[nagdu] Why I decided not to owner train.

[debby phillips]

Vivianna, what a great message.  I think sometimes some people 
think that it's kind of a status thing to owner train a dog.  
(I'm not saying that anybody on this list thinks that).  But it's 
possible.  Nobody should ever feel bad, guilty or whatever about 
going to an established school and getting a dog.  It's not easy 
going for training, either.  First of all, if you have a job, you 
need to negotiate with your employer.  Some employers are great 
and give Administrative Leave or whatever for getting a dog.  But 
not all.  Sometimes people have to save their vacation time so 
they can go, or go without pay.  Then there's the actual 
training.  It means making arrangements for those at home-child 
care sometimes, or elder care, if you are responsible for an 
older parent who needs care.  On a personal level for me, it 
meant being apart from my husband.  We miss each other when we're 
part.  (Grin).

Then there's the training itself.  Depending on where you go, you 
have two to four weeks away from home, adhering to a schedule 
that isn't yours, sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, all of that.  
There are the stresses of being in class with a group of 
strangers.

The flip side to all of this is that time away from home and work 
can be like a little vacation, meeting new people can be fun, and 
friendships can be formed; relaxing and just bonding with the dog 
and learning to know that dog being the first and foremost thing 
to do every day can be a great thing.  But then there's coming 
home away from the guidance and advice from your instructor, and 
the support of classmates who are going through the same thing 
you are.  The other thing about going through a school for 
training is that there is some support once you leave, again 
depending on the school.

Well, I need to go hit the shower so Neena and I can walk to 
church this morning.  Take care you all.  Whether you have an 
owner trained or dog from a school, happy trails!    Debby and 
Neena the Golden