Lifestyle Membership

Recently I have been thoroughly enjoying, and often inspired, by this podcast called Open Air Humans. I listen to it through Spotify, but you can also listen to it through Apple Podcasts, etc. Below I will put a link to the page for it. 

The other night while driving home from an appointment I got to listen to a handful of these podcasts and I have been hooked ever since. 

I will give an example of one that stood out to me....

I was listening to Episode 11 with Indigenous Ethnobotanist Linda Black Elk. She was talking about our relationship with plants around us and how to deepen that relationship. A piece of advice she gave was to learn more about the plants-starting with their name. When we get to know someone, we start with their name. 

This hit me so hard and gave me *chills*. 

In the past when walking out in nature, I have sometimes wondered the name of a plant or a tree or a bird. And while I have always been interested in knowing these things, I feel like the desire for knowledge came from a place of "I should know this..." or for self betterment. 

But listening to Linda, it shifted that perspective onto the relationship I would have with the nature around me. I want a deeper relationship with nature-one of connection. From this perspective, knowing the name didn't come from a desire of knowledge, but a desire of knowing-of deepening my understanding to deepen my connection and better the relationship. 

I am so grateful for this conversation and this shift in perspective. 

And of course, being who I am, I related this to dogs. I've heard Brene Brown (have you listened to any of her podcasts yet?!) talk about what people want in a relationship-the be seen, to be heard, to be understood. So thinking about what Brene and Linda were saying, I thought about my desire to deepen my relationship with my dogs. 

How one of the best ways to do that is to observe them, trying to really see them. Not through our human filter, not through the Disney like characters we can project onto them, but for who they really are. It is why one of my biggest goals as a dog trainer is to help people have a deeper understanding of their dog, an awareness for how we are interacting together. 

I would love to hear your thoughts on this--please comment below. 

Also, if you listen to the podcast, you know I want your thoughts! I am interested in having a podcast discussion group with people if they'd be interested........

Podcast Link: https://openairhumans.com/

I think I will always be in awe of nature and what being in nature does for us.

I am also so incredibly grateful for the land that we have here, the nature that I have access to right outside my back door.

On Sunday, after a dog fight, we had to work on supporting the dogs in their recovery. A large part of that process that I am so grateful for is taking them on walks on our property.

The feeling I get watching dogs go from being a little bit stressed to having that melt away as they are hunting grasshoppers, sniffing, having freedom to move at the pace they want to--it is incredibly rewarding.

I am someone actively working to get out of my head so much and to be more present. Being in nature is one of my favorite places to do that. I try to engage as many senses as possible, though admittedly lack on taste.

But I like to listen-to hear the bugs, to the way my feet move through the grass, to the dog's nose sniffing to their happy panting. Touch-feel the sunshine, the breeze, the grass, the grass, the plants as I touch them in passing. See-the dogs relaxing and decompressing, enjoying themselves fully. Smell-I love smelling the plants, but I always like to take a few pine needs to carry and smell.

I love to watch the dogs and how they engage with the environment. How they carry themselves and move, how they sniff, what they are watching. Seeing them at play, at ease, at peace-it's the best.

Here is a picture of Clyde and his housemate Yogi hanging out with me during a walk.

We work our hardest to try and prevent this as much as possible, and provide a safe environment for dogs while they are here. But as much as we can try to minimize the risk of a scuffle, fight, or injury happening, when you are putting a group of semi domesticated predators together, the risk of those happening is never zero. 

We work our hardest to try and prevent this as much as possible, to create a safe environment for dogs while they are here. But as much as we can try to minimize the risk, when you are putting a group of semi domesticated predators together, the risk is never zero. 

Our work in preventative actions is important, but just as important, is how we respond to a scuffle, fight or injury happening. 

The first step is to assess the situation-were there injuries, was anyone hurt, do they need vet care, etc. Unfortunately on Sunday, there was vet care needed. We are so incredibly grateful to our vet clinic and the care they give. 

