Deb Jones and I wrote a book.  It’s called “Dog Sports Skills: Developing Engagement and Relationship”.  So far so good, as I think most of you knew that already.  Indeed, many of you have probably read the book!  If not, you can buy a copy here:  http://www.thedogathlete.com/collections/books/products/dog-sport-skills-book-1-developing-engagement-and-relationship

But did you know that we were nominated for Book of the Year For Behavior and Training by the Dog Writers  Association of America?  Yep, it’s true!  And we were quite excited about that honor!

But wait, there’s more!!!

It appears that we actually won the category.  So…(big smile here)….our book, our very first one together, won a big big prize!  And we are very excited about that fact on many levels, not the least of which is what is says about the changing perspective on what is important in training.  This win is a strong acknowledgment that there is much more to training a dog than mastering specific behaviors.  Developing an understanding of your dog is crucial, which was pretty much the point of the entire book

So, this blog is for three things today.  First, this is a fine chance to brag. Second, this is a time to marvel at the reality that change is truly underfoot and appears to be snowballing.  And finally, we’d like to say “thank you so much!” to each of you who support progressive dog training!

And on a personal note, I’d also like to thank each of you who choose to support me as a human being.  I am more than a dog trainer. I am a person who has feelings, goals outside of competition, and more general life interests that make up much of my life.  There are a few individuals who spend an inordinate amount of energy looking to find fault with my choices, so the fact that 95% of my interactions with people are positive and supportive goes very far to offset the darker or less versatile personalities that also exist in the dog world.  I really appreciate each of you; it makes all the difference when someone tells me that I have helped them in some fundamental way with whatever goals they wished to achieve.  That positive feedback fuels my love for work, dog sports, and a progressive future.