Opinions are like a$&*#!%s. Everyone has one.

If this is to be true, then why listen to the opinions of friends and family who give guidance or ideas counter to your values?

One of my clients recently had this experience and she trusted herself and what she learned in working with me to do what’s in the dog’s best interest.

She shared with me about how she’s on a trip with some friends and her dog came along.

Instead of her dog, Sally going out and about when the group goes sightseeing for a few hours here and there, my client set up her dog’s space in her hotel room.

Sally is content and happy to have time to herself.

My client learned that Sally isn’t comfortable greeting everyone because Sally is slow to warm up and takes time to trust new people.

Sally also enjoys some time to rest and relax.

Make sense.

My client trusts herself to know that even when others are telling her what to do and how to train Sally, my client let the words roll right over her.

The relationship my client has with Sally was born out of trust and love. Not only does Sally trust her, but my client learned through this relationship that she can trust herself to make the right choices with Sally’s best interest in mind.

Our dogs teach us so much about ourselves and also how to live a values driven life.

It’s up to you to make the choice to prioritize the best interest of your dog and when you do, you get to experience a whole new up-leveling of your life.

What motivates you to change something your dog is doing?

Is it because your dog is barking what seems like all the time?

Is it because your dog is lunging and growling at guests and other dogs and people while you’re walking by?

For my clients, their dog’s behavior is only part of the story.

All you wanted was to add a companion to your family and your family members to support you, collaborate with you, be accountable to how they also wanted to raise a dog with you.

But instead, they left you in the dust and on top of it, are upset with you about it being your dog having behavioral issues.

You want to give up!

Your motivation is waning because you feel let down and feeling lonely. You wanted your family to show up for you, but now you’re left doing it all. On your own. Once again.

What if your motivation is waning was because you see how what’s going on with your dog is more about seeing your value for teamwork and accountability isn’t shared with others in your family? What if the divide is more about how you and your partner have different ideas on how to address the concerns?

Being right versus doing what’s right for the dog causes you and your partner to butt heads.

You want to be heard and understood by those who care about you.

It is also a time when you may want to go back to what didn’t work because its easier than navigating heart to hearts with your family about how things need to change.

The change is how you all are not only showing up for your dog, but each other.

Maybe staying the same feels easier because you’re not even sure how you feel about what needs to be different. You just know something has got to give.

Taking action in a new direction one step at a time, may seem scary, but what lies on the other side is what you want.

Calmer home with your dogs.

Peace within your relationships with your family members.

Ultimately, speaking the same language with your partner and feeling you’re on the same page in how you make decisions is what your heart desires.

The motivation for change is less about what your dog is doing and more about what you want within the relationships you have in your life.

What do you want your life with your family and your companion animal to look and feel like?