Now that everyone was taken care of physically, we have to start working towards recovery. 

It is so easy when there has been a situation to separate everyone and keep them separated. We feel safer and sometimes it is scary to put them back together after an issue. However, if you can safely put dogs back together after a scuffle, or if they can stay together through the whole process, I feel that’s one of the best things you can do. 

Often I have heard of people in multiple dog households who their dogs get in a fight, they separate the dogs for a period of time and now they can’t get them together again.

Safety should always be the number one concern, and if you can’t do so safely, please reach out to a trainer for help. 

I took Clyde for a walk in the field to help him decompress a little bit. Then we took a group of dogs out for some play time. Once they were tired out and calmer, I brought Clyde out on a long leash. Austin helped me create a “bubble” around Clyde so other dogs were not approaching. As he settled in I would let dogs approach him, but I was mindful that he may be more defensive and that he was still feeling a bit ouchy. With this in mind, I would not allow dogs to sniff and hang out by his ear, where he had been bit. I walked him around, then around the other dogs, for a little bit of time-probably no longer than 10 or 15 minutes. Then we went out for another walk in the field. I could tell he was uncomfortable, but he was really looking to me in the situation and was not reactive. 

I also messaged his owner about working him in a social setting coming up as well once he is healed up. 

If you ever have a fight with your dog, be mindful of recovery for the dogs, but also for yourself. Seeing a fight can be hard. While we want to be reading our dog’s body language and how they are communicating together when putting them back together, sometimes we hold onto the fear longer than the dogs, which can pass back to them.  

Here is the video of Clyde in the group of dogs. Notice his body language-his ears and tail are especially expressive here. Also notice how he engages with me. https://youtu.be/afbY_tbLwCI

Here is the video after having him in the group of dogs, decompressing on his field walk. https://youtu.be/becIfvUEC7w

When you live in the country with land for your dogs to run, it can be hard to make time for intentional leash time. I’ve often had people tell me they aren’t sure when the last time their dog was even on a leash because they live on the country and their dog is primarily off leash. 

While I love that those dogs are getting so much freedom outside and time to be dogs, I really believe the value of having dogs be able to have good loose leash walking skills. I could write pages and pages upon pages of why dogs should have loose leash skills. I’m going to reign it in, instead just giving a short list of why I believe all dogs should have loose leash walking skills, yes, even country dogs. 

1)      There are parts of life that happen on leash. Going to the vet, for example, requires a leash. If your dog is injured or in recovery where they are on leash restriction, having leash skills will help make that process not only less frustrating for everyone involved, but safer for the dog. 

2)      One of the best things we can do for our dogs is teach them how to live in this human world. Part of them is for preparing them for life in all different ways. Even if you don’t live in town, can your dog comfortably walk in town? If you had to suddenly move into town, how would your dog handle that transition? If you were to have to rehome your dog to someone who lived in town, would your dog adjust? Now before you tell me that you will never ever live in town, or you would never rehome your dog, let me just say I have heard that many, many times before from people who moved to town or are in the process of rehoming their dogs. Just because you believe it wont happen doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare your dog for something different. 

3)      Socialization is so important to dogs throughout their whole life-not just when they’re puppies. Socialization isn’t just meeting new dogs and people, which they can do at home. It is also getting your dogs comfortable with different environments. By doing so you can build confidence, resilience and adaptability in your dogs-which are all good to have. You never know what life is going to throw at you. 

4)      Dogs that can walk on nice loose leashes are more enjoyable to take with on leash. That means they get included in more things because it isn’t a pain to take them. Dogs do not get enough time with us as we would like, so making the best out of the time we have with them is incredibly important. 

5)      Leashes are a supportive communication tool. When we are skill building with our dogs or working on our relationship with them, a leash can be a beneficial connection with our dog. 

I am very grateful to live on 69 beautiful acers of fields, woods and a creek. My dogs are all off leash reliable and love to be out there with me. One of my favorite things to do with my dogs is to take them out for their walks. While this is a great way to fulfill their needs, I still believe in the value of the points above and try to make an effort to take them to town for walks, onto different walking trails, and into public stores that allow it (thank you pet stores and Farm and Fleet). 

