How do you change the world?
We don't have answers to this question, but nearly 6 years ago we decided to give it a shot. Back when we were working in a soul-sucking chain pet retail store and had just launched our basic obedience program, we were looking for ways to make a lasting impact on dog owners beyond stocking dog food while also fulfilling our marketing requirements. The "Take 15 Challenge" was born!
Ultimately we loved training because of how much of a game-changer it was in our relationships with our own dogs. In fact, beyond training we both really just loved enhancing the lives of dogs however we could, be it through training and exercise, to nutrition and husbandry. We wanted to inspire people take generally better care of their dogs so they could experience the same deeply rewarding bond and lifestyle we had with our own dogs. After a lot of brainstorming on how to influence and inspire a lot of dog owners at once, we created an annual 30-day challenge for dog owners to spend at least 15 quality minutes per day training, playing with, or exercising their dogs.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give about how to make your dog's life better is simply to get in the habit of showing up. A capable and trustworthy dog is built one moment, one session, one day at a time. 15 minutes here, and 15 minutes there. Doing a little bit very often compounds over time to deliver excellent results. Working harder on a more occasional basis actually results in less (but still counts)! Most people think I train my dogs for hours everyday- I wish! Everything my dogs can do is a result of incremental output of effort over time, and basically every step of the way progress has felt really slow and inadequate to me in the moment. It all adds up!
With this concept in mind, we've added a little value here and there to the Take 15 Challenge over the years and this project has really grown! What started as a poster board with signatures (not many!) seeded by our store staff evolved to educational initiatives and eventually an indoor training arena at the store. When we left the store, we knew we wanted to continue this tradition in hopes that our challenge would one day become a nationwide tradition among dog people. We started with just sharing photo and video of our own process, and now that we have this incredible blog space, this year we've got deep dives and journaling prompts to add value to your experience- plus a few surprises along the way!
We genuinely hope that this year you join us in this challenge and that you make a personal commitment to give this a shot. It would be even better if you shared this mission with your friends. Someone you know needs to take this journey with their dog! We hope you decide to change the world with us, one dog at a time!
To join the challenge, all you have to do is start spending 15 minutes a day beyond what you would normally do each day in January 2025 training, playing with, or exercising your dog. We'd love to see what you are up to- feel free to tag us in your adventures on social media. Stay tuned on our blog for prompts and wisdom, and watch our Facebook and Instagram to follow our work with our own dogs plus get tips and inspiration. Happy New Year!
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