K9 Musings

From Kenzi’s perspective –

Today we went an adventure. I wanted to go off and do my own thing (chase squirrels, roll in poop) but the person said I had to stay near her. She didn’t want me to get muddy. Sigh. Doesn’t she understand that it’s a dog thing to get good and muddy? I was a bit upset that it was so warm. When there’s snow on the ground she doesn’t worry about me getting muddy….

We stopped by the river first. It was high and fast. I knew better than to go in so I stood on the bank and watched.

But Kolt? He’s not as wise as I am. He wanted to go swimming! He stood on the bank and asked. The person said no. He wasn’t too happy about that.

So you know what he did? He ran to the other side of the hill and waded right in – without asking that time!!  He was just asking to get in trouble.

But I was good. I followed the rules and stayed out of the water.

The person told Kolt to get out of the water and we ventured on. I kept a lookout for squirrels even though I couldn’t chase them.

Kolt stopped to sniff stuff. Boys want to sniff EVERYTHING.

We continued on through the field. I kept checking in with the person to make sure that she was around to keep Kolt in line.

We saw squirrels – but didn’t chase them! (because, well, the person was watching…)

I found a tree to explore. I’m pretty sure that LOTS of squirrels live in that tree.

Kolt found a rock to stand on. He’s SUCH a showoff!

Kolt found more water. He jumped right in. Without asking. Again. That was kinda crazy since there was still ICE in the water.

But the person said we could play in this water.

So I went and got a drink.

Kolt kept looking for something.

And he found a ball!!!

But did he share that ball with me? No! He tried to keep it all to himself. He though he was big stuff since his legs are longer and he can run faster.

I was VERY frustrated and told the person. She wasn’t any help so I took matters into my own paws.

I kept watch and was finally able to snag the ball.  Yup. Busted mister. His legs might be longer. But those legs are nothing compared to my look.

Sadly, that was right before the person was ready to go back inside. So she took the ball and made us pose together. We humored her today and sat nicely for a picture. We thought that just maybe she’d give the ball back to us then. But alas, it didn’t happen.

Next time I’m hoping to sneak off quick for my own adventure before she tells us that we need to stick together.

Then I will play in the mud. And chase squirrels!!

Everyone loves that well trained dog. They’re mesmerized by the precision, the focus, the performance. The connection between owner and dog. Sheep dog trials to agility, fun tricks to freestyle, detection to disc. It’s cool. And everyone wants to be coolant have that cool dog.

But how much? Are they willing to adjust their life to attain the goal of a well trained dog? Sacrifice other wants to make it happen? For most people the answer is no. I get that – it’s a lot of work. Many people have other commitments, other “A” priorities. And that’s just fine. We can’t do everything.

But, for those who can, there is a difference between those who “want” it and those who really WANT it.

Since 2007, I’ve been training my dogs for Search and Rescue work. It’s insanely cool to me. Each time I watch my dogs use their nose with speed and accuracy I’m amazed. I love the team work and trust.

That doesn’t happen overnight. It takes one and a half to two *years* of work to train and certify a dog for search work. Training in 90 degree heat, training in rain, training in snow. Some days you leave training with a big smile, sometimes you leave frustrated. Some days everything goes right. Others? You wonder why you showed up or how in the world you ever thought that you’d be able to do this. You’ll wonder if you dog left it’s brain at home. Or if you really have any talent as a trainer.

You take a week off because you need a break. You dog needs a break.

But then you continue. You show up and train every week. You fail and try again. And again. You miss certification by – this – much and turn around and figure out how to do better next time.

Why?

Because you are driven. You make it a priority. You are disciplined.

In other words, you WANT it.

There isn’t room for many of these intense wants in life. You need to chose the priority and stick to it. A person can’t go to the olympics for both figure skating and hockey – you can do both for fun, but you can’t be great at both. You need to chose, commit and work to make great happen.

Can you guarantee that you can always make it happen? No. But it absolutely won’t happen unless you commit.

Unless you really WANT it.

A Story from Kolt

Today we went someplace new. The person called this place the “dunes”. It was different. And exciting. So. Many. New. Smells. And noises, too. The person said that this was a good time to visit the dunes because most people don’t think of going there in February.

I kept checking back in with the person. She moves slow.

And she kept asking me to do stuff. It’s kinda hard to do stuff in new, exciting places but I tried.

What I really wanted to do was explore and figure out all the smells and sounds. People like to use their eyes. But I would rather use my nose.

I also wanted to go play in the water but the person said that the waves were too strong. Sigh.

So I climbed another dune and watched the water instead.

“Person. Seriously. I’m trying to watch the water.”

Sometimes she was a bit confusing. Humans don’t always understand that their words can disagree with what their body is saying. It’s frustrating if you’re a dog. So I barked at her and told her to clarify.

On the walk back to the car she kept telling me to climb more dunes. I’m sure it was for more pictures. But I didn’t really mind that because climbing is fun!

What I minded was when she wanted me to stop on the trail and pose. Again.

The trail? Are you serious? EVERYBODY walks there. And all the dogs, too. That place is waaay too interesting for posing.

But I eventually humored her.

I will say that one of my best skills is being able to look like this – 

When I’m thinking this –

“Seriously person? Another spot? I thought we really were headed back to the car now”

“Okay, I’ll try. Half-heartedly”

“Oh, you have cheese? I’ll try again”

“Fine. If I pose just right will you put the camera away??”

I would like to go back again. It’s a cool place. But next time I will suggest that she leave the camera in the car. I think we could do twice as much exploring if we weren’t constantly stopping to play with that camera.