May 2007
Summer Snow...
Posted by jennifer on May 30, 2007.
I had to share these because it's just so beautiful here! I think I'm getting better with the camera... ;-)
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Oh Deer...
Posted by jennifer on May 28, 2007.
On our day off, the dogs and I hit the trails and we thought we'd share a few pictures... Yes, this is a deer we came across that even tilted his head when I made a squeaky noise to take this shot- I guess whether working with dogs or deer in front of the camera, the same things work :-)~
Hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day as much as I did...
Best,
JMc
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Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by jennifer on May 28, 2007.
I hope everyone is having a fantastic long weekend and whether you're having a BBQ or doing something outdoors- don't forget to take along your furry friends as long as they stay cool and have lots of water :-) Socialization and exercise are key elemets to a well behaved dog....
Some of you may know that I like to run. I run for fun but secretly, I'm planning on running my first marathon next year. Currently, I run on a tread mill because it's air-conditioned in my gym and I can see exactly how far I'm running- although the scenery isn't that nice. Also, because I work outside- it's wonderful not to have to wear sun screen. I think I'm reaching that point though where I must take my running out onto the streets. Right now, I'm at 9 min. a mile but I'm working my way towards 8. This in comparison to other runners here is easy. In a place where Olympic athletes train, it definetly keeps you motivated. In Florida I used to run with Elvis at night but during the day here, it gets too hot. We go on hikes, walks, play ball and of course their favorite activity- chasing away the bunny rabbits and prarie dogs.
Next Sunday I leave for L.A. and have lots to do to prepare for my trip. Be safe, have fun and don't forget the many men, women and dogs who are fighting for us over in Iraq...
All my best,
Jennifer
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Acting Like a Dog and Unleashing the Power
Posted by jennifer on May 23, 2007.
This week as Elvis was around more puppies, his confidence rose and Dylan is trying to hang on to his position as Beta in the pack under me. Elvis (now at maturity) is starting to challenge his elder and watching it unfold is always greater knowledge to me than any book.
The journey started to unfold when I got Lola. By copying her playful moves and strong assertiveness over toys, I was able to start speaking the actual language of dogs. People thought I was crazy but it only made sense to cross the threshold of acting less like a human and more like a dog. Then came the many experiments I performed down on my knees, asserting myself over toys, instigating play and then one day, what I had hoped for actually happened. My pack of German Shepherds started to approach me submissively, licking my face, ears back and lowered tails wagging. They accepted me not only as their human leader but as an actual alpha dog and that was one of the greatest accomplishments I've been able to have in my life.
People don't realize that being an Alpha dog is like being a movie star. It's actually an amazing feeling to have other pack members submitting to you. With being an Alpha also comes a lot of responsiblity. It's similer in our society to being a good boss or being the president. You are the protector, the stability and the one who makes all decissions for the rest of the animals.
I try to help people understand the body lanuage, the "looks" and the attitude but the best way to become a great leader to your dog is to mimic from time to time a good alpha wolf or alpha dogs behavior. There are many videos to watch about dog & wolf pack behavior- check them out! Trust me, your dog will thank you for it as he or she will feel safer, more secure and less anxious in the human world...
Have a good night!
All my best,
JMc
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Jed- The John Deer Lawn Mower...
Posted by jennifer on May 16, 2007.
This is Jed. He mows the riding ring area. He's my neighbor's horse who I let come over to graze and he's quite a good boy. Jed isn't afraid of anything and he's pretty friendly with the dogs. Tonight was a puppy class and next week will be graduation. I think Elvis still thinks he qualifies as a puppy because he certainly has a good time playing with Bilbo & Shawnee...
The new camera is working out well although I'll need some more practice. I love the quality of the images though :-) Today was very busy and I had to book all my flight stuff, etc. for my L.A. trip. My friends are throwing me a b-day party while I'm out there so it should be fun!
Have a great night,
Jennifer
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Ready To Roll...
Posted by jennifer on May 15, 2007.
What does success mean to you? For me, success in work doesn't always mean success in life. I'm a believer of mind over body, body over mind. It's important I think to live your life in all aspects to the best of one's ability. Nobody's perfect, we all make mistakes but the question is do you learn from your mistakes or do you keep repeating them over and over again? I would love to say I've never repeated a mistake in my life but I know I have. I try however to live my life as healthy as possible. For me, that's success. I try to bring people into my life that bring me up and not pull me down. It's important to be a friend to someone and have it returned and I try to be a loyal and good person to those around me.
This year as I enter a PR campaign, I finally feel ready in all aspects. To me, success can't be fully reached unless you've got your bases covered. Health, animals, career, friends, family, mental & physical strength and a little but of luck will get you there. Now is my time to shine & I'm not taking any prisoners. I'm ready to go, want to sign on the dotted line, get a handshake, a smile and not look back. Life's a journey and I'm just getting started...
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In the Living Room...
Posted by jennifer on May 14, 2007.
Thank God for Cannon. I can't believe I actually figured out how to get my photos from point A to point B! I just got a professional camera to take some good shots of wildlife here in Colorado, the dogs and wolves for you to see. I've always had a fascination for photography but haven't had the time to learn how to properly use a camera so now I am. I'm going to start taking some classes here in Boulder and I'm very excited about it. The thing that's always frustrated me is never having enough zoom to get the shots I want so now I have that capability.
