Ten days of teaching down, here in British Columbia, one to go! I am here in Kelowna where I teach a One Jump workshop today. I just have to give a shout out to all of the people that came out to the workshops in Vancouver. You guys made teaching very easy. I don’t want to sound like am blowing smoke up anyone’s skort, but this trip has been nothing short of amazing! Even though the weather was unbelievably bad (notice how bundled up people are in the photo), I barely noticed the cold when I was teaching . . . okay I did huddle around the propane heater any chance I got. All of the workshops participants were fantastic. Everyone embraced all that I had to say and were open to try anything I threw at them. Not only were they keen to learn, they gave the dogs and I presents! Seriously, one of the participant painted this amazing portrait of Encore, really special. Encore was also the recipient of a gorgeous leather collar that I have admired for a while now from a long time student that drove up from LA. Feature got her favourite, a new frizzer, while Encore (she was a bit spoiled this go around) got a new mini Jolly ball (the focus of all of her obsessions). Thank you to everyone for your thoughtfulness and western hospitality. I have to extend a special thanks to Kim & Rob who were a huge help, between them and their posse, they supplied everything I needed. A big thanks to Nina D who Lynda O-H crowned my Vancouver Executive Assistant. Lots of laughs, lots of fun. I think the take away for everyone continues to be, to do the little things greatly so the great things become little. Back to foundation, funny how nothing can replace it:). The last day was so cold that Encore had the day off and just stayed in Rob & Kim’s warm RV. Feature did all of the demoing so I didn’t have the extra worry of with having to train and extra dog while I taught. On top of everything, West Jet just rocked with the dogs. I can’t say enough good things about this airline. They really do go above and beyond, I am considering only doing seminars in towns I can fly to with West Jet!
So one day of teaching left and then a 2 day CKC trial before we head home. Starting to get a bit homesick, missing John, Buzzy & DeCaff and wondering what has happened with the house since I have been away.
Today I am grateful for the overwhelming response to my seminars here in the west. In spite of the cold, people came out every day in huge number and were keen participants, making teaching a joy. Ten days is a long time to teach, but I get energized by the enthusiasm of those coming out to learn. You guys hit it out of the park!
Well Susan, I think if maybe you came back in say June next year it would be a little warmer????!! Rob and Nina and I are up for the challenge of another 10 days anytime!
My fingers are cramping from all the notes I am transfering to the computer and I am trying to do my own personal POA’s for all 5 of my dogs thanks to your input on that! I will be sending one for Bounce in as soon as i wade thru all this paper and notes!!
Oh and Synge did just awesome on our trip with new dogs and people, the crate games really paid off and we will continue with those games. She ran with 15 new dogs on this trip not to mention greeting new people happily, almost too friendly now!!
I am glad you enjoyed the people out west and we all hope you will be back soon! Bring lynda next time! It would be great to have her out to play too!
Rob and I are just finishing up the last 3 days of our month long trip and then we are on our way home. I have been itching to get back and get back to training my dogs! I have SOOO much stuff to do, it’s very exciting!
Thanks again to you and also to your dogs who don’t always get the credit they deserve being demo dogs, yes they are fabulous ( we all know that )but i somethimes think people don’t realize how hard it is for those dogs to sit around all day and watch everyone else work and only get to come out and play on and off, not to mention the long flights they do, strange places to sleep, strange food sometimes, strange people feeding them or putting them back in their crates ( tattle tails we are:o)… ) for all of us to be able to learn from them.They are real troopers and I appreciated having the opportunity to watch you interact with your dogs over the 10 days.
Anyone who says anything negative about you, your training, your blog, your dogs or whatever has obviously never spent any real time around you and your dogs or they would know they are going to hell for flat out lying!
Congrats on the FCI Team, no one deserves it more! We will be routing for you!
And post some pictures of the new place on your facebook page!! I can’t wait to see it! I am trying to convince Nina and Sylvie to come with me to camp next year so we can see the real thing! Sylvie and I will be at Nationals this year so we will see you there!!
What an awesome week! I learned more about what I don’t know than what I do know but that’s ok. Maggie’s not sure what’s happening – oh my gosh, toys all picked up, a gentle leader, etc, etc but hey she’s starting to tug and is pretty awesome at it’s your choice. So many things to work on – where to start? This weekend we’ll work out our plan.
Thank you Susan for sharing your passion and your knowledge. You and your dogs are amazing. Sure wished we lived in Ontario still. Don’t wait so long to come back again – we’ll stock up on hot shots for you.
Don’t ya want to come to Texas for some workshops?! It is warm down here and we have great Thai food in Houston.
Thanks for the link to Jay Sisler video. He is well known to Aussie enthusiasts, I tried to track down this this video several years ago without success. Hurray for you and YouTube! Here is an article you might find interesting if you haven’t seen it. I have to say reading about him he kinda reminds me of – well, you!
http://www.workingaussiesource.com/stockdoglibrary/scott_sisler_article.htm
“Do the little things greatly, so the great things become little.”
Thanks for another great training tip from today’s blog entry! I have written this down at the top of my training journal and on a stickie note to remind me at work. This could apply to many areas of life!
Many thanks to you! In just a few days of practicing the information from Advances in Dog Training, I can see a huge improvement with my dogs. My 6.5 year old Australian Shepherd has never tugged before is now tugging! My Australian Kelpie’s enthusiasm has gone up. I am having so much fun with them! Thanks again. Hope to see you out this way again.