Well we have caught the groundhog!! I hired an animal control person. We caught the same possum three times so he moved the trap and put a bigger trap in. Then Sunday afternoon I heard some rustling and hurray he was caught! Oh what a relief it is. It was only a week but it was a long week. I still have some work to do in the dog pen but I will get there.

Onto Jack’s new training, the first session was more about changing my train of thought and how I handle Jack. I need to unlearn and relearn some new behaviors in order to change and train Jack’s behaviors. It went well and Jack is realizing things are changing and he is not very happy about it. I now walk around with a spray bottle filled with water to catch his attention when he is mouthing or jumping on me. At first I was not comfortable with this thinking it was cruel but now I understand it will help in his training. I am already seeing a difference in him and in me. It is amazing how aware I become when I consciously pay attention to my behaviors. Some of my instructions are not using certain words, not repeating myself, and do not use a question in a command to name a few. I thought I did not use those words such as come on and repeating myself oh boy that is a tough one.

This makes me ponder on how I do this in everyday life. Using particular words, yes I am predictable with that. Repeating myself oh yes that is a definite. What are some of your behaviors you need to work on? I am having quite a lot of awareness’s with this new adventure. This week with dealing with the groundhog taking control of a physical area in essence it affected the mental space in my head. Having to change my routine due to an outside force can really set me back if I let it. How about you?

Changing my behaviors-this has been a work in progress all of my adult life. Now I have a new set of circumstances to work on. I catch myself daily so I am aware of what I am doing but how to change it? Hmm-well change a thought move a muscle as they say. I know when I make positive changes life is good so this is another positive change in my life. I am always looking forward to learning something new daily. This helps me grow mentally and spiritually. How about you?

Life is getting better with Jack daily. He gets me going in the morning, makes me smile and laugh, and he does get on my nerves at times but that is just a part of life. But who does not have a person or animal in their life that does that?

Until next time…

~Lisa