Cindy's Blog 5-31-11

Okay.  Suffice to say I am the worst blogger in the world.  I will try to do this more regularly.  I may be a little resistant because I got in trouble for the last blog.  Too honest.  Too blunt.  Too politically incorrect.  Too New Jersey of me.

We finished a session on Wednesday.  One dog passed all of the exercises in the Canine Good Citizen test after just 7 weeks of training.  That’s pretty awesome, for the record.   That was just before we headed to the basement to outwit a tornado.

I’d be happy to tell you all I know about dog training or how we meet our goals or something that sounds like I am doing a spectacular job in case anyone wants to verify that we are a worth supporting.  Anytime.  Just ask.  Truly I am happy to talk to anyone personally and I do.

BUT that’s not really what the blog is about.  This is more about the antics and emotion that make it all worth doing.  I am always thinking about how the staff and the dogs can do more to change a kid’s life that just to learn dog training.  Case in point:  This week I asked a potential candidate for the program how he could convince me that he wouldn’t be a meth addict when he was released.  It may sound like a ridiculous question (and it is) but his family history surrounds him with serious drug addiction and I am thinking about what WE can do to impact him enough that he would have the confidence, the courage and the resources to walk away from that and start a new life with happy, self reliant possibilities.  Can training a dog help?  How?  Well for starters, it can help in a few small ways growing into great big ways.

Small Ways:

·          I can become a reference for a job.  I don’t give a glowing reference unless it is well deserved.  Here’s what I know about a potential employee.

1.      If they “show up” for work

2.      If they are organized

3.      If they pay attention and are willing to work CONSISTENTLY

4.      If they are compassionate and patient

5.      If they work hard, are trustworthy and continue to work even if the job Is difficult

·         I can give them a chance to be successful with an experience that they have never encountered

·         I can give them an experience to be in a learning situation where not only will they be successful, but they will help others to be successful too.

·         I can help them learn to calm themselves (and calm their dog).

·         I give them pizza.  It seems to work.

So that’s it for starters.

Stay tuned for the BIG WAYS.  It’s coming sooooooon.