The fog is lifting here; I’m thinking a lot about what I have, not what I’ve lost or don’t have.
This morning, we’re heading to Brandon, Vt. to pick up the yarn Maria dropped off a few months ago. She’ll be selling it by tomorrow if I know her. She loves the yarn/shearing part of our lives, and so do I.
I’m delighted with the way my Dog Support program is going.
People are happy with the price – $50 for a half hour (and continued support by email and phone until the problem is solved, no extra charge).
I am impressed with the people signing up – they love their dogs, of course, and are eager to work hard, be patient, and be positive.
It feels good.
I can’t promise miracles, but I am confident in each case I have so far that I can help solve their dog problems.
People who love their dogs and can be patient, positive, and thoughtful (innovative, too) can almost always solve their problems with some help.
Sometimes it isn’t possible; those cases are rare in my experience. I don’t give up easily, and when I trained Frieda, Maria’s fearsome man-hating dog, I knew I could help others.
Although we are all human and stumble at times, I preach positive reinforcement and see training as how we talk to our dogs, love them and protect them.
I preach common sense training; we don’t need those expensive books and videos. We can almost always figure it out.
I also help with animal grieving and painful decision making.
This speaks to two essential things in my life – paying my bills and loving dogs.
I’m glad to be paid, but the truth is I love doing this work; it is not work for me, but my life and few things are more satisfying to me than to hear that aggression has been eliminated, dogs are walking comfortably by the sides of their owners, or that crates help in certain situations.
I plan on four weekly sessions, $50 a half hour, via Zoom or phone. I’ve even figured out how to schedule meetings on Zoom. E-mail me if you need help at [email protected]; it may be a few weeks before I can get to you, but I will respond immediately.
This is a rich and meaningful addition to my blog and my life. I love trying and learning new things; I never feel like the older man I am.
We’re lunching in Vermont. This afternoon, I have a Dog Support Zoom meeting at 4 p.m.
Positive reinforcement engages dogs and people. When I was teaching, I pointed out students who were doing the right thing.
eg: “Good job Group 1. I see you’re all ready. You may leave first and Group 3 your area is cleaned up too. You’re excused.”
I avoided calling attention to poor behavior and poor diligence. Reinforce what you want!
I’m widowed and retired. Now, I live alone. I use positive reinforcement on myself. I’ll say aloud “Good job, JoyDawn, you got up and walked. It’s good for you.” (When I’m hurting, moving is a challenge.) “Drinking water is important to your recovery and it also protects your teeth. That’s what your surgeon and Jon K. say.” (I’ve never been much of a water drinker so that’s a challenge.)
Around 9:30 pm, I read your blog. It is nightly PR for me.?
Thanks Joy, happy you are here…