Cock-a-doodle-doo

It's true. One of the aforementioned white, beautiful cornish hens (who David has Big Green Egg plans for) is cock-a-doodle-dooing. Those two sweet hens were already on their way to the smoker because they are meat-chickens, and I mean they are meaty. But to make things worse, one (Daisy) is singing a song a rooster would sing. You know the Sheriff's rule......No Roosters.
What's interesting is that this "hen" - who may be a rooster - is non-aggressive. It's not rooster material, and it does not have protective tendencies that roosters have. It acts like a hen. David and I have both heard of hens who make the cock-a-doodle-do type of sound, or at least it says so in my Chicken Book. So since this particular chicken is not aggressive and seems to get along with everyone, "it" has privileges to stay, for now. It's already bad enough that Daisy is destined for the smoker, but to be even considered a rooster is "life-changing" - if you know what I mean. I do not have the heart to say "yes" to sending these two meat chickens to the smoker. We have never done that, and that's not the kind of farm we are. I'm not saying it will never happen, but if my vote counts, it's to 'live and let live'. Daisy and Lily are allowed into the barn/coop quarters at night, and have a routine to free range (because we make them do so) during the day. They are not natural forgers, and just prefer to hang out instead. All our other egg laying chickens free range willingly. They love it! It's natural to them. But Daisy and Lily are not that - and this is new to us. Which is why we have contemplated what to do. The answer? We keep them as they are. They follow me around the yard, and are curious creatures. My gentle giants have a place on the farm.

How is the positive dog training coming along? Tula, Lauren's visiting puppy, is doing well with it. She'd do even better if I was more of a master at the positive training. Tula and I go every Sunday at 1:30 pm to the dog training center to be further educated on it. I learn SO much every time I go. It's like overload in my brain, and I find it hard to remember all their tips, words and examples. There's so much to it. Right now, we are in the class Manners I. If we have to repeat it, it will be my responsibility. I think I'm okay with repeating it, and I really don't know what we have to do to "prove" our worthiness to go onto Manner II? I know what I want. I want to press the Easy button and have it all done. But nope, there's more to it than that. And let me tell you how easy it is to mess it all up.
Example:
Problem: Your puppy dog jumps up on you (or other people).
Solution: Ignore them. Turn the other way. Since "you" are the reward, they do not get the reward when they behave poorly (jumping up on you). Even saying "no" to them is attention/reward from you, and your dog is fine with that. So, stay quiet/ignore the jumping, and wait until they have all four paws on the ground, then you can pet/talk to them. And, you should ask them for a positive behavior from them, such as "sit" at this time.
How have I messed this up, you ask? It seemed so simple. But I was not considering the psychological thought process of a puppy/dog. I was asking for a "sit" when Tula was still in motion. Which leads her to think: I jump up, I sit, then I get my reward (attention from my person). WRONG. The jumping up part is now in their thought process. Jump, sit, reward. Boy, did I mess that up. So, I will change, ever-so-slightly, what I do. I will ignore her jumping up on me - until she has all four paws on the ground. Then ask for her "sit", then love on her.  This one tiny thing makes a huge difference in how your dog 'sees' things. This is only one of the many things I need to consider when training with the positive reinforcement theory. Timing is everything! Giving a treat at just that right moment. Making the proper action at just the proper time. It just seems like the word No would solve all of this, doesn't it? Not to mention faster response and "learning". I kinda like the idea of using a combination of the two methods. I wonder what results that would produce? I try not to be too self-critical of my abilities regarding this situation, yet being responsible for another person's dog has been enlightening to me.
Speaking of, while listening to an audiobook today on my run, I realized how easy it is to be so self-critical - to the point where I sometimes have this need to explain and justify my decisions and actions. That's what I love about blogging. I can "put it all out there". My thoughts, my feelings, my decisions, my words. It's an outlet to share my inner self. In my day-to-day world, I find myself using my filter, choosing my words, and sometimes limiting who I am, to the world. I made a breakthrough at work the other day regarding who I am - and why I do (or don't) - do things. I was asked if I was attending the work holiday party. Granted, this question was asked in the Operating Room where a grouping of people are all being asked. I replied, "No, thank you". When I was asked Why? I paused and replied, "There is no Why", and fell silent. As if I had put a silent Period on the end of my statement. It was not sarcastic, negative or insulting. Just plain and straight, innocent and unassuming. I did not feel as if I owed anyone, including myself, an explanation. I have always felt the need to give a reason, an excuse or an answer. But all of a sudden, I walked through a new place, a new door, one which took me somewhere new, where I didn't owe a justification for my action. Why haven't I gotten here earlier in life? (there's that self-critical behavior). Some people have already arrived there, but not necessarily me, and that's okay. I'm here now, and I'll be staying here long-term, in the land of: I Am Enough. I've been working on getting there, thanks to Brene Brown. After all, she's my favorite author who inspired me (years ago) of what it's like to live a wholehearted life.
I'm on a journey of Me. I'll be making different choices when it comes to justifications. Wow, that feels good.

Be your bee-ewe-tiful self. After all, if your not you, who will be you.
Still finding me,
Cyndi