the realization that they teach us much more about being human than we realize becomes more and more evident.
My self-awareness, approach, responses, and reactions have all evolved over the years, and have changed (and will continue to) for the far better, thanks to Dog. Taking inventory of how I feel, being both accountable and responsible for the energy I bring into each space, clarifying, and delivering expectations with poise and composure, and re-grounding then re-approaching before I make delivery.
This is Life. Life is messy. And messiness rocks. Why? Because we learn more from making mistakes, having setbacks, tripping over road-bumps, and those not-so-graceful face plants. We blossom through experience rather than having a smooth road paved for us. Each are opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve, if we allow ourselves to see it that way.
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”—African Proverb
Your dog flips out every time someone approaches the front door. GREAT! Recruit a pal and have them approach the door 10 – 15 times each day while you address his reaction, and reward his good, polite one. Do this until he starts putting two + two together.
Your pup charges the vacuum cleaner every time it comes out. Fantastic! Whip it out a number of times to help her understand it’s a “friend-not-foe”. Have her accompany you on a leash through the house as you vacuum. Disagreeing with ill behavior. Rewarding and praising desired behavior. Practice and repetition… x 100.
People don’t master an art or skill overnight, and Dog is no different. Mastery requires patience. Practice. Repetition. Consistency. Follow through. Commitment. And the belief you’ve both got this.
Whatever comes your way, and especially when it comes to your canine companion, don’t give up. They’re trying to understand what you expect of them just as much as you’re trying to understand how to get through to them. You’re partners in life. A team. Your full commitment is welcomed, necessary, and appreciated. Enjoy the adventure!
As I’ve said before (and will continue to say throughout the book), training Dog is about relationship. Partnership. Team building. Establishing a mutual line of effective communication.
Each dog that comes into our care will always require something new and different of us, challenging us in a number of ways to step up and into our strength. Our influence, our power. That space of calm and assuredness we all have within. Standing our ground without fear. Without doubt. Without hesitation.
Trust and respect creates the foundation from which every sound relationship stems from. We gain this when we trust and respect ourselves first and foremost. Each being has a radar for this, especially Dog. If we don’t trust and respect ourselves, no one else will, either.
We also push trust and respect further away through being passive, overly accommodating, manipulating, inconsistent, and not following through.
So, how do we stand our ground?
1. Set clear boundaries, and consistently follow through with them.
2. Do not second-guess or doubt yourself! When you’re clear with your intentions, and know them to be fair and just, you’ll naturally be more confident in your approach and expectations.
3. Stand tall and unwavering in your space and stance. Claim it. Own it. Shoulders down and back. Head high. Both feet planted firmly on the ground. This stance speaks volumes without the need for words.
4. Be calm, clear and grounded (read: unemotional) in your directive. Remember, dogs get their cues and guidance from us, so make sure your body language is clear and succinct; matching the command and expectation. Guide your pup with your body language. Calm yet firm.
5. Move forward, towards and into; not back and in retreat. This generates “special pressure”, a strategy used to ask for or gain more space using our body and body language.
Developing the ability to honor ourselves, stand our ground and own our space, not only garners trust and respect; but sends the reassuring message that we’re safe to follow. Dogs will feel much more secure and comforted in the knowing that their human’s “got it” and can handle whatever may come their way.
Standing our ground is a daily practice and an ongoing process, but totally worth the effort.
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When we open ourselves up to all that Dog can and wants to teach us, we open ourselves up to what is Truth.
There’s a reason why the popular saying came about: “Dogs are excellent judges of character.”
Dogs know us. They know who we are underneath the facade. Beneath the exterior. This is the what they respond to. This is how they assess us.
A woman and her dog are new in town. They’re taking a walk about, and a man approaches them. Her usually very calm, friendly and gregarious dog lowers to the ground and pulls in the other direction. She can’t understand why her dog is reacting this way to this man, he’s always been so friendly to everyone; but she continues on with her conversation until they part ways. She enters a store and strikes up a conversation with the store’s owner, who informs her to be cautious of the man she was just speaking to. He’s known around town as being very unkind and is guilty of violence against his children, wife, and the family dog.
Energy. Very potent stuff. It’s what everything on the planet is comprised of, and what binds and connects us all.
This is the stuff dogs base their reality and judgment calls from. What they instinctively sense and are naturally in tune with.
Dogs remind us of who we are in essence, of what matters most, and what we need to remember about ourselves. They serve as a daily reminder to self-check ourselves in every given scenario and circumstance. If we’re feeling unsure, insecure, nervous, fearful, anxious, etc., they’ll know and will respond. It’s in these moments Dog reminds us to breathe deeply. Take a step back. Reset. Re-assess. Re-ground. And Re-approach.
Want to get an honest assessment of who you really are? The type of energy you’re projecting? Look no further than your beloved canine companion. He’ll always give you the most honest feedback.
We love Band-Aids.
We rely on them and seek them out in, pretty much, all things.
We live in a world where business is strategically designed around these
