Hello from Heather and Happy in NJ (south-central)

[Heather]

Hi everyone, I am glad to be here.

I came across NDT when my Newfoundland dog, Happy, was about 6 months old and I was looking for solutions to his jumping and grabbing at family members' arms/hands/clothes in our yard. He was/is huge and I was not expecting or prepared for the behavior; at the time I wasn't even sure what it was, but at the time it was stressful, and I was becomming afraid of being outside with him. Over the span of a few weeks I had tried just about everything anyone had ever suggested, positive and negative, to get him to stop.

Of course I quickly learned that getting him to stop wasn't really the point, although I did stop doing everything I had been doing and focused on observing and creating a calm environment. Eventually I started pushing and tugging. I found Neil's site through Kevin Behan's site, and the step-by-step written instructions and DVDs explaining how to push and play tug have been invaluable (previously, pretty much everything I had been doing was what a scary predator would do, and upon reading Neil's "how to play tug" article, I had a lightbulb moment).

Happy is 9 months old now, and NDT has allowed me to truly enjoy my dog. I don't think I would ever have been able to see the world through his eyes even a little bit if it weren't for the NDT book, and Kevin, Neil, and Lee's websites.

I'm just plugging along playing (pushing/tugging) and walking every day, and trying to absorb as much information as possible so that I am better able to understand how the energy is flowing in our day-to-day lives. Lately I've been very excited to see Happy truly relaxed during vigorous play, it is clearly draining him emotionally, and I am not stressed, or afraid, or worried anymore.

We are still pretty much in the beginning stages with NDT and I will hopefully have some help building a box next week. Controlling the environment has been pretty easy this winter, but there are some challenges ahead with the nice weather right around the corner and the kids/toys that will soon take over the yard!

[Sang]

Welcome aboard Heather!

[minkysmom]

hello Heather in NJ from Minkysmom (Sylvia) in VT.
I have enjoyed reading your comments over @ Kevin's website.... Are you signed up for Kevin's weekend deal @ Rowe in Mass? I have been thinking about going.... but it's hard to get away from the farm & the horse projects. (training) My dog, Minky, and I went to Kevin's one-day seminar at Orvis center in Manchester, VT 2 years ago and it was transformational - eventually - as I spent about a year resisting mentally.
BTW, you can see my Minkster working with Kevin over @ KBehan's website - a brief clip entitled "Pushing with a Pit Bull". Woof. (Mink's 15 seconds of fame)

[Heather]

Hi Sylvia! I did register for the Rowe seminar. I am planning on bringing Happy, which should be interesting! I can only do so much without live instruction. It's very tough getting away - this is my compromise because we couldn't figure out a way to get the family to Vermont this spring/summer.

I have seen the clip, Minky is a star She's a beautiful dog, and I love that she has a cat friend!

[minkysmom]

Six cat friends actually. Or, six at my house and a seventh cat friend at the barn. We rescued her from a snow bank a couple of winters ago. She had frostbitten ears, and when I brought her home, she curled right up with the Minkster. On the couch, but don't tell Kevin I let my dog up on the furniture. Sloppy household.

[minkysmom]

the other little black dog is my daughter's basset X black lab, sharing her bed with one of the cats, Sweeney Todd. She visits us now and again and Mink is glad for the company.