The Misunderstanding of Time

The Misunderstanding of Time

When I am asked what is the biggest problem I see in dog training today, it is the same problem I saw fourteen years ago, and thirty years ago, it is the misunderstanding of time.

It takes time to learn how to be a teacher to another species.

It takes time to learn how to learn from another species.

It takes time to build understanding.

It takes time to learn how to observe and how to apply what you observe.

It takes time to build a relationship with trust.

It takes time to get to know one another.

It takes time to teach.

It takes an enormous amount of time to build skill on both ends of the leash.

It takes time to learn.

It takes time to learn about humility.

It takes time to learn how to work together.

It takes time to learn about the things in training you don’t even know that you don’t know yet.

It takes time to learn about your own short comings.

It takes time to forgive your own short comings and learn how to move on with your dog.

It takes a life time to practice compassion.

It takes time, all of it.

You cannot rush a relationship.

You cannot rush the teaching or learning process, on either end of the leash.

You cannot rush maturity or the lack there of.

You cannot rush your skills, or your dog’s understanding of your skills.

My advice to new dog owners, seasoned dog owners, and want to be dog owners – learn how to settle in, learn that nothing will happen overnight. Learn that if you try to take short cuts and try to make it all happen to fit your schedule, or your desires, or your needs, it will come back to bite you in the ass, figuratively or literally.


Written by Nancy Tanner - April 11, 2016

And then there were NONE!

And then there were NONE! Baby "Aya/Green Girl" (Moonlight Muse On Fire) went home with Sebastian and Nancy (and their V's Cruise and Camille!) and kept her name. "Aya" is a do-it-all puppy with smarts, sass, good looks and confidence! I am so thrilled she landed in the perfect home where she'll shine. Looking forward to watching her compete in performance events (agility, tracking, rally, etc.) and Sebastian agreed <wink> to let me show her and let her play birddog, YAY! Can’t wait for the next Moonlight Meet-up! See you soon! 😘

A Beginner's Guide to Companion Events

Excellent PDF from the AKC - link: https://vcaweb.org/download/AKCactivities.pdf