However, I will be the first to say this summer went by so fast that I only had my dogs on leash a couple of times. At last week’s open session I was so excited to be able to have my dogs out and they were also very excited….it showed and I had some work to do! I was a little critical of them and myself at times (a bad habit I am working on), but I feel like overall they did well.
 
 I am looking forward to tonight’s open session to have them on leash again. And of course with this nice Fall weather I am looking forward to some walks in town and the Red Cedar Trail to get some socialization and work on some other skills.

The following is a post I shared on my business Facebook page, but I thought I would share it here, too. 

Tonight as I was getting ready for bed I caught myself in an old habit: going over the checklists in my head. 

The first, a checklist of what I didn’t get done, what I am behind on. 

The second, a checklist of what needs to be done soon, what was added to my list today or recently.

The third, a list of things I should be doing to be going in the direction I would like to go, to reach my goals. All three lists add up and then I find myself wandering onto other list…things I would like to do with or for my family, my animals, my friends, projects around the house and on the property. 

I think about how tomorrow I would like to take a chunk of time off to spend with my family. I had a cancellation in my schedule and I blocked out the rest of the time for rest. I even turned down working with a client I really enjoyed to stick to this. While it was uncomfortable doing so, I was happy. 

Then all the old, and unfortunately all too familiar voices, start chiming up in my head. 

By this time, I am starting to realize the physical effect my mind is having on my body. The tense pit of my stomach, the tightness in my shoulders, holding my breath. I take a deep breath, then another, then a third. I start to counter all the critical thoughts, holding my ground. I can feel myself relaxing and while the stress is not completely gone, I am feeling a lot better. 

I wish I could work myself through this process when I was in my twenties. I thought about how I would have these crazy productive streaks, followed by being tired and slow, but stuck with a schedule (that I had given myself) to continue. I would beat myself up, not understanding why I couldn’t be that productive 1000% of the time. Instead of understanding myself, I sought to make changes, but in the wrong direction. I would think, how can I change myself so I’m not so lazy? How can I get better organizational skills, time management skills, become a morning person, accomplish so much more….the list goes on. And each time I would try to implement something and it would fail, I would come crashing down to thinking I was lazy, stupid, a fraud, an imposter, a failure. 

I’ve done a lot of work for myself, and will continue to do so, to understand who I am, what I need, what I want and how to go from there. 

I had to learn I am not a machine. My productivity can come in phases, but if I don’t follow that with rest I will burn out. I had to learn that while there were improvements I could make on myself, that I had to accept myself for where I was in the moment, that where I was and where I had been wasn’t bad. I had to forgive and accept myself for that. None of my “failings” were weakness in moral code, I wasn’t a bad person because I wasn’t as organized as I would like to be and I hated mornings. 

I’m so grateful for my support group of family, friends, even clients who have helped me with all of this. I am grateful that I got the therapist I did. I’m so grateful for the ideas I’ve heard about, the podcasts I’ve listened to, the books I’ve read to help me with these thoughts. I’ve learned a lot about anxiety, ADHD my insecurities. I used to think those were just excuses, but I’ve discovered the more I learned about those, the more I could help myself-even if just removing shame around those things.

Don’t think that I’ve got these things figured out because I’ll be the first person to tell you I don’t. But I am so grateful for the tools that I have now, the support that I have, the access to information that has been so helpful and honestly-I am so grateful that I’ve had the privilege to be able to work on myself. I do think wellness is a privilege. 

Honestly, I’ve wanted to write more. I’ve wanted to share more. So I am going to post this tonight. At a time that is actually well past my bedtime, without editing and overthinking.  Instead of saving this in a draft on my computer that will never be opened again, I am going to post this to Facebook. 

