Sexier Than A Squirrel?

From the Manse.....

Whilst Pepper's training continues to go well there is still plenty of room for improvement; not least, recall off the lead and to be calmer when meeting people out in the street or when they call at the house. I am sure that she will get there and we are taking advice from experts to help us with this.

As you would expect there is a lot of information on the internet when it comes to how best to train your puppy/dog.

I was fascinated by an online course run by Absolute Dogs with the snappy title of "The Sexier Than A Squirrel Challenge", which is, so they say, a fantastic online training programme that teaches you how to get great focus, recall and even loose lead walking from your dog and how to become sexier than that squirrel!

The concept is quite simple, to make your dog so focussed on you, that you are more important ("sexier") than a squirrel, other dogs, other people or any of the 101 other distractions that can prove to be irresistible to your canine companion. The course videos show you tips and training exercises to do at home with your dog to help make this all a reality.

This idea of being focussed reminded me of a hymn written back in 1918 by Helen Lemmel (the daughter of a Methodist Minister) who was an accomplished hymn writer and soloist. Apparently she was moved to write the words and music after reading a small booklet by Lilias Trotter entitled "Focussed".

You may remember the chorus of her hymn. It was one that was sung weekly at a Methodist Sisterhood meeting that I would regularly speak at when I was in London.
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."

I am not sure that Helen Lemmel would approve of "The Sexier Than A Squirrel Challenge" wording, or a Methodist Minister using it in a church newsletter – but, of course, we live in different times and the wording of her chorus may leave some cold, yet the concept is the same for both.

To be so focussed on the one we seek to follow that we would find fulfilment in their presence and wish to do their bidding.

With love and God Bless

Keith