#dograining

Cooper and Bailey are adorable litter mates. They are BFFs that share many good qualities but had developed a few bad habits. Walking these two, although they are small, was a huge challenge. They would pull to be ahead and barks and lunge anytime they passed a person or a dog. They used to go crazy when the landscapers came over and were nervous around new people. They progressed a great deal and are now walking politely on leash and don’t care about seeing dogs or people on a walk. They go to their place when the landscapers come and are growing more confident with strangers. Congrats you two!

Both are a part of life. We meet new people, we judge them off of first impressions, and then we feel the need to put that person down. Wait. That second part might’ve just been ingrained in our society. Especially with women, but that’s not why I’m writing this post. There is no excuse for egos. It’s not even needed. Seriously, when is an ego going to save your life? If anything, it would END your life quicker. And please, if you’re going to board the ship of judgement, at least use some common sense when you’re at it.

Today was move-in day at the school, which means I also got to meet the roommates. Well, it certainly wasn’t the worst.

There was one guy already moved in. Apparently he had moved in the day before the official move-in day. The guy wanted to go into competitions and title dogs and what not--which means he would sell said dogs. And those dogs ain’t cheap. Anyway, the guy--who by the way is very friendly--asked me my experience with dogs and dog training. My response was, “Well, mostly my three dogs at home. Training wise, I can do basic obedience like sit and lay-down.”

Boy did that man jump on the ship of judgement. He didn’t even wait, he just jumped right in! He didn’t need to wear his sunglasses for me to understand that his face was telling me, “Girl, you’re soooo in over your head. You won’t make it.” Well let me tell you, it’s not like he’s the brightest crayon in the box. This guy LOVES blue heelers and cattle dogs. In fact, he came to school with his 7-year old one and a puppy. He’s also trained with some guy, whose name I guess I was “suppose” to know but didn’t (I don’t think anyone would he was probably just another dog trainer). But here’s the thing, his 7-year old cattle dog isn’t that impressive. The dog hesitates to bite when doing bite work, and his fuss is super slow. Now, a lot of that might just be on the fault of the handler (most of the time, it is), but also, cattle dogs just aren’t suited for protection work. Not like the German shepherds, Belgian malinois, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Dutch Shepherds (just to name a few). Furthermore, TRS and TRS graduates highly discourage you from coming into school with a puppy.

Now I’ve put down deposits for my puppies, but I don’t actually HAVE a puppy with me. The reason why? Puppy testing. Most people don’t know how to correctly execute a puppy test. I’m not saying that some people don’t; in fact, one guy who graduated Masters came into the Professionals with a puppy he’d picked out--but he’s also had some concrete experience to back him up. And even if you think you’ve got it all down and that the puppy you have is “perfect,” many are surprised when the instructor tells them that their dog isn’t ideal for the work and training they’re about to undergo. Or worse, the student learns halfway through training.

So excuse me, sir, for not having my puppies picked out. Excuse me for not having any experience doing protection work. Excuse me for not having any experience with working dogs and working breeds. And excuse me for looking like a newbie, when really, I’m going off of what graduates have told me (and quite possibly what the school would advise me to do). To be honest, Mr., I feel that I have as good of a shot passing just as you. Want to know why?

Because I’m a blank slate.

You have “all of this” experience to work off of, but guess what? Your techniques might not coincide with what we’re going to be taught at the school. And guess who could be held back by said experience? Certainly not the “uppity suburb girl who went to college and can only do sits and lay downs” girl. I’m not saying I’ll be better, but I might--JUST MIGHT--have a slight advantage over you.

There’s a reason why I’m going to school. To learn. And there’s a reason why I got accepted into the school. Because I have the energy, will, and drive. The school wouldn’t have accepted my application if they didn’t feel that I was capable of passing.

Oh, and by the way, while I understand the need and want to have a “puppy playtime,” don’t be surprised when I don’t let my puppy(s) join. So let me say this in advance, “I’m sorry I don’t want my puppy to see your dogs as being more fun and interesting than me.” Nothing personal, but I don’t need to make things harder than they will be for me. As a person with so much experience, I know you understand.