The life and times of a photo-taking dog trainer

Freestyle

2011-10-21T19:18:00.004-05:00

Tracy's One Shot (UKC Breed Show) Day 2

2011-03-26T21:27:00.012-05:00

Tracy's One Shot (Cello) Day 1

2011-03-26T21:12:00.003-05:00

With me And WithOut

2011-03-06T22:14:00.001-06:00

Tracy's Photo Challenge

2011-01-24T16:42:00.008-06:00

Moving on

2010-10-01T10:58:00.002-05:00

Look for me on my other blogs

Robin Sallie

http://foundations4lifetraining.blogspot.com/ -- Dog training blog

http://tagteachcraft.blogspot.com/ -- Tag Teach Blog

http://reducedrobin.blogspot.com/ -- Self improvement, weight loss blog

http://raisingk9.blogspot.com/ -- raising a GSD puppy blog

Dog Greeting Gone Wrong

2009-09-10T09:55:00.000-05:00

2009-08-10T18:56:00.002-05:00

"Don't let the opinions of other people determine the image you have of yourself. There is no need to feel either appreciated or understood. What you think about yourself is everything. What others think about you has no value at all, unless you choose to give it value." ~Shantidasa

Good things to say to your kids

2009-06-18T15:15:00.000-05:00

I’m proud of you.
You really worked hard. (Be specific)
We all make mistakes.
That’s all right.
Thanks for helping.
I think you can be trusted to handle this!
Super work!
You’re right.
I love you.
Great try.
How thoughtful.
You figured that out.
I have faith in you.
You brighten my day!
I just like hanging out with you.
Outstanding!
Thanks for being honest.

2009-06-05T17:33:00.000-05:00

Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so well established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it. -Blaise Pascal

Refinishing Job

2009-05-27T16:14:00.002-05:00

The window

2009-05-27T16:13:00.002-05:00

Snow Day

2009-05-27T16:04:00.002-05:00

Easter

2009-05-27T15:02:00.002-05:00

2009-05-10T22:04:00.001-05:00

" You don't play the opponent. You play the game." Bob Knight

2009-04-30T10:50:00.001-05:00

"You can’t set goals if you don’t dream at night.”

--LeBron James

2009-04-16T17:35:00.001-05:00

“Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.” -- John Madden

Go CAVS!

2009-04-11T11:19:00.002-05:00

2009-04-05T20:43:00.001-05:00

You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation. -- Billie Holiday

2009-04-04T19:49:00.001-05:00

Nothing has a stronger influence [on] children than the unlived lives of the parents. -- Jung

Ways of Being Happy

2009-04-04T19:47:00.001-05:00

There are two ways of being happy: We may either diminish our wants or
augment our means -- either will do -- the result in the same; and it
is for each man to decide for himself, and do that which happens to be
the easiest. If you are idle or sick or poor, however hard it may be
to diminish your wants, it will be harder to augment your means. If
you are active and prosperous or young and in good health, it may be
easier for you to augment your means than to diminish your wants. But
if you are wise, you will do both at the same time, young or old, rich
or poor, sick or well; and if you are very wise you will do both in
such a way as to augment the general happiness of society. -- Franklin

I've tried very hard to keep the politics to myself but

2009-04-04T07:44:00.003-05:00

This is a link to a poem by a Palestine child. It made me, the stoic that I am, cry.

Iowa Supreme Court says state's same-sex marriage ban violates gays' constitutional rights

2009-04-03T16:48:00.001-05:00

Iowa's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage Friday in a unanimous and emphatic decision that makes Iowa the third state — and first in the nation's heartland — to allow same-sex couples to wed.

To read the rest Click Here

Why Kids Don't Like School.

2009-04-03T16:12:00.002-05:00

For the answer Click Here

Change the World

2009-04-02T11:22:00.003-05:00

If I could reach the stars I'd pull one down for you
Shine it on my heart so you could see the truth
That this love I have inside is everything it seems
But for now I find it's only in my dreams

CHORUS:
That I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You will think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world

If I could be king even for a day
I'd take you as my queen I'd have it no other way
And our love will rule in this kingdom we have made
Till then I'd be a fool wishin' for the day

CHORUS:
That I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You will think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world

- GUITAR SOLO -

CHORUS:
That I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You will think my love was really something good
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world
Baby if I could change the world

Kids Lie

2009-04-02T11:18:00.001-05:00

2009-04-02T10:34:00.000-05:00

My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.

