Building A Business

This is the Mannerly Mutts Business Blog. Our business site is http://www.mannerlymutts.com/ or http://www.training4mannerlymutts.com/.

I have individual blogs set up for clients that are in addition to this, and some previous stuff that I will download sometime in the future, once I weed out the necessary from the non-necessary stuff.

Building a business, even one with as little overhead as dog training, can be quite a complex thing. That is one of the things that I will be discussing here as I progress, in addition to dog related issues that do not belong on individual client blogs.

Also this will be a place where I compose and edit my articles to be submitted to other sites, and maybe in print magazines in the future.

Robin Robin, Owner & Trainer

Gorgeous Day

I forgot to bring my camera.........of course. Leon had to be left behind during the beach and play portion of our walk. He was plenty perturbed when I left with Moose and Jack. He did have his dad and Jazz to keep him company though. We did the loose leash walking all the way to the beach. It's a cool but sunny spring day, and you can feel a briskness in the air combined with the warmth of the sun. Birds are chirping from the shadowy pines looming overhead. And just as you are thinking, does life get any better than this, you see the beach approaching down the road. We had plenty of playmates on the beach today. There was Lilly, who hasn't warmed up to Jack yet, as he is a bit too familiar for her. Jackson was there, interesting tri-color hair pattern, a collie who has lupus but still likes to have a bit of fun with his ball. Blaze and Sophia, both very sweet dogs. Blaze is very much like his name and likes to race around after his ball and other dogs. Elvis, one of my favorites, a incredibly sweet golden retreiver who barks for attention and nudges me when I am neglecting him. He also allows the other dogs to roll on him or step on him. He is a very maternal male dog. An akita mix was there, and I still haven't learned her name, but she is a lot of fun. Showing her teeth at other dogs makes them hit the ground fast LOL. Wish I could learn that technique myself, because for her it works each and every time Ed, the wild boy German shepard, chasing his balls that his owner throws to him repeatedly. . Two beautiful golden retrievers hung out by the stone wall, and I let Jack and Moose periodically go up and play with them, then I would call them back. Poor Moose is beginning to confuse many a pony tailed girl for me though. I usually have to make it fairly obvious where I am or her starts following other people thinking it's me LOL. Such a Great Dane puppy. Jack found a seaweed ball down there, and I realized he was going to try and swallow the thing whole, so we got to do the out command, which I need a level three on the old tri-tronics sport 50 model. Then he was much more obliging in the future. He's very fast. Faster than Brie the stafforshire that lives at our tenants house. Faster than Ed, the German Shepard, running after his own balls. I think we may have actually tired Jack out today. That's the beginning of many a dog training day here. Horrid, I know. With the e-collars, this really helps the dogs understand the freedom that's allowed them. Not having to be tied to a long line when playing with other dogs is so huge. And realizing that as long as they obey the command, there are no dire consequences, and there really aren't if they just don't come on the first time either.

Affects of Training in a Multi Dog Household

Now that my house is infested with dogs of my clients, and my own dogs. It has become clear to me what other trainers have reported as the affects of having dogs, especially dogs who get along really well, and the affects on training with their humans (in my case both owner human and surugate owner ie trainer human). My dog, Leon, for instance, while he still seeks me out, he seeks me out less during the day. It erodes our bond a bit. It also strangely helps in training. It has helped him in the training process to be still while I am training client dogs and to not get involved in the action unless asked. Course he's less likely now to be as obnoxious as he can be when asked and I really want a distraction. It makes him more interested in the other dogs, and less interested in me. It's hard to explain this concept to owners, and why a certain amount of alone time needs to be given to each dog in their household when they are multiple ones. I, myself, had thought trainers might be overemphasizing this point myself, but I see it in action in my household now. You want to be your dog's pack and pack leader. To maintain that, you need to have interactions with your dogs exclusively sometimes. However, if you are a trainer like me, there are advantages to it, like practicing with your dog to be quiet and in a place during the lesson. That being said, me and my neglected husband are going to be sure to have some "alone time" with our dogs this evening. Training or not, just to reaffirm the bond that we have which is very special to us.

