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Ratty Messages
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Recent 'Just Chat'
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If you need help, or have questions, comments or suggestions, please post in the Rat-Terrier.com Info and Help forum.
General Moderators:
Lance
Morgan
Tracey
Training Moderator:
Nora
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Rat-Terrier.com
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 04/24/2007 1:04 PM |
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So much I want to do and so little time! Where's my magic wand?
Although I have readily admitted I am not a professional dog trainer, I have worked with a professional trainer for 10 years, and have trained many different breeds of dogs throughout these years pretty much on my own, as well as being part of an organized group. Although I also readily admit I don't have all answers to all questions, I do think I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to evaluating dogs and determining what training methods will and won't work with individual dogs. Oddly enough, I've been asked to be an evaluator for the canine good citizen's test through the Nashville Training Dog Club, which I'm considering saying yes to.
My ultimate goal when I retire is to train service dogs. I want to train dogs for the hearing and vision impaired. In order to do this, some groundwork needs to be laid. Although I have many people who can vouch for my training skills... I have no official credentials.
There is an online, six-week, course through K9 University.com that I can take to become a certified dog trainer. I'd like to do this... I'd like to have some credentials behind my name. I've never been one who put much stock in credentials... but sometimes if you have them, it at least gives people some indication that you are for real, ya know?
The cost of the course isn't an issue, but the time is. I'm truly torn. I want to continue with my agility sessions (3 a week) and prepare to compete... but I'd like to become certified also.
UGHHHHHHHHH... I want to do EVERYTHING and time simply won't allow for it.
Dog training is my first love... my dream to one day do full-time... (if I live long enough).
Too much on my plate. I hate having to set priorities !!
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Paul
Feisty
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 04/24/2007 1:10 PM |
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One step at a time Nora You can do it if you want!! I feel that it is never too late. Why not start a little at a time when you can fit it in? You would be a wonderful trainer and would be helping out people at the same time, how cool would that be? I agree with the credential thing, some people just feel the need to see it. But if you really want it then, why not ? |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 04/24/2007 1:10 PM |
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| I thought so too at first.... but after reading the "fine print"... it's very time-consuming! I'm thinking adding this will just put stress on me I really don't need right now. But I sure WANT to do it !!! |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 04/24/2007 1:12 PM |
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| is the course flexible? Can you do it anytime you have a moment or is it more structured?? |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 04/24/2007 1:14 PM |
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Posted By swatson6 on 04/24/2007 1:10 PM One step at a time Nora You can do it if you want!! I feel that it is never too late. Why not start a little at a time when you can fit it in? You would be a wonderful trainer and would be helping out people at the same time, how cool would that be? I agree with the credential thing, some people just feel the need to see it. But if you really want it then, why not ?
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sarah....
It's a six-week course, and you have assignments. I can't just take the course when I can fit it in. If I could... I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Just feeling a bit frustrated is all...
I guess I'll forget about it until after this weekend is over. Just thinking out loud, I guess...hope that's ok.
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 04/24/2007 1:15 PM |
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Nora: I wish I had that magic wand for you, but mine broke some time ago!!! I hope you figure out a way to do what you dream of doing AND without feeling guilty about it too  Good luck!!! |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/24/2007 1:17 PM |
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That's tough Nora. Your long term goal to train service dogs is really neat! It just seems like you have too much going with Bailey and agility, family, full-time job, etc. Life is too short. I don't want you to be so overloaded that you can't enjoy it .
I wish that I had that Magic wand so you could retire .
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Jenny - Max's sister
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talleysmom
Ratastic
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| 04/24/2007 1:22 PM |
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| I thought a magic wand was a spray bottle :-) sorry.. hehe |
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kimrose
Feisty
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| 04/24/2007 1:35 PM |
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That's a tough decision, but if it were me, I would go for it! I mean if you want to, then just do it... You will find a way... That's my opinion anyway... My mom went back to school online to get her masters when she was working 2 jobs... We all just pulled together to help her out. My dad made the dinners, and I helped with her homework by typing up her papers and helping her get back in the swing of things. School is hard to get back into when you are out for awhile.
The way I always look at things, is if I want something, I'm going to go after it. If I fail, then oh well! That's life and I will just try for something else. |
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My Flickr Page
MySpace
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 04/24/2007 1:46 PM |
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| Maybe you could wait until you can set aside a 6-week chunk of time for the course? Do they offer it often? Maybe you could take it during whatever time period is the slow time for agility....I've discovered with horses I just don't have the time to ride every horse that someone wants me to ride AND ride my own AND work full time AND keep up with the dogs. That's just the way it is and I've come to accept it. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
Check out our ratties at www.newrattitude.org |
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 04/24/2007 1:48 PM |
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Ok, I just lied.....I haven't accepted it! Why do I have to work in an office full time???  I would love to do nothing but horses and dogs full time!
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
Check out our ratties at www.newrattitude.org |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 04/24/2007 1:54 PM |
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Posted By Mitzy's Mom on 04/24/2007 1:48 PM Ok, I just lied.....I haven't accepted it! Why do I have to work in an office full time??? I would love to do nothing but horses and dogs full time!
hahaha (I hear you, Mary Beth!). I love my day job, and don't want to quit work. I've been here 26 years and have worked my way up from the bottom. I want to do eVERYthing!
Kim -- can you come live with me while I take the course? |
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kimrose
Feisty
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| 04/24/2007 2:13 PM |
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Posted By rattytatty on 04/24/2007 1:54 PM
Kim -- can you come live with me while I take the course?
I would love to!! However right now I'm in the process of helping my older sister get back into school for a real estate degree and trying to finish school myself for the second time around, and I don't think Mic would like it very much if I was gone... Kevin however would probably gladly lend me out! He'd get a nice little vacation from me 
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