Tula

Tula is an (almost) 7 month old Australian Shepherd puppy who has come to the farm to live with us. She is Lauren's (our daughter) little puppy who will live with us until she moves from Colorado back to Texas. Lauren has taken a new Children's Librarian position in the Dallas area, and will be making her way back to Texas around Christmas time. Until then, Tula is on vacation here at the farm.
This actually occurred a few weeks ago, but David and I have been finding our 'new' normal and figuring out how a (herding) puppy will acclimate at the farm. Or should that be, how we'll acclimate with her here at the farm. I'll start with telling you about Tula. She's sweet, smart, playful and has a great desire to please. She has bright eyes, soft fur, and a heart of gold. She's had prior training at the age of 4 months and knows commands such as Sit and Heel, with a sprinkle of Tula, Come and/or Stay that needs some further undertaking. Granted, this prior training was done in a older fashion of what I've come to understand as "negative" dog training. Wait, what? Telling a dog No is a bad thing? What if we never told our children No? I may be old-school, but I was under the impression that that's how you help a dog understand expectations. No, don't do this, Yes, do this. And then the dog figures it out......right and wrong behaviors. Insert record scratch noise here. Nope, sorry Cyndi, that's not how it's done these days.
After hearing about some 'crazy' positive reinforcement dog training concept from not only my daughter, as well as co-workers, I poo-poo'd it (nice pun, huh?) and deleted that idea from my brain. I was convinced that since I've had plenty of dogs that have all turned out okay, that this "new" training idea was not for me. Then, I realized what I was doing. I was not receptive to this idea, and turned it away before even trying it - or considering it. I find as I get older that I can somehow justify this behavior. I can say, "No, thanks, I don't want to do fill-in-the-blank". It's as if I feel entitled to NOT have to try new things anymore because somehow my "old" way is still just as good. Kind of like the old adage: If it aint broke don't fix it. Time to reevaluate this, Cyndi. I can't start the old-person-hard-headed thing yet. I want to, but then I'm just setting my own self back in time. I've tried to tell myself I'll stay current, open-minded, objective and aware of new things as I age. How quickly this example shed a light on my need to improve, and stay true to being mindful of my thoughts and decisions. I was in auto-pilot mode when I shot down the positive dog training idea. That sounds like I would need to learn something new, that I don't care to learn. So, no thanks.
This situation of conflict brought about swirling in my soul, and chaos in my spirit. Should I try out this positive dog-training program? Should I revert to my old dog training ways? Why am I making this such a big deal? I know why. I have a puppy who is relying on me to help her be the best dog she can be.
Confession: I've been working on my mindfulness vs my mindlessness. It's so complicated, yet so simple. Mindfulness: A deliberate way of paying attention to what is occurring within oneself as it is happening. It is the process of attentively observing your experience as it unfolds, without judgement or evaluation". If I am to be mindful regarding this, I need to continue to develop deep attention to the present moment. Hence, I am utilizing this concept to have the awareness to see my own behavior regarding this dog training topic. I saw it! Right before my very eyes, when I am mindful, I am able to see what I'm doing. Dang it. It's easier to push it all away, and just say I'm not going to do this positive dog training thing. I'm going to do what - and how - I know in regards to training this puppy.  And I did that. I said that. I put my foot down and said it out loud. "Not going to learn a new dog training technique". Period.
Yet, I didn't like the way it felt saying that. It's as if it tasted bad. Yeah, it felt good for a second after I said it, but then I knew better. If I am to be mindful of what I'm doing, I must be aware of all elements of it. Shutting down and rejecting this new opportunity of dog training was my example of  mindlessness. Oh no! Just what I was trying not to do. I want to be less mindless and more mindful in my life.
I sat on my obstinance for a day. I let it brew inside me, and made every excuse why I made this decision. Then, I made my break-through. I paid attention to my thoughts, and the chatter in my head about it all. I observed my behavior as it all was occurring, and decided to be present in the moment. The old me would have plowed through with "not gonna do it". The new me wants to go somewhere new in life. Okay family, I'm boarding the train of Positive Reinforcement Dog Training. Okay then, I can't say the word 'No' to this puppy?! That's just crazy. Ooopppps, I didn't mean that. Or did I.
I proceeded to find a Doggie Day Care for Tula because David and I are both gone too long during the day to leave her crated. If we leave her out to roam the farm, she consistently herds the chickens, sheep and barn cats. Not a good thing. So we find a wonderful doggie daycare that specializes in positive reinforcement. That's a real thing, and apparently not hard to find, esp if I can find it.
Tula starts going to school each day. She plays hard all day, and there's even nap time from 12 - 2:30.  By the way, you can't pick up your dog while they are napping (what universe do I live in?). The people there teach your dog a few chosen commands - with treats. They never say the word No. It rains treats at this Pet Resort.
Next? I signed up for a positive dog training class for me - and Tula, of course. But more for me. The name of this training center is called "What A Great Dog". For real. I've gone there twice now, for two group sessions with Tula. I'm in the moment while I'm there. I'm like a sponge, who is mesmerized by every word the Professional Positive Dog Trainer says. My mindfulness seems so natural there, as if I'm in a trance. Absorbing every action, word and movement around me. Like it's all happening in slow motion. I can't quit staring at the instructor, as if I can't believe what I'm hearing. Does this really work? I know one thing for sure.....I'm going to find out.
I better go buy more dog treats,
Cyndi