Training Logs

When you are training a client's dog or a competition dog, I find training logs great. I hate the class books though, because there is no possible way to document the results of repetitions and adding in duration, distance, and distraction. Way too little room. Blogs have no way of allowing you to run a comparison. I actually do my comparison in spreadsheet for, by date, and by distraction level. I have columns on particular days as to whether still treating, still giving corrections, and length of time command was performed. This way you can see documented progress on your dog. It also really helps with the next day lesson plan, and if you are doing private coaching or board & train, individualizes the lessons to the dogs needs and pace. Shame on me, just starting to do this on my dog today. I like to wing it a little too much on my dog, and there really is no room in that for the competitions we are doing. Also going to set Jack up on one.

Blog Fish

Blog Fish Dog Training 3/26/2006

http://community.livejournal.com/shihtzuluv/128696.html (one person’s experience with PetSmart dog training)

http://sheherazahde.livejournal.com/263215.html (a description of typical dog owner client’s non-compliance with instructions) http://puppy-king.blogspot.com/2006/03/training-shy-or-fearful-puppy-or-dog.html (good points on shy fearful dogs and training goals and common problems resulting from not building confidence)

http://dogfightatbankstown.blogspot.com/2006/03/dog-fights.html (tips on coping with and preventing a dog fight) http://perilousknits.livejournal.com/15495.html (a person and a dog on a day out---what having a dog is all about)

http://www.aboutdogs.info/2006/01/5-benefits-of-crate-training-your.html (advantages to crate training your puppy) http://www.dog-breeds-guide.net/51/keeping-your-dog-focused-while-dog-training/ (on dog anticipation and focus during obedience training)

Blog Fish

http://mcgibfried.blogspot.com/2006/03/dog-training.html (Adventures of an owner and her besenji)

http://matt.carter.name/blog/2006/03/why.html (Police Dog Handler Poem)

http://www.petlvr.com/blog/2005/09/dog-training-how-to-house-break-your-dog/ (Tips on Housebreaking)

http://www.fideliodogs.com/dogblog/?p=38 (On Clients and A Common Problem with Client Dog Training)

http://blogs.sun.com/roller/page/lskrocki?entry=dog_training_woes (cute story on child training dog) http://blog.dogdoright.com/?p=20 (Seniors and Preferring to Relate to Visiting Dogs One on One)

http://animalsuffering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=18580 (Police Dog Dies Chasing Man) http://judysworld.net/blog/index.php/2006/02/10/on-being-a-benevolent-leader/ (One Take on Benevolent Leader-Unfortunately PP Take---but still good philosphy)

http://www.petville.com/pet_community/2006/03/the_iditarod.html (Iditarod Article)

http://spadafori.typepad.com/woof/2006/03/bad_dog_does_go.html (Review of a Book on a "Bad" Dog Named Marley)

http://www.dog-college.com/2006/03/five-ways-to-tell-that-you-re-not.html (Five Ways to Tell You Are Not Ready to Own a Dog)

