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Needleroozer

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Posts posted by Needleroozer

    dog breeds that train well for special needs/tasks?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Can you seek out an organization that assists the hard of hearing with getting trained service animals?

     

    I suppose if something like that is available, you would end up getting a dog that is already trained in some basic skills, and then probably would not get to pick the breed/breeder. But the help with training would be nice.

     

    Anyway, I am no dog expert, but I have owned dogs all my life and have trained a few in ways that were convenient for me (no special tasks). It takes hours and hours of work. I spend many hours training a dog so that it will be reliable to do what I ask just in terms of coming (even when distracted by a squirrel or another dog), sitting and staying, etc. It's basically like having another child, but a child who is less predictable and more able to do real injury.

     

    It sounds like you have a very very busy life. I would just caution you that in the short term (maybe for a couple of years) training up a dog will require a tremendous investment of time and energy. You reap the rewards long term, but for a few years, you need to have a couple of extra hours a day to exercise a dog, train it, work it, etc. When you own a dog, you can't just have days when you are "too tired" to exercise it. And when you are new to this, you have to do a lot of "lesson planning" lol.

     

    I personally think that one person needs to do the bulk of the training, too. In my experience, you can get the kids involved in the longer term, but short term, one person needs to bond with the dog and work daily on training, and it probably needs to be an adult.

     

    Good points. I have been thinking about a dog for almost 2 years now, and think that in about 9 more months, I should be ready and able to devote the time and energy to a dog. (If the perfect dog happens sooner, I will embrace it.) Doggy should only have to be alone for up to 3 hours during the day time- if that much, and not at all during the nights that I work, as there are others in the house.

    The folks I nanny for now have already said if I get a dog, they want me to bring it to work with me, lol. So that part is good.

     

    I really am looking forward to the training, and want to learn as much as I can about it before I get the dog. I do like the idea (from another post) of having someone train the dog for me- I think I will start looking into helper dog orgs and see what I can find out.

     

    So what breeds of dogs have you had? Do you have any faves?

    dog breeds that train well for special needs/tasks?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    We had MIL's Jack Russell and I am not sure how calm they would be. She was a great ratter though. But VERY hyper.

     

    When I read your description, I thought of Border Collie. They are supposed to be very smart and easily trainable. I knew an elderly couple who had one and she was not too energetic for them (she was able to go out on her own) but she was so well trained and the couple relied on her for all kinds of things, i.e getting the newspaper from the end of the driveway in the winter.

     

    I know several border collies, and they are so sweet tempered- but that hair, oh that hair! Our last dog was a gordon setter, with long hair and long fetters on her legs- she was miserable to groom. I just don't think I can do it, lol.

    dog breeds that train well for special needs/tasks?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted · Edited by Needleroozer
    spelling error

    This is definitely a post for dog owners/experts. Thoughts from folks who have trained dogs to be working/visiting animals would be really cool.

     

    I am currently researching dog breeds. Will be attending the local dog show in March to start interviewing breeders, but want to have narrowed it down to a few breeds by then.

     

    This will be my first dog as primary owner. I want a smaller dog, but not one that is small enough to fit into a microwave, because believe me, around here, someone would do it. :tongue_smilie: Not fluffy, due to allergies and laziness (I barely comb *my* hair!), and not highly energetic. I have 1/2 acre, and have chickens, so can't be too much of a bird dog, but a herder would be very helpful. A dog that was a ratter would be good too. Also need a dog that can be alone some of the day without going too nuts. I will be working nights when I start the doula work, so that will help. Gonna get a girl dog.

     

    What I am also looking for is a dog that can be trained for special tasks, much like that of a guide dog. I will be training the dog to tell me when someone is at the door, and when my phone rings (due to severe hearing loss issues), etc. She will also need to be good with babies and old folks, and will most likely be sort of a visiting dog. My mother's assisted living home loves dog visitors, and I will sometimes take the dog with me when I nanny.

     

     

     

    Breeds I am considering are mostly hounds and terriers, and would love to hear opinions relating to my very specific needs.

     

    Not in any order:

    Basset Fauve De Bretagne

    Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

    Hamiltonstovare or Beagle (I hear they are not easily trainable-thoughts?)

    Black or golden lab (highly trainable, but on the big side)

    Border terrier (how trainable?)

    Smooth fox terrier

    Jack Russel terrier

    Boston terrier (I would love, love, love one of these dogs, but my entire family makes fun of them. I am not sure why- I have met several dogs of this breed, and they have all been lovely dogs.

