Hi Robin,
As I board my flight back to Atlanta, I wanted to take a moment to send you an email and simply say thank you, again.
When I came to Ecademy, I came with a very specific goal in mind. Throughout my career, as I mentioned to you, I’ve had some overwhelmingly negative experiences with e-collars, and I honestly viewed them through that lens. I wanted to understand the other side of the conversation, even if I wasn’t sure where I would ultimately land.
What I didn’t expect was for the experience to completely challenge my perspective.
It’s disappointing to realize how often a tool that can be used so positively for dogs is misused by people. For years, those experiences shaped my opinion of e-collar training. After spending this week with you, I leave with a much deeper understanding of the tool, the science behind it, and the responsibility that comes with using it correctly.
For many of the trainers in class, Ecademy may have simply been another opportunity to improve skills they were already using. For me, it feels much bigger than that. This week genuinely changed the way I think about dog training.
Like I mentioned yesterday, I’m still a little bit in denial. Part of me doesn’t want to believe that some of my own dogs may benefit from an e-collar more than I ever thought possible. But watching Buck spend the last few days running off leash in a completely unfamiliar environment gave me proof that I can’t ignore. It opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t previously considered.
What makes this even more impactful is that I’m not just taking this knowledge home for myself. At Atlanta Dog Trainer, we have over 300 dogs go through our board-and-train programs each year, and we train thousands of dogs annually across all of our services. This experience doesn’t just affect me and my dogs, it will influence seven trainers, an entire facility, and ultimately countless dogs and owners in the future.
I hope that serves as a reminder of the impact you’re making.
I also want to thank you for your passion, enthusiasm, and willingness to teach. While we may not see eye to eye on every aspect of dog training, it’s obvious how much work you’ve put into building your knowledge, your career, and your reputation. I have a tremendous amount of respect for that.
I’ve been fortunate to build a successful career and leadership role within my own little bubble in Georgia, but you’ve shown me that there is far more to this industry than I realized. You’ve reignited my excitement for learning and reminded me that there is always another level to reach.
I’m looking forward to continuing my education, attending more IACP events, and building on what I’ve learned this week. Most importantly, I’m excited to continue exploring balanced training with an open mind while staying true to my commitment to helping dogs and their owners succeed.
Thank you again for everything. Ecademy completely exceeded my expectations and genuinely fired me up about dog training in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.
Also, whenever you have a chance, I would absolutely love access to any of the videos and photos that were taken throughout the week. I know Deanna was capturing a lot of content, and I believe you and Maddie took some photos and videos as well. There are so many moments from the week that I’d love to have and look back on, so I’d greatly appreciate anything you’re willing to share.
I know this won’t be the last time we talk, and I look forward to staying in touch as I continue navigating this new chapter.
With gratitude,