Proposed York Beach Maine Dog Ban

I recently moved from Worcester MA to York Maine, unwittingly unaware of a huge issue that has come about here. First of all, York Maine is a community that does not have a leash law per say (outside public parks and beaches), but does require dogs to be under voice command. So that means an owner is required to be somewhere nearby, and their dogs under control. I happen to live on four acres, near 30 acres of woods that while owned by individuals, is pretty much used as public ways. Especially the stretch down the power lines that goes on for miles near picturesque streams. I happen to live on a dead end. So my dogs get tons more freedom and fun, beyond being on the beach too, than they used to. Dirt roads are all around us, so most of the time there are no cars there, and I walk my dogs unleashed around the neighborhood. Course one of the reasons we moved here, is proximity to the beach, and the excellent dog community that meets at the beach. Also, I happened to know that there are no other balanced trainers in the area. Long Sands Beach, where I walk and one of three public beaches and more than a few public parks, where people enjoy taking their dogs, is two miles long at low tide, and probably a quarter of a mile in. During the winter, people and their off leash dogs (same voice command rule applies but apparently hasn't been enforced) are allowed 24/7 on the beaches. During the summer the rule has been, off leash dogs are allowed on the beaches from 6PM to 8AM (the summer being defined as from May 1 to October 1). Unknown to me before I moved here, the selectmen having been trying to get the dogs banned during the summer, and thought to be banned from all beaches eventually.It is thought that the grass roots organization, which I have been sure to support, ARF, has convinced the selectmen that a ban is not going to be passed at all, and the newest revision gives off lead time at one beach from sunrise to 8AM only. Then at 6PM, on lead dogs would be allowed. The position of ARF is not to give up any rights. Dog waste has been an issue. I should say that someone dug up last years figures during the summer, and out of 700 incidents reported only 40 citations were handed out. While I would bet not all the 700 incidents were tourists, I would bet the majority are tourists, and the animal control officers certaintly did not do their jobs by letting 640 go. 640*250 (citiation new amount) would be 160,000; certaintly insuring some money for the monitoring of a couple hours in the morning of compliance with the statutes. In addition to this, there have been incidents of (from what I can gather) mostly friendly but untrained dogs running up to people, who do not want to see their dogs, and knocking them over or just scaring them. This is understandable too. And even with the dog group I hang out with, great wonderful dogs, but under voice control? I don't think so. Dogs have run up to mine, with the owner saying twenty "come Fifi" in a row. So that's a problem. On the other hand, the two incidents that were talked about in the meeting were a wife attacked by a dog on lead, not at the beach, and a man claiming that if a spec of dog hair gets near him, he needs to go and shower off. In addition, he made front page news, claiming a dog had jumped on him from behind. Then publically in the meeting said, I don't know whether the dog licked me or what, but I was startled and could have fallen. Course this same guy is "unable" to walk the beaches at any other time other than 6am to 8am. And wouldn't be satisfied with perfectly trained dogs, he wants no dogs ever, and I am sure once they are banned from the beach, he will want them banned from the streets. This being said though, there is definate room for improvement. These are also good people here, who are trying to get a handle on how to turn this around, and what voice control means. If any of you live in my area, and would like to be involved in this, please contact http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2h7gi/arfofyorkmaine/ Even if you are a tourist that comes, it's important to know that the selectmen are not considering that this is a vacation destination for dog owners. It used to be my vacation destination, and now I live here. Who knew that small towns have way more time on their hand for these issues than big cities LOL!!! Never had these kind of brew hahas in Worcester MA. I have been steering them towards training info, and tool info. Course my dogs make an impression, and I am seeing an increase in business sooner than I was expecting (I was expecting May and have had several training inquiries these first weeks in March). I think any seminars that could be extended to ARF may be invaluable to them. Just some food for thought. Awhile ago, I know there was a discussion on dog park models (rules for allowing or testing for off leash reliability). If anyone wanted to send them or me that info, that would be great as well.

On Retail Training Experiences

George, In going to these stores, I have noticed that the sales associates are quite young, paid low, and probably overzealous. I am sure that the manager of these stores would not like to hear that products they are carrying are being maligned by their sales associates, or customers are being driven away and uncomfortable about going there now. The young kids there are probably working on a directive from their manager in the wrong direction either not knowing that they carry these additional products, or not understanding that a retail environment is a business environment, and if they are driving customers away from products they are carrying, they certaintly are not doing the job that was intended. Remember the sales associates are not trainers by any means, and because they are kids with limited experiences, they are likely to get it wrong much of the time. Because of the pressure that is on everyone to "perform"="$$$$$$", much like a Walmart, misinterpretations are bound to occur. If your client feels comfortable, or maybe even yourself, I would write a nicely worded letter to that store manager, just letting them know what happened. You or he/she will probably get all sorts of coupons at the least. Maybe ask them if they would like a demonstration of some of the uses of the other equipment they carry, and (for a fee of course) offer to at least explain these to the sales associates. And of course, offer your card up as THE trainer that can help their clients with these pieces of equipment. I bet many of them come back unreturned, because the PetSmart customer has no idea where to go or how to use the equiment.