So, if you have managed to read this whole thing, first of all, thank you. I will say that for the most part, my clients are the best clients and have always been so kind and supportive on posts. I do want to make it clear, this is not a post asking for sympathy. If you feel inclined to comment, I would be happy to hear your thoughts on this of course, but I would like to hear you comment something positive about yourself, something that you did lately for rest and relaxation, a part of your self care routine, anything. 

As for me, I am happy that tonight, I am not spiraling. I am proud of myself and grateful for some new understandings. I’m grateful that I am starting to put those understandings into action. I am grateful that tomorrow I get to spend time with my family.

Services & Cost

*Please see service descriptions below

Free Group Introductory Session: Monday, April 4th, 7:00pm

**Introductory Sessions are required to attend Meet Ups and/or Private Lessons

Monthly Member’s Meeting: Wednesday, April 20th, 7:00pm, Free for Lifestyle Members ($10/month)

Live Online Foundation Express Class: Monday, April 11th, 7:00pm, $75 

Meet Ups: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm, Saturday mornings at 10:00am, $20/handler 

*Possibly adding 11:30am Saturday classes if there is a demand for it, check in for updates.

Tuesday the 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

Thursday the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

Saturday the 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th  

Monday Night Mini Meet Up: 6:00pm to 6:40pm, 11th, 18th, 25th, Free 

Private Introductory Sessions, $50

**Introductory Sessions are required to attend Meet Ups and/or Private Lessons

Private Lessons, $50/hour, $25/half an hour

Support Sessions, $15 

Lifestyle Membership, $10/month (free two week trial period)

Service Descriptions

Please Note: 

·         For all of our in person services, we do require all participants to properly mask at all times while inside the facility. If you do not want to mask, we can work outside only or virtually. 

·         For in person services, I need a paper copy proof of your dog’s Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines. 

o   If your puppy is too young for Rabies, we do need to have a Distemper, a Distemper booster (and be a week past the booster) and the Bordetella. Once the puppy has Rabies we need an updated vaccine copy. 

·         For in person services, we require dogs and puppies to be current on flea/tick preventative. 

·         To register for a Meet Up or schedule a private lesson, text or call Jana at 715-642-1506. 

Introductory Session

·         This is a prerequisite for attending Meet Ups and Private Lessons.

·         Can be done privately for $50 either virtually or in person.

o   We also offer a Free Group Intro Session once a month via Zoom.

o   Virtual can be over the phone or Zoom. Clients can send short video clips of their dog before the session to show life with their dog and/or problematic behaviors and concerns. 

o   For in person sessions, can be done at our facility with all participants properly masked. 

During this discussion based session we will go over my approach in working and living with dogs, what my training looks like, answer and ask questions getting to know you and your dog, talk about the approach I would take in helping you and your dog, and things you can start doing immediately. We go over a lot of information in this session and while some clients like their dogs to be there for me to see them, others feel like their dog would be too distracting. We go over a lot of information that helps make private lessons and meet ups make more sense. Also, for the dog and owner to be successful with training, the people need the training and the understanding of what to do at home outside of training sessions. 

Private Lessons

·         Can be done for a full hour or half an hour. 

o   Some clients find half an hour to discuss a concept and/or skill, check in and go from there is more than enough for them and their dog, while others want a 45 minute to hour session.

·         Can be done virtually. 

o   Over the phone or over Zoom. 

o   If done over Zoom, can screen share demonstration videos to help give a visual. 

o   Clients can send in videos of them and their dog between sessions, but it is not a requirement. 

o   So much about dog training is about teaching the people. A lot can be covered and worked on in a discussion-based session. 

·         Can be done in person at my facility, at a neutral location (park, walking trail, in town, etc.), or in the client’s home. 

o   There is a travel fee of $1/mile for one way. 

·         Can be done semiprivate with friends and family, check for prices. 

·         Can be done for multiple hours at a time. 

o   Often clients coming from a distance will do multiple hours at a time. This can also be done in home. 

