Well, I finally did it. Application fee sent off last week and application e-mailed last night. If everything gets accepted I'll be attending the Tom Rose School starting in January. I've spent literally years debating whether to go or not and I've finally decided to just take the plunge. Hopefully I didn't get my application in too late as I was still hesitating on it.The deciding factor was talking to a few recent grads who said that some students had taken a motivational training based route through the course and were just fine.

I have to start re-crate training Tanner as he is required to be crated when in the room unattended. I hope he doesn't have too much a resurgence of his SA when we go. He's gotten to the point where he doesn't freak if my routine changes anymore but I worry about how he's going to handle moving into such a different environment. I'm thinking of doing a few trial runs at friends houses to show him that even if it's a strange environment I will come back so he can just chill and enjoy his yummy Kong.

Another thing I'm kind of nervous about is that in the course of the program you are required to get two puppies. I'm planning on getting a second dog anyway so the first pup isn't a big deal. I'm actually already looking for litters that would be ready around that time period. But three dogs? I'm comfortable in my ability to provide the time/space/food for one young high energy dog and Tanner but two young high-energy dogs might be too much if I wind up working in the auto field while trying to build a dog business. I really want to find a rescue or shelter that will let me take a pup, train them, and send it back to them to be placed. Either that or start a young working/field dog to be sold. Apparently the second option is fairly common and the students generally have success placing their dogs.

Many of the rescues around here would JUMP at the opportunity to have you do that - I know of a number of foster homes that take on adult dogs that need 'work' and get them ready for forever homes. I'm sure you'll be able to find one that would work with you with available pups

Also: CONGRATS! I hope you have no issues with admission

I hope so too, and that the trained-pup scenario works out.