Vacationing With Dogs

The only vacations our dogs don't go on are to Disney World which happens about once every three years or so. There is just no appropriate place, and they have never flown so I don't want to put them through the stress of that. Our other vacations are mainly skiing and to the beach, where it's ideal to bring the dogs. We usually tire them out thoroughly with early morning romps (now that they are seniors not too hard to do), and them for most of the afternoon while they are dozing, we go skiing or boogie boarding/sunbathing, and then late afternoon/early evening there is another dog walk, then they go with us in the car to dinner. If we go to town shopping, we sometimes bring them along as they do very well in city and shopping area situations. We once brought them on a RV vacation from hell thinking this would be ideal for our dogs. The only ones that hated it more than us, were our dogs LOL. So next cross country trip will just be in the Exterra staying at dog friendly hotels along the way. Much easier to manage getting around et, for those of you who are not used to driving an RV, it's pretty challenging to just turn around if you find you went the wrong way et et. And the stability factor for the dogs back there----not so good. Crates probably would have been a good idea, but they would most likely have been bouncing around in those. And the RV parks are not very spacious like the camping that I used to do with my parents where you might not be able to see the next tent. People right on top of you, and you are in the end paying more than you would for a nice private hotel room. I love vacations with my dogs. They are the best.

Apprenticeship in Dog Training

Apprenticeships, I have learned, can come with the understanding that someone owns you. Something that was not made clear up front, and something that I started distancing myself from in August 2004, apparently to the dismay of others there, who seem to have missed me and the "volume" I put out, and for reasons that I can not begin to understand seem threatened by instead of happy for. So here is the backlash towards me because I dared once to ask about matches, not from my mentor/owner, but from the group. Not that ny answers ever did come from mentor/owner. Also because I mentioned a method of getting a dog off you in a crisis that was misunderstood as being a training method. This was all well before the incident "a couple weeks ago" (read last week). The reason this was known, was because this list was scanned the whole time for those references, which I stopped making about that organization and individual per their request. So, beware, of situations you put yourself in, especially in this volatile field. If you pay for the apprenticeship in thousands of dollars, the rules most likely are the same. Be careful out there. That being said, I did get a lot out of my experience, but you may have to live with the fact, that if you are any good and are going out on your own, there may be jealousy that makes it impossible for you to continue the relationship with that mentor. Even if you aren't as good as them, they can hold it against you. Doesn't make any sense, but it's a smaller world in the dog world than it is in the corporate world. And I am not saying there's not crazy competition there!!! And backstabbing.

