"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakwened." Anatole France

Issue: February, 2003

Publisher & Editor: Diane Peters Mayer
Co-editor: Vanessa Klapper

A. PeakSpeak

Hello and welcome to all of our readers and the many new subscribers who have signed on.

This year in the northeast, we are being walloped by winter. Almost two feet of snow fell this past week, and now the rains have come. Spring can't be too far off, can it?

I was in Southern California right before the blizzard, but didn't have much time to research training facilities to rent for a 2004 seminar. Californians, if you know any, please send along the contact information. Thanks.

We'd like to remind you that we now welcome pictures of you and your fantastic canine companions along with your submissions. You can email or scan them and send to sheri@virtualhelpinghand.com or mail your photos to: Sheri Huffman, 2701 Creek Valley Dr., Garland, TX 75040.

February's Training Tip is a great stress releaser.

"Practice" and its payoff is the focus of Handlers Tales.

Second Chances features two rescue sites.

BookPicks features "Build Me An Ark: A Life with Animals" by Brenda Peterson.

PeakNews offers a unique format in which to engage and connect with handlers from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland and South Africa on a topic that may be difficult to think about and discuss otherwise. We need you to share personal stories, questions and comments, poems, etc. Your confidentiality is assured if you request it, writing experience is not necessary, and length is unimportant. Submission deadline for the March 2003 issue is March 20th.

Please join us to become the handler of your dreams. Your dog will thank you!

Enjoy.

Diane & Vanessa

B. Training Tip of the Month

Stress Reduction

Stress creates physical, mental and emotional difficulties. You may experience (just to name a few): headaches, rapid heartbeat, numbness, poor concentration, obsessive thoughts, forgetfulness, temper outbursts, depression, nervous habits like nail-biting, and changes in eating patterns. Stress takes an awful toll on mind and body, and over time can lead to major diseases.

If you continuously replay your mistakes from the last show, and can't stop worrying about the next one, it's a good bet that you chronically suffer from the strain and tension of competition.

Here's how to begin to reduce your reaction to the competitive show arena:

• write down how your body and mind react to stressful training and competition experiences.
  
  
• learn exercises and techniques that will help you get and stay relaxed, pre-show, during your event and in between shows.
  
  
• practice stress-reduction daily in various situations.
  
  
• make training sessions fun for both you and your canine companion.
  
  
• learn to live in the moment, that's where it all happens anyway.

Following is an easy to do gentle stress-buster.

Note: If you experience frequent or chronic pain in chest or abdomen DO NOT do this exercise, and see your doctor immediately.

Exercise: "The FoldOver" (from Yoga)

Training Tip:

Use in car at show before you enter show site: rest hands on steering wheel and lay head on hands. Breathe easily and focus on breath. Hold position until tension eases.

Use at show while waiting for your number to be called. (Feel everyone staring? Practice in the car or try the bathroom)

Practice daily so The FoldOver eases stress and tension in minutes.

Note: I used The FoldOver to calm myself while waiting for my plane during my trip to CA (I'm a nervous flyer), and it really helped.

C. Handlers' Tales

Pam Dennison the owner of Positive Motivation Dog Training, in New Jersey, writes how putting the time into training herself leads to big payoffs...

I have been working with Diane for about 1-1/2 years now on my performance anxiety. I started working with her because of my ring nerves with my Sheltie, Cody and my Border Collie, Beau. You know the scenario - dog trains perfectly at home and in all different locations - except at a trial. You fall apart and your dog wonders if the invasion of the body snatchers has stolen "mom."

All of my anxiety is not just about showing and competing, because I also own an aggressive dog. I have been re-training Shadow, my rescued, human aggressive border collie for 2-1/2 years now. I noticed that once I truly embraced and faithfully practiced the breathing techniques and imagery exercises, Shadow became much calmer in many more situations. I remember the first time I walked him on a public trail - I was completely and utterly terrified and if someone was coming, I would hightail it into the woods. Now, I don't leave the trail at all and I continually practice imagery as we walk. I pretend that I see someone in the distance coming toward us and practice breathing. I do this numerous times during our walks, so that if someone is truly coming, I don't panic.

Shadow and I are doing so well, that in certain contexts, I can actually compete with him. He has been in a Rally class (non-regular) and a few agility trials. All of these have been held outside.