     

    Mixed breeds- I am looking at labradoodles, goldendoodles, but not many other mixes I know about. Thoughts?

    Guess what I did today? (Bragging on myself!)

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    :party:

     

    Doula work - how lovely!

     

    Would you, please, share a link to the art show?

     

    I would love to go see your work! (I'm assuming it is here in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue region?) If you don't want to post it on the main board, you could put it up on the social group for WA state-ers....

     

    You are amazing! ...maybe I can find some baby steps to get back to moving myself a little bit forward out of some hard stuff.

     

    :grouphug::grouphug:

     

    Hang in there, honey!

     

    Hi Eliana,

    The opening is Friday July 8 from 6 to 9 pm. It is the 30 by 30 show (30 works each by 30 artists) at Avanti Art and Design (73rd and Phinney in Seattle). They have a FB page, but no other links for the show.

     

    I sorta do feel a bit amazing today! You are amazing too. :grouphug:

    Guess what I did today? (Bragging on myself!)

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I am taking control of my life. I signed up for the Post partum doula training that I have been drooling over for a year and a half. I also signed up for the required lactation support class. :001_smile:

     

    I have also signed up for an art gallery showing in July- it means I have to finish 30 4x4" canvases during the 30 days of June. :001_huh:

     

    the Dude is out of town all week for work, and I am using the time alone to finish up my resume' (current nanny gig ends with the school year in late June- need a full time gig!), collect letters of recommendation, and am spending much time in the studio.

     

    I am doing my best to be the change I wish to see, in my life, as I am not in control of anyone else's.:tongue_smilie:

     

    Thank you for your continuing prayers and thoughts- it is amazing how much better I feel knowing that all y'all have my back. :)

    LB

    Asking for prayers and positive thoughts please.

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Hey folks.

    I cannot really go into too much detail without breaking board rules, but am experiencing huge stress in most areas of my life right now: emotional and physical health. marriage, parenting, finances, external family, art block, etc.

     

    I am doing my best to keep afloat, and to be true to myself, but I have to be honest and say that I am really struggling right now. I am posting here because I am feeling very alone IRL. I am okay, and don't want y'all to worry or feel pity, or that you need to give me advice: I am in counseling, and am getting proffesional advice and help for as much as I can, but much of what is wrong is not stuff I am responsible for, or can fix. I just need someone to know how hard I am trying right now. I guess a little acknowlegement helps- from wherever it comes.

     

    I could really use prayer/positive thoughts for growing the following in my heart and therefore in my life:

     

    Grace

    patience and acceptance (not reacting to others)

    personal strength (dignity?)

    courage and bravery

    peace and calm

    joy in the moment

     

    I have been reading Kipling's poem If over and over and over, especially the part about being able to keep your head while those around you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. It helps a little.

     

    thanks for reading (listening). I know there are others who have things worse than I, so part of me feels bad for posting this, but another part of me has to admit that I feel better just for telling y'all that I am struggling. Doesn't make sense, but it is what it is.

     

    Lori Beth

    Finally, our nature study looks like nature study

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    I'm so excited for you! The change in habitat has certainly made everything new for your children and got their curiosity back in gear. It's a lesson for all of us, even those who aren't moving to new places. Curiosity can be refreshed just by visiting new and different habitats in our own neighborhoods.

     

    Use the internet to search for town parks, arboretums, nature centers, state parks, Audubon sanctuaries, Nature Conservancy preserves, and land trust properties in your area. Explore them all; each one will offer a different mix of habitats (streams, bogs, ponds, forests, seashore, mountains) and offer new opportunities for discovery.

     

    The questions are the most important part of nature study! Your kids have tapped into their sense of wonder! Rachel Carson would be proud. Fantastic job!

     

    :bigear:Ooh, more inspiration! I know already that I want to take them to our local Japanese Gardens this spring.

    How often do you read WTM?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted · Edited by Needleroozer

    We haven't homeschooled in 3 yrs, so I look at mine rarely for our own family; but I do refer to it occasionally (3 to 5 times a year) for specifics, when I am counseling new hs-ers, or talking to the mom of the 5 yr old I part-time nanny for (beginning to hs this summer!). I find myself using Well-Educated Mind much more often, as more of an auto-didact than formal teacher now.