On my first experiment tonight, here are some shots I took in my living room. Many people ask me about my cat Mitten so here she is lurking across the living room floor... I hope to be showing you more this year of training, clients and life with the dogs right here on my blog!
Be well,
Jennifer
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What Wolves Have Taught Me About Dogs
Posted by jennifer on May 14, 2007.
We, as humans, are all intruders on very fragile eco-systems in the wild. After killing off those that are eating our livestock, we constantly forget the importance of nature’s fine element of balance. It hasn’t been until recently that wolves are starting to make a comeback from feared killer to social, family orientated animal. Over time, humans have destroyed wolves leaving them fearful and shy of coming into contact with us in the wild. Much of the wolves’ social structure is very similar to our own and yet they have been around much longer than we have. They taught us how to hunt and possibly could have taught us a primal social order- at least that’s my guess anyway. Wolves must always work together to be successful as a close- knit family run by a strong pack leader.
As I grow to continue to learn about these animals, I see much more of what they can teach me about my interactions with dogs. So much so that I’ve made it a primary part of what I integrate into my daily client sessions. I develop social structure around food. Using growling as a means to keep the pecking order clear. I’m the Alpha female who rules the pack and every resource that’s important to my dogs, comes to me first. Toys will sometimes be guarded and often, I initiate play, exercise, etc. This is all through speaking the language of canines and leaving the human language behind. I communicate to them using body language and even smile to show a sign of affection. Touch is very important and always comes as a reward or through play. This new form of dominance has not only shifted the way I interact with dogs but has led me to stead fast results.
Another form of dominance I use is to have first rights at any attention when a spouse comes home from work. Corrections are given very seldomly just as an Alpha wolf would but by making the bark much stronger than the bite.
The reaction I get from humans when I tell them this is usually a laugh but when I demonstrate the effects, I often see jaws drop. The bottom line is that the status of your pack must be kept always in sync. If this occurs, the dogs feel safer, secure and happier. Once pack status gets out of whack, that’s when you will experience problems.
Thanks once again for another insight owed to our friends- the wolf…
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No, It's Not Halloween
Posted by jennifer on May 12, 2007.
So, I'm making a point of blogging more although I'm still trying to figure out how to get certain pictures uploaded. (Hence the old picture of Dylan at MW during Halloween...). However, I'm going to invest in a new camera so I'll be taking more recent pictures. This year is chalk full of surprises. For one thing, I'm close to hiring a PR firm. My new media adventure will officially begin on July 15th, 2007. The other exciting new advetures include a new focus on integrating my work with wolves into dogs and the people that bestow their company ;-) My dog trainer school is in full swing with more students coming out to learn the trade and a possible apprentice as my trusty side- kick may be in the works. This year I hope to take a trip up to Yellowstone to observe wolves in their natural habitat and many more trips to Florida and Los Angeles are slated for the coastal customers out there. The dogs are doing great and couldn't be happier living on 5 acers in Colorado. It was a tough winter with lots of snow but we made it through and both myself and the dogs learned a lot about one another from being stuck inside! Elvis has turned out to be a beautiful male with the best temperment one could hope for. Lola continues to enjoy her time spent half way down a prairie dog hole and good old Dylan is always by my side. He's got the mind of a puppy but the body of a 9 & a half year old. Still, I keep him in good shape with exercise and a healthy diet. Mitten, my cat has turned into a ruthless hunter and is now catching rabbits her own size. I'm constanly rescuing things from her grasp. All and all, we're off to a great start this year and I'm very excited for more learning, research and continuing my life long passion working with animals. Stay tuned for an incredible year ahead and check in often as I'll be blogging here more frequently.
Until we meet again-
All my best,
Jennifer
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Saving Baby Bunny From Mitten's Death Chamber
Posted by jennifer on May 09, 2007.
Today coming back from the post office, I noticed Mitten had another victim in her death chamber. Mitten is my black & white ruthless street cat that I saved from a trip out the window of a crack addict's car in Los Angeles. I thought it would be fun to train her like my dogs in attack work as a kitten but the plan back fired. She now hunts down species bigger than herself and traps them in what I refer to as her death chamber. You know when you have a basement and there's a window? In order for the light to come through, on the outside of the house where that window is- there's a drop below. I don't know what you call this area as I haven't had a basement in years but it's where all the leaves collect over time. Anyway, today I came home & she had this poor baby bunny in there. The bunny looked scared to death and was jumping into the basement window trying to get away from Mitten. When I saw this, I grabbed my cat totally against her will as she wanted to eat the poor bunny. I ran downstairs and got an old towel and picked little bunny up to release her into the wild blue yonder. When I put bunny on the grass, she actually wanted to stay in the towel so I brought her under a tree and talked to her because she was so scared. The bunny could probably fit in my hand- she was so little. She was so cute with tiny brown eyes that I pet her over her ears and she seemed more calm. She looked in good shape so I put down the towel and she hopped off into the sunset. It was one of those moments that just puts things into perspective.
For the rest of the afternoon, Mitten was banned to the house to make sure bunny got away but she wasn't happy. She not only kills these animals but she eats them too! I don't mind mice because there are too many around but bunnies and birds are protected under the McCarthy Wilderness Act that's zoned around my property. So Mitten- You better watch out! :-)