One of Chief’s day school trainers was telling me how surprised she was by Chief’s love of obedience training. Chief literally does a tap dance every morning when he realizes it is his turn to train. He works extremely hard and loves the process. I am working to instill this same enthusiasm in Chickie, who is already showing great interest in our training. If it isn’t fun, neither of you will want to do it. Always make training enjoyable and strive to make it a part of your day that both you and your dog look forward to. 

Everyone has different motivations for training their dogs. The important part is that you are doing it. Training for 5 to 10 minutes a day will likely show better results than training for 30 minutes once or twice a week. Start slow, figure out what you and your dog enjoy, and trust the process. If you aren’t sure where to start, hop into a local group training class. Almost every trainer will give you weekly homework and inspire you to keep practicing throughout the week. Try something new, be safe, and have fun!

The Happy Heeler Summer Recap!

 

I am on vacation this week (sans-dogs, very sad) so I figured it was a good time to reflect on the busy but enjoyable summer we have had so far. The dogs are doing great, they stay somewhere that they absolutely love and have way too much fun. I miss them terribly, but I try to tell myself time apart is good for all of us! I don’t know who is more dependent on the other, me or the dogs. They truly are my family and I feel like a part of myself is missing when they aren’t with me. What a beautiful relationship we get to share with these amazing animals. 

Let’s jump back to May. Chickie attended her first pack walk and puppy class at My Dog’s Mind! I was very nervous because she was only 3 months old at the time, but she did incredibly well at both. It was very fun to see her little personality start to show as we built our relationship together through play, training, and new experiences. Chief ran his first Fast CAT in May at American K-9 Country. I haven’t shared about this yet, but it was unforgettable in a comedic way. They first run I had my husband release him, and I called him to the end. He didn’t seem to notice the lure so it was more of a 100 yard recall. The second run, I released him and my husband waited to catch… but Chief decided he wasn’t interested in running without me! So naturally the two of us ran down the track as I laughed the entire way. We learned our lesson for if we ever decide to trial him again! Other notable events were a freestyle disc seminar that Chief and I participated in, and Chickie’s first time at the Dock Dogs pool. I love cattle dogs because once you gain their trust, they are willing to try almost anything with you. 

Back when Chickie needed a life jacket, 
she has come so far this summer!

June brought Chief’s first Dock Dogs event of the season. He did extremely well- achieving a huge personal best of 24’3” and wowing the crowd with every high flying dive. It is funny to see the reactions he gets- very few people expect my little cattle dog to launch more than halfway across the pool with such ease! Of course this event brought its own challenges with Chief’s reactivity (as I detailed in a previous post) but we worked through it and I learned more about what Chief needs from me to feel confident and supported in these situations. 

We met an Instagram friend in real life, @Happylittlewinnie! She is an absolutely wonderful person who I cannot wait to spend time with again someday. We talked for hours and Chief and Chickie loved her. Instagram can offer you an incredible community if you remain authentic and approach new connections with an open mind. 

Chickie meeting @happylittlewinnie

Chickie went on her first vacation with us to The Adirondacks! We stayed at The Good Chalet and it was a weekend of relaxation and enjoyment for all dogs and humans included. We hiked a beautiful trail at Stag Brook Falls so the dogs could swim, visited downtown Lake Placid, and spent quality time at the gorgeous A-Frame cabin. Chickie was a perfect angel the whole trip, even though she made me carry her the entire two mile walk around Mirror Lake. That’s what I get for leaving her stroller at home, but we made it work and she loved the attention. Chief loves exploring new places and did fantastic in the busy environments we visited.

Group photo in downtown Lake Placid

In July, we spent a lot of time at the family pool where the dogs love to dive for their bumpers and make everyone laugh at their antics. Chickie learned the ropes of trail walking and followed the excellent example set by Chief who is my perfect hiking buddy. We hosted our extended family for the annual “beer olympics”. The dogs were on their best behavior even with the bustle of 20 people in our typically quiet house. The dogs learned to paddle board and seem to really like it! After a disastrous first attempt back in June, they settled in and enjoyed the ride with us. Chickie learned to love diving off the ramp at the Dock Dogs pool, and even had the chance to experience the big dock for the first time. I believe this little girl is going to love dock diving just as much as Chief does.

