Peer-Fear-art - 1/23/05 Two articles posted to various SCA mail lists. The first on "Peer Fear" and the second on "Associate Training". [If anyone knows who the original authors are for these two pieces, I'd love to be able to give them credit for their work. Please email me. - Stefan] NOTE: See also the files: SCA-dishes-art, humor-msg, jokes-msg, Rock-Crystal-art, Cooking-Piggy-art, Joan-of-Arc-art, Otto-T-Great-art, War-o-t-Roses-art, arms-humor-msg. ************************************************************************ NOTICE - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday. This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s). Thank you, Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous Stefan at florilegium.org ************************************************************************ From: phlip at 99main.com Subject: [spca-wascaerfrig] Fw: [trimaris-temp] Peer Fear Date: July 14, 2004 8:57:11 PM CDT To: spca-wascaerfrig at yahoogroups.com Thought you guys might enjoy this, if you haven't seen it before ;-) Pear Fear Peer Fear is a terrible affliction in this club and so unnecessary! Getting to know Peers in their natural habitat, like on the list field, is fine,but there are other ways. Peers can be anywhere and everywhere, so when approaching an unfamiliar Peer it is best to keep a few general rules in mind. Remember they may be more afraid of you than you are of them! Although frightening from a distance, these magnificent creatures domesticate easily and can make very rewarding companions. 1) When approaching a Peer, do so from the front. Walk slowly. Peers startle easily, particularly Roses, and you don't want to set them to flight. 2) Distract them. It may help more skittish Peers, like Laurels, if you begin by letting them examine a sleeve hem or a work in progress. Show a Knight a new weapon or anything shiny. 3) Speak softly and use encouraging language and flattery. They may not understand everything you say, but they will respond to the tone of your voice. Avoid excessive bragging or arm waving. Rarer Peers, like Pelicans, can be easily intimidated by overt displays of passion. Laurels or Knights can become competitive or agitated and may charge. 4) Offer them food or drink. Many Peers can become cranky when sitting through long meetings, Courts or performing arduous tasks of A&S or service. Food or alcoholic beverages will often make them more placid and with a little work many Peers can become tame enough to take food directly from your hand. Remember to keep the food soft and easy to chew. Many Peers are old and dependant on Squires or Apprentices to cut their meat. 5) Approach them in groups. Peers tend to travel in clusters and can become anxious when cut from their herd. When approaching a flock of Pelicans or a pride of Knights, be careful to include all the Peers generally. Avoid singling out one Peer with direct eye contact and never turn your back on the rest of the group. While not meant maliciously, many separated and startled Peers can accidentally trample you in an effort to rejoin their fellows. 6) Wear your Apprentice, Protégé or Squires belt. Let the Peer examine the belt or touch it. Many Peers feel more comfortable knowing another Peer has been there before them. If you follow all these guidelines, anyone can form a lasting and meaningful relationship with a Peer. With proper maintenance, a Peer can be a faithful and loving companion and friend. Fight the fear. Hug a Peer! Saint Phlip, CoDoLDS From: phlip at 99main.com Subject: Re: [spca-wascaerfrig] Fw: [trimaris-temp] Peer Fear Date: July 15, 2004 8:48:33 PM CDT To: spca-wascaerfrig at yahoogroups.com >>> Oh my, oh my. Do you know who the original author is? I'm thinking about adding this to the Florilegium, but I'd really like to give credit to the author. Stefan <<< No- haven't any idea. Apparently it's been all over the Peer and Dependent nets, and someone, a Trimaran Peer, answered it with the following: Associate Training House Training To properly housebreak your Associate you will need a crate. Choose a crate that the Associate can easily turn around in. Never leave the Associate in the crate more than about 4 hours unless it is over night and the Associate will be sleeping. The Associate will learn that the crate is its den and will not go to the bathroom while he is inside. When the Associate is not in the crate you must keep a close eye on him and let him outside often to go to the bathroom. If the Associate has an accident in the house scold him and immediately take him outside. If he goes to the bathroom outside, profusely praise him for the accomplishment. Over time he will learn that outside is the only appropriate place to go to the bathroom. Socializing Socializing your Associate can be a delicate process. If he is exposed to the wrong kinds of people or animals it could have long lasting negative effect on the Associate. In the beginning you can invites friends or family over to play with the Associate to slowly get him used to people other than yourself. Also exposing him to older Associates or Associates that are very mellow and non-threatening are also good. Once he has gotten used to that take him to a park where there are other Associates and people. For the first few days stand far away from the other people and Associates and just let your Associate observe them. Then you can slowly introduce him. It is important that you regularly expose him to other Associates and people or he will lose social attitude. Chewing An Associate may chew on things for a variety of reasons. He could be teething, bored, nervous or trying to attract attention. Most Associates grow out of their chewing phase but can do a lot of damage while doing so. The first thing you want to do is not give him the opportunity to chew on your things. This means that whenever you are not home he is either outside or in his crate. When you do catch him chewing on something inappropriate scold him and give him a proper chew toy. When you see him playing with a chew toy praise him. It will take time and patience but the Associate should begin to learn what things are appropriate to chew on and what are not. You may need to switch his toys around often so he does not get bored with them and lose interest. Stop an Associate's Biting An Associate's biting is a normal part of the maturing process that he will eventually grow out of. However you must help the Associate grow out of this behavior. For the solution to this problem we will use tried and true techniques. When your Associate bites you hard enough to hurt make a high pitched yelping sound, loud enough to startle the Associate. If he does it again yelp once more but then show your teeth and make a growling sound, then get up and walk away while ignoring his attempts to play with you. The Associate should learn quickly that biting is inappropriate behavior. Someone else made a comment that apparently Someone had been spending too much time in obedience class... Saint Phlip, CoDoLDS [If anyone knows who the original authors are for these two pieces, I'd love to be able to give them credit for their work. Please email me. - Stefan] Edited by Mark S. Harris Peer-Fear-art 4 of 4