Happy New Year!
Well, that happened FAST, it is already the last month of the 2024 program and Feb 1st we will launch into the new year!
A reminder that last year I changed the subscription system, so it WILL automatically renew you for the new year unless you cancel it. To cancel just log into your account and select “manage account” and toggle down to cancel. If you want to renew, you shouldn’t have to do anything as long as the card you used to purchase last year is still current. A favor, if you plan to return as a Bark Commander for 2025 please let me know, either during our one on one or drop me a note via email dawn@thehikerpup.com so I know how many spots will be available for next year. If you want to switch back to The Academy cancel your Bark Commanders subscription before your renewal (I opened last year Jan 25th so cancel by the 24th to avoid renewal) and then join the Academy when it opens!
What changes and what stays the same for the new program year?
The live zooms will remain, however, they have become less and less popular then they were when we were all stuck inside during the pandemic. So to keep things fun and helpful if you are no longer into attending live meetings I will be doing more daily group challenges- the ones where I post a simple exercise each day on the blog and FB. The monthly groups like the Dog’s with big feelings group and Trainer’s mentoring group have been popular and have been a great way for me to stay connected with everyone so I will likely add a few more groups.
The FB group will remain as it is, with the main page being the Academy page and the Bark Commanders page a place for you all to keep your own sections. Remember you do not have to use FB either as a Bark Commander you can also email me your youtube video links, questions, etc.
Since I do not have to rebuild the platforms this year having switched the system last year that also means I have time to build more courses and advance current ones.
Reflecting and gratitudes
There are a few of you that I suspect will not be returning as our chats have become less about me helping you and more about you sharing how you are handling everything and how it’s working. I just want to say incase we don’t talk about it before the end of the year, how much joy you all bring me. How much I enjoy seeing you finding your footing and knowing what I would tell you before I even need to say it. I love looking back over our years together and seeing how much growth there has been! And there are those of you that even if you have been here awhile feel like you should not need my help but still do, don’t feel bad about that! All dogs and all situations are different! I am so proud when I see so many of you going on to pursue dog sports you never imagined you would, taking your reactive dogs to places you never dreamed you could, becoming dog trainers yourself passing on your passion for helping dogs to those around me, finding peace and acceptance for your dog’s behaviors that they might always need some help with. I feel so honored and grateful to have been a part of your journey. Also, there are some of you that maybe feel like you don’t need me, but are not quite ready to let go, that’s ok too! You can stay and we will keep having fun and sharing the ups and downs together! You can also switch to a monthly payment if you are not sure if you want to commit to a full year. If you choose that option cancel your current subscription and rejoin when the next year launches and choose the monthly option.
If you are returning for another year, it’s time to pull out those goal lists from last year and looking at what worked and what didn’t. Too decide what you want to focus on this year, to reflect on your journey last year. Reflecting on goals I want to remind you, there are NO failures. If a goal is left unmet it may mean it is still a work in progress or maybe it reflects that it wasn’t actually a priority for you and that’s ok to.