My First Blog - An Introduction

Welcome - for the 3 people who might be reading this! I have decided to delve into the world of blogging if for no other reason than curiosity. As my blog title would suggest - the primary topics of this blog are intended to be around the trials and tribulations and joys of being a "positive dog trainer".

So a little bit about myself. I have ALWAYS been involved with dogs. I attended my first dog show 'in utero' and have never looked back. I grew up in a house filled with dogs (from Dobermans, to Rough Collies, to Smooth Collies - with a few odds & sods thrown in like a Miniature Pinscher and an English Cocker Spaniel). I think the lowest number of canines ever in the house is the 3 we now have sharing our lives. I have trained our own dogs and/or competed in various canine sports including confirmation, obedience, rally obedience, agility and most recently tracking.

My biggest source of knowledge and inspiration is my mother. Her love for and committment to our dogs has shaped (hey good clicker word) my passion for canines and all that goes with them. She has taught me more than any amount of books, seminars, DVDs, teachers, etc. ever will. Although we sometimes have healthy 'discussions' around training methodology we always agree on one thing. Positive Dog Training is where it is at.

For those who know me well, I enjoy the training more than the competing. My joy comes from watching the learning (for both me and the dog). There is nothing more exciting and rewarding than those 'ah ha' moments when the light bulb goes on and you know that your canine partner has 'got it'. I also love to teach. I have taught more classes for new puppy owners than I can count as well as beginning clicker skills for agility as well as some basic starting agility levels. Helping people both new to the sport and those more advanced develop a partnership with their dog makes all the volunteer hours worth it (yes I did say volunteer). :)

Well that is likely enough for the introductions. I will share some best and worst experiences in my future blogs. I also plan to give some book reviews of some of my favourite selections of positive training 'gurus'.

Cheers and happy clicking