I started writing this blog a million years ago. December 22, 2007, to be exact. That was 484 posts ago. Here's part of that first entry:
So this is the blog. Welcome. I'm not a blogger. Not really all that good with technology and all. But I'll get there. And you're welcome to come along for the ride.
What I do know is dogs, and dog behavior. So, if you can put up with my blogging learning curve, I'll try to give you some tips and insights that'll help you understand and teach your dog.
I feel just as passionately today about dogs and behavior as I did three years ago when I started this blog. Blogging is now part of what I do, who I am. I am crazy. Smart Dog U, Smart Dog U is me. I wanted to reach more people, I wanted to help more dogs — that's really why I started writing.
There was too much frustration between dogs and their owners- and too many people using harsh, outdated methods to "fix" problems. This blog was going to help me keep my sanity get dog-friendly solutions out to as many people as would listen. I wanted all dogs to be companions, not comPAINions.
I found many readers were interested in the service dogs I raised and trained. A little dog named Talos came along and made service dog training a bigger part of my blog. He was little in the beginning, at least. By the time he had completed his training with me, Talos was about 160 pounds of Great Dane-ness. Huge and handsome. His training was documented in this blog. And tearfully, so was turn-in. At which point I lost my mind.
I would like to think that I've raised awareness of the many things service dogs have to experience to become a working service dog. I tried to emphasize the important role that the public plays in a service dog's training.
I blog when the spirit moves me. Or more truthfully: I blog when I have time. Between running a dog-training business, training a service puppy, working with my own three dogs, and spending some time with my husband, there isn't always a lot of time left over. Reader comments are like candy to me – I love interacting with those who read the blog. So sometimes I'm up late writing a post at 1:00a because that's the only time during the day I can collect my thoughts and put them on paper in the blogosphere.
I do worry sometimes that my blogging might be a bit dysfunctional disorganized. My 2011 resolution is to develop an outline of topics and stick to it. That makes me laugh.
I haven't monetized my blog. Mainly because I don't know what that means how to do it. Would I like to? Sure, money is good, it helps buy the dog food pay the bills.
The thing I like the most about blogging is that I'm anonymous I get to talk with other dog-lovers just like me. My family sometimes looks at me like I'm a little too crazy about my dogs. But here in blogger-land, I'm just as normal as the next crazy dog person.
The things that really chap my @$* re: blogging are those lunatics fans of a certain tv personality. Their ravings comments about how wrong I am ruin my day. But I have ultimate control: I can delete their comments if they really steam me! (Is that evil?)
So there you have it. The Smart Dog Blog through the ages. Let's hope I don't run out of doggie things to talk about. Otherwise you'll have to hear about my grocery list, my laundry list, and what I'm watching on tv.
Stopping by on the hop – nice to meet you!
Hi Laurie, I follow your blog for a while now and maybe I have not always commented on your blog. But that is because what you write always makes perfectly sense. Just that you know I haven’t missed one of them. I promiss to make more comments! I loved the series about Talos and see him grow up and develop. When Talos left I think we were all a little sad with you.
Also love your video’s they are fun to watch and awesome instruction/how to’s for dog training. You also inspire me to write stories for my own blog. Like “are you prepared for a dog fight” was sort of a continuation of your “a scary moment on our morning walk”.
Hope you still have a lot of dog stories to write about. Although I must admit I am curious of what you could make of a laundry list 🙂
I hope one of your 2011 topics is the next dog (DANE) you’re going to get! Id love to see more puppy pictures! 🙂
Keep doing your thing and dont let the lunatics (fans) get you down!
I hope one of your 2011 topics is the next dog (DANE) you’re going to get! Id love to see more puppy pictures! 🙂
Keep doing your thing and dont let the lunatics (fans) get you down!
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog! I have 2 “rescue” dogs that are 7 years old now(yellow lab mix & Australian shepherd mix). I am always glad to try to learn new ways to better get my messages across to my dogs. I’m a lot slower than they are! I only wish there were a lot more trainers like you. Most of us only have access to blogs,TV or Youtube videos to find good training–thank goodness I’ve read enough about positive training methods to know who to watch on TV and Youtube! Would love for you to talk about what food you feed your dogs and why, treats, training treats, etc. Also dog toys your dogs like and that are safe. Your “scary moment on our morning walk” was so helpful–I hope you can do more like it! Thanks for being here blogging!