Shelter Systems Run As Profit Shelters

In my area, and in some personal knowledge about someone in the area who purchased a shelter, I believe and I think it may be common knowledge among those in the shelter industry, that there is a trend going on to make profit on the non-profit industries. Shelters these days have basically, in my opinion, replaced pet stores. This is where the worse than puppy mill puppies go to these days. And I am not saying I don't like shelter dogs, I do. I wish I could go in and adopt a mixed breed, but my husbands allergies do prevent this for me. And now I have fallen in love with the Doberman, and don't think I will be able to break the cycle. Sorry digressed there. I know that I have seen actual internet advertisements that suggest ways to make your shelter a "profit" business. Now some shelters do this in a better way, as I believe Sue Engel's shelter may, by providing training to adult dogs. That being said, I have never met Sue or gone to her shelter. But the things that she seems to be doing and have started are more in line with what I would support at a shelter. That being said a shelter that is providing a trained dog, with fees added on for this service, is probably providing for itself. While these new profitable "non-profits" are making enough with their fees, and still targeting the community for "donations". I have requested the tax records on non-profits in the area this year, as with reduced income, I need to consider my contributions more carefully. I was astounded to see the cash in the bank, and payroll some of these places had. (I am actually not just talking animal shelters here, but other types of non-profits as well). I think there, and believe I remember from my education, that non- profits that do not accept money from the government, do not necessarily have strict stipulations on how much can be accumulated. Or how it can be disbursed (salaries et---and I am not saying shelter workers should not be paid a fair wage). The Red Cross or Human Shelter Organizations, for instance, have very strict regulations that include mandatory audits (annually at least) of how and where and how much and in what ratio their money goes. Why are puppies producing more revenue when they are not purebreds? Everyone (thinks they) want a puppy. Few people want to actually research what they are doing. Shelter is a simple place to go. Now plenty of puppies available there from 150-300. One day spur of the moment shopping. Puppies end up being untrained dogs, go to different shelter, fate is later decided there. This is something that I haven't seen discussed too much. And so I did want to share my opinions on it, because I think it's important. And I am not saying I don't want to save the poor puppies from Virigina or Georgia that make it too Massachusetts. I am just pointing out something that is happening in our shelter systems, that I don't think is talked about too much. A good thing that I think is happening, is with networking, the computer, and pet finder, dogs and puppies that are found in areas where they might be likely to be euthanized, are being picked up and transported (sometimes) to areas where they are more likely to find the appropriate home. As with anything, it's six of one, and a half dozen of another.

Shelter Systems Run As Profit Shelters

In my area, and in some personal knowledge about someone in the area who purchased a shelter, I believe and I think it may be common knowledge among those in the shelter industry, that there is a trend going on to make profit on the non-profit industries. Shelters these days have basically, in my opinion, replaced pet stores. This is where the worse than puppy mill puppies go to these days. And I am not saying I don't like shelter dogs, I do. I wish I could go in and adopt a mixed breed, but my husbands allergies do prevent this for me. And now I have fallen in love with the Doberman, and don't think I will be able to break the cycle. Sorry digressed there. I know that I have seen actual internet advertisements that suggest ways to make your shelter a "profit" business. Now some shelters do this in a better way, as I believe Sue Engel's shelter may, by providing training to adult dogs. That being said, I have never met Sue or gone to her shelter. But the things that she seems to be doing and have started are more in line with what I would support at a shelter. That being said a shelter that is providing a trained dog, with fees added on for this service, is probably providing for itself. While these new profitable "non-profits" are making enough with their fees, and still targeting the community for "donations". I have requested the tax records on non-profits in the area this year, as with reduced income, I need to consider my contributions more carefully. I was astounded to see the cash in the bank, and payroll some of these places had. (I am actually not just talking animal shelters here, but other types of non-profits as well). I think there, and believe I remember from my education, that non- profits that do not accept money from the government, do not necessarily have strict stipulations on how much can be accumulated. Or how it can be disbursed (salaries et---and I am not saying shelter workers should not be paid a fair wage). The Red Cross or Human Shelter Organizations, for instance, have very strict regulations that include mandatory audits (annually at least) of how and where and how much and in what ratio their money goes. Why are puppies producing more revenue when they are not purebreds? Everyone (thinks they) want a puppy. Few people want to actually research what they are doing. Shelter is a simple place to go. Now plenty of puppies available there from 150-300. One day spur of the moment shopping. Puppies end up being untrained dogs, go to different shelter, fate is later decided there. This is something that I haven't seen discussed too much. And so I did want to share my opinions on it, because I think it's important. And I am not saying I don't want to save the poor puppies from Virigina or Georgia that make it too Massachusetts. I am just pointing out something that is happening in our shelter systems, that I don't think is talked about too much. A good thing that I think is happening, is with networking, the computer, and pet finder, dogs and puppies that are found in areas where they might be likely to be euthanized, are being picked up and transported (sometimes) to areas where they are more likely to find the appropriate home. As with anything, it's six of one, and a half dozen of another.

