Taking our cues

Sometimes when I begin a post I have a fairly clear idea of where it's headed

and other times, as happened here, it veers off into another direction entirely.

This one has become an open thought, just some observations

about how connections can happen

and where they might lead,

so I'll leave it as that.

Backing up a bit, here's where my thoughts started ....

Michelle and "the boyz" had an impromptu practice session yesterday
so Isla and I headed over to the training facility to join them.
Working with our dogs is one of the great joys in our lives
and I'm certain it's the main reason M and I have became such good friends.

Sam, her Golden, is twelve years old now but still learning
new tricks.  This is a bit of platform training used in Freestyle
and Sam's just accomplished "four on" [all four paws square on the platform]
so he's been clicked for the positive behavior
and gets a yummy reward.

Benny, who's eleven, is learning verbal commands to understand

which platform M wants him on.  Here she's said, "Behind,"

and Benny has moved into position  -  M clicks

[clicker in her right hand] 

and will hand him a treat backwards.

Our dogs take turns - while one is on the floor working

the other dogs are enclosed in their crates or pens.

It's a great way for them to learn discipline while in close proximity to other dogs

and the crates also become their "safe spots" where they can always feel secure

and chill out if they need to.

We keep the exercises short & fast ... that way, the dogs stay fully engaged

and it's easier on the handlers, too, in the long run.

The dogs seem to love the practices as much as the humans.

We're building a mutual language through teamwork but perhaps best of all,

we're building comaraderie across species.

Here's the newest addition to M's doggy household, the spritely Border collie, Craig.

A youngster by comparison to his "old men" brothers,

he's barely three and believe it or not  HE  has become Isla's first boyfriend ... 

oh my, is she ever so sweet on the Craigster ... shamefully so.

They look like brother & sister - must get some portraits of them together soon

[more of that story another time].

Although he arrived with sheep herding skills under his withers,

M has some   additional plans   for this fine fella ...

as in

her next Agility companion.

So how might one teach a herding dog new tricks?

Practice, patience, practice, determination, patience, practice,

mixed together with a lively batch of hand signals,

verbal controls, body language

and endless amounts of positive reinforcement.

Taking the cue for "bow."

So far so good.

M is nothing short of focused & dedicated ... as for Craig,

OH what a happy dog he is !

After we finished, Isla and I headed to the beach.

I needed some stones for a project and anyway,

the bright afternoon was excuse enough to head outdoors.

We walked and walked 

and as the little stones clinked into my bag

I rewound thoughts from our day; 

about training, and learning ... how much dogs and humans have in common,

thoughts about how all of us take cues from our surroundings,

from what inspires, excites, 

and also from those who purposely or not

encourage us towards new directions.

Like Craig.

The beach experienced some leveling over winter which made for easy rambling.

Piles of driftwood were displaying their silvery lines

in the chilly sunshine, exposing their story, 

showing what they're made of ...

which reminded me of some lines back home.

This piece is finished now

and this stone is my next cue ...