The true test came today, as I was filling out a premium for a Rally trial for all of my dogs. This show will be indoors, which is a bit scary for Shadow (and me!). As I started filling out the one for Shadow, I started to hyperventilate. It became totally distressing once I put the premium in the envelope. I was visualizing all sorts of bad things - people crowding us into a corner with no escape possible and Shadow reacting or someone coming right up to us to pet him. (I have goose bumps just thinking about this stuff!)

However, after about 2 minutes of these destructive thoughts, without thinking, I started to do belly breathing and relaxed within a few seconds. Once I was calm, I realized just what I had done! Holy smokes!!!! Just because I happen to be a dog trainer, doesn't mean that I am not a flawed human first. I get scared just like everyone else does. It has taken a long time to get to this point, but the benefits are enormous. Sure, it was hard to remember to practice - to really focus and concentrate, and have the belief that yes, this stuff really DOES work. I was a Fine Arts major in college and one thing I remember a teacher telling me that does apply to these techniques - "if it is worth painting, it is worth planning."

So, those of you with "normal" dogs that just want to get through a trial in one piece or those of you with aggressive dogs, please (here's that yucky 8 letter word...which is twice as bad as 4 letter words...) PRACTICE. You owe it to yourself and your dogs!

Pam Dennison
Dogs of Today: Cody, Beau, Shadow and new rescue Molly
Dogs of yesterday: Carrie, Noel, Brandy
"If you don't have time to train your dog, get a stuffed animal"
Web: http://www.positivedogs.com
Email: dennison@goes.com

Thanks Pam for illustrating how training oneself can lead to great results.

Note: Pam also runs the R.E.W.A.R.D.S. camp for aggressive dogs.

Note: Please share your stories with us. To submit a story, please write to us at: CAYPNews@aol.com

D. Second Chances

We have decided to feature rescue websites if we don't have a rescue story to publish. Read these heartwarming and moving success stories, but first, get out the Kleenex.

Homeward Bound Rescue in Minnesota: Success Stories

Pitbull Rescue Central: Happy Endings

Note: Have a rescue story you'd like to share with us? Want to highlight a shelter or rescue group? Please send it to: CAYPNews@aol.com

E. Readers' Corner

O.G. from Pennsylvania sent along some of her favorite dog quotes:

"Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear." Dave Barry

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend, and inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

"I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl." Penny Ward Moser

"The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too." Samuel Butler

Thanks O.G. Readers, if you have poems, quotations, your own or in-the-news stories, or anything that you've found funny, poignant, inspiring, beneficial etc? Please send it to: CAYPNews@aol.com

F. Book Picks

This book can be purchased from Amazon.com by clicking on the book title or image:

Build Me An Ark: A Life with Animals

by Brenda Peterson

Peterson, a nature writer, fills her personal human/animal (both domestic and wild) experiences with love, respect and passion. A wonderful treat after those hard training sessions.

Read a book that you loved or has helped with competition? Submit a review to CAYPNews@aol.com

G. Announcements & Coming Events

Get Ready for the Season....DON'T MISS IT!

Seminar - COMBATING RING NERVES FOR ALL DOG SPORTS
For Handlers and Their Dogs

Saturday March 1, 2003 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Blairstown, NJ

Make plans to join us and learn to:

• Break the cycle of negative thinking
• Relax and focus with exercises that work
• Move smoothly in the ring
• Stop standing in your own way
• Channel those "nerves" into a great performance
• Practice with your dog in simulated show situations

We've added great new techniques to help you beat "ring nerves"!

Register now and see the difference a day makes!

$135.00 for seminar and materials.

Click here to register
or call Diane at 215-348-8836

Can't make the Seminar?

STOP "RING NERVES" FROM HOME with our Audio Ring Nerve Program for All Dog Sports, with Training Manual.

• Great Exercises & Techniques
• A Super Quickie Stress-Buster
• Guided Imagery to mentally rehearse your perfect performance
• Terrific Training Tips.

This program will help you do it!

The Audio Program & Manual is $29.95 plus $6.00 S&H in US. (PA residents add $1.80 sales tax). International add $10.00 S&H.

To read more about it or purchase by check or secure credit card, please click here.

or call Diane at 215-348-8836.

H. Requests

Please send us:

I. Invitations

If you enjoyed PeakNews we invite you to forward it, intact please, to other handlers who might benefit from it.

Thank you! See you next month.

**Note: Columns may vary from month to month.

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