My philosophy of training

Ok, I've been thinking about this one for a week. Last weekend I was talking to a friend about retraining Ian's weave poles. She's trained dogs for a while considering she was raised by a mother who trained dogs, but she's now training her first dog on her own as an adult. She suddenly looked at me and said, "You're amazing." I was really startled and asked why she said so. She said, "You have a MACH dog and you're retraining skills. It's amazing you'd put in the effort." I really didn't know what to say, but it gave me a lot to think about this week.

Why am I working on Ian's weaves? Because I know he can do better. I looked at his Q rate before and after his injury in January, and he went from a 70% Q rate to 50% and from earning 177 points and 7 double Qs to 93 points and 3 double Qs. That's pitiful! Not only can he do better, but it was costing me money!

Secondly, I've also taken 6 weeks off this summer with Ian. Does he like it? No he doesn't. He hates it -- and he really hates it when the Goldens and I leave to train field or tracking and he has to stay home. He's barking (well, actually screaming) at me when we go out daily to take 10 minutes at the weave poles. He gives me everything he has, and it's working. But this dog needed a break, not only to break this weave cycle and retrain. Our dogs need time off just like we do!

We all need a vacation. Most of us work full time and train dogs, so we're likely working "two jobs." I found I was actually starting to not enjoy trials. I wasn't dreading them, but I realized this summer I missed spending a weekend at home. I've enjoyed taking this 6 weeks off from trialing probably more than the dogs have. Have I sat at home eating bonbons or taken up a new hobby? Nope, I've trained my dogs! And I've rediscovered I ENJOY TRAINING DOGS!

Since my holiday from trialing in mid-July, I have tracked every Friday and Saturday night and field trained one day on the weekend all with a small group. I took two days off work to spend field training in Ohio. During the week, I've trained at least one dog in something every evening. And I'm really enjoying those sessions. I'm learning a lot about my dogs, and they are getting some valuable training.

I think the conclusion of all of this thought process is also the realization that I'm becoming a mature dog trainer. I train a lot of foundation now, because I've realized that's the way to achieve a higher level of training. Are my dogs beating every dog out there? Not necessarily. But everyone is confident with our jobs, and I'm happier with the performances I'm getting. I'm no longer training to get a title. I'm training because I love to bond and spend time with my dogs. I'm challenged by the sports I choose, and I enjoy a higher level of understanding with my dogs.

And in the end isn't that's why I train the way I do, even when I'm taking a break!