My Final Understanding by Stephanie Skeen

1) In what way has this RC been transformational for you, as your dogs' handler? What did you discover about yourself? What changed within you as a result of this RC? This RC tested my patience, resilience, and perseverance. It helped me become a better handler and instructor. I was determined to get Ava through RC and graduate but in the beginning I was too focused on her trauma from the first time. I had to get out of my own head and realize that she could do this, I just needed to figure out how to help her. Through this RC, I learned alternate ways to help a dog who is stuck. One of the most important things about KMODT is to know how to help the dog succeed. So if what I'm doing keeps failing, I need to figure out something else because quitting and failure is not an option. I always liked this quote: "If plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters." And it's not about just trying a bunch of different things. It's about doing what is going to work for your specific dog. What works for one, is not going to work for another. As a result of this RC, as I continue with being a KMODT instructor, I'll be able to better help my students because I'll be better able to recognize when a dog and/or handler is struggling. And now I have a few secret techniques in my back pocket for when these occur. 2) In what way has this RC been transformational for your dog? What have you noticed, observed, seen as a result of this RC? I have seen a lot of growth in Ava throughout this RC. She learned and was able to work past her previous trauma from her first RC. I think when she realized and understood that I was there to help her (and wasn't going to let her fail again) she knew she could continue on. Ava is so smart and tried to get the best of me a lot of the time. But she's also smart enough to know that when I wasn't giving in to her nonsense and I wasn't giving up, she did what she was supposed to do. As a result of this RC, Ava knows I say what I mean and I mean what I say. And not just when it comes to retrieving, but in everyday life. Ava also is now motivated to do the right thing and make me happy. She's also not mad that she gets 1:1 time with her humans, especially when we work outside. 3) Would you recommend this RC to my other students? Why or why not? I would 100% recommend the RC! Not only do you learn a set of new skills, you also work to refine the skills learned in the Foundation Course. Your dog will get stronger with obedience and you will get more confident as a handler. The relationship built between you and the dog becomes even better and you really start to see the dog working for you and with you even more. The RC is great mental exercise for the dog and the dog looks forward to the training sessions. The RC is fun and the skills learned can be used in everyday life, like teaching them to pick up your keys or bring their food bowl to you after dinner. 4) Any final thoughts you'd like to share, please share here. I really missed being in person for Ava's RC. Zoom was the next best thing, but it just wasn't the same. I definitely feel like Ava would be stronger in all aspects of obedience if we were able to actually come to class with the rest of the group. But, we managed and we finally passed, which I'm proud of. But my Sundays just aren't the same and I (and Maggie and Ava) really do miss coming to class every week. And Maggie especially misses her runs with the Lee pack.