Indira Gandhi

2009-04-02T09:12:00.000-05:00

“It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

- Invictus: Verse 4

2009-04-01T19:00:00.001-05:00

"You take my water. Burn my Olive Trees. Destroy my house. Take my job. Steal my Land. Imprison my Mother. Bomb my country. Starve us all. Humiliate us all. But I am to blame: I shot a rocket back". --- Seymour Hersch

Happy Birthday, Marvin!

2009-04-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

Let's Get It On
I've been really tryin', baby
Tryin' to hold back this feeling for so long
And if you feel like I feel, baby
Then, c'mon, oh, c'mon
Let's get it on
Ah, baby, let's get it on
Let's love, baby
Let's get it on, sugar
Let's get it on
We're all sensitive people
With so much to give
Understand me, sugar
Since we've to be here
Let's live
I love you
There's nothing wrong with me
Loving you, baby no no
And giving yourself to me can never be wrong
If the love is true
Don't you know how sweet and wonderful life can be
I'm asking you baby to get it on with me
I ain't gonna worry
I ain't gonna push, won't push you baby
So c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby
Stop beatin' 'round the bush
Let's get it on
Let's get it on
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout
C'mon, baby
Let your love come out
If you believe in love
Let's get it on
Let's get it on, baby
This minute, oh yeah
Let's get it on
Please, let's get it on
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby
Stop beatin' 'round the bush
Oh, gonna get it on
Threaten' you, baby
I wanna get it on
You don't have to worry that it's wrong
If the spirit moves ya
Let me groove ya good
Let your come down
Oh, get it on
C'mon, baby
Do you know the meaning?
I've been sanctified
Girl, you give me good feeling

Light

2009-03-24T20:41:00.002-05:00

Warning - When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

2009-03-24T20:37:00.001-05:00

By Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

9 Habits of Effective Clicker Trainers Part 1 Using Rewards

2009-03-24T14:20:00.001-05:00

This video is a must watch for all clicker trainers!

This blog is also not to be missed.

www.viassistancedogs.blogspot.com

2009-03-24T08:56:00.001-05:00

You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.
-- Billie Holiday

Walk on Water

2009-03-19T20:03:00.001-05:00

"If every day you work hard to teach your dog to walk
on water, and then one day, after much work, he does
so, do not be surprised or upset when other people say
that he does this only because he is afraid of being
in the water." -- Jerome M. Stewart

St. Theresa's Prayer

2009-03-04T17:18:00.001-06:00

'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.'

Dog Training Youtubes Worth Watching

2009-02-26T15:08:00.000-06:00

Jody's Cookie Turns as taught by Nancy Patton

2009-02-26T10:21:00.003-06:00

Actually with the drawings I sent, the foot work is mostly for training the
dog to read your signals, and for you to get an idea. There is no way you'd
want to do it quite like drawn in actual competition.

Remember these are for training only.

We even said little things to the dog as we did them.

First there is a way to hold the leash. It's always tight with the dog
snugged up to your leg/hip so that part of your body acts as a fulcrum for
the dog to turn on.

The leash - at the dog's neck height, is run behind both your legs/hips
(with a Papillon it's much more difficult - but I did it - you have to duck
walk/waddle), gathered up, or allowed to drag behind you, as you want to
hold the leash in your right hand at your pants seam - do NOT move this
hand, it keeps the dog snug into your leg, you do NOT need to pull on it -
just hold it tight.

I use String Cheese for treats in my left hand - holding it in a way that
has the dogs head in exactly the position (just not distance from me) that I
would like for him to heel - it can be heads up heeling (you really
shouldn't want your dog to wrap, rather have the head up and tilted), or the
head can be held level as the dog normally carries it - that's your and the dog's choice.

The clicker is held in the right hand along with the leash, you will click
for any rear end movement on the left turn which should be the one you start
training. The right and about are easy. Do the LEFT first.

I get in position - not the dog, I know what I want - the dog doesn't so I just don't go there.

With the perfect sized dog you can tuck your left elbow into your waist and
hold the left hand with the cheese out and where you want the dogs head to
be. AKC and UKC both tell you what that is - you pick it exactly and that's
where you help your dog be when you get into position.

I let the dog nibble on the cheese as I move forward a step or two - you can
decide how many steps you want to take before you actually start the turn.
At first the dog learns to turn with right foot cues for all 3 turns. By
the time you're ready for actual ring competition he should be able to turn
with either foot cues so you can turn promptly when you hear the judge give
the command. It is NOT necessary to turn with the next step, still you're
want to become proficient before competing.

