Goals not resolutions

I'm not big on New Year's resolutions.  I can't seem to keep them.  The way I set resolutions they tend to be too broad and sweeping (e.g.:  I won't eat chocolate).  Clearly, not attainable.

Since I do believe that one needs to know where they want to go, this year I'm setting goals instead.  Goals for what I want to do with me.  Goals for what I want to do with the dogs.  Since there's something to making goals public to hold one accountable for results, I'm going to post these goals on my blog in the coming days.

To kick things off, I'll start with posting my dog-related goals.   Here goes:

Lani's goals for 2010

My overall goal is to become a better dog trainer, handler, and more reliable partner for my dogs.

Improve my dog training ability

§  Attend 2 seminars in 2010 to learn new training philosophies

o   Janice Gunn seminar in July

§  In February - Ask around re:  audit or participate? – then sign up

o   Ask SCKC list to post upcoming clinics/seminars that they hear about

o   Consider traveling for private lessons if desireable/possible/necessary

§  Read Clean Run and Front & Finish magazines each month

§  Read 4 dog training books – agility, obedience, or “dog psychology” by Dec 31

Learn about rules and ring procedure for Utility

§  Attend 2 local dog shows solely to watch Utility competitors

o   What are the exercises, and in what order are they done?

o   What commands and cues do folks use?

o   How do the successful teams warm up?

o   How do the successful teams transition between exercises?

Improve my level of fitness and agility (after all, I’m half of the team)

§  Lose 19 lbs by August 1, 2010

§  Incorporate one new human agility exercise each month

o   By Jan 19^th – review and identify 12 exercises in the (human) agility training book I bought that will help improve my (dog) agility handling ability/footwork