As a software developer, I've always been attracted to interesting and unconventional projects. One of such is my recent endeavor – creating a game model around Draconian – a mythical creature from the folklore famous for its strength, intelligence, and command over magic. The backbone of the game needed a sturdy, robust, and interactive framework. Hence, I turned towards Java, an excellent option for developing intricate gaming applications. Today, I am excited to share some facets of this unique project with you. In a rather amusing turn of events, my work on it got intertwined with Diamond K9 dog training. How? Here's the story.
While Draconian became the pivot of my gaming universe, a very quirky and unpredictable companion in the real world made this endeavor extra amusing, my dog. As much as I love him, a series of extraordinarily bad habits made our everyday life a whirlwind. He'd chew on every loose piece of paper (bound ones weren't spared either), kitchenware would mysteriously find its way to his room, and nocturnal howling marathons were just the beginning. The work on the project involved long stretches of coding, creating algorithms, debugging, hence, it required focus, the opposite of what was going on in my home due to these antics.
Desperate and cornered by my own canine, I went on a "Help-me-train-my-dog" spree on the internet, which led me to Diamond K9's YouTube channel. I was awestruck by their balanced dog training approach and their correct and efficient E-Collar usage. Of course, the first thing that strikes some people is the E-Collar's controversial reputation. But Diamond K9's approach highlighted its usages in a secure, humane, and positive way, debunking the myths along the way.
/*to illustrate, here's an exception that I often found myself working on because my dog had chewed on my notes*/
try{
BufferedReader br = new BufferedReader(new FileReader("myJavaNotes.txt"));
String sCurrentLine;
while ((sCurrentLine = br.readLine()) != null) {
System.out.println(sCurrentLine);
}
}catch(IOException e){
System.out.println("Can't Read Note File. Do check If it is correct or exists");
}
So, I started implementing the techniques I learned through their videos. Each video would lead me to make minor but impactful changes in the way I trained my dog. Even handling the E-Collar became a strategic task, using it at the right moments and carefully adjusting intensity. The changes didn't show overnight, but dog habits that had turned my life upside down, began to recede over time. Soon enough, I found my dog listening more, chewing less, and the kitchenware stopped disappearing.
/* Now, the only exception I had to work with is the ones in my code */
try{
DraconianInstance.attack(target);
}catch(DragonOnRestException e){
System.out.println("Dragon is resting. Can't attack now.");
}
Diamond K9 helped me regain control over my life and my house, and I found the quiet I needed for my work. I was able to concentrate once again on my project, channel my focus on translating the intricacies of the Draconian world. There was dissent by a mythical, code-created creature, but I could handle that. Moreover, I found a peaceful partner in my dog, who was now more of a companion aiding my concentration rather than disturbing it.
Thus the project and the dog training together were an enriching experience. It is amusing how certain unrelated aspects of our lives can seamlessly merge, teaching us unexpected lessons. The dog taught me patience, while Draconian taught me intricacy. Both aided each other in an oddly harmonious way, making life a bit more beautiful and significantly more peaceful. Live, code, and learn.