Landmark posting-the 101st blog!

Here are some answers to questions you may (or may not have).

Q.-Why do you blog?

It is wonderful to have an outlet in which to share something that I am passionate about, that has the potential to help people and their animals. It is nice to have somewhere to send all those email forwards I get everyday to an appreciative audience. And as an added bonus…who doesn’t like to be kvetch (Yiddish term for complain)?
It is great for me because I was often writing the same emails over and over concerning common behavior problems. It has helped me to (very slowly) develop handouts for my clients.

Q.-How did you get a blog?

I had the editor in class last fall and I asked him.

Q.-Where do you get material for your blog?

Some I surf for, most I just ‘know' about and lots of the goofy stuff and links are sent to me. The thing is, I am not getting any more emails than I used to, I am just putting it to better use by justifying my time spent doing something when I should be doing something else.

Q.-Is it true that some people call you Erma Dogbeck?

Yes!

Q.-Do you like being called Erma Dogbeck?

Yes (to a point!) I think Erma Bombeck’s humor and take on life was very approachable and that is how I try to come across, both in my writing and in real life. Plus with three kids, my take on dog training involves families, kids, humor and an overall whirlwind state of affairs, which I think Erma would have appreciated.

Q.-Do you see yourself blogging in five years?

I am sure the Internet will be even more evolved by then, and someone younger, prettier and wittier will be v-logging (video log) or whatever technology has to offer in five years.

Q.-Will you write a book?

Funny you should ask! I submitted a book idea to Dogwise last year and I was thriled that I wasn't flat out turned down, but they wanted to see the actual book, not just the idea. I have started to plug away at it. My idea is to write a book about people and their dogs and what I have learned from them and them from me. My plan is to highlight different clients I have had (changing the names of course) with tales of the mistakes they have made and what we have all learned along the way. Many of their mistakes are universal. While my book would (hopefully) be funny and witty, it would also be a learning text. Think Erma Dogbeck meets James Herriot. Publishers you out there?

Q.-Do you ever regret making the switch from a professional horse trainer to a professional dog trainer?

Sometimes I miss the horses, but I don't have the time that it took to be with the horses. Not to mention my once girlie figure is no longer. It would be great to have a horse again one day, but I will never event again, that is for sure! After I had kids I could no longer clear my mind and just "ride" like pre-kid days.

Q. Is there anything you don’t like about dog training?

Yes! The longer I train, the more complex behavior problems I encounter. Many of these dogs will never be quite right and it is sometimes heartbreaking dealing with wonderful families with difficult dogs whose only fault is being nice and having a big heart.

It can be exhausting dealing with dogs who I know would be fine in a experienced home, but will never be quite right in the situations life has put them in. I see dogs that have had rough starts in life and they are usually the most emotionally draining but at the same time the most rewarding. Just this weekend I saw five dogs, all with the potential to hurt someone, but with owners who will most likely never give them up.

Q.-Do you have a favorite type of dog to train?

Yes - PUPPIES! I love starting the pups out right.

Q.-How do you deal with dangerous dogs?

Rule Number One - All dogs bite! The key is to learn what triggers their behavior and then work on solving the problem and avoiding the trigger. Most trainers are problem-solvers by nature.

Q.-Have you ever been bitten?

Just once - on the hand by a Miniature Pinscher in a training class, and it was my fault. It did not require medical attention. I have had other bites that were more of a warning. These days I am a big fan of muzzles, and muzzles will be a blog topic really soon. I was bitten by my neighbor's two German Shepherds when I was six. My brother, cousins and I were in their fenced yard and ran to jump over the fence. I was the youngest and slowest, and they bit the last thing over the fence. Use your imagination...(and yes, it was a face-down doctor's visit.)

Q.-Most kids would have been afraid after that, weren't you?

Only of going back in their yard!

Q.-Have you ever recommended euthanasia?

Yes, of course. I am a policy member of New England Border Collie Rescue and we realize that we cannot safely rehome every dog that crosses our path. We take that responsibility very seriously and it is never one person who is forced to make such a difficult decision.

There is a saying in the dog world that management always fails. We can lock up our dangerous dogs when company comes over, but Murphy’s Law says that someone will let that dog out. As a Mom, people come first. I love dogs as much or more than the next person, but people (and especially kids) always come first.

Q.-What do you like best about dog training?

I have always had a love and connection to animals and when I am training it never seems like "work". Improving the bond between people and animals is what it is all about. I am constantly telling my kids to find a profession they love.

Q.-Anything you would like to add?

Yes, Maine Today tells me that my blog had a very successful month of May and I would like to thank you all for reading. I would like my blog to be a local forum. If you have listings of local events, fund raisers, human interest stories, pleas for help, interesting links, or anything else that may interest Maine Today readers, please send them along.

Happy Training!