Dogdom Land

When I first had the interest to train dogs, I was privileged to be on the same field of one very unique individual. It wasn't until later on, that I realized what a "controversial" figure this guy was in Dogdom Land. But when I first met him, I got hooked on the type of training he was showing me. I remember saying to myself, " I love this!" It made so much sense to me. Pure and simple. It felt very right. But I also asked myself, "Why? Why aren't there more people training here? " I remember how odd that seemed to me, considering what great stuff I was experiencing and learning.

As time went by I heard others in Dogdom Land speak very badly of this guy. They said all kinds of things like, "He was crazy" - "Did not know what he was doing" - "Was one of the worst trainers in the country". It did not make sense to me though. I had just spent one of the greatest weeks ever in my life at this "crazy" guy's place. Why did so many Dogdom people hate him? This crazy guy indeed did things opposite of them. But who's way was the better way? The vast majority of people in Dogdom Land said this crazy guy was wrong! Was it possible that all of "them" were wrong instead?

As time went by, it became clear to me why so many were against this guy. This type of training is not for everyone. First off, it is a physical thing. You don't have to be an Olympic athlete, but you do have to be able to get around well. You can't be afraid to get dirty, wet, cold, hot scratched, bit, bruised... You have to be able to function in the natural world around you. Second, it will test and build your character. This is the main reason I fell for this type of training. One is just not dog training...but...living...with dogs. You not only learn about your dog, but learn more about yourself...who you truly are. Not what we sometimes pretend to be.

So it started to make more sense to me. This training was actual, real honest to goodness, old fashioned...hard work. So much of the other training in Dogdom Land was only for show. It did not make a difference if it did not produce results, just as long as it looked good. There were plenty of excuses for why it did not work. There were plenty of people willing to agree with those excuses. Ego, money and foolishness abound in Dogdom Land.

So, I have finally settled with the fact that I train the way that I do because...I simply like it. I know it produces the real world results that I am looking for and as crazy as it sounds, there is something special and magical about it at times. It is a mindset, a way of thinking...how you think about and approach training a dog.

Life truly does go by quickly and I will not get caught up and entangled in the jungles of Dogdom Land. I will not offer up any excuses or apologies for training this way. I don't have to. The more I learn, the more I am shown how much more I have to learn...it's a wonderful thing.