“Comparison is the thief of joy.” This poetic quote, attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, contains an intuitive truth we all know. It hurts to compare ourselves to others. Yet, we almost all do it. Why?

When we compare ourselves to others, we are allowing them to drive our behavior.

Comparison can be motivating, pushing us to match a peer’s success in the agility ring or following someone’s example in overcoming a challenge with their dog’s weave or start line.

But it can also be ugly. Instead, you might be overcome with envy, guilt, self-doubt or even despair. For example, a friend might have the seemingly perfect puppy and you’re struggling with off-lead recalls, aggressive behavior, and no retrieve at all! Or perhaps another friend is getting lots of attention on her social media posts and you’re not, leaving you feeling left-out and fill of self-doubt about why your posts are being ignored. Maybe you didn’t get the working spot you really wanted in an upcoming seminar. You start to...

Reflecting on my own training journey, I wanted to share what I've come to know through making mistakes and the passage of time. Read on to find out how to plan a great dog training session and why being intentional is critical to success!

How often have you set out to train your dog with no clear plan of what you're going to train, why you are training and for what purpose?  Or perhaps you have an idea of what you're going to train but haven't thought through 'why' you are training it. Perhaps your training feels a bit ad hoc, aimless even. Perhaps you are 'avoiding' what really needs work? Ring any bells? 

A clear understanding of the purpose or intention of your training session is an essential element to ensure you and your dog meet you full potential. 

So, what exactly does it mean to train intentionally?

Training with intent is being engaged in the present moment. It requires an eagerness and determination to perform the current task to the best of one’s ability. It is an un...