Trainers, behaviorists, and big businesses have embraced the liberal use of positive techniques, philosophies and equipment for decades. Accompanying this is the buzz about leadership, alpha statuses, along with advice on what we should or shouldn't feed our dogs, when to feed them, and how much to feed them. What if it is as simple as ABC and 123-breathing, eating, playing and smiling? Awareness Centered Training (ACT) gives us permission to joyfully and easily train (JET) our dogs without fear of right or wrong mindfully shape natural behaviors with SAM (socialization and manners) quickly integrate training for a few minutes each day, playing Doggy Diner reduce sensory overload with "ahha" moments of peace and stillness connect using body language, breathing, and the magic of your smile empower yourself and your dog with skills you can use anywhere creatively balance energy while enhancing well-being let go of what doesn't matter and go with the flow (wolf ) change life for the better with dogs as translators for learning and healing While you train with awareness, unhealthy patterns in your life can begin to vanish. This is not because of a book, social media, or life doing something to you. It is because you and your dog are doing something different together. Enjoy the journey.

AWARENESS CENTERED TRAINING - ACT

Education, Relationship, Well Being, Choice!By MAUREEN ROSS

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2012 Maureen Ross
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4525-5754-0

Contents

Foreword.........................................................................................................................................................................................................xviiMeet Maureen.....................................................................................................................................................................................................xxiiiPrelude..........................................................................................................................................................................................................xxxiiiIntroduction.....................................................................................................................................................................................................xliiiPAWT 1 – Awareness Centered Training (ACT).................................................................................................................................................................1PAWT 2 – Behaviors and Drives—Oh My!.................................................................................................................................................................51PAWT 3 – Positively Essential for Dogs who Live with Humans................................................................................................................................................93PAWT 4 – Well-Being—You are the Guru.................................................................................................................................................................159PAWT 5 – Joyful Easy Training—Level 1—Beginning—Let's Go!................................................................................................................................197Level 2—Moderate—A Smooth Energetic Flow Calming Adolescent Energy Adolescence is about 9-months to 3-years..........................................................................................210Level 3—Challenging Choices Training with Clarity—Adding More Grid Teaching with Compassion, Leadership, Acceptance, Integrity and Intention, Trust and Treats, YES more than NO.....................224PAWT 6 – Have Fun, Get Fit, and Balance Energy.............................................................................................................................................................239PAWT 7 – Stress and Survival Savvy.........................................................................................................................................................................253PAWT 8 – Prevention, Management, Solutions (PMS)...........................................................................................................................................................275PAWT 9 – Pathways of Grief—Celebrating Life..........................................................................................................................................................311PAWT 10 – Bone Journals—Dog Reflections..............................................................................................................................................................331Afterword: Beyond the Positive—Enjoy the Journey...........................................................................................................................................................349Winding Down: Expanding Awareness................................................................................................................................................................................351Appendix A: Big Confusing Word Behavior Guide....................................................................................................................................................................353Appendix B: An Enlightening (fun) Quiz about Interpretations.....................................................................................................................................................361Recommended......................................................................................................................................................................................................365

Chapter One

Awareness Centered Training (ACT)

Let's begin by exploring what dogs mean to us, and how interdependent our relationship with dogs has become, since the dawn of man. Allow yourself to breathe into this with an open mind. Free your mind of anxiety. Explore new paradigms and create new patterns, with your dog's help, side-by-side.

We will review "pertinent" behavior history, but not to the point of nausea or boredom. Why bother? You can find it on Wikipedia, and the Internet Explorer, colored with many stories, opinions and research. Some make sense, and others are mythical or wishful thinking.

I have summarized what has made a difference to me, while living and learning with a variety of dogs and assorted people. Visit the "Big Confusing Behavior Terms Dictionary" in Appendix A, when you feel like it. No rush! It isn't going anywhere. If you download the E-version of ACT, please don't read, text and drive. Your dog will miss you. Do like us on Facebook—please!

Allow me to offer you freedom of expression, and an opportunity to think inside or outside of the box. Use what speaks to you, placing the rest in a safe place for later use. You may decide like I did several years ago, that enough is enough. I watch, listen, participate, try a few new ideas or pieces of equipment out, then decide what works best for me and the dogs!

It is of little relevance to the dogs, or me, if a whisperer, guru or duly noted distributor of dog training and equipment products, says it works. I have to clarify, see, use and experience it for myself, and then get the dog's opinion.

How dogs enjoy learning and how I feel when I am teaching is important to me. I am not interested in results if it means damaging my relationship with the dogs.

Doing what matters most, for you and your dog, is as individual as dog breeds, shapes, colors and cultures. If I inspire one person to change their life while training, living and learning with dogs, my goal is accomplished. I have made a difference.

Honestly, I am happy to get up close and personal, within reason, to share a range of emotions and love that we have for dogs.

I am one hundred percent sure that dogs shift energy when they walk into a room (pet assisted therapy). Dogs are catalysts for breaking barriers of communication.

I am honored to be a voice, and interpreter, for dogs who help change lives. We can do the same for them with awareness, education, relationship and well-being. I love dogs. How about you?

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Intervention for Recovering Dog Junkies Said with a Deep Breath and a Smile!

Evolution is amazing and mine has been walking a path with dogs from childhood on. A collection of learning experiences has been harvested from the interaction, contribution and feedback of students, colleagues, friends and, ultimately, the dogs!

I am a self-confessed recovering dog junkie. I would have too many if I was not aware of quality of life. Over the...