Seeking Shelter

Lovely, Dark & Deep || 20 "she" wolf "grace" about [ PA USA ] ∆ previously endofthedustytrail ∆ Nature Bones & Blood/// I make art and play with dead things || insta, redbubble, etsy: leatherandvine

[sheepdog-and-fakegoldenretriever]

It physically hurts me when 8/10 dog owners I meet do not understand what their dog is feeling and why.

If you have an animal in your life, why wouldn’t you want to learn their behaviour and body language correctly? In a way that is supported by scientific studies and not by something someone you know has told you from “experience”. Or when a “trainer” tells you to do x, y & z because it works every time without taking the individual animals psychology into consideration.

Example: a very nervous puppy was greeted by Winston seeking its owner for security but instead, was forced into the situation by itrs owner holding its butt to win to it “learns” how to be social. ITS SO BIZZARE people think thats ok. Your dog is freaking out and you’re making things worse and might even teach your dog you are not the safest option in a time it feels stressed. Instead of forcing your dog to do this WALK AWAY.

Not only dogs but other animals kept as pets deserve friendship and respect. They rely on you for their wellbeing and care. Having a pet is a privilege don’t treat it as a right to show off what you have.

Please just love and understand your pets. It’s the minimum respect they deserve .

[millenniallust4death]

This is what grooming Bosco is like:

Take the dremel out of the drawer. Bosco immediately lies down on the kitchen floor. He lies there placidly while I dremel his nails.

I take out the tooth brush and gel. Bosco lies there and gently wags his tail. I brush his teeth. “Yum!”

I show Bosco the container of Musher’s Secret and he slowly rolls onto his side. I put the paste on his paw pads.

I kiss the top of Bosco’s head (like Martin did) to let him know that grooming is finished.

Bosco gently and lovingly grooms my eyebrows because I don’t have a beard (like Martin did). “Just returning the favour, Human.”

Grooming is such a relaxing activity to do with Bosco. Thank-you to Martin for all the time he put into training his dog. 

[shelbyandvali-deactivated201810]

This is actually a really interesting insight because I’ve always wanted to know what Bosco is LIKE, if you know my meaning? Like is he super loving and/or cuddly or is he very distant and serious at home or does he just like interacting with people? Thank you for this insight

[millenniallust4death]

Bosco is *extremely* loving to one person: Martin, when he was alive, and now me. He gives zero fucks about interacting with anyone else.

[shelbyandvali-deactivated201810]

I’m happy that he’s showing love and affection towards you, maybe the two of you can go through the grieving process together.

[millenniallust4death]

I am slowly working on developing a relationship with Bosco - with the keyword being slow. I’m doing a lot of switching reinforcement training with Bosco, looking to move past the point that Martin got with him. So, this week I added the pendulum game (food) for an offered drop of the ball. This is a really, really hard exercise for Bosco. Offered drop of the ball is a very tough decision for Bosco (he’s intensely possessive) and food is a significant trade down. Adding the pendulum game ups the difficulty level to extreme because Bosco has to leave the ball and run twenty feet away to get the piece of food (ie. the food isn’t handed to him). I increased the difficulty level today by adding the second piece of the pendulum game - he has leave his ball to go out 20 feet to get one piece of food and then run past his ball to get the second piece of thrown food. It’s so much fun watching the game get easier for him. :) This is how I amuse myself on bald Canadian prairie.

[shelbyandvali-deactivated201810]

We cannot wait to see you both bond and improve, one day we’d all love to see Bosco’s thinking face!

[millenniallust4death]

Bosco’s thinking face is sooooo endearing! :) 

“I know that Yes means a food reward but that means leaving my ball. I know that I can’t pick my ball up again since I wasn’t given a toy marker so I’ll just stand here and look unhappy. I’m so torn.” 

This is all expressed as “Huff. Huff. Huff. Huff.”

Then that face when he decided to leave his ball and run to get the piece of food. It was super rewarding for me as a handler.

But videoing at -29°C just isn’t going to happen. :)

[graceofthewoods]

That’s a fantastic exercise. Maybe one day, I’ll work up throwing a ball and having mine leave food- Ren has little natural toy drive and it’s next on the list to work on once we nip the reactivity. There’s something so healing about making training progress and building that bond. Dogs are good. I’m glad you have them. How’s Senta?

