We are rapidly approaching the end of 2009 so it seems right to look back over the past year and perhaps more importantly to look forward to what 2010 holds.
Early in 2009 there was not a thought about PURE Dog Listeners. It didn’t exist. I, along with colleagues, were busy ‘mending dogs’ and happy doing just that. By the middle of the year however, the saying ‘Nothing stays constant except change.’ was very appropriate to our situation. Caroline and I talked through our options and decided to do what we do best and do it well with no distractions, thus the word PURE in our title. We set up PURE Dog Listeners as a two person association but soon found that other suitably qualified Dog Listeners wanted to join us as they subscribed to our philosophy. We were pleased to have them and are now a happy group of around 50 members who support one another, share experiences and friendship. But most of all we are here to help dogs and their owners resolve any problems and get their relationship with one another and the rest of the world, back on track.
In early July there was nothing, then from nowhere we had to produce a web site, a forum and sort out protocols and 101 other things. We all pulled together and with the particular assistance of my Son in Law, our IT Guru (I told my daughter to marry well and for once she did as she was told) we got it done. All a bit of a blur but very worthwhile. We now have members across the UK, Republic of Ireland and beyond. We are steadily growing but will always stay true to our founding principals, there is no room for compromise. It is too important to both client and dog, we must get it right for their sakes.
We are finding that as the end of the year looms the dust is beginning to settle and we can pause to take stock. The first few months went far better than we could have hoped. We must look forward to 2010 and what a busy year that promises to be. We must first build on our early success. We will be rushing around the UK assessing PURE Dog Listeners (PDL) who want to become Accredited PURE Dog Listeners (APDL). We know that they all have the knowledge and every client is given a feedback form so that there is constant quality control. It is however vital in our view that before we give a PDL accredited status we see them at work and ensure that they can deliver the message in a practical and customer friendly way rather than just write about it. If extra guidance is needed then we will supply that and support the member in honing their skills. We in this group, never stop learning and so, APDLs or PDLs will often, with the permission of the client, sit in on a consultation given by a colleague. They will debrief after the consultation and usually both will have learnt something. It maybe the way a topic was explained or how a childs interest was held. Life is a learning experience and as long as we remember that we will grow. The moment you think you know everything give up work and become a politician.
We have courses planned throughout the year for our members the first being in February which will cover a range of topics. We issued a provisional agenda but this has been added to by our members. It is central to our philosophy that any member can raise any issue at anytime so that they can feel confident that they fully understand an issue. There is huge enthusiasm for these events and it maybe that they will have to be longer or held more frequently.
It’s not only qualified PDLs who have a thirst for knowledge. We have had numerous enquiries from members of the public wanting to learn the techniques of PURE Dog Listening. Many of these enquiries have come from clients who have seen such good results with their own dogs that they want to teach others and improve relationships between owners and their dogs. People who work with dogs in a variety of fields have also shown an interest. Other enquiries have come from those who just want to understand their pet better. Wherever you fit in the above we will be able to help you. We intend to run a number of courses later in the year to cater for everyone from the caring dog owner to the aspiring PURE Dog Listener and everything in between. So if you fit any of those categories watch this space for future developments or better still drop us an email now to register your interest. When full details of courses are finalised they will be published here but those who have pre registered their interest with no obligation will take precedence in booking.
Come on 2010 we’re ready for you.
