Volume 12

It is back to basics this week as Star-man challenges my basic skills as a trainer. Like the adolescent he is, Star tests me to discover whether I really mean it and whether I am willing to do what it takes to enforce the rules, even on a beautiful day in the country, when it would be so easy to look the other way. This week's lessons:

1. Patience
2. Timing
3. Consistency

Excerpted from Volume 12, The Real Time Canine:

Patience, timing and consistency go hand in hand. I am patient with Star because he is young and a completely blank slate. The only things he knows are what I've taught him, good and bad. I will give him lots of time to mature, teaching him lessons along the way that are appropriate for his age. The best part of having to consistently repeat a particular lesson over time is how rewarding it is when a dog finally understands what I want. I love that feeling, and it seems to me that they do too. Once my dog and I have experienced that together, trust develops. Instead of fearing that it won't happen, I trust that he will eventually understand. In turn, my dog trusts that I will give him sufficient time and support necessary to do so.

There is still time to help me attain my goal of donating $500 to the ASPCA from subscriptions received during the month of February. You can help yourself raise a great dog, and the ASPCA prevent cruelty to animals.