August started with a bang as Chief and I travelled to Wizard of Paws in Connecticut for a live seminar portion of my Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer program. Chief was a very good boy, even while participating in an assessment portion of the course. In typical cattle dog fashion, he can exhibit some stranger danger. He quickly settled in and seemed to realize he was in the company of “dog people”. I was very proud of him for trusting me and being open to the experience. The chance to learn more about something you love in person is invaluable. I cannot recommend these types of experiences enough. 

Chief being a great demo dog at the 
CPCFT Live seminar

I feel such a sense of purpose when I am able to provide my dogs with experiences that enrich their lives. Whether we are exploring a new trail, trying a new sport, or learning a new skill, the memories I make with these cattle dogs are some of the best of my lifetime thus far. I love the idea that this blog will memorialize our experiences together, cementing my memories and emotions surrounding these events into perpetuity. We hope you have had a healthy, memorable, and above all FUN summer!

Our Rocky Road To Dock Diving Success

 

We all know social media is a highlight reel, predominantly showcasing snap shots of our successful moments and high points. It is easy to feel like you are falling behind. I receive a lot of messages about dock diving- where to start, how to get your dog comfortable with water, and what to do when they refuse to jump. I love pulling back the curtain and telling people our story. Chief wasn’t always the high flying “Red Blue Blur” which makes me even more proud of where he is today in this sport. 

Before Chief was even earth side, I knew I wanted to pursue dock diving with a fun, driven dog. Our trainer was very active in dock diving and suggested it to me. Both his mal and red heeler absolutely love the sport and were very successful. About a year later, Chief came home in August. One of the first things he did was run into our yard, and cannon ball into the kiddie pool we set up for the dogs. He had the zoomies all over the place and kept falling head over heels into the little pool. I was sure he would be a water dog just like the generational lines that preceded him. 

August quickly turned to fall, and we didn’t have much more opportunity to introduce Chief to water. Over the winter, we brought him to the local indoor dock diving pool for lessons. At around five months he seemed terrified of the pool. He would very cautiously work his way down the ramp, lean as far forward as possible to grab his toy out of the water, and run back to the “safety” of the dock. When the instructor took him into the pool, he was more than capable of swimming independently but didn’t seem to enjoy it. We took 3 or 4 lessons then decided to throw in the towel and try again in the spring. 

In May we joined Seacoast Dock Dogs, our local Dock Dogs club. They were extremely welcoming and supportive of Chief as he continued to be wary of the water. We showed up to practice almost every weekend to give Chief the opportunity to build his confidence. Outside of practice, we went to the beach and my in law’s pool as much as possible to allow him to have positive associations with swimming and build his water toy drive. Finally, he did a little leap off the ramp and I cheered like he won the gold! This is your reminder to always celebrate the little wins. 

Summer continued to pass at lightning speed, and Chief still refused to jump off of the “big dock”. We tried everything- splashing the toy, moving the toy around in the water, even me getting in the pool to entice him to join me. One day in late July, he finally half jumped-half fell off the dock into the pool. I couldn’t believe it, after months of trying he finally went for it. By the end of the hour, he was jumping close to 10 feet consistently and with plenty of enthusiasm and confidence! 

Now that we knew he was capable and truly enjoyed the sport (this part is very important), we signed Chief up for his first Dock Dogs competition. It was a hot August day and I was nervous as ever. Chief and I took the dock, and my only goal was for him to attempt to jump. To my surprise, the MC announced that Chief jumped 12 feet! I celebrated like crazy and the crowd cheered with me. By the end of the competition, Chief jumped 16’1” and I knew right away how special this journey was about to be for us. 

Chief went on to finish the season with a personal best of almost 23 feet. He qualified for Dock Dogs Nationals and was named the number one ranked dog in the Senior Division nationwide. The sense of pride I feel in our accomplishments is beyond compare. I wouldn’t have cared if he never jumped more than a few feet- my goal was for us to have fun and challenge ourselves to learn something new. Chief’s personal best now sits at 24’3” and we compete again in late August, a little over a year after his first competition ever. 