Remember we're starting with the left turn, you get in position, snugging
your dog up to your leg/hip, holding your left hand in the correct position
for the dog to be in correct heel position (with my Labs that meant I was
just holding my bent arm out in mid air - that's hard) (with the sheltie I
could tuck my elbow into my waist - that's easy) (with the Papillon, the
leash was around my lower legs about at the ankle, my knees bent, duck
walking with my hand holding the cheese way down low - hurts your back).

So here is what I said and did with my dogs, each word means I'm moving a
foot and they are slow small steps- I'm helping the dog learn how to move
his body on cue/command, to keep it under control.

LEFT TURN

Left

Right

Left

Angle Right "Cookie" (right foot step) - which is the word I use for this
turn to left and to keep the dog in heel position. angle right (the toe of
the right foot makes a "slight" angle at the big toe of the left foot -left
foot is facing straight ahead.

Cross Over - Left foot (it's kind of a ballet move I think, the left foot
goes completely across the right foot so you're standing strangely and you
will have to move the right foot out of the dogs way or he might step on
your shoe and remove it from your foot.

Balance - Right -balance - the balance is the movement of the right foot
getting out of the way.

I click at any movement of the rear, you do NOT have to look to know the dog
moves his rear, you can feel it though the leash. If that's hard for you,
then get someone to click for you, do NOT NOT NOT look back. You want the
dog staying in heel position, your turning your head and shoulder back to
look will push him out of position.

If necessary to get the dog to move his rear you may have to take another
step or three. Be sure to have your left foot/let forward when you treat.

I only do 4 of these turns at a time, regardless of how well the dog and I do.

This is working on muscle memory.

RIGHT TURN

The words for the right turns, are

Left

Right

Left

Angle Right - the right foot angles slightly to the right for the cue (it's
a bit more then for the left turn but in the OPPOSITE direction).

Left Come around - Be careful with your left foot when doing this, some of
us (me) have the tendency to swing our left heel out, which causes the dog
to move out of the way. Click and feed the dog by your left pants seam.
Your hand/arm still being in the same position as before, with the leash
wrapped around your legs/hips should have him in the correct place. Yeah!

ABOUT TURN

There a couple of basic ways for you to do the foot work to help the dog
understand what you want, both consist of keeping your feet close together
and under your hips (no big steps).

The most common way to to make T's with your feet, plant the left foot
the right foot swings in front of the left toes until the instep is more or
less touching those left toes.

Do a 180 turn with your left foot (keep the right foot planted for this)
until the heel of the left foot is at the instep of the right foot.
Take a small step forward with the right foot.

The other way has a nice little saying Nancy Patton taught us.
It's toe toe rotate go

Left foot short step forward and plant (that's the first toe above)
Right toes go to the left toes (second toe above)
Rotate your left foot on the heel so it's 180 degrees turned
Go -- is bringing your right foot forward (short step)

some basic things that help the dogs understand turns. When doing straight
line heeling you are taking nice steps that fit you and the dog - so you
look pretty moving together.

Plan on shortening one stride when you hear the judge give the turn cue, in
training it will be your left stride (this is telling the dog something is
going to happen, but he doesn't know what it is yet). The next step, which
is the right foot will tell the dog what you're going to do, the right foot,
with this method gives the turn cue.

When coming out of a turn the first step is always shorter, it helps the dog
maintain his position, the next step is your regular heeling stride.

When teaching these turns do them slowly, you need to work on what you're
doing also, don't get upset if they are not quite right, you will smooth it out.

These are excellent cues for agility also.

Something people don't realize is how much their shoulders (and of course
their heads as they are attached to the neck to the shoulders) turn with
just a simple right foot movement. So don't try to over do these turns,
always work on them being as subtle as possible, not blatant.

When changing pace while heeling it's important to look at different spots
before you, slows means look closer to you, normal would be out a bit where
you usually heel, fast would be out farther. For halts, use the shorter
stride as the first cue to the dog, the next step to let him know what
you're going to do. Up sits are wonderful for this.

Putting all the pieces together is easy if you want to compete, the dog and
you know the principals, now you just get smooth and beautiful as you move
along (stiffly as is required).

--
Jody B
Jersey Village, TX

2009-02-20T18:31:00.000-06:00

"Punishment as a training tool should become obsolete. It's unnecessary and counter-productive. Your horse wants peace with you, and he'll adapt his life to achieve it. When he isn't getting something you're trying to teach him, he's already unhappy.

"Punishing him at this point is backward thinking, and just causes anxiety.