Confidence For People Going Into New Field

I have to say, I am hoping any new people who have been involved or just are witnessing this sudden rash of "arguments" aren't lacking any confidence in themselves. Through my life I have learned, if you want to do something, do it. Other people are going to have a problem with it for whatever reason as follows: 1. The need to be right (don't even bother arguing with this crowd, you will NEVER win) 2. Jealousy (they don't want anyone else to take their place or be as successful in the future) 3. The need to make someone else feel insignificant (makes them feel more powerful) 4. The need for debate (some people just like to debate, but those people usually don't get nasty) And sometimes this argument or debate is informative, and sometimes it's really annoying and petty. But if you are doing what you want to do, you are not hurting anyone or thing, and you see improvement in yourself, you just need to buck up, and not give a flying fig about what anyone else thinks. Even if they have thirty or more years experience, does not mean you don't have the right to find your own way. Whether you do what people call "positive" training, or you do balanced training, do the best you can do and log your results. At some point if results are at a stand still, find out why, but remember not everyone's opinion is gospel. It's important for you to weed out the good, bad and ugly LOL. And they are all here on this list (different characters for different people). If I was ever waiting for anyone to put their seal of approval on me, I would still be pumping gas at a gas station like when I was 17. I wouldn't have become a comptroller for billion dollar companies, but more importantly I would not have become a dog trainer (not as $$ lucrative but much more lucrative life wise) If you want to be successful at XYZ, you go out there and get the info and experience, but do not let anyone else put you down or belittle you. How do you do that? Just shut off those voices and keep on going! Decide which voices are helping you achieve your goals and which ones aren't. Sometimes someone who was helpful in the beginning may not be so helpful as you become more accomplished. Thank them, and go on. So the new ones, keep your confidence about you, even when uglyness is being thrown your way. I must admit, some of these discussions have made me loose some respect for other trainers on this list, which is not to say I haven't been sucked into these "discussions" once or twice before.

Allergies to Dogs

Different people are allergic or not to different breeds. My step mother is not allergic to English Sheep dogs (my husband is allergic to English Sheep Dogs), but is allergic to other breeds. When we were first looking for a dog (9 years ago) we found out this unfortunate fact, as every time I brought my husband to look at a dog in the shelter I was volunteering at, (and I was sure to bring the dog outside of the shelter) he would have an allergy attact right away. As far as controlling allergies, my husband has other medical issues, and is on much medication all the time. As you know, medications can have side effects, and side effects in combination with each other. Instead of wasting our time and money and jeopardizing my husband's health in any way, it seems more expediant to have a dog that he is actually not allergic to. He also has severe asthma, so a medication not working right or conflicting with anther medication can cause severe problems. How did we find out my husband wasn't allergic to Dobes, when we realized that there were breeds of dogs that my husband WAS allergic to (we had thought him only to be allergic to cats before), we began visiting breeders, and talking to them around their dogs for at least an hour. So we were walking in the kennels et, and it would become apparent (especially with so many dogs around us) quickly if Robert was in fact allergic to that breed. Everyone's chemistry is different, and the allergies don't conform in the stereotypical way most people will have you believe. One of my pet peeves in the shelters (I was looking for a Dobe in our shelter system before picking out Leon), is these shelter staff that will tell you unequivically, that no one is allergic to dogs that have standard poodle type hair, or dogs that don't shed, or all short haired dogs. It annoys me because they are not (in my opinion) giving out anywhere near close to the correct info, and could be about to cause some nice family or person some real heartbreak. Not every person has an "easy" time controlling these allergies. Some people actually are best to find (if possible) a breed of dog where they don't need to rely on medication to keep their breathing at an acceptable level. Good inquiry.