There is a difference between your dog doing what you ask out of obedience, and your dog truly enjoying what they are doing. Please consider this when you participate in dog sports. The environment can feel high stakes and stressful. Advocate for your dog in every situation, and show up to have FUN no matter what you are doing. These days, I enjoy our private pool rentals far more than competitions, but we do both because Chief doesn’t care where we are as long as we are dock diving. Support your dog, figure out what their drivers are, and give them all the patience they need to succeed. You and your dog are capable of incredible things together, you just have to figure out what those things are!

My “Not-so” Secret to Strong Recall

 

Let me guess, when you brought your puppy or dog home the first skill you wanted to work on was recall. I am with you! I think reliable recall is one of the most important things you can teach your dog no matter what age they are. There is an endless supply of “how to” videos on every platform with tips and tricks to teach a speedy recall. Games are great, but I want to discuss what I think is the authentically challenging part of teaching recall. 

This weekend, I spent some time with a good friend helping her dog practice recall and neutrality around my dogs. I suggested some games I have learned from a variety of trainers. I am so confident that her and her cavapoo will succeed with consistent practice. This session helped me reflect on what I have learned about recall and what I would want to share with anyone trying to perfect it.

Being on “dogstagram”, I have seen countless reels with the most absurd suggested quick fixes for a good recall. One woman suggested you rub a strong smelling treat on your hand, so whenever you call the dog they will want to come back to sniff your hand. A few reels even suggested that you should let your dog off leash anywhere even if they don’t have reliable recall. I have personally been affected by this in real life, and it never ends well. 

Neither of these approaches will lead to a dog that will turn on a dime to come to you the instant you call their name. I have found the best approach takes time and an incredible investment from you into your dog. This approach is based on relationship building. 

I remember teaching Chief to behave off leash. He would be glued to me as long as I had his frisbee. We went to the beach on the first nice day in the spring. There were no less than 50 dogs running around. He paid them no attention and played diligently with me and his frisbee in the waves. I even allowed him to greet a few dogs, which he immediately recalled off of when I asked. We had a beautiful day.

A few weeks later, we returned to the beach to play frisbee. There was another couple with their off leash dog down the beach but Chief didn’t seem to mind them at all. After a few tosses, he tipped the frisbee off of his snout and it sunk into the surf never to be seen again. I thought “no problem, I have a cheese stick. We can work on obedience”. Less than a minute later, the other couple threw their dog’s ball and Chief shot off after it. I sprinted after him calling his name and finally got him to come back to me. I felt terrible about this- I didn’t appreciate when this happened to us in reverse and it was a wakeup call that I needed more than a frisbee to get Chief to recall every time. 

Chief was still extremely young at this point. Very few people will tell you that relationship building takes time and dedication. Maybe what I was doing with Chief was some light bribery, always having his frisbee with us, and bringing high value treats everywhere we went. Depending on the environment, your dog’s mood, and other stress factors these items just wont’ be enough some days.

Today, I can bring Chief anywhere and he will stay with me on or off leash. He recalls off of anything (his highlight reel includes moose, deer, rabbits, and horse poop). We developed a relationship where he determines that I am the most valuable thing to him no matter what else is going on around us. This took time, patience, and hard work. We play together any chance we get, exercise together, learn new activities together, and overcome stress as a team. I still always carry food and treats with me, because my dogs deserve to be paid for their hard work. Bottom line, we just love to be together. That is what will always bring him back to me. 

I am working on this same approach with Chickie. She is a much more social and independent dog than Chief, so I do foresee this being more of a challenge to teach her. I will dedicate as much time as she needs to practice in order for her to safely enjoy off leash freedom. As their handler, I will never knowingly put my dogs in a situation that could be dangerous for them. Letting them off leash is a risk I am willing to take once I am confident with their consistent recall. Anything can happen, and it is important that I prepare my dogs to seek my guidance in unknown situations. Dogs deserve to live a life of freedom, and it is up to us to prepare them to safely do so. 

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has taught me this “not-so secret” to recall. I am so inspired by the trainers who have instilled this idea of relationship building in my everyday training approach. I have seen personally how this approach can take you and your dog to the next level, and will always rely on relationship to lead a happy and healthy life with my dogs.