"Instead, show him again-more clearly-what you want, and when he responds even a little, give him instantaneous, positive feedback.

"This is much preferable to concentrating on what you don't want (the lack or wrong response), and making your horse more miserable in the process.

"Think of it another way: if your boss only yelled at you whenever you made amistake, and never praised you for doing something correctly, pretty soon you wouldn't want to go to work at all. It's the same for your horse."

-- John Lyons, America's most trusted horseman

"Bury Me in a Free Land"

2009-01-07T14:56:00.000-06:00

"Bury Me in a Free Land"

Frances Haper

Make me a grave where'er you will,

In a lowly plain, or a lofty hill;

Make it among earth's humblest graves,

But not in a land where men are slaves.

I could not rest if around my grave

I heard the steps of a trembling slave;

His shadow above my silent tomb

Would make it a place of fearful gloom.

I could not rest if I heard the tread

Of a coffle gang to the shambles led,

And the mother's shriek of wild despair

Rise like a curse on the trembling air.

I could not sleep if I saw the lash

Drinking her blood at each fearful gash,

And I saw her babes torn from her breast,

Like trembling doves from their parent nest.

I'd shudder and start if I heard the bay

Of bloodhounds seizing their human prey,

And I heard the captive plead in vain

As they bound afresh his galling chain.

If I saw young girls from their mother's arms

Bartered and sold for their youthful charms,

My eye would flash with a mournful flame,

My death-paled cheek grow red with shame.

I would sleep, dear friends, where bloated might

Can rob no man of his dearest right;

My rest shall be calm in any grave

Where none can call his brother a slave.

I ask no monument, proud and high,

To arrest the gaze of the passers-by;

All that my yearning spirit craves,

Is bury me not in a land of slaves.

Road Home

2008-11-10T17:15:00.002-06:00

Gerbils

2008-11-09T17:13:00.001-06:00

Dragons

2008-11-08T17:11:00.000-06:00

Lighting the Clasroom

2008-11-07T17:10:00.000-06:00

Crickets

2008-11-06T21:03:00.001-06:00

Detail

2008-11-05T21:01:00.001-06:00

LeBron James for President!

2008-11-05T19:41:00.000-06:00

I had been telling Tayja for the last six months that I was voting for LeBron James for president.

I have been campaigning (around the house) for him. I made buttons, a yard sign (that neither Tayja nor Roxana would let me put in the yard) and held a rally that only Tayja, Red and Blue bothered to attend - and they only came for the snacks.

On election day morning Tayja told me that we had to talk about something important.

And what would that be?

She said, "Robin, I know you love Lebron James a lot."

Yes, I do! Have you seen the way he attacks the basket?

"I know he is an excellent basketball player," she said, patting my hand. "BUT you can't vote for him for president. "

Why not? I asked.

"Just because he is an excellent basketball player doesn't mean that he would be an excellent president," she said. "I told you that before! You really should think about that, Robin."

But I like him the best of all basketballers, I said. He is the best in the world!

"Yes. I know. You told me!" Tayja rolled her eyes and sighed.

"You need to vote for someone who would be an excellent president. You should vote for Obama. He plays basketball AND he would be an excellent president. You think about it, okay?"

Okay, I told her, you changed my mind. Beacuse you think Obama would be a better president than LeBron James, I will vote for Obama.

"Good job, Robin!" she said.

Puppy Face

2008-11-04T20:55:00.000-06:00

Paparazzo (Run, Laura, Run!)

2008-11-03T20:43:00.001-06:00

Paparazzo (also called - picking on the co-worker)- A photographer who takes unstaged and/or candid photographs of celebrities. The settings vary widely for these photograph, any location from the red carpet to a private backyard is considered fair game.

Bike Ride

2008-11-02T20:38:00.002-06:00

MN Mixed Meeting

2008-11-01T20:36:00.000-05:00

Blue's Halloween

2008-10-31T20:52:00.006-05:00

Blue was NOT an angel today. She started out pretty well. Every time the door bell rang, I sent the dogs to their mats and rained cat kibble on them. They sucked up the treats while I answered the door and passed out candy.

Red and Blue would bark a couple of times as they headed for their mats.

And then THIS came to the door.

Poor Blue lost her mind. Not even roast lamb would get her attention. All the hair was up on her back and she was using her "I mean business" bark.

So I asked the kid to wait a minute and put Blue in the kitchen out of sight of the door with a raw meaty bone. She calmed right down when she could not see the four foot tall monster at the door.

She didn't even bark later when the door bell rang to announce even more mini monsters. I know it was only because she could not see them.

