ABOUT MY TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
As I write this I am being lovingly studied from across the room by two pairs of
curious, chocolate brown eyes. I am in awe of these two wonderful creatures I’ve
been blessed to share my life with. I have learned so much from them over the
years and I continue to learn something new every day. And that’s the first
thing you learn when you begin to train dogs. No matter what the lesson of the
day is, you will always learn more from them than they learn from you. Dogs are
our real teachers. I secretly have a theory that they already know all there is
for us to teach them and are only humoring us because they enjoy spending time
with their humans. But that’s another story for another day. Let me start at the
beginning.
As I’ve grown up I have always been surrounded by dogs. There hasn’t been
one day in my life where I haven’t felt a cold, wet nose against my hand or
burrowed my face in a warm coat of fur. In fact for pretty much my whole life
dogs have been my only friends. I was homeschooled from the third grade on, so I
never had any kids my own age to play with. Dogs became my confidants, my
playmates, and my favorite teachers. I quickly came to realize that they
communicated in a language far superior than our own; I was consumed with trying
to bridge that gap and learn to speak their lingo. What I discovered along the
way was perhaps the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Dog
training.
When I realized I could teach my dogs simple commands and tricks I was
hooked. Finally, I could share something with them that at the time I didn’t
know anyone else knew. I thought I was in on their whole secret language thing.
But, as it turns out I wasn’t. I was only training my dogs like hundreds of
people had done before me. Did that discourage me? Absolutely not! I became even
more enthralled by this secret society of dogs and their handlers and pledged
myself a lifetime member. I watched countless hours of Animal Planet (Pets Burgh
U.S.A. and Pet Star were my absolute favs!) and read countless books and
articles about dogs and training. I spent as much time as possible bonding with
my only dog at the time, my Chihuahua T.C., and because of him I honed my
training skills. He is my little buddy that started it all.
It has been ten years since I first began training dogs and I haven’t looked back.
I acquired a second dog, my energetic Kodiak Bear, four and a half years ago
because I have always been captivated by Australian shepherds and I wanted a
larger dog to work with. He is my angel in a fur coat and has been everything I
hoped he would be. At this point I am convinced that training is more than just
a fun hobby for me and is my destiny in life. And what better way to make this
dream a reality than by sharing it with others.
I’ve created this site, Bark Like You Mean It Dog Training to show others
that you don’t have to spend tons of money on a professional trainer or
expensive tools to get the dog of your dreams. As long as you love your dog and
are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to train your dog then you
are well on your way towards creating the bond you’ve always dreamed
of.
I am not a professional or certified trainer. I have, however, been
training dogs ever since I was nine years old and have over ten years of
experience caring for and training them. I use only positive reinforcement and a
variety of rewards, such as food treats, toys, praise, a favorite game, praise
or anything else my doggy’s heart’s desire. I mark their behaviors using a
clicker and encourage them to think and figure things out on their own. Every
day is a learning process, both for my dogs and for me, and I believe that the
best dog trainers are the ones who are willing to keep an open mind, learn from
others and embrace their mistakes. After all, “To err is human, to forgive, canine." -
Anonymous. We all have amazing dogs who are loyal and devoted, but it’s up to us to
be the thoughtful owners they deserve.
curious, chocolate brown eyes. I am in awe of these two wonderful creatures I’ve
been blessed to share my life with. I have learned so much from them over the
years and I continue to learn something new every day. And that’s the first
thing you learn when you begin to train dogs. No matter what the lesson of the
day is, you will always learn more from them than they learn from you. Dogs are
our real teachers. I secretly have a theory that they already know all there is
for us to teach them and are only humoring us because they enjoy spending time
with their humans. But that’s another story for another day. Let me start at the
beginning.
As I’ve grown up I have always been surrounded by dogs. There hasn’t been
one day in my life where I haven’t felt a cold, wet nose against my hand or
burrowed my face in a warm coat of fur. In fact for pretty much my whole life
dogs have been my only friends. I was homeschooled from the third grade on, so I
never had any kids my own age to play with. Dogs became my confidants, my
playmates, and my favorite teachers. I quickly came to realize that they
communicated in a language far superior than our own; I was consumed with trying
to bridge that gap and learn to speak their lingo. What I discovered along the
way was perhaps the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Dog
training.
When I realized I could teach my dogs simple commands and tricks I was
hooked. Finally, I could share something with them that at the time I didn’t
know anyone else knew. I thought I was in on their whole secret language thing.
But, as it turns out I wasn’t. I was only training my dogs like hundreds of
people had done before me. Did that discourage me? Absolutely not! I became even
more enthralled by this secret society of dogs and their handlers and pledged
myself a lifetime member. I watched countless hours of Animal Planet (Pets Burgh
U.S.A. and Pet Star were my absolute favs!) and read countless books and
articles about dogs and training. I spent as much time as possible bonding with
my only dog at the time, my Chihuahua T.C., and because of him I honed my
training skills. He is my little buddy that started it all.
It has been ten years since I first began training dogs and I haven’t looked back.
I acquired a second dog, my energetic Kodiak Bear, four and a half years ago
because I have always been captivated by Australian shepherds and I wanted a
larger dog to work with. He is my angel in a fur coat and has been everything I
hoped he would be. At this point I am convinced that training is more than just
a fun hobby for me and is my destiny in life. And what better way to make this
dream a reality than by sharing it with others.
I’ve created this site, Bark Like You Mean It Dog Training to show others
that you don’t have to spend tons of money on a professional trainer or
expensive tools to get the dog of your dreams. As long as you love your dog and
are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to train your dog then you
are well on your way towards creating the bond you’ve always dreamed
of.
I am not a professional or certified trainer. I have, however, been
training dogs ever since I was nine years old and have over ten years of
experience caring for and training them. I use only positive reinforcement and a
variety of rewards, such as food treats, toys, praise, a favorite game, praise
or anything else my doggy’s heart’s desire. I mark their behaviors using a
clicker and encourage them to think and figure things out on their own. Every
day is a learning process, both for my dogs and for me, and I believe that the
best dog trainers are the ones who are willing to keep an open mind, learn from
others and embrace their mistakes. After all, “To err is human, to forgive, canine." -
Anonymous. We all have amazing dogs who are loyal and devoted, but it’s up to us to
be the thoughtful owners they deserve.