How come the same humans who resist change expect others, including their dogs to do so quickly, easily and without setbacks?
I understand change evokes some fear.
Fear about the unknown.
Fear that things will be different or unexpected.
Expectation, routine and predictability give us a sense of control.
In fact that control is limiting to our growth.
Control limits your freedom and your dreams.
While our dogs desire a sense of control, us humans are capable of dancing with the unexpected and creating a new understanding of how to prevent scary things from happening to our dogs.
We can learn to lean into fear and see how fear is teaching us how to be more empathetic and compassionate to ourselves and our beloved companions.
Fear can teach us that connection with ourselves and others, heals our past hurts.
When fear bubbles up within you, I invite you turn away from blaming or expecting others to be different or to change.
Instead, ask yourself what is fear showing you?
Listen to the messages you receive. The answers will guide your way!
Katherine Porter is a force free, reward based dog behavior advisor and consultant serving clients and their companion dogs worldwide. Her calm and gentle approach in coaching clients in effectively communicating what they want to their dog blends her MSW background into her dog training and behavior practice.
Katherine was a behavior consultant for Heeling Hounds after graduation. She opened Four Paws and You Dog Training LLC when the military relocated her family to Fort Sill, OK in 2015. During this time, she volunteered with Rainbow Bridge Can Wait where she provided post adoption consultations to new pet parents. She also developed and implemented tailored behavior modification plans for highly reactive dogs residing at the shelter. She also provided educational programs to military children through interactive workshops at the Fort Sill School Age Center.
In 2017, Katherine relocated Four Paws and You Dog Training LLC to Germany. She served the Armed Forces communities in Bavaria. She continued coaching and advising her clients in addressing their companion dog’s fearful and reactive behavioral issues. Katherine takes a Do No Harm approach first and foremost in providing behavioral plans. She is committed in serving clients with gentle and modern science approaches in modifying behavioral concerns such as reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety and fear based responses.
Katherine is a member of the Pet Professional Guild. She is focused on integrating a holistic and modern approach in addressing her client’s pet companion reactive behavior issues.
View more posts
Four Paws & You Dog Training 