I’m starting this blog about the journey of becoming something of a dog trainer. From finding information, test runs, trials, errors, schools, research and digging into the world of all things dogs.
I should start from the beginning and tell you a bit about me, not too much to bore you to tears. Just to give you an idea of who I am. My names Katie. Animals have been my life, love em. Hard. I have always had this NAGGING little voice in the back of my head whispering ideas and desires to work with animals. When I was young I thought maybe a vet? Let me start there. Hell NO. The amount of schooling, science classes, money, and time it takes to acquire that profession is just not attractive. Not to mention the things they see would send shivers down your spine (I worked in a vet clinic so I know what to expect.) I think what turned me off so much to the profession is one of my jobs at a veterinary office was to assist with comforting animals for euthanasia. After these beloved pets were put to sleep, it was my job to wrap them up and place them in a freezer, if the owners wanted them cremated. Nope. Not for me. No way, no no no no. Not to mention seeing the inside of any animal takes a strong stomach. Like steel. Mine is made of something along the lines of plastic. Strong, but has it’s limits. Thankfully there are wonderful people who have a desire to take on that job and take care of our pets! But this girls gonna pass and go running for the hills, like a dog with her tail tucked between it’s legs!
I buried my dreams in the back of my head after that experience and pursued another passion with a “different” kind of animal. I started traveling and working “seasonal” jobs. Working for Cruise Lines, Ski Resorts and National Parks. I have worked in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Florida. I moved literary every four to five months for 10 years. Packing up everything I own in a car and moving to live in places where people vacation. It may sound great and wonderful! All puppies and rainbows. It’s not. Like any job it had it’s highs and lows. Now, when I say I worked with a different kind of animal, I am referring to humans. Tourists to be exact, at least in my trade. My responsibilities included, feeding, watering, pampering and assisting humans. I’m not going into details but lets just say that anywhere from 5 to 14 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week (some more, some less) and ten years of constant human/stranger interaction is enough to make any sane person lose their marbles.
Now working in “seasonal” meant giving up dogs, horses, cats, and any other pets you could ever want. When you spend your life immersed in this lifestyle it takes major adjusting to not have a faithful companion. You get any animal fix you can, anywhere available. Examples include but are not limited to: Constant trips to a variety of pet stores or in my case any and all stores in town, people walking their dogs and me BEGGING to pet adorable four legged pals, going to friends houses you know has dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, ginny pigs any little furry creature you can just love up on and smother, zoos, watching any and all adorable youtube pet videos, caturday, (my chiver friends know what I’m talking about) and occasionally taking in “strays” for a few hours that wander into your yard. 😉 During most of these desperate interactions with any and all animals, I could always feel a little itch in the back of that dark buried corner of my mind demanding some attention. Especially when it came to legit homeless dogs.
While working in Montana I lived relatively close to an Indian Reservation. The conditions on this particular “Rez” were, for lack of better terms unfortunate. The poverty levels were well above average and many people were destitute. “Rez Dogs” were everywhere. A Rez dog (or reservation dog) is a term for outdoor, stray, and feral dogs living on Indian reservations. These dogs are suffering from malnutrition, abuse and neglect. It’s just a sad picture folks. My heart ached. Not for the people, but for the dogs. Anytime I saw a dog I would bee line to the nearest gas station, grocery store or fast food chain to get them fed. It broke my heart. And evermore present, the itch would return with every dog I fed, louder and louder.
I was having a chat with my Mom on the phone one day going on and on about how I was so ready to get out of the restaurant industry, ready to change my career while there was still time. My heart was just no longer in my work. I was flat out burnt out. My mom knows me better than anyone and has heard me talk about working with animals in some capacity for years. With her guidance I found a school that teaches the great craft of Dog Training! This is perfect for me! I looooove dogs! They never talk back, want nothing more than to please you and are just all around awesome! Who wouldn’t want to go into the business?!
Collar Scholar 