     

    Meant to say that when we did hs, I referred to it often, mostly during yearly planning.

    blogs/websites for nature study inspiration?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I'm hoping to be done by fall. Juggling homeschooling and writing is a challenge! If you have any questions after reading my blogs, please feel free to post again, I'll watch the thread. It is part of my mission to help anyone who takes on the important work of bringing their family (and friends) closer to nature.

     

    Also read Rachel Carson's: The Sense of Wonder! If you can get an older copy with the original photos it is worth it.

     

    I would love to know what sorts of things will be in the workbook.

     

    I just ordered the main book- it looks like it will be an excellent resource as I start this venture again with someone else's kids this time! :001_smile:

    blogs/websites for nature study inspiration?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Each girl has this: http://www.theprivateeyestore.com/servlet/the-17/do-it-yourself-collection/Detail. We line the bottoms with wool I bought from A Child's Dream Come True: http://www.achildsdream.com/wool_felt/index.htm. I think the wool makes a big difference. It adds a warmth and happiness to the boxes. They've collected similar things as you.. a hatched egg, beetles, cat whiskers, seeds, fossils. It's taking us years to fill the boxes up.

     

    I love the glue Private Eye sells, its some serious stuff!

     

    Wow! These are beautiful! I had no idea PE was doing this- I have had the book and the loupes for over 20 years now, lol. Thanks for the link.

    blogs/websites for nature study inspiration?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    We've used and enjoyed Private Eye, it uses jeweler's loupes to observe and document (through analogy). It can work for a wide range of ages, and is super flexible. The loupes are very affordable, and everyone seems to enjoy wearing them. :001_smile:

    We especially love our specimen boxes. We glue our specimens in wool lined boxes to keep that Waldorf vibe going. :D

    There are worksheets for older and younger kids, or very inexpensive journals.

    http://www.the-private-eye.com/index.html

     

    I have used this too. In fact, I have a huge box of loupes and pass them out quite liberally. They really do change the perspective when drawing what you see.

     

    Can you tell me more about your specimen boxes? What sorts of things do your kids collect? We have broken butterfly wings, cicada "shells", insects my dh pinned in college 40 yrs ago, many shells, rocks and semi-precious stones......

    blogs/websites for nature study inspiration?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    How do you go about starting and teaching a nature study club? I am would really like to have something like this for my oldest daughter (7) who loves studying nature but am clueless on how to go about it setting it up. I know this may sound silly but studying nature is not natural (ha!) for me. :)

     

    Thanks,

     

    Melissa

     

    Maybe I should have looked at the link first. :)

     

    Kalmia gave some great tips for starting a group. I found it very fun to lead an all ages group- I have littles as young as 5, and tweens and a teen or two in the same group, and I think it really added to the experience.

     

    I would also have some field trips and activities planned for winter or inclement days when the weather does not cooperate. On icky days we would meet at a home, and do things like draw from collections (we have shells, insects, rocks, moss and lichen, some sea creatures, etc.). We would drive to the local museums or science centers and draw from their stuffed bird and insect collections.

     

    I also borrowed study kits from our local natural history museum- we did bats, owls, and birds, as well as mammals (great skulls to draw!). These included study guides that we did not use, stuffed animals, or parts (feet, wings, beaks etc in the bird box). It took us about a month of meeting weekly to draw all the goodies in those boxes, and they were a fave with all the kids.

     

    Hope that helps! I am feeling very inspired!

    blogs/websites for nature study inspiration?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Hi, I'm Capt_Uhura's friend. The one who Wrote Nature Study for the Whole Family from Royal Fireworks Press. My book does blend well with (though is not limited to) a Charlotte Mason approach, I advocate nature study as both an intellectual pursuit and a means through which the family can grow closer together. I am currently writing a workbook to go with Nature Study for the Whole Family that will teach classification, animal behavior, life cycles, and adaptations through the keeping of a detailed Life List.

     

    I have an older blog that may help you more. There are several years of entries about our family hiking club. I'd start in the archives at the beginning (2006) entries to get a sense of how the club developed. The site is:

     

    http://naturestrollers.blogspot.com

     

    On my new blog, there is a 2008 entry on starting up your own family hiking club. If you are going to form a club with friends don't worry about the section on being insured, but if you are going to advertise your walks to the larger community, I highly suggest finding an organization to sponsor you so you can be under their insurance umbrella. We've led hundreds of walks, and there has never been an incident, but better safe than sorry.

     

    Wow! This looks great! I usually put my own stuff together, but this looks very nice and tempting, even to an old hsing veteran like me.

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