Embarrassing Training Moment

I've started training two large St Bernards to go to the bathroom in one area on this fenced in estate. Owners know they are supposed to be training with me, but so far they are only following directions that I leave with them, instead of coming out and trying it with me. Any way, first day there I bring the dogs out one by one. First the older 175 pound dog, and then the younger 135 pound dog. The older one finishes first so he gets unhooked and gets cookies, and I go to my truck to get the prong collar to train him to be sent to the area. Just as I get there, the younger pup goes number two, so I close the door to my truck (I think I do any way), and I rush over to give the cookie and say good bathrooms when he is done. I look back, and I see Tango's face looking back at me from my truck window----later on it was too steamy to actually see his face. Seems I didn't close the door all the way, and the smarty pants figured out how to nudge it open and get in. I walk around to the back and open the door. "Come on Tango". Now this is the first day of training, and this is either dogs first day on a collar at all (he's still on just a flat at this point). Tango looks at me and stretches out full length along the back of my truck. Clearly he is enjoying Jazz's comfy and very fluffy doggie bed. Alrighty then, I take my trusty leash and hook it up to his collar (which I told the owners was to large), and begin to tug. I successfully pull the collar off of Tango's head. Tango does not look very impressed by me, and shows no signs of moving. This is the point where you are praying that the owners are not peeking out of the window to see how you are handling their very large dogs. I figure at this point, I will take Cash out and we will begin training. Jealous Tango will certaintly want to come out then. Bingo, thank God. I really was not relishing asking the owners to remove their dog from my vehicle. Now it's week 3, and Tango still looks longingly at my vehicle, and I shut that door but tight!!!

First Trial Observed

At the AKC event that I just went to in Fitchburg, I was very surprised that just about every dog there was well behaved. Some of the show puppies were somewhat pulling on their leashes, but by and large, everyone, human and animal, seemed to be getting along, and focused on the task at hand. While hanging around the Novice and Open A events, I talked to pet dog owners who were competing. While their dogs were not doing as well as the Novice B competitors, still the dogs were in control and performing the obedience commands in and outside the ring. During the group part of the competition, no dog broke. Most of these pet owners belonged to obedience clubs. I was surprised and pleased that I saw all these pet dog owners competing, and I was the only training apprentice looking on. I was expecting more people like me, and less owners, but there I was the only one. In talking with them, their dogs were not always so well behaved going into these situations, each one had issues to work on, and they worked hard at their training. While they weren't perfectly in position, it still showed in the ring. Many of them got their first leg that day.

Some People Give Me Nightmares

Oh yes you are!!!!---different that is than the general public. The range of people out there looking for dogs is staggering. Granted most are good hearted people. I used to work as a controller for a manufacturing plant that employed.....cheap labor. Okay, translation, people who were not incredibly bright or kind hearted. Now don't anyone get offended, some of these people were great hard working people who earned very little money because they didn't complete high school (but were still smart and hard working), but some of them deserved the low pay they got, in fact, in my opinion they were paid too much. One such employee lit himself on fire with gasoline one day just to see how quickly it would get out of control. Burnt himself pretty bad, and he wasn't fired. Anyway, another of his ilk went out one day looking for a dog. Imagine my horror when he said he went to Sterling Animal Shelter where I was currently volunteering. This is a shelter that does minimal screening, but they do require proof of house ownership or landlord approval. He was denied and pissed, and eventually gave up his quest. "Fire boy" was successful in his quest (went to a different shelter but he may have had landlord permission). Got a lovely pit bull. Thought it was funny when the dog got all protective of him with his friends, dog bit several of his friends (while "Fire Boy" laughed at the antics), and finally one bad enough to be put to sleep. I saw this person's (Fire Boy) interaction with the dog, and the dog only did what he was taught to do. You may mean something different then screening processes. In my opinion the local shelters around here do not have adequate screening processes. Some of these dogs come out of a bad situation just to land in worse. You can never guarantee that a rescue will get the right home, but shelters can do their best with the budgets and staff constraints as far as I am concerned. Even the good hearted people sometimes have not aquired enough knowledge to adopt certain breeds or temperments.

