Part 3 of How My Knowledge of Dog Training saved my life.
You came back for the hero dog didn’t you? Not sure if you are brave, bored or nosy either way I’m here for it and Thank you.
Imagine sitting in a chair, surrounded by family, celebrating this great achievement, the moment you find out you are .24 miles away from ACTUALLY running a half marathon. Inside, I was devastated on the outside I smiled and pretended to bask in the glory of my almost win. When the celebration ended I went to my couch to ice my legs and I cried, and cried and cried. But after I finished crying something amazing happened. This teeny tiny voice in my head said, “that’s still further than you have ever run before, and you didn’t walk any of it.” I broke again after that, a glimpse of the mindset shift I had made simply by trying. I ran a couple times after that, and I celebrated myself for running 5 miles all sub 11 mins. I averaged a 12.5-13min mile. Before hanging up my running shoes again. Another good habit gone.
If you are a fellow trainer with a love for the science or just fascinated by the brain, have you picked up on my reinforcers yet? At this point in my journey there are a few that may be starting to peak out if you are reading carefully. If not keep reading, we will get there.
Shortly after that our furlough ended and I was to return to work. At this time I was a Salon Manager for a chain and groomed dogs. Our return was a disaster, not only because we were dealing with very concerned pet parents who now had matted and stressed out dogs, but we were ostracized for being the only department in the chain to be furloughed. Everyone else worked but the salon and training. There was resentment from the ones who were forced to work through the shut down, not obvious to everyone, but as someone well versed it body language and cues with a sensitivity to energy changes it was blaring and obvious to me. I could feel the tension running over my skin, every day.
We groomers had strict covid guidelines to follow. We had horribly matted dogs, who were so stressed after being home and loved on by their family, then shoved in a car and brought to a noisy, scary grooming salon. We were no longer allowed to help each other due to 6 foot rules, so dogs that required help or support to make their experience safer for both groomer and dog were not able to be accepted or the groomer had to do it without help. Corporate pushed for no time blocking for dogs that required additional time to complete and a six dog per day, mandatory, for every groomer including myself as manager, despite what the groomer felt capable of doing. This meant everyone was stressed, overworked, under appreciated and rushing. Rushing risks safety for both dog and groomer. I was so grateful to have a team as passionate about the safety of the dogs above all else and under my management we made it more than a year without any safety incidents.
I went back and forget good habits I was back into survival mode. My mental health tanked to the point I was crying at work because no one was listening to my genuine and valid concerns regarding the work conditions and safety. I knew it was a matter of time before safety would decline due to corporates pushing. I finally broke again. When I found out my life raft employee and best friend was not returning, I could not longer handle the stress and risk to safety that was happening. I hated leaving my amazing team behind but I had to go, I had to get out of there. So, I begged my friend to hire me.
We had been talking about me coming to work for her since she signed a lease to run her business out of a since closed boarding facility. She sent me pictures and the property was to die for. I knew I had to make it to this oasis for dogs, so when I reached my limit I called in a favor. Asking for help is not something that I did often and in my history of asking for help it often went unanswered, held over my head, or I was shamed, or guilted for needing the help. Never was it met with gratitude and excitement. She welcomed me with open arms and suddenly I wasn’t scared about making the leap I was thrilled. That moment gave me the courage to make my next big leap.
If I haven’t lost you yet I commend you for your dedication. I hope this gives you some sort of thrill to find out more because we aren’t done yet…I’ll be back after a reinforcement break where my hubby is taking me for a donut and a car ride. Such a lucky girl I am.
