Dog Training is a very personal business.\u00a0 I am invited into people’s homes with their beloved dogs.\u00a0 They often call me because as much as they love their dog, his behavior is also causing a lot of stress.\u00a0 Anxiety, aggression, reactivity.\u00a0 It affects an entire families’ wellbeing and lifestyle. and they really really want me to fix it asap.\u00a0 I come into their home and can immediately see the relationship weakness between human and dog that is contributing to the dis-ease. Oftentimes, over coddling, excuse making,\u00a0 and projection cloud their ability for leadership.\u00a0 I also see the breed and drive characteristics of the dog that the owner usually does not want to admit is there.\u00a0 All dogs are predators. and when under stress, or stubborn, or fearful, or prey driven- they will act in violence.\u00a0 It is shocking to admit to the aggression\u00a0 inside our beloved family member. It is often explained away with a story- a bad past or someone else’s fault.<\/p>\n
So owners want me to fix their dog. What they do not want me to do is assess their part.\u00a0 and ‘part” means their thinking and\u00a0 their feelings.\u00a0 Adults also do not take easy to being in a student position.\u00a0 They can be doctors, lawyers, business owners – who are so excellent in their skill and trade..so they come to the student dog owner position not so humbly.\u00a0 I was in a recent session with a shy pitbull.\u00a0 He did not want to go on walks in his neighborhood since July 4 fireworks. I was in the zone…feeling intuitively what he needed as I held his leash. I was excited and conveyed this knowledge to his owner.\u00a0 She had her back to me, talking about extraneous things…I calmly asked her to turn around and watch.\u00a0 She continued to talk over me and not pay much attention. Fast forward to later in the session- another critical part to help with boy learn the down command.\u00a0 She interrupted me to talk about her cat…I stopped what I was doing and said. ” are you listening to me, because I get the sense I am not reaching you”.\u00a0 She was agitated and angry right away and replied ” I don’t need you to call me out, I am a grown woman”.\u00a0 \u00a0The rest of the session was awkward and painful, probably for both of us.<\/p>\n
Truth be told, I am approaching a place of burn out. This happens every handful of years.\u00a0 It is when I know I must do more self care, set boundaries, and take more time off.\u00a0 I feel drained by some people’s energy and projection on me ..and I know it is\u00a0 imperative to recharge so that I can feel inspired again…as this is my life’s calling<\/p>\n
I thought alot about this session in the days after..and of all the sessions where I spoke up in this way and it was not received well.\u00a0 I am so driven to support difficult dogs and their families. I have a God given talent ( one of the only ones lol) to enter a home and know exactly why the “bad” behavior is happening and how we can make great stride toward a joyful existence with the dog.\u00a0 From point A to Z- the path is NOT easy for either being…but more so, the human.\u00a0 Rarely do they realize that It is a path that can trigger self exploration, and I often will inspire it in my observations to them. Many revolt against me. Some even temporarily dislike me. and a few run away.\u00a0 For those that stay-\u00a0 transformation is very possible..and it is a glorious step forward in one’s awakening.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dog Training is a very personal business.\u00a0 I am invited into people’s homes with their beloved dogs.\u00a0 They often call me because as much as they love their dog, his behavior is also causing a lot of stress.\u00a0 Anxiety, aggression, reactivity.\u00a0 It affects an entire families’ wellbeing and lifestyle. and they really really want me … <\/p>\n