Now the subject of increased scientific inquiry, the connection between dogs and human beings is far more profound than ever imagined. Dogs are the only animal to integrate themselves into every aspect of human existence. Dogs know us “by heart”—this is what bonds humans and dogs and each dog to its owner. One can learn from their dog what it means to see and feel in the immediate moment without thoughts. Thinking is what separates our two species; emotion and feelings are what we have in common. This workshop will explore why dogs do what they do, why we think about them the way we do, and how to understand a dog by learning to see by feel and know by heart.
Dogs show us that the heart connection is real, tangible, material, and down to earth. It is a faculty of intelligence by which animals adapt to their surroundings and by which emotional energy is communicated, even across the dog-human species divide, in service to the work of evolution.
This is not a workshop about obedience. Before you set out to train a dog, you need to know how a dog’s energy works. You can establish amazing rapport once you learn how to work with his or her energy, instead of fighting against it. Much of the time participants will observe dogs outside in nature. There is room only for a limited number of dogs, so you are welcome without your dog. If you’re thinking about getting a dog, come to this retreat first. Even if your dog stays home, you and your dog will be glad you came. Dogs want to be understood.
We welcome Kevin back and hope you’ll join us, with or without your dog. If two people come together, each gets a 10-percent discount.
Kevin Behan grew up in the dog business the way some kids grow up in the circus. His father was world famous for training the Canine Corps in World War II and Kevin trained his first dog when he was 10. Since then, he’s worked with all kinds of dogs, including those with extreme behavior problems. Always seeking the “truth of dog,” he started his own kennel in 1981. The author of Natural Dog Training, his new book Your Dog Is Your Mirror will be published in October.
[…] Seminars? Hmmm. That's a good idea. I'll have to work on that. Meanwhile, Kevin's doing a seminar in Rowe, Mass. in May. […]
I took the plunge and registered for the Rowe Seminar (along with Happy). I am looking forward to it!
I’m very glad I attended the seminar, and thank you to Kevin, Sean and Trisha for hosting it.
It was immensely helpful to see a demonstration of exactly *how* to “get the bite out” with Happy. He needs a lot of fight-for-the-prey to feel grounded, and he simply loves it. This isn’t something that would ever have occurred to me.
Since being home he has been willing to bite/fight when we are on our hikes, and especially as we return to the house. Yesterday a deer sprinted in front of us on a trail, and we had a really good time subduing the backpack, I truly think he felt that he had brought down that deer!
Thanks again.
It was great to meet you and Happy. To communicate this information it’s helpful to have a receptive audience so I appreciate your eagerness to learn. Great job with the backpack and channeling deer energy. Keep On Pushing!
Kevin, I am amazed at how much of a difference the more vigorous playing/biting has made with Happy. It is like he got something out of his system. It’s nice, and the kids really appreciate just being able to be outside with him. So I know we’re on the right track – that is such a huge relief. Happy had a lot of charge to get out when my husband and I were together outside with him, between that and the undergound fence – I think we are smoothing that over, and my husband is seeing what a big difference it makes to be aware of/work with Happy’s energy this way, so he’s starting to enjoy it too.
Way to go Heather and Happy, Keep On Pushing!