I awoke last night to your presence….
I awoke last night to feeling your presence. It was strong...I knew it was you, and it brought tears to my eyes. When I fell back in sleep, you came to me in my dream….
Time is funny…
Time is funny. I'm looking at all of these pictures, and... it all seems like yesterday. Where did all this time go?!?
The missing is fierce. It's…
I wasn’t planning on adding another dog to the pack.
This first picture is the first picture I ever saw of you. I wasn't planning on adding another dog to the pack...and another puppy, at that. I already had 3, and Levi was still a puppy himself. But.... there was something about you. Something I couldn't explain. It was like I was being drawn to you.
Tomorrow we say goodbye.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to our incredibly treasured, most beloved Chip.
After a string of "good days", "bad days"... and everything in between, Chip sent me "the sign" everyone's been talking about.
When to know when.
...I've been waiting for "the sign" from Chip and Todd both that their bodies are uninhabitable any longer...has it been received? I don’t know.
Stimulation vs. Engagement
I conducted an IBAC with a family the other day that inspired this "aha" moment; and the longer I do this work, the more I see this in play: over- and inappropriate use of "stimulation" vs. under-use of engagement.
The “quality of life” talk.
I just had a "quality of life" discussion with a vet about Chip... and Todd. It's not just about the biological things still working and functioning (eating, pooping, etc), but more about day-to-day functioning and feeling. She said she didn't feel "quality of life" was in existence for either dog at this point.
His eyes filled with blood again.
Caution: vulnerable post. These are not "pity" posts. Writing is how I process and navigate emotion, and it's always my hope any of it reaches someone it may speak to, so.... update on Chip.
Chip's eyes filled with blood again yesterday and he completely lost his sight. I gave him the eye drops from our trip to the ER, and his CBD/THC - and the blood receded after a night's sleep, his eyesight restored this morning.
You’re growing more and more tired by the day.
You're growing more and more tired by the day.
Walks have become more laborious, though you still rally for them. You still want to be included and do our "routine" with us.
Every moment is a gift.
(Red light therapy is going on which is why the picture is reddish)
Every moment is a gift.
Every moment is a treasure.
Every moment is truly sacred.
Have the lymph nodes…shrunk?!
Update on my beloved Chip... and the rest of the pack.
Last night was not a good night of sleep. Chip woke me up a number of times with intense hacking, coughing, and wheezing.
Dog training is not about “fixing” your dog.
A phenomenon that's often astounded me is folks waiting until major problems arise before "getting dog training". And, when they do, it's often coupled with the mindsets that : it's the dog with the problem, it's the dog who needs "fixing", and it's only the dog who needs "training".
To treat or not to treat…that is the question.
Food is one of the most misused dog training tools out there.
Unfortunately, the general public has been conditioned to use food for practically everything when it comes to their dogs; leaving many feeling frustrated, confused, stressed, etc. when things don't go as intended (on both ends of the leash).
The 4 Quadrants of Operant Conditioning. Revised and simplified.
So, here we go. The 4 quadrants of "operant conditioning" ... revised and simplified.
The negative side of “positive reinforcement.”
Those who've been in the dog world long enough have likely been exposed to the extreme divisiveness between the "positive reinforcement" / "purely positive" camp on the training side of things... and everyone else outside of it.
It is our job and our responsibility as professionals to educate, equip, coach, help, and serve to the best of our ability….*for* the best of those we’re working with’s ability; and to do so honestly, ethically, respectfully, and authentically.
While I really don't like labels, as I don't draw a box around what I do or put any limitations upon options to dip into when addressing something as complex as "behavior", I've always called my approach "holistic" as I'm looking at (and speaking to) all contributing ingredients to behavior. I specialize in behavior. I'm not an "obedience" trainer, though obedience is an element, of course, of what we teach (N.B. "compliance" is connected to different things that need to be spoken to and developed beyond the dogs’ understanding of an obedience directive).
Unpacking “aggression.”
"Aggression" is one of the most misunderstood behavioral phenomenons in dogs and one of the most mishandled (even by a number of trainers). It’s also one of the most misinterpreted...
Dog training needs to be redefined, and trainers need to train in their lanes.
Bold statements, but hear me out. This information is shared with concern and respect.