The Difficulty in Training People to Train Their Dog

Elena, For me experience in teaching people, came not right away, but in my proggressive trail up the corporate ladder in another field. I think it's little steps, learning to talk to people about controversial subjects so both parties don't get upset, learning to give constructive criticism, learning different personality types in people and which ones you shouldn't necessarily have to deal with, and learning how to break down a task into small pieces. I began as a junior accountant under many people in one company, and then became the manager of the whole accounting department of a 56 million dollar public corporation in charge of daily operations projects, merger and downsizing projects, layoffs, budgeting, profit margin analysis, et et. But I never just started there. In my advanced years, this has given me somewhat of an advantage in my private and group dog training classes. However, now I have to learn to deal with another whole group of people!!! Especially the group people, the pet parents, the social situation, the retail environment, and oh yes the other dog trainers. (and I am not making a reference to this list at all, I am talking about local competition primarily in these retail establishments) If I thought corporate finance was cut throat.......it was nothing. In that certain group of dog trainers, there can be an appalling lack of professionalism speaking about their coworkers who they are supposed to be working with (and I am not speaking about me. they seem to talk about every dog trainer in the store as horrible, while they are of course wonderful, but meantime they are counting on working with these people to make part of their own bread) Sort of a story about people and training. Recently I wrote about (I think) a group class that I thought went particularly well. I saw this couple was having a real hard time with their pit mix, Lola, and they were reinforcing the behavior that they wanted a bit late. So Lola was plopping her but down on sit, but then lifting it ever so slightly, because that's when she was reinforced to do it. So I demoed for a sit, and I reinforced it right as her butt hitthe floor, and she didn't get up. I thought I was doing this couple a favor, as there was more than one trainer running the class, by giving them special attention and showing them how they could do this. Well, turns out, they thought I was picking on them and talking down to them, and complained about me LOL> And I feel bad that they felt that way, because I thought I was just giving them the feedback that they paid for. So I don't know what the solution to that is. Don't help the client in group classes, so corporate doesn't have to hear from them? Don't help the client unless they specifically ask for it? I don't think so, but I don't know. It's funny to me because here I thought the couple left with a smile on their face and a dog who understood what sit was. And of course I should say here, I was never officially told who the couple was, just a "sly" hint was given from another trainer who could not tell me "who had complained". So it is very possible, the couple that I think it was did go away happy. I only think it was them, because I know I gave them special attention, and was in fact asked to continue to help them by the other trainer. So it's the whole package of two legged beings that can be somewhat frustrating. I am also learning that clients of these group classes aren't necessarily going to train their dogs. It seems to be mainly lonely people who are getting out with their dogs to talk to other dog owners. Graduation class not to mention advanced classes are a complete joke, that is unless you think proper heeling is binding the dog to your side with a wooden spoon filled with peanut butter (as both the teaching method and final product). Advanced Heeling 101, I must have missed that seminar. It's almost never the dogs.

First Full Time Week as Dog Trainer

I just finished my first week of doing this full-time. I have to say, I love it. I especially find it rewarding to give help to owners that others have "given up on". One lady, that is part of a couple, was given up on as "clueless". However, she just needed a pep talk on not giving up and timing. It made all the difference in our last class, and I can't wait to see how she is doing next week. I almost saw the light bulb appearing above her help. I had private lesson number two with a dachsund owner today, whose dachsund tends to think he owns the house. Second lesson, she was really getting it. In the middle of the week I called, she was not practicing, so we had a little talk about that. I fully expected that i would need to correct her by singing Christmas carols to her today (I am somewhat tone deaf). Luckily, she took my warnings to heart, and a lot of progress was made in practice with her Dachsund. She was positively beaming when I left today, and her dog was learning place and recalls. His little behind was just about swinging back and forth when I left. Knock on wood, nothing horrible has happened yet. Only positive experiences with my group and private lessons, thus far. It feels really right so far, and so much more rewarding than making sure a corporation makes enough money so that the shareholders can buy the vacation houses/cars of their dreams. Sorry to gush. I just feel like I have been caught up in a really good dream in the last couple of months.