[graceofthewoods]

He's handler sensitive and I'm a sensitive handler. A smooth collie and a human navigating training...

We’re back!!

[graecian-archive]

01. 31. 18 — a study of flowers

[graceofthewoods]

Well folks I’ve been absent. This might be a good time to scream into the void. In the last year, I’ve taken medical leave from college, cut all my hair off, moved in with my partner after getting kicked out because I was having symptoms, got diagnosed with narcolepsy and started xyrem, my sdit lost his chill because we stopped going in public, I made some mistakes with the ecollar and had a small fear thing to deal with, had to DS/CC nail trimming, got to go back to work thanks to xyrem controlling my symptoms, found The Collared Scholar’s challenges and courses and started working on fixing our engagement and realizing (and working on) tons of gaps in my dog training knowledge. I need to withdraw from college and survive the holidays but I’ve been training more so that’s a thing.

[graceofthewoods]

My first post on tumblr in a while is a little bittersweet, a kind thing in a tragedy, but it felt wrong to post it on Instagram (leatherandvine). Instead I needed to come back to where I found them. @shotinthekidney I have always looked up to A Three Germans Production. I followed the blogs on tumblr (and then instagram) for years, loving all of the discussion on all the sense and nonsense in the dog world (and world at large). I can’t fully explain in so many words, but that was my favorite blog. The real jewels were the loving shots of Martin and Bosco, discussions of their training, even sharing their training plans to help me organize mine. (I just looked back to pull up the old training sheets- he was so very detail oriented- and found pictures of him fencing with his sister, and of her training the dogs. Painfully bittersweet.) Seeing his methodical way of training inspired me- he worked to be able to communicate so clearly with them, to break things down and learn from every mistake. He had so much patience and such calm handling. That and seeing the hobby farm, the true love and joy that seeped through every post. I am forever inspired by that, too. I want to honor you both. I want to communicate clearly and work patiently with my dogs, to learn from my mistakes and learn how to handle them. I want to be as kind, as widely learned, as strong, and as humble. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your lives and for the friendship throughout these years. And I would be honored to remember Martin in taking FE155: crucial concepts of competition with the great Shade Whitesel. I want to start learning from the trainer he recommended. I know you’ve said Martin learned the most from when she shared her mistakes, so I’m ready to learn and to share mine too. I think this would build clarity and patience in my relationship with my dog, and make me a better trainer (but disclaimer: I’m just a human and not a dog trainer). And I would be honored to acknowledge my inspiration, the late Great Martin Taves, in my course introduction.

[graceofthewoods]

I’ve been on instagram (leatherandvine) and facebook. I’ll catch up soon, maybe. reorganize. I should really shout into the void more, those other places are much less void-like. 

[1dogquest-deactivated20191017]

I wonder if I could train this dog to find my phone and keys via nosework.

Like if I picked a specific rare scent like an herb or safe essential oil and put it in a keychain on my keys, so she knows Find Keys means look for that smell.. It’d need periodic refreshing but how useful would that be??

[a-framed-dog]

And now I want to start nosework with my dog. Genius.

[sunfaeral]

Oh gosh I can’t remember the show name but it was an Australian based trio (i think??) of videos, pretty sure @dogs-on-logs posted it? But it revolved around three dog-and-owner pairs learning how to teach their dogs to find their owners’ things, one chose their phone, one their keys, and I thiiiink the other chose their bag? But they didn’t have to add any special scents to them, the dogs were just able to find them as they were! 

[securityunit-ese]

Yeah it’s a two parter! I think @blueboyluca posted it an I just reblogged. But on to the question:

1. Yes you can train your dog to find your keys and phone via noseworks/scent detection

2. No you don’t need a specific scent to be applied to it, your dog’s nose is amazing and with training will differentiate the smell of your items, the combo of you-types-of-plastic-types-of-metal combo that = phone or keys.

Here are each of the video parts that gave 3 people and their 3 different dogs a basic overview and would work just as well for you!

