Awesome!

First 2 days have definitely not disappointed!

The attendees: 5 humans in total; 2 from Chicago, 1 from Dallas (he assured us he isn't contagious!), 1 from Canada and me!  Plus, Baloo (the 12 year old Border Collie Golden Retirever mix who is deaf), Broonzy (4 year old Wheaten Terrier), Maverick & Bo (Shelties), Emmy-Lou (GSD AmStaff X) and Lucy (Lab mix!) so it's fair to say we're a mixed bunch :)

I can't believe that we got "hands on" with the dogs on Day 1.  It was Awesome.  
We've spent a lot of time over the last 2 days talking about the principles of massage ie feeling with fingers rather than brains which is lot harder than you think 'cause your brain automatically tries to analyse and name what it is you are feeling; and most importantly about understanding the dogs. That's hard.  But you have to have respect and empathy when you are working with dogs and to do that you need to be able to understand them.  There's a lady called Suzanne Clothier who sounds amazing, you-tube her if you get a chance.
We did some energy work yesterday which ordinarily I would have laughed at but I could actually feel the energy from the dog - a difference between hot and cold in certain placed - which was again..awesome. [Note to self to find another descriptor ;)]

Apparently on Saturday we will be doing 1:1 sports massages on some agility dogs...Holy S*&t!!!!!

Am now sipping some Pinot Noir in my hotel room and reflecting on Day 2 where it was more hands on work, learning about the nervous and integumentary systems, low stress handling and behaviour observation.
Seriously, have you ever seen a mini poodle and a pit bull trained so that the poodle jumps on the back of the pit bull!!! I saw that!  
Low stress handling is huge.  Not only for dogs that have an injury but for shelter dogs, those who are touch resistant for whatever reason, and also those that are highly excitable.  It's vitally important to gain their trust before any kind of hands on happens.  One thing is to imagine how you feel when you're in a totally new place and don't know anyone (this hit home for me especially after my turbulent weekend!), and then try and imagine how a dog feels when it's in a shelter or is being re-homed.  

The facility where we are training is fab.  They have a large sports area (witnessed a nose work class yesterday and agility class today), an aquatic centre (pool!), daycare and obviously our little bit.  The also run a school for behaviour work.  

I could go on and on and on...and I will because there's another 3 weeks to go:)  Apparently later this week we'll be working on a  2 legged pitbull...I cannot imagine that.

My accent is a constant source of amusement :)

Enough for now...more tomorrow hopefully and I'll also load some photos.....