Day 1 - The Adventure Begins!

This all really started almost 6 years ago, when I realized I had the money to go back to school and get a degree. Do I become a REAL project manager and make a ton of money? Do I learn how to do proper English and sit at a desk writing, working on my "secretary's spread"? Or do I do something I really love, but which won't make me a lot of money, will get me bit and scratched, and probably break my heart time after time?

Yep, I decided on the later - I decided I would learn to work with dogs!

Unfortunately, I spent (i.e. wasted) several years trying to figure out how to accomplish this goal - I didn't want to make a mistake investing in the wrong option. (I DID figure out quite quickly that I didn't like the Koehler method). I spent (i.e. wasted) several thousand dollars on a course I didn't finish - I love to learn but I'm a lousy student. I've invested time and money (i.e. wasted?) on a bookshelf full of half-read books, several underutilized clickers and a dozen browser folders full of bookmarks to "useful" information - all of which I keep promising to "get around to".

So with that history of "success" behind me, how on earth am I going to actually help dogs?

I have a cunning plan!

First, this blog will be cathartic - allow me to put the past in the past, and allow me to move on. Second, this blog will help keep me on track and keep me honest - my goal is to pass the CCPDT practice test within a year. Third, this blog will be my regular affirmation, my "I AM becoming a dog trainer/behaviorist" announcement to the universe.

So here's my strategy:

1. Draw up an outline of what I need to study based on the CCPDT study objective document. 
2. Break the outline down into discrete modules.
3. Develop a reading list, practical exercises and assignments for each module.
4. Come up with a timeline, with milestones (the thing I should have done with the "proper" course).
5. Publish my "assignments" on Helium or here in the blog.
6. Once I'm through with my "coursework", I pass the CCPDT practice exam.

Oh yeah, I'm going to set aside time every day to actually train my poor dog!

Question of the day: How will I know if I get a passing grade on my "assignments"???