Older, definitely. Wiser, I hope so. Making it work, day by day. I have always defied the regular path yet it is only now that I have been able to really embrace the adventure of living. Certain things along the spotty path of the last 50 odd years have been a constant. One of those was dogs.

When I was 10 I got a black puppy with a great sense of humor. I named him Fandango which, according to the dictionary, means childishly improper. It seemed fitting. This dog grew into an 80 pound shaggy confidant, mentor and companion. He kept me safe through my errant youth and shared the secrets of dog with me. I was raised in 2 cultures; liberal, intellectual, white, Northeast USA and western, urban, domestic canine.

I found the teachings of Fandango gave me insight that could help people with their dogs. Initially I tried the more traditional dog training methods. I was skilled enough but the concepts of control, hierarchy and obedience didn’t resonate with me. Then I found others working with dogs, writing about dogs, exploring ideas about dogs. The writing and teaching of those who embraced dogs as they are sparked that deep understanding I had been given as a child. I explored these ideas and I found that the key to helping people with their dogs was in the relationship; getting to a place of understanding each other and communicating with love and patience.

In the 30 years I have been working with dogs and their people these ideas have become more common. The research and exploration of concepts like consent and enrichment are shifting the expectations of people for the dogs in their lives. I am grateful to be able to help be a guide.