Catalyst: Making Dogs Happy Part 1

Catalyst: Making Dogs Happy Part 2

Go forth and teach your dog to help you out a bit!

[whitefangsandwildhowls]

DoGs ArEn’T mEaNt To WoRk AdOpT dOn’T sHoP StOp ExPlOiTiNg YoUr DoG YoUr DoG iS uGlY DoGbLr SuCks

[cynological]

[littlearliss-deactivated2017121]

Like I just think sometimes about how much I struggle with basic deliberate movements - both in general life AND in training - and then think about how we expect sport dogs to perform MANY extremely specific and complex deliberate movements, all at once, throughout changing circumstances, for extended periods of time, and it blows! My! Mind! Walking next to someone and staying directly at their side no matter their change in movement can be difficult enough, but throw in that you have to stay very close at their side without touching them and keep pace with them without lagging but also without forging and oh you need to have some pep in your step and oh if they turn you’d better turn with them as if you’re a training wheel on a bicycle and OH did we mention you have to have your neck craned upwards to be focusing on them and not whatever the hell might be in front of you the entire time?! Even with detailed, specific parameters for heeling jotted down in my head, I would STILL struggle to accomplish any semblance of what a tight, flashy competion heel should be. And dogs don’t even get the advantage of having written, detailed instructions which they can pore over and absorb. They have to learn it all through the equivalent of the hot and cold game, with maybe the gamerunner pointing and shoving when they can. Dogs are just absolutely incredible, both in their ability to accomplish this in the first place, and in the fact that they are not just willing but thrilled to put up with the rigmarole of training and performance

[millenniallust4death]

I always suggest that you do people-people heeling, playing both the roles of the handler and the dog. That’s when you realize how challenging heeling is for the dog and how important having consistent footwork is. Martin practiced and practiced his heeling footwork without a dog until it became automatic. Shade’s old heeling course had a good discussion on the different footwork options. I think I have video somewhere of Martin doing his footwork.

[painmanagementprincess-blog]

[nankingdecade]

What I mean when I say "toxic monogamy culture"

the normalization of jealousy as an indicator of love

the idea that a sufficiently intense love is enough to overcome any practical incompatibilities

the idea that you should meet your partner’s every need, and if you don’t, either you’re inadequate or they’re too needy

the idea that a sufficiently intense love should cause you to cease to be attracted to anyone else

the idea that commitment is synonymous with exclusivity

the idea that marriage and children are the only valid teleological justifications for being committed to a relationship

the idea that your insecurities are always your partner’s responsibility to tip-toe around and never your responsibility to work on

the idea that your value to a partner is directly proportional to the amount of time and energy they spend on you, and it is in zero-sum competition with everything else they value in life

the idea that being of value to a partner should always make up a large chunk of how you value yourself

[kateordie]

I think the kids are onto something here

[sixpenceee]

Amazing photo of totality in Oregon by photographer Jasman Lion Mander.

[actuallyservicedogs]

Flying With a Service Dog

This is based off my personal experience flying with a service dog: 

I have noticed that one thing that is very nerve wracking for many service dog handlers is flying with their service dog for the first time. Not knowing what to expect in a situation that is hard to train for specifically can make a person very anxious. I wanted to write a guide based on my own experience so that people had a comprehensive thing to look at!

Airlines that people have good experiences with:

Southwest

Southwest is by far the most accommodating. I flew with them. Once notified of my dog, they gave me the seat next to me for free so she could have more room. They printed out a “reserved” sign that I could sit on the seat so that no one could sit there and the flight attendants knew what was going on. They did this for free. 

Southwest has free seating. As a disabled person, you get preferred seating so you will be able to board first and get bulkhead if you want it. 

Frontier

American

Important things your dog should know:

A stellar settle.

Sit stays. 

Follow directions off leash (if you don’t use a metal free lead and want to have your dog go through the metal detector.)

Handle very busy areas.

Handle VERY loud noises. 

A good heel

Potty on artificial grass

Potty on command

A very tight tuck

Being okay with strangers touching them.

Staying even when you walk away

Before the flight:

Tell the airline that you have a service dog. It will make your flight a lot easier if people are alerted to this ahead of time.