§  Example: with a client did a three-hour session. Worked with the dog in the home, outside in the yard, walked in town and went to vet clinic. Combination of hands-on work with dog and discussion. In depth session to help clients. 

·         At this time the best scheduling is Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with limited Saturday availability. 

These one-on-one sessions are great for clients who would like personalized, focused training. They can be a great option for people who are not ready or not comfortable in a group session, need a different and flexible schedule, want to do socialization in a more structured environment, want to work on electric collar training, need more customized training, etc. 

Meet Ups 

·  Done virtually or in person. 

·  Virtual meet ups are held over Zoom and are a great place to ask questions about your dog, dive into concept exploration, work on skill building, and just discuss dog! 

- Videos may be shared for demonstration and to break down concepts. 

--Ex: may show a video of dogs in a group and point out body language/etc. 

- Clients are encouraged to submit a video of their dog, whether they would like insight and feedback, or just want to share something they are working on with their dog. 

- Clients can get challenges to work on with their dog until the next session. 

- Can be done in person. 

- Pre registration required as we are limiting amount of participants at this time. If you are registered and need to cancel, please let know as soon as possible. 

- All participants required to properly mask at all times. 

In these group sessions, we are working on life skills such as loose leash walking, spatial pressure, greetings, behavior expectations, handling, and obedience (though this is not an obedience oriented session and obedience may not be covered during a session). There may also be a discussion component where we address how to implement skills at home, dive into concept exploration, etc. 

Live Online Foundation Express Class 

·         Prerequisite of Introductory Session (either private or group). 

·         Each class will have access to the live online session held via Zoom, demo and discussion videos, handouts, with the option of video submission. 

In this five week class, each thirty minute session will cover one skill/concept such as loose leash walking, spatial pressure, handling, interactions, greetings. There will be video demonstrations shared in each class for clients who are visual learners. The class will be engaging, but also short with the intention to give the information in a clear, concise way so to not be overwhelming, but to also fit into busy schedules. At the end of each session, participants can stay on for a Q and A session if they have additional questions or would simply like to listen in. This class would be great as a stand alone service and also for clients who are doing Meet Ups and Private Lessons. 

Lifestyle Membership

·         Get access to our online training videos. 

·         Includes Monthly Member’s Meeting (a personalized Virtual Meet Up for Members).

·         Can submit videos of your dog for feedback. 

·         Includes virtual meet ups and virtual workshops. 

·         Access to an online community with training posts and where participants are welcome to post and comment on posts. 

In this membership, you get a behind the scenes look at our life and work with dogs, as well as helpful resources and community to help you with your dog. This membership can be a great supplement to help in partnership with in person private lessons or group sessions, or it can be a supportive stand alone for clients working with their dog. 

Support Sessions

Prerequisite: must have done an Introductory Session (either group or private). 

This 15 minute long virtual session, done over the phone or via Zoom, is an opportunity for me to check in with clients, answer questions, give feedback, pointers and advice and give clients ideas, exercises or challenges moving forward. These sessions are supportive for clients who are in Meet Ups and want more personalized support, for clients to do in between or following up after private lessons, or for clients who are busy but would like to have a little support with their dog. Clients can submit a short video of their dog prior to the session for feedback as well. 

Monday Night Mini Meet Up 

This free session is a combination of a short pack walk with an added in group activity such as passbys, follow the leader, stranger greetings, etc. We will be meeting in Chetek at 6:00pm in front of the KJ’s. This session is only 40 minutes long, but nothing is stopping you from doing a walk in town afterwards. Must be a current or previous client to participate. 

If you have worked with me for a while, chances are you have heard me bring up Brene Brown. I find her work so interesting, important and valuable.

So much of dog training is how we live our lives with our dogs and who we are with them. When I listen to Brene Brown talk about life, so often I feel like she is also discussing dog training. It may make me sound like a crazy dog person to say that dog training is life and life is dog training...but that is how I feel.

Dinner is on the table and while I could keep rambling about the importance of boundaries, I will save that for the many other posts I will have discussing the subject. But for now, I wanted to leave you with this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WpdsRPzKco

I would love your feedback! 