Really liked learning a little more about you. I’ve enjoyed following your blog although I just came in to the end of Talos’ story. (sigh)
I’d love if you’d post more on how you manage your schedule. I adopted my Golden Retriever Honey because I thought she’d be a good companion for my desire to do something more with dogs–perhaps raising a service dog or fostering. I’m trying to figure out what we’ll do together.
But I’m really wondering if I’m able to make the time for everything I want to (or have to) do–blogging, working full time, keeping Honey amused and active, and playing house with my excellent husband. So any magical tips you can provide would be eagerly devoured.
Between you and some of the other service dog raisers I follow in the blogosphere, I’m really beginning to wonder where everyone gets the energy.
To second (or third) what everyone else is saying, I don’t comment much because so much of what you say is juuuuust right. I suppose I could start leaving an “Amen!” on every post. 🙂
And the videos are wonderful too. The clickersolutions list was discussing the video of Teddy learning his crate command just last week, and it turned up some really good info.
Also, Google ads are really easy to put into your blog and you can make them unobtrusive and attractive with a few clicks. I’ve used them in the past. Another good option is Project Wonderful, which is also very customizable. Both services let you have a say over who can advertise on your site, and what format of ads you would like.
Thanks Pup Fan! (Love that name!)
I’m a big fan of YOURS! 🙂 Love, love, love your stuff. THanks for stopping by to say hello. You made my day! 🙂
A DANE! Oh, that’s like offering chocolate to someone who’s on a diet. Yes, I do hope to have a for-keeps Dane sometime in the next year or two. I’m working hard to be logical about it — we already have three permanent dogs and we always have a service pup in the house, too. I want to wait (so says my mind, not my heart) until I can give the Dane more attention.
Barb, you’re so kind. Thanks for your comment, it really is like candy to me! Onto your dogs: my favorite dog, Tango, is a yellow Labrador. And the dogs that got me into training was an Australian shepherd girl. Our choice of dogs sounds very familiar! Thanks for the ideas about future topics, I’m happy to share what I feed, use for treats, etc. Thanks again!
Ah, the pesky schedule! It’s a thorn in my side, that’s for sure. I put things in my schedule that are unmovable. I take Ike to classes with me, for instance. I *have* to show up to teach class, so it’s easy to just take Ikey with me. I have a standing therapy dog appointment at a local elementary school with Tango, my yellow Labrador – if we don’t show up, the kids won’t get their reading session with Tango. I also just signed up -and paid for- a Nose Work class for Nemo and me. I figure if I actually shell out the money, it’ll be one of those “unmovable” objects in my calendar. I *never* work weekends. Or rather, I don’t take appointments on the weekends. I do travel to conferences and teach the Karen Pryor Academy sessions on weekends, but in general, that’s my family time with my husband. And I fiercely protect that time! I also get good at making toys for the dogs that take awhile for them to get through. 😉
Aubra, thanks so much for the Google Ads idea and information. I’ll have to look into that. And I’d never heard of Project Wonderful before – I’ll investigate that option, too! Thanks so much. I had no idea the clickersolutions list was discussing the Teddy video. Makes me really self-conscious to know that! :0
Hi! Can you believe, I’ve been going through the whole list? Sorry it took me so long to get here! It’s great to meet you! Happy blogging – looking forward to reading about behavior tips!
I’m glad I kept checking out all of the blogs on the Hop…otherwise I wouldn’t have found yours! Love the creativity with which you answered the questions. Nice to met you!
*meet* you. Jeepers.
I know personally how some tv personalities can give people the wrong idea. Things are not fixed so quickly and some things just don’t work with the average dog. I have a friend who quotes one religiously. She feels that the individual could “fix” her dog. I tell her that there’s only one way–hard work and trial and error. By the way–love your blog!! You are really quite intuitive and intelligent about dog training. I check back often to see what else you posted.