Even the trainers have to train

When people stop me on the street and say, "Oh my, what a well-trained dog!  I wish my dog could...." the only thing I can think is, "Your dog could do this too... but it takes work." 

Yes, even the trainers have to train!

Sometimes that's a hard rule to remember, especially as a trainer.  Your life becomes full of continuous training sessions.  When you're training a service dog, that gets increased.  Even 'play time' can get turned into a training session.  So you start to think, "but we train all of the time!" 

Quality and focus, not quantity, get you the dog you deserve. 

Sure, you're training all the time.  A sit/wait/release for food or to leash up to go out for a walk.  A down/stay while you're watching a television show.  A heel/let's-go through the house.  --  But are you taking the time to train the new tasks you want your dog to learn?

I wasn't. 

In the 10 months since Ranger passed his CGC I've slacked - big time.  Sure, there were a lot of life-altering events going on, but if I'm honest, I slacked and I know it.  He knows it.  I'm still the leader of our pack - but I was a slacking leader who was just going through the motions.

I'm not slacking any more.  We're both going back to "boot camp."  With the help of books like Working Like Dogs: The Service Dog Guidebook and Teamwork I and Teamwork II - I am going to get us back on track and in gear.  We're going to work the advanced training tasks.  We're going to have fun.  We're going to learn while we play.  We're going to train.

SO... I started this blog.  To help keep me from slacking.  To help others move forward.  To educate.  These are my goals.   We will chronical our ups (and downs), share training tips and product reviews. 

I hope you'll come along for the ride and share in our journey. 

Jessica and Ranger.