Like a Tight Pair of Jeans That Don't Fit

From the ash tray of Tarma Shena

A lot of time and effort has gone into the building of our training platform and we regularly update information.

Some of the updates are based on new studies coming out on animal behavior. Sometimes experiences with new dogs here at Farei cause us to rethink wording or add clarification, some individuals need a fresh approach if they are struggling.

My favorite occurrences are when a member is really digging into our program, really feeling it and wanting to know all the "whys" and "how did that come about".

Not only does it create some fantastic conversations, but it usually results in us editing or adding a lesson. We want future members to get passionate about our content and benefit from our continued growth as well as that of our members.

I don't profess to know everything. I think anyone who has dealt with me on a one on one basis knows that I am pretty transparent. I don't sugar coat anything, like it or lump it, I don't care. If it will benefit the dog, I'm going to put it out there. That includes my own mistakes and opportunities for growth.

I've gotten a lot of feedback over the years from people who have been through our program. I've even gotten feedback from people who never did. That is a magic spell of some sort, I don't know how it works, but some members of our society have a very rare skill. They can provide feedback without ever attending or participating. I know it sounds crazy but it's true, I see it happen a lot with restaurants, usually when people want free stuff, but what do I know.

I have gotten feedback on my language a time or two for dropping an f-bomb in certain situations. Now I know that word offends some people but if you work with animals and have never dropped an f-bomb during said interactions, that is another rare skill or magic spell I would love to learn. Is there a book or podcast?

A message was sent to me once where a lady stated she did not feel right joining my program because of the way I treat my dogs. She had watched one of my videos on YT and was appalled at my treatment of Colter in that video. I, of course, reached out for clarification because I couldn't imagine what she could be referring too. Turns out I called him an asshole.

Now I don't know about any of you, but I think those of us who had the pleasure of working with Colter in any capacity could agree that he was a giant, hairy, loveable asshole. And he knew it. Lived it. Breathed it. Colter knew how to embody "asshole" and present it in it's fullest, truest form. We also loved him for it. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." If you can't understand that than I can't help you, but I think you're right about not attending our training , the program is probably not for you.

Today I received a different type of feedback though. They were asking for a refund because they had started our program and had "run across this video". Now this video is literally the second item in our training program. It was a little personal, from the heart, video I did a few years ago about why the program was important to me. You don't have to "run across it" like a tight pair of jeans that don't fit shoved in the back corner of a closet that haven't seen the light of day in a few years. It's literally right there.

She said, and I quote, "It is hard to take you seriously when you make such poor life choices." end quote.

I went back and watched the video twice, it's not very exciting, just me stooped in the snow trying to articulate my feelings. I mean, I'm well aware that articulation of my emotions is never going to be listed on my resume as a strong suit, but ... And I am going out on a limb here... I'm pretty sure that is not in the list of requirements for being a dog trainer. I could be wrong.

For the first time the problem was not my verbiage, bluntness, or straight forward approach.

Nope. I smoke. And that my friends, makes me a poor dog trainer. Now mind you I know it is considered a "bad habit" but it's not like I'm out behind the barn sharing a butt with the dogs or buying them for puppies. I try to be polite around other people and don't litter them on the ground.

Little did I know that "my poor life choice and inability to rectify it" should have been taken into account when I decided to do that video about my personal feelings. "At the very least try to hide it" was the admonishment sent in all in capital letters. I guess she was right after all. Our training program is sometimes lost on those who need it most.

I hope she uses her refund well because she felt very strongly about her money going to "support my habit". And I'll have her know that thanks to electronic banking and current technologies I didn't "actually" have her money so I think it is safe and has not yet been contaminated by me, my dogs, or my poor life choices.

Good day Ma'am.

P.S. Please let me know in the comments if you clicked "play" cause I did once. 🤦‍♀️