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We Refer to Ourselves as Dog Lovers?

What does that mean exactly? I like to read, and I read a lot on a wide variety of subjects. This is good because no one subject exists...

"He'll Just Get Used To It"

Well, chances are that he won't! Flooding: don't do it without serious consideration! #training Flooding is a behaviour modification...

What a Classic! Classical Conditioning

#training A thorough understanding of Classical Conditioning can make or break your training. Here you’ll learn why the training of...

2. Tiny Tina the Puppy Place Holder

I once had an article in mind about how dogs can serve as 'place holders' to comfort kids when, for whatever reason, the parents aren't...

1. Wee Willem II and a Boxer named Champ

#alifewithdogs My earliest memories of family dogs began when we lived in the beachside suburb of Blacksmith in New South Wales. I have...

Marley and Me

#training When I first come across the posts from a professional trainer called Steve Courtney on the Dogzonline Training Forum, he asked...

About Me

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I'm pretty much a jack of all trades and master of none.  I enjoy writing though so hopefully I'll master this.

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I like to learn and that has it's benefits and it's downsides.  It means that I can know lots of facts, but it doesn't necessarily mean that I can apply those facts in a practical way.  I can get so wrapped up in the learning that I can forget to actually do anything.

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Thankfully my dogs have been one of the driving forces that got me away from books and out into nature.  The other of course is working...because, well, you have to eat and pay bills and all!

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When I was studying dog training and behavioural psychology through the National Dog Trainers Federation in Melbourne, Australia, I was concurrently a member of an online Dog Training Forum.  It was on that forum that I found that I had a gift for explaining things in a way that helped people understand their dogs.  I also interacted with some of the best dog trainers in the world.which was invaluable in rounding out both my knowledge and my practical experience.  You'll meet them through my posts as I write.

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At the risk of anthropomorphising dogs, I've often found it helpful to use human examples for the best benefit of explaining a particular nuance in training - so the listener or reader can better inhabit his/her dogs mind to understand what is going on.  Having said that, anthropomorphising does pose a risk to our dogs, and though I'm generally OK with people referring to their dogs as "fur babies", I can't help but cringe sometimes when the dog suffers for the lack of understanding of dogness and canine instincts.  So by all means, think of them as your kids or family members.  That speaks to your love of them.  But to also give them the honour and dignity that they deserve, know and provide for their needs as dogs.

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Owning dogs hasn't always been a bed of roses, so I hope you'll appreciate my sharing of episodes of 'pride going before the fall', my errors, my successes, my joy and my tears.  Maybe you'll share some of yours with me too.

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I wouldn't change it all for the world though.  So hopefully in my writing here we'll laugh together.  No doubt we'll also sometimes cry together.  Such is the nature of owning dogs.

 

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