ORCHIDS AND DOG TRAINING
How gorgeous is my orchid! For years, and I mean “years”, I’ve worked at, loved and encouraged an array of different orchids in the hope of seeing a beautiful flower. I’ve fertilised, watered, changed their position for better light, all in the name of that elusive flower.
I asked anyone who had an orchid that flowered – how did you do that? How did you get success? I looked up on the www, I checked magazines for tips. And guess what? They all died! Every single plant died. The leaves went yellow, or sometimes they grew lots of leaves and then died, but no flowers. Ever.
I swore I’d never waste another cent on buying more orchids. Until one day I was at a small nursery and they had this gorgeous orchid, in flower, plus it was “on special”. Who doesn’t love a bargain? So I bought it. One last try, I reasoned.
Before I paid, I told the attendant my sorry tale of orchid-woe. All the things I’d tried, and all the times I’d failed. And she gave me three tips. Do these things, she said, and just wait.
I did, I followed her advice and now for the first time I have an orchid flower which I’ve grown. I’m thrilled, it’s so beautiful, I can’t stop looking at it!
So what does this have to do with dog training, I hear you say?
Well it reminds of things my clients tell me. “My neighbour has an [insert dog breed], and she said [insert instruction]”. Or, I saw online that I should…. I watched a TV show that said … someone at the dog park told me … and on it goes. But they come to me because, despite all the well-meaning advice and things they’ve tried, they still have a problem. They are struggling to reach their goal with their dog.
This was me with the orchid – looking everywhere for help, listening to anyone with an opinion. But I had never asked a trained person who could advise me about my situation, the particular kind of orchid I had, the particular conditions in my garden, the time of year for moving the plant to my garden.
I achieved success when I asked the right person, the person who knows, and whose job it is to assist clients with their individual needs.
You might have noticed I haven’t included the three tips the nursery attendant gave me. One flower stalk, no matter how beautiful, does not make me an orchid expert and I don’t want to waste your time with poor advice about orchids.
If you need advice about your dog, ask trained trainer.
I can’t help you with your orchids, but I can help you with advice about your dog! It’s my job and I love it, so if you have a question about your dog, head over here.