During this holiday season we’d like to take a moment to give thanks.
We have the most fantastic clients and work with the most interesting dogs, and we are deeply grateful for that.
We are thankful for people who want the best for their dogs, even when they’re a step beyond frustrated.
Thankful for people who put in a little extra work, even when it’s not easy, and even when they’re tired. Thankful for people who focus on what the dog is doing right (even when it’s not much) rather than all the things she’s doing wrong (even when it’s quite a bit). Of course, we are also thankful for how these good behaviors will soon come to replace the bad.
We are thankful that each dog teaches us new things, and thankful that we get to see such wonderful transformations.
Finally, we are thankful for the researchers who continually expand our understanding of animal behavior. Thankful for the training veterans who have spent decades refining and passing on their most effective training practices. Thankful for every dog lover, trainer and rescue that comes to us with this same curiosity. Thankful that tomorrow can always be better than today.
May this month be your best of the entire year.
(Nate as a child. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can stop a budding dog trainer.)
A version of this post originally appeared in the Dogspring Newsletter. If you’d like to join the list, we’d love to have you. Just enter your email.
Nate Hess is the owner of Dogspring Training, which provides dog training and behavior consultation services in Fresno, Clovis and surrounding areas. He is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants, and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. He also consults with dog rescues across the country.