I feel like we have been pretty lucky in Northwest Wisconsin for this winter season. However, we have just come out of a cold snap that reminded us what the wind chills are capable of. While there could be plenty more where that came from, thankfully for the next few days it looks like we will be having some warmer weather. 

Today me and the dogs went for a walk in the woods. It is one of my favorite things to watch them running, sniffing, rolling in the snow (at least I hope it is just snow), and just happily being dogs in nature. Several times I stopped to just watch them and soak it in. This may be one of my favorite moments with my dogs. 

Now I am back in the house, back on the computer to do some office work, and the dogs are all relaxing, sleeping peacefully around. This is another moment that brings me joy. 

There’s a saying out there I’m sure you’ve heard, “A tired dog is a happy dog.” While I don’t completely agree with that (that’s a post for another day), I do agree that a lot of times a tired dog makes a happy owner-at least for now in this moment. 

I’ve taken to asking people in lessons, workshops, discussions, when was the last time you felt joy with your dog? I love the answers I have been getting. 

So while there is a good chance I will be asking this again at the next Monthly Member’s Meeting, I am going to ask here. For the sake of us coming out of a cold snap, please share a time outside that brought you joy with your dog. Although honestly, any moment of joy and answer will be good. 😊  Please feel free to comment directly on this post or create a whole new post on your own! Bonus points if you include a picture. I love getting pictures of dogs! 😉 

PS I know my video wasn't the greatest, I just wanted a short clip from today. 

Looking at the weather forecast for today, it looks like we are in for a blizzard later…or at least a decent amount of snow is headed our way. So I thought I’d send this throwback video of me walking five of my dogs and eating a blizzard in what I jokingly call the Dairy Queen Blizzard Dog training Test.  

This past summer I was walking  five of my dogs in town when, naturally, I wanted ice cream. It was hot, I was walking, I figured why not?  I decided I would just walk my dogs through the drive thru.

I stood in line, waited by the window, paid and got myself a blizzard. I was so happy with how my dogs did through this process…having to stand and wait with the distractions of a car behind them and a lady taking my money and giving me the blizzard. They were calm, patient and polite. Not once did I have to tell them to sit, wait or knock it off. 

Then the next big test had to happen. Because of my lack of coordination, in order to eat my blizzard while walking, I put my wrist through my dog’s leashes. I was relying on them to walk nicely on the leash and not pull on my arm, because heaven forbid I drop any ice cream on the sidewalk. I was already the weirdo taking her dogs through the drive thru, I didn’t want to be walking through town crying over spilled blizzard. 

Thankfully, I didn’t have to cry because no ice cream was spilled. Instead, my dogs walked calmly for the rest of the walk, while I enjoyed the warm summer evening and my blizzard. Life was good. 

I often talk about how the most important part of dog training is how we live our lives with our dogs and who we are with them. With that being said, working with an instructor, such as myself, can be helpful in teaching you and your dog the functional skills they need in order to be successful. It’s definitely not a requirement, but in my very biased opinion, it can be helpful. 

So whether you have done training with your dog with me, another instructor, or you have never had professional help with your dog, what functional skills are you teaching and implementing in your life with your dog? How has having these skills made life for you and your dog easier? 

Please comment below! Feel free to share a picture, video, or make your own post if you'd like! 

Below is the link to a short video clip I took after getting my blizzard with my dogs. Don’t worry, it’s not too long-I couldn’t risk my ice cream melting. 😉 

Hey! 

Here is the link to our December Virtual Meet Up! 

In this session, we will be discussing and exploring concepts, answering questions about dogs, getting advice on personal dogs, as well as discussing a skill or challenge to work on until the next session. Whether you want to come to ask questions and discuss your situation, coming for the dog talk, or both, we look forward to visiting with you during this Virtual Meet Up! 

Thanks, 
Jana

Below is the link for the Zoom Meeting: