Did I miss a TMT? ( a week late)

1. How do you search for and then choose a trainer?
Whomever is in driving distance (like a 4 hour driving distance).  I don't train with anyone who is NOT in the winner's circle in open.  I will read book after book and even do some on-line training.  I use the Border Collie boards expert.  I may miss the subtle nuances of training by doing it mostly ALL by myself,  BUT....I am having the time of my life doing it ALL by myself!  Every once in awhile I slip into the top 5 awards and come out grinning ear to ear!



2. The dog world is small and... uh... talkative. After choosing a trainer how do you handle those people in your life who don't believe in that trainer/trainers methods and criticize them to you?
Surely you jest.  I couldn't give a hootenanny about what other people think!  The only thing I care about is not hurting someone else's feelings.  Do you know how much jeering I took for Jet carrying his lunch bag to the open trial field.  It never even phased me or him, for that fact!  Hey, he left it at the gate before he went to work his sheep. :0)


3. Do you believe that a person's personal life should influence your choice of a trainer? (i.e do you believe a person's choice to be a party animal outside of work would affect your choice?)  
Hmmm never really thought about it in that context.  Doubtful.  I will say that I ask a lot of questions because I am curious after having a long history of working with horses and dogs.  Some trainers get intimidated by my questioning them.  I'm not questioning them per say;  I'm asking out of my own curiosity.  If they can't handle my questions, they aren't a good fit for me.  I like a quiet trainer with a good sense of humor. And, a trainer who really studies my dog and me.  This is all about FUN for me and my dogs.


4. When you have a break through moment with your dog, do you feel that moment makes your connection stronger with that dog and makes the next step in training easier?
Emphatic YES.


5. Do you stick with just one trainer, or do you go to multiple sources for help?
Any port in a storm :0)  My JOY in working my dogs is in figuring out what makes them tick and how I can team up better with each dog.  If I had someone else train my dogs, I would miss out on all of the trials and tribulations of figuring it out myself.  I'm not going to be any world beater in this lifetime.  It is all about  fun for me and the dogs.  When I come out on top in the winners circle I want to know that we worked it out together and came out on top together.  I did it MY way.  LOL

P.S.  I don't have a problem with those folks who send their dogs out to be trained.  Different strokes for different folks.  In fact, I encourage some of my friends to do just that. :0)

And, for your viewing pleasure....  Rumble AKA Rum Rum Dum Dum 

http://youtu.be/x0nONrkkgh0