Tayja Was an Angel Today

2008-10-31T20:43:00.005-05:00

Of course she picked her own outfit. I was pushing for a green faced witch or a hot dog.

Photo and Helper Clay

2008-10-20T20:01:00.000-05:00

Photograping Dogs

2008-10-19T10:09:00.000-05:00

Puppies by JRM

2008-10-18T19:52:00.005-05:00

Wild Woman Annie

2008-10-17T22:09:00.005-05:00

The Chicks

2008-10-15T19:36:00.002-05:00

The Farm Day Two

2008-10-15T19:24:00.004-05:00

The Farm Day One

2008-10-14T19:14:00.000-05:00

Ringo Came to Visit

2008-10-13T19:07:00.002-05:00

Ringo came to visit on Oct 8th and I forgot to post his photos!

Dreadlocks

2008-10-13T09:04:00.000-05:00

Trucks

2008-10-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

Barrels

2008-10-12T20:32:00.000-05:00

Rally

2008-10-11T20:37:00.001-05:00

Rally

2008-10-10T20:42:00.000-05:00

Rally

2008-10-09T20:47:00.005-05:00

Plates

2008-10-08T20:34:00.001-05:00

On the Road Again

2008-10-07T20:31:00.001-05:00

A Patch of Grass

2008-10-06T11:55:00.007-05:00

Every day I drive by this patch of ornamental grass. It glows in the sunlight. Everyday I think, wow. I should to and take a photo. So I did. I did not capture the glory of the patch. I guess I'll keep trying.

I used different shutter speeds and f-stops, shot in to the light, shot across the light, shot from above the seed heads and shot from below the seed heads. Still these photos all look the same to me.

Next time we have a sunny day here, I'll try with a wide angle lens to show the size of the patch.

Monkey Girl on Yellow

2008-10-06T11:28:00.001-05:00

Suburban Sunrise

2008-10-05T11:02:00.000-05:00

I work a 12-hour day most Sundays and leave home to go to work as the sun is coming up over the suburbs.

A Study of Leaves Day 4

2008-10-04T05:43:00.000-05:00

A Study of Leaves Day 3

2008-10-03T05:39:00.000-05:00

A Study of Leaves Day 2

2008-10-02T05:36:00.000-05:00

A Study of Leaves Day 1

2008-10-01T05:34:00.001-05:00

Peter Pan

2008-09-30T17:47:00.003-05:00

Today I go to go with Tayja's class of first graders to see Peter Pan at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis.

After the show I asked Tayja if she thought I could fly.

She said, "Of course not!"

Why not I asked. Do you think I am too fat?

"No," she said. "Peter Pan has enough fairy dust to lift you."

Well, why not I pressed.

"You are too OLD," she explained. "You have to be a little kid to fly. I think that is why he did not want to grow up."

http://www.childrenstheatre.org/2009/peterpan.html

Boo!

2008-09-30T05:24:00.000-05:00

Long Road Home

2008-09-29T05:19:00.002-05:00

Grumpy Girl

2008-09-28T05:22:00.001-05:00

Rays

2008-09-27T05:17:00.004-05:00

Window Dressing

2008-09-26T05:16:00.001-05:00

Fruit

2008-09-25T05:13:00.002-05:00

I think this is a crab apple tree.

Layers

2008-09-24T05:12:00.001-05:00

Grass Plus Light

2008-09-23T04:59:00.002-05:00

Dew

2008-09-22T04:58:00.001-05:00

2008-09-21T04:55:00.002-05:00

Dying

2008-09-20T04:53:00.001-05:00

Bright and Busy

2008-09-20T04:45:00.000-05:00

Reflection

2008-09-19T04:40:00.001-05:00

Aged

2008-09-18T04:42:00.001-05:00

Elongated

2008-09-17T04:39:00.001-05:00

What?

2008-09-16T04:32:00.002-05:00

See the Light?

2008-09-15T04:27:00.002-05:00

Jammed

2008-09-14T04:29:00.002-05:00

Birds

2008-09-13T04:25:00.000-05:00

Feet Cleaning

2008-09-12T04:22:00.000-05:00

Photo by Roxana Saad
Blue gets her feet cleaned.

The Kidlet Photographs The Kidlet

2008-09-11T04:19:00.002-05:00

Photo by The Kidlet

Sparring

2008-09-10T04:16:00.003-05:00

Photos by Roxana Saad
Tayja always wins. She loves to score more points than I score.

Last Cukes of the Summer

2008-09-09T04:08:00.000-05:00