Everyone loves that well trained dog. They’re mesmerized by the precision, the focus, the performance. The connection between owner and dog. Sheep dog trials to agility, fun tricks to freestyle, detection to disc. It’s cool. And everyone wants to be coolant have that cool dog.

But how much? Are they willing to adjust their life to attain the goal of a well trained dog? Sacrifice other wants to make it happen? For most people the answer is no. I get that – it’s a lot of work. Many people have other commitments, other “A” priorities. And that’s just fine. We can’t do everything.

But, for those who can, there is a difference between those who “want” it and those who really WANT it.

Since 2007, I’ve been training my dogs for Search and Rescue work. It’s insanely cool to me. Each time I watch my dogs use their nose with speed and accuracy I’m amazed. I love the team work and trust.

That doesn’t happen overnight. It takes one and a half to two *years* of work to train and certify a dog for search work. Training in 90 degree heat, training in rain, training in snow. Some days you leave training with a big smile, sometimes you leave frustrated. Some days everything goes right. Others? You wonder why you showed up or how in the world you ever thought that you’d be able to do this. You’ll wonder if you dog left it’s brain at home. Or if you really have any talent as a trainer.

You take a week off because you need a break. You dog needs a break.

But then you continue. You show up and train every week. You fail and try again. And again. You miss certification by – this – much and turn around and figure out how to do better next time.

Why?

Because you are driven. You make it a priority. You are disciplined.

In other words, you WANT it.

There isn’t room for many of these intense wants in life. You need to chose the priority and stick to it. A person can’t go to the olympics for both figure skating and hockey – you can do both for fun, but you can’t be great at both. You need to chose, commit and work to make great happen.

Can you guarantee that you can always make it happen? No. But it absolutely won’t happen unless you commit.

Unless you really WANT it.