50 years since I got involved with dogs. 50 years ago I met a woman (Janice) who introduced me to the world of conformation dog shows. She explained a little about how it all works; then handed me her red Doberman (Jake) and into the ring I went. I was a nervous wreck; I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. But I learned fast because it was exactly where I wanted to be and what I wanted to be doing. I truly think that if I hadn’t met her and her dogs that I would be where I am today. So thank you Janice, from the bottom of my heart. ;)
You see I did not come from a dog family. My 2 brothers and 2 sisters begged our parents for a dog for years until they finally gave in and brought a toy poodle home one day as a surprise. I loved him, he loved me; although a toy poodle is not the dog for a family of 5 children. But it was way back then, before the Dobermans that I started my love and fascination of dogs. Around the age of 10 years of age, I took the small amount of money I’d saved up and bought all the “Know your “breed”” books I could afford. I would flip through the pages for hours, wishing that one day I might have dogs like these. But it was not until I met Jake that it really got started.
A blog I wrote about my life with dogs in 2021
Once I was introduced to the show world and Junior Handling, I was hooked. After that it really was all about dogs. And, I have to say that much of my hands on work with dogs is thanks to being in Junior Handling for 5 years. At a young age I learned how to easily move even the largest of breeds with ease. How to manipulate their body without stressing them out or struggling. I use these methods to this day.
From the show ring I went into obedience. I learned the old yank and method before discovering positive reinforcement and vowed to never go back. Oh yes, I look back; because back is where I learned what I don’t want to do. I would not teach people how to use this aversive methods. Infact, because I had done it myself; I could explain why we shouldn’t do it.
It has been a huge journey that has taught me so much about humans and dogs. I believe when we have knowledge and experience, we should share it. This is why I love to blog, podcast, post and share everything I can. 50 years is a long time and over those 50 I evolved a lot. I still love dogs as much as I did when I was 10 years old; but that love evolved into a life. Dogs became so much more to me; the more I learned the more I loved them.
I also made a lot of mistakes; it’s what you do when you don’t know any better. And over the years I’ve had to explain to my clients “you can do better when you know better.” You can’t do any better than you know right in this minute. They often felt horribly guilty for the things they’d done before we started our sessions, so I’d work with them as well. I also said many times “if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.” And “don’t be afraid to stand up to anyone doing anything you don’t like to your dog.”
At the very young age of 13, I didn’t know much about dogs or life for that matter. 50 years later I still have a lot to learn; we never stop learning, or we should never stop learning. But I do have a lot of experience to share, and I love sharing information on life with dogs. Whether it is behavior, training, grooming, maintenance, nutrition or just life with dogs, I’ll share. I am very passionate about dogs and that has evolved over the years to be more about their wellbeing and the whole idea of living a better life with our dogs. The amazing bond that we can build and have with our dogs; is a connection unlike any other relationship we will have in our lives.
50 years, where the hell did the time go? It feels yesterday, well maybe the day before yesterday. :) Standby for more sharing.