I fell in love with her, am still in love - only more so. I love to watch her move - do anything really. The beauty and elegance is amazing. Watching her play with Shakti is a pleasure. She must have grown up with other big dogs in a good way. Her general disposition towards humans is friendly (Husky), as well as aloof, needed to be won over (German Shepherd), her energy open, very playful, energetic and determined when it comes to following a scent and digging. Her energy definitely needs channeling and outlets - though at this point, observing her getting tired much sooner than I thought and after watching some videos, I no longer think she has a high or very high energy level, but more moderate to medium high - but still, seems higher than mine.
After falling a few times (being pulled over describes it more accurately) and my legs looking bruised as if seriously abused and after jamming a thorn almost 8 mm into the thenar (thumb pad) of my right hand requiring antibiotics within hours - I started to get more serious about proper dog training.
Wow...a really cool journey, as well as demanding and challenging and ongoing - with no end in sight for as long as either of us lives.
As any new subject or area you're getting into, dog training is a whole world onto itself, and much the same rules apply when penetrating into a new world. I love this one, and part of it is having such a beautiful and strong animal to work with.
I started observing her patterns much more diligently, went online for training info and in the course of that, discovered the world and work of Ceasar Millan, the "dog whisperer". Amazing if I may say so - and I started using what I learn and see there. Despite any controversy, from what I have read, seen and experienced, he is a master in this realm. Some of the description of states he gets into in the course of his work remind me, or rather caused me to intuit what we call some high spiritual states of being.
In the course of this exploration, there's a discovery of things we could have done better had we taken the time to inform ourselves what we were getting into before getting each one of our more recently aquired dogs. Type of dog, time, attention and training not properly considered and given when needed has to be dealt with in the form of bad habits they developed. (HINT: important work habit ideas here too). It is impossible to train one and ignoring the other 2 dogs. You can't train a dog in a vacuum. So I don't just have Skye to deal with, but also the other 2, one of which came to us as a sweet, eager to learn but already dog aggressive 4 month old puppy, only we did not recognize it at the time. The other was sweet and eager to please us, but is now deaf...which is really difficult when you try to establish a "come when called" habit. He just does not hear you - but the other dogs don't know this and follow him...if he does not have to listen...why should I? Dogs mimic each other, learn from each other.
And I remember both of them coming in and having thought: Beautiful animals, good energy - and also: it's not my dog, I have a lot of things to do, don't have the time to "play" with them...
True remorse arises having failed the responsibility to these beings entrusted to us. They did not get what they needed. They got fed and vet care but not a lot else. Their training was left to the older dogs, which had worked in the past, - which were very well behaved - but very different breeds and temperaments. Somehow the excuse: it was not my dog...does not actually work. Not in real conscience. Somehow ignorance is not an excuse....somehow the non-willingness to help is not on par with the spiritual game.
So, if you are thinking of getting a dog, here are some things you may want to do or consider:
actually, to be more honest, I'd say: you have to do, should do and that I want you to consider!!!
- if you want to get a dog - meet with your family, the people you live with, the dog's future pack, and talk about what it will mean for everyone.
A dog is a social and pack animal. A cohesiveness and cooperation of the pack will affect how healthy, balanced and happy your new family member will be. Talk about the time and energy it will require for someone to train the dog. Assign the various tasks, like feeding and walking the dog depending on the family member's schedule. If you think you can get your emotional love needs, empty nest syndrome or security needs met by getting a large, high energy dog and not willing to train him properly...get real by getting informed!
- start with reading a couple of Cesar Millan's books (Ceasar Millan: "Member of the family" and "Cesar's Way" are the 2 I read) and watch a few of the Dog Whisperer episodes on National Geographic.
- decide if you have the space, financial resources and willingness to pay for all costs - vet, fence, food, toys, training and so on for your dog.
- get a dog that matches your energy level or is of a lower energy level than yours!!!!!!!! It takes a lot to do a dog justice that has a higher energy level than you do.
- get a dog that will and can do the task you intend it to do - as in: a husky does not make for a good guard dog.
- learn about what a dog, any dog, naturally does and needs to be a happy, balanced animal that can be enjoyed by all. Also learn about special characteristics and needs of the dog breed your are getting.
You are taking on a responsibility for a being - who will be happy to serve you, be your companion, teacher, protector, playmate - but it is an animal and a dog first - learn what it needs to be able to be the dog you know it can be.
Training a dog and training the animal in you. Now this is where it gets even more interesting. I don't know if you could "get" grok the importance of the pack functioning and what that alone really means for a work group, or what it means to take on the responsibility for an animal. Some things about dog training however you will find in E.J.s books and also hear a lot during the workshops. The way I am coming to see it, it also seems to address Integral Spiritual Practice in surprising ways.
Exercise - physical exercise is extremely important. Your dog MUST get the physical exercise it needs for it's breed and temperament. If not, you will pay a price. For me, Skye is becoming an aid to get my own body in better functioning shape...:) - though for now it's been mostly hurting....
Mental exercise: yes, your dog needs that too - learning commands and discipline as well as boundaries will do that. For you, studying written information or taking instructions with those experience in the matter is helpful, and necessary in most cases. You can, of course, always do it in the "do it yourself" fashion. I found reading about the way of dogs very helpful, and I am registered for dog training classes :)
Discipline and consistency. .....daily routine, training, never miss, follow through - the essence of spiritual practice - is essential in dog training and establishment of habits. In case you wondered, dogs really don't know about Christmas or vacations - no matter how many times you tell them. They are still ready to go at 600am :)
Meditation and attention - The proper way to deal with a dog is in a calm assertive state of being. Dogs read your energy - not human words and talk.
This means when interacting with your dog, you stay calm and assertive no matter what is going on with you! or in your life!!!!
This is, I am finding, essentially a meditative state of being.
Reading your dog's mind and body language requires unfailing attention.
How's that for a challenge? Your dog will read pity, comforting, sadness, anger, frustration, overwhelm and other such human emotions as a sign of weakness....and learn to not respect you as someone he/she needs to listen to or can trust to handle things.
If you want a well behaved, happy dog without aggression or fear problems - it is best to treat him a certain way, each time and every time.
One observation: Often folks interpret a dog's hyper-excited state with happiness to see them and contribute to it with their own "hyperness"
Relationship - well, if it's just you and your dog, I suppose you don't have to deal too much with the "pack" members of the human family in your house. However - training your dog as a spiritual path will affect your relationships because you yourself, doing the practices required, will change.
Social conscience: You will naturally look for associates and other folks on this path and you get a heart for helping other animals in need, get the ideas of teaching and informing anyone who will listen to not contribute to the misery many animals in this country are subjected to through ignorance and non caring.
In effect, training a dog is a full spiritual practice....especially if you are training a higher energy dog, strong, independent minded and energetic with an irresistable hunting drive and your environment poses somewhat challenging conditions.
Like Ceasar Millan sometimes says: You don't get the dog you want - you get the dog you need :)
As for Skye, our beautiful Husky/German Shepherd puppy/adolescent, I really want to preserve her wonderful disposition, playfulness, boisterous and open energy - just tamed, with good habits, trained to follow command so as not to be scary or in any way or at any time dangerous or destructive for humans and fellow dogs alike - and including cattle!
It'll take work.
Now - chasing cats, squirrels and other rodents - that's a whole other story
:)
Well done. Thanks for reminding that we can transform anything in part of our spiritual practice.
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog entry.
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