Ask if you can have bulk head seating. These are the seats at the front of the plane that have much more foot room than any other seat. Most airlines will give you the seating for free.

Choose your seat (if you can). I find that sitting by the window is the best place so that your dog doesn’t spill out into the aisle. If you’re flying Southwest, there is open seating. And because you get preferred seating, you can choose whichever one when you get on the plane.

Do you need mobility assistance? Did you know there are people at the airport whose sole job is to push people to their destinations in wheelchairs? If you call ahead of time, you can have someone waiting for you at the check in desk to help you!

Try to limit your dog’s food and water intake. Your dog can go the day without food and with limited water. I promise they can handle it. It will help with the going to the bathroom situation. You won’t have to worry about it as much. 

What to pack:

Are you checking a bag or carrying on? Either is fine! Most airlines will give you a free carry on bag as well as personal item. So for example a backpack and a purse. They will charge you for more. If you need a bag separately for your dog’s things, you need to know this: YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR BAGS CARRYING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. And guess what! Your dog’s supplies are part of your medical equipment! So if you need to check a bag for your dog or bring an extra carry on, you do not need to pay!

Things to pack for your dog:

Small first aid kit

Water bottle (empty – you can fill it on the other side of security)

Extra collar

Extra leash

Extra vest

Treats

2-3 days worth of dog food

Poop bags

Portable bowls

A mat/blanket for your dog

Anything in your carry on that is liquid needs to be in a 3 oz or smaller container and ALSO fit into a quartz sized plastic bag. 

When you get to the airport

If you haven’t already printed out your boarding passes at home, you need to do that first. There are kiosks that you can do this without talking to a person, but I highly suggest going up to the desk to do your check in if you can. You’ll be able to remind them about your dog and confirm things like bulkhead seating or assistance. 

Once you have your boarding pass and any bags that you’re checking taken care of, make your way towards security. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. Find someone who works there – they’re usually wearing blue, or a white shirt with black pants. Airports are big and confusing. Flying with a dog for the first time is scary enough. It can be exacerbated by not having flown alone before.

Security

There are a few ways to go about this so I will outline all I can think of!

You do not need to remove your dog’s gear, even if there is metal on it. Put everything that you need onto the belt and then go to the metal detector. Put your dog into a sit/stay and walk through when they direct you to. Once you get through, call your dog through after you. The metal detector WILL beep. This is where your dog being okay with strangers touching them is important – your dog will get a quick pat down. That’s it! They may test your hands and your dog’s vest for explosives or chemicals with these little paper pad things, but it isn’t too complicated. 

A lot of people use metal free gear when going to the air port to make things easier. you would follow the same steps as above but your dog wouldn’t need to be patted down. 

You can also remove your dog’s gear entirely and put it through the belt with all your other belongings. Your dog needs to be good at a sit stay and you need to be able to handle them without gear, but otherwise pretty simple!

Grab your stuff afterwards and you’re done!

At the gate

There is usually a desk at or near every gate. Regardless of if you reminded them at the check in, go up to the desk and introduce yourself and remind them again of your dog. There may be something else they can do to accommodate you. That, and I find that people are more willing to help you later if they are aware of you. 

Wait until your flight!

On the plane

Get to your seat and put down any blankets or mats you brought your dog, if any. Have your dog get into a settle/tuck and then sit down. 

I have treats ready because I hadn’t flown with my dog before and I was unsure of how she’d handle it. She got nervous during take off and landing so having the treats available is helpful.

That’s it! It’s not as scary as it seems and I’m sure afterwards, you’ll find yourself wondering why you were worried in the first place. I hope that this guide helps the anxiety in the meantime!

[camdamage]

expressions of sleep paralysis on film | cam damage + kinknit | by gretchen heinel

[rope by pajarolibre]

[sharkboxes]

[itisnaptime]

I’m going to blow your minds today. Are you ready?

- Sometimes I use crutches. Sometimes I don’t.  - Sometimes I wear braces on my joints. Sometimes I don’t.  - Sometimes I use my handicapped tag. Sometimes I don’t. 

Have we all grasped the ‘sometimes’ concept? Good. Because here comes the hard part. 

I am always disabled.

[painmanagementprincess-blog]

Thank you!