General Guidelines

Here are some general guidelines to make things easier when you make dog items or build dog projects:

Prepare Tools and Materials

• Review the items needed for each phase of your project
• Scrounge or purchase tools and materials you don’t have
• Place all the tools and materials for a particular phase of the project in your work area before you start
• This cuts down considerably on frustrations and the time it takes to make something

Get Yourself Ready

Many a project took us longer to make because we did not pay attention to these things. We have had to redo parts or even scrap projects. What can we say, it takes us a while to learn...

EMOTIONAL STATE

Are you relaxed, eager to start and excited about the project?

• Then go ahead and get started!

• Take a deep breath
• Ask yourself whether you want to be doing this now or later
• Give yourself permission to do it at another time
• Do something you enjoy or find relaxing, like playing with your dog...

MENTAL STATE

Are you anxious or afraid to get started?

• Give yourself permission to make mistakes
• Allow a less than perfect result
• Give yourself plenty of time – realize you’re not in a race
• Remember that the best way to learn something is by doing
• Ask for help when you need it
• Each time you get anxious about any part of the project, take a break and congratulate yourself for parts completed
• Look for humor in situations

PHYSICAL STATE

Are you fresh as a daisy or have a reasonable amount of energy?

• You’re good to go!

Are you tired?

• Consider resting before you begin
• If you get tired in the middle or near the end of a project, STOP!
• This is when you are most likely to mess up!
• Go away from the project until you feel refreshed