Today I Changed the World by Chad Mackin 


Today I changed the world.

Of course you won't notice, it is a quiet change.

But I changed it nonetheless.

Today I guided a young confused puppy into the world of Language, of communication. I introduced the little lady to truth, to the right of self-determination. I taught her, finally, that she has control over her environment. She is awake now.

I changed the world for her owners too. For the first time they saw their dog as she is, underneath frantic activity caused by desperation, by absolute confusion, by fear of the unknowable future. They saw a calm, relaxed peaceful dog where before had been a ball of undirected, unpredictable activity. Gone was the incessant barking, the non-stop running to and fro, the unfocused gaze. Instead, she was lying at our feet, breathing deep and rhythmic, relaxed and comfortable in her body for the first time in months. They had never seen her like this, not even sleeping did she relax. They believe I am a miracle worker. I am not.

I simply showed this sweet young girl that her choices had meaning, that my words, my movement, and yes, the ecollar, had clear and distinct meanings. Further, I taught her that she could count on those meanings. She learned that humans CAN make sense after all. We can be consistent. I let her learn that her behavior can produce predictable changes in her environment.

Nothing Magic, nothing any of you haven't done before a hundred times over. But sometimes, sometimes I forget to see the gifts we give these dogs.

Sometimes I forget the breadth and depth of the hope we give these dogs.

Sometimes I am just doing my job, and the beauty of what we are doing disappears under a hundred other considerations.

But today, I saw it, as if for the first time. Today I remembered that dog training is not a job, it is a vocation. I remembered that I serve the dogs first and the clients second.

Today, the world is a different place. Because I changed it. I changed it for a dog, for her owners, and for a simple dog trainer in Texas.

Never forget how blessed we are to do what we do. It is right and good, and by God, someone needs to be doing it. We are the lucky ones who get to do it, and the world is a better place for our efforts.

Sometimes, I forget that, but not today...not today.


Chad Mackin is an IACP Professional Member from Texas and is a serving Director of the Association. www.aplusdog.com