CANINE CONVERSATIONS 

First and foremost, I believe in education and community. When I decided I wanted to further my education in dog training in order to gain a little more control over my hyperactive 5 year old blue heeler, Battle - I didn't realize the door I was opening. 

I had always trained my dogs using "conventional" and "traditional" methods, and was always told I had good dogs - but that they would "calm down later in life" (hint: they never did). Seeing other dogs in the world that had stellar obedience skills that were as high energy of breeds as my own dog made me decide I had to figure out the key.

Going down this path opened my eyes to how creating a strong communication system between Battle and myself led to solid foundational obedience skills, which led to an even stronger bond between the two of us.

This taught me that if the relationship between the owner and dog is not looked at like a partnership, the bond between the two can never grow. A dog is not the owner's subordinate and the owner is not the alpha. The two are a team that can only get stronger and better through communication and understanding. 

I now know your dog is your partner; it is important to learn to respect them as such. For most of us that is the dog’s entire life and their entire world. Training by reinforcement breeds affection in both dog and trainer, and when the two get good at reinforcing each other, they create a happy partnership.

I believe that sharing this skill is just one way I can help my community. Because if even a few skills trickle their way from owner to owner, some humans lives are going to get just a little easier and I know some dogs lives are going to get that much better.