Being just born today, this e-zine is still very much a puppy, and I don't know exactly how it will look or what its personality will be as it matures.  We'll find out together.  My thought is that I'll share dog training tips, let you know about dog-related events that catch my fancy, answer questions, maybe ask you some questions, and chat about the wonderfulness of dogs and dog training.

Most e-zines are weekly.  Those people must be extremely organized.  This e-zine is more likely to come out every two or three weeks.  I invite you to send me your questions and suggestions for subjects.  I'm all ears (not the big floppy kind -- that's Rincon).  martia@sonic.net

Most of you know Rincon from his strolls around town or his smooth dance moves, but he's also a guy with a lot to say.  In each issue you'll find his advice column "Dear Rincon, Questions Dogs Only Dare Ask to Each Other."  Have your dog write in for Rincon's candid canine answer!  rincon@dogdancer.com

Rincon recently started seeing an animal chiropractor (Kelly MacKay, (707/887-1875 -- we love her!) for some joint problems.  She told me to shorten Rincon's walks by stopping before he shows any signs of distress to avoid aggravating the affected joints.  Good advice, and I was able to follow it for two weeks, taking walks just under a mile, twice a day. 

Then I got impatient.  Rincon seemed to be doing better, and I really missed our longer walks.  So one night I added 1/2 mile to our route.  It felt glorious at the time, but I regretted it the next morning when Rincon lagged after only a few blocks.

"That seems like a big increase all at once," Kelly said at our appointment the following day, and she reminded me of the reasons for increasing distance slowly.  I knew she was right.  I had known it all along.  Why had I rushed Rincon's progress?

The concept of "Slowly but Surely" can be a tough one for those of us who are enthusiastic or impatient.  Enthusiasm has so much momentum that it naturally moves fast.  Impatience doesn't trust that the goal will be reached over time, so it wants to skip to the desired result right now.  I had given in to both those feelings.

I see this tendency in some of my dog training students as well, and it can take the fun out of training for them.  For example, in class they'll start teaching their dog to stop pulling on the leash, which is very exciting and gives them hope.  The next week they'll look deflated and say, "He still needs a treat to walk by my side," or "She still pulls when another dog walks by." 

"Is your dog doing better than before last week's class?" I'll ask. 

"Oh, yes!" they'll say.  "Definitely."

"Then celebrate," I'll tell them.  "You're doing great.  If you're progressing at all, you're facing the right direction.  If you keep moving in that direction, just tiny bit by tiny bit, you will get where you want to go.  And it will be worth it."

Some dog problems have quick fixes, but most training is about a progression of improvements.  Speed is not the most important factor for achieving success.  In fact a slow arc of very tiny improvements is often the surest route. 

Slow, tiny improvements give both the dog's and person's minds time to understand and integrate what they're learning, and their bodies time to form neuropathways necessary for nerves and muscles to categorize and remember the new behaviors.  If you want your dog to develop a new skill or behavior as "second nature," teach it slowly, practice regularly but for short periods, and give a big reward for each tiny improvement.

And have fun.  To Rincon and me, training is a fun game.  We still train because neither of us wants to give up the game!  How can you make training your dog more fun for both of you?  Taking off the pressure that either of you has to be a fast learner can help. 

Remember, you are wonderful, and your dog is wonderful.  Your training can be wonderful, too.

Rincon's pet project is "Dancing for Dollars" -- he dances to raise money for Arts for Healing.  His project is greatly needed right now because the grant Arts for Healing was counting on for the year 4/1/08 - 4/1/09 fell through at the last minute.  Yikes!

Rincon loves the women in the painting support group, and they love him.  They also rely on the group as a lifeline during their time of cancer treatment and healing.  They don't want to lose it.  You can help Rincon help the group by going to www.ArtsforHealing.com -- and sending your friends there.  Rincon's two dog dancing video clips are posted on the homepage with a request that people who get a chuckle or feel their spirits lifted please make a donation to Arts for Healing.  Let's pass this link around the web and invite as many people as possible to help!  www.ArtsforHealing.com 

  The people in my pack never set a place for me at the dinner table.

Animal communicator, Marta Williams, will be at Copperfields in Sebastopol, 7:00pm on Thursday, April 24 to talk about her new book, "Ask Your Animal: Resolving Animal Behavioral Issues Through Intuitive Communication."  I think highly of Marta Williams.  Rincon and I will be there!   Copperfields welcomes dogs who have very good indoor manners.  It is in the main block of Main Street in downtown Sebastopol, (707) 823-2816.