Pet Bloggers Challenge – K9 Coach San Diego

Inspired by my friends at GoPetFriendly.com and WillMyDogHateMe.com I’m joining the Pet Blogger Challenge.  This post is a good way to define what I do in the dog blog world as well as lay out the plans for the future.  Enjoy the post and feel free to comment regarding things you’d like to see insightful information about in the future.

The Pet Blogger Challenge posed these questions, here are my answers:

1. When did you begin your blog?

July 2008

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?

To bring my dog training clients or those looking for answers to dog training needs insight to their most asked questions or dog problems.

3. Is your current purpose the same?

Yes, though there seems to be a deeper purpose.  I’ve deepened my opinion that many of our emotional problems as humans we try to solve through our dogs.  Those who tend to come to me for training whether online or in person end up finding answers to their own previous unresolved behavior through understanding the reflection of their dog’s behavior.

Many times I have people ask me why they ended up with this dog… only to come to the conclusion a couple of sessions later that it was to bring to light the issues they’ve wanted to deeply work on themselves.  It becomes more rewarding as a professional trainer every year… both for dogs and the people I work with.

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you?

I have to say as the spirit moves me without a doubt.  It’s honestly how I do almost everything.  I’m a truly intuitive person.  I believe the best of the best of dog trainers have a special art form to them as well.  A hard fast schedule doesn’t always bring the most insightful work from me.

If the latter, do you worry about… well, whatever you might worry about (e.g. losing traffic, losing momentum)?

I have in the past worried about losing traffic due to not posting enough.  I’ve moved on from that and realized that the people who follow me and those who find me are those who need something I tend to give best when I’m most inspired.  Once I came to that conclusion, I found that more people in fact did find my blog posts.  Destiny lives in this case.

5. Are you generating income from your blog?

Yes.  Last year I wrote 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.  It was written for those who are beginners to running for fitness and who have dogs that could be the best training partner ever.  It includes dog training lessons as well, for instance a big one… how to get your dog not to pull on the leash!  The feedback from those who have done the program is incredibly encouraging with many, many successes and I intend to write more guides to get people motivated to get out and have fun with their dogs as a way to a healthy, fit lifestyle.

6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?

I’ve always liked writing and found a way to do it that also promotes what I do professionally.  I’ve been told over and over that my writing style is one that is profound yet concise.  I love that.  Couldn’t ask for more.  It’s also brought me other opportunities to write, for instance I wrote the K9 Fitness Guide for DogTread, treadmilling your dog for fitness and/or behavior issues.  So yes, from dog trainer to author and income from both makes me not only feel accomplished but incredibly fulfilled and content about what I do.

7. What do you like least?

The technical aspect.  Love my blog but there are things I would put on it more often on the technical side if I knew coding and that type of thing.  However, that doesn’t really go along with my inspirational artistic side so I’ll be happy to pay someone for those types of tasks!

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011?

I’ll be writing for ZenDogTreadmill.com as well this year and look forward to it.  I’m finding more things to write about instead of less and my enjoyment is increasing more.

Keep you and your dog moving, wag more and enjoy every day in this very moment.

Wag!