Change Your Perspective by Changing your Perception

I often hear, “my dog’s behavior X is a problem. Tell me how to fix it.”

Sigh.

When you start seeing behavior as a problem, then you are looking through a microscope and limiting your view of what is possible.

Your dog is hardwired for survival and the behavior is how she reacts to those situations to protect herself.

These neural pathways are repeated and the behavior is reinforced.

In order to help your dog change her behavior, you have to create an environment to conducive which allows a dog to feel safe which in turn creates an opportunity for your dog to learn a new way of experiencing the environment.

When you pair this with something she loves, your dog’s mind is creating new neural pathways, therefore new choices can be made.

This doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

The other side of the training coin is you.

Like you, I also experienced pet caring in a much different way.

Outdated methods permeated my brain.

Also, like you, I wanted to do things differently, but it was challenging in the beginning.

Why? Because, like you, I had no experience when I first started out what behavior change looked like in a modern way.

I too read books and scoured the internet for guidance.

Like you, this led me into a rabbit hole.

Building confidence doesn’t happen by reading theory and concepts.

Building confidence in creating change happens because you took action.

Taking action in trying something new where you have no experience in doing, will creep you to your own comfort zone.

This is where your limiting beliefs live and where your own brain tries really hard to keep you safe by pushing against you from growing.

You too are hardwired for survival. Growing and expanding your world is not what you’re meant to do.

Because creating new neural pathways takes energy and your resources to achieve, your brain wants you to stop and keep you small.

This only works against you and what you want your dog to achieve together.

Desiring growth and living an integrated life with your dog requires you to take a step past your comfort zone and your willingness to be open to the experience, whatever that brings.

Your willingness to challenge beliefs and find the confidence while doing so.

When you can feel more confident in taking action, you can help your dog do the same.

Are you willing to get started in transforming your life with your dog?

Finding Freedom in Choosing a Pet Sitter

You have the power to choose how you want to feel and this feeling is what you go back to when you’re making choices which impact not only your life, but your dog’s too.

Yes, you want to feel free to take your dogs with you on road trips and exciting adventures, but sometimes this isn’t possible because of logistics or the experience isn’t going to be conducive to your dog’s safety or to his enjoyment.

My husband and I are participating on a 200 mile running relay in the next few days and Jack and Bernie sure wouldn’t enjoy life in a 6 person van as we trail along the runner whose leg it is to run during the race.

Making the choice to feel the sense of freedom in leaving Jack and Bernie in good hands so they can be free to live their best life without us isn’t just as simple as asking for references and getting a price quote, it is following my intuition guiding me in making the right choice for them.

I’ve heard of so many terrifying stories of people leaving their pets in the hands of others who they “thought” were pet professionals. Turns out, their dogs suffered and the pet parents scrambled to find someone else while they were hundreds of miles away on vacation.

Here are some helpful tips which I utilized in finding someone I not only trusted, but Jack and Bernie did too.

  1. I gathered references and recommendations. I used this a starting point, not the only piece to base my choice on. I worked through others who had qualifications I was interested in from knowledge, experience and how others experienced them.
  2. I conducted interviews. I met the pet sitter and asked questions which created the space for the pet sitter to process it and take time to formulate a response. I not only listened with my ears what each person said, but I also used my intuition and allowed my body to tell me how the person answered if this felt aligned with how to move forward.

For instance, I asked questions such as “how do you respond when Jack starts barking?” “What would you do if a loose dog approached?” “How do you keep my dogs safe out on walks or during play sessions with you?” “What do you do when Jack or Bernie make a mistake?” “How do you cultivate a bond with dogs and is that important to you?” The answers I received informed me completely whether the person was a good fit or not.

  1. I prioritized building rapport and trust with my pet sitter and observe how they build trust with my dogs. I made it a necessity of having the chosen pet sitter have time in forming a relationship before leaving on a vacation without them. This is so necessary for Bernie who is shy, slower to warm up to people and needs time to adjust to a routine change. By allowing the pet sitter to find ways Bernie feels comfortable connecting with her, this helped him to feel safe and relax when she comes over. Now, he’s over the moon with her being here.
  2. I took time and observed interactions throughout the time she came over to hang out with Jack and Bernie in preparation of this trip. I was home for the first initial greeting after the interview, so I could make sure everyone was safe and I could be available to offer guidance if interactions weren’t going well. The pet sitter was quick in scatter feeding for Bernie since Jack was quick to initiate play with her. The pet sitter didn’t force herself on to Bernie, but rather allowed Bernie the time to come up to her when he was ready.
  3. My choice wasn’t based on the ease or cost alone in coming to a decision. The value was on the quality of interaction, how the pet sitter responded to Jack and Bernie’s needs, how she ensured their safety and how she engaged them in fun activities when the weather wasn’t great and they refused a walkie. Our shared values was my driving force in hiring her.

Embodying freedom, I was able to remain present in the moment with how the pet sitter was interacting and being with Jack and Bernie. This allowed me to make the choice which felt right not just for me, but for them too. Jack and Bernie’s life is priceless and I want to ensure they receive the best care in my absence.

Now, I can go run my 3 runs over the next two days and be fully present in that experience because I know Jack and Bernie are in good hands.

Are you desiring a more integrated life with your dog?

Groundhog Day, Everyday

You go through the motions every day.

As soon as your alarm goes off, your Autopilot turns on and you arrive at work wondering at how you got there.

You share how it feels like Groundhog Day day in and day out.

Same.

Thing.

Everyday.

You believe you have no time to take a break, spend time with friends or family you haven’t seen in a long time or really explore what you really want.

You’ve been doing the same type of work for years.

You’re left feeling unfulfilled and not sure what you’re capable of anymore because you’ve been at the whim of others demand at work, home and now you feel your dog is demanding more of your time and energy.

Neither of which you believe you have any more to give.

All you want is for your dog to be on autopilot with you.

What you start experiencing is your dog is now barking at you and you don’t know what to do.

Out on walks, your dog is lunging at everything that moves and all you’re trying to do is catch up with friends because you have no other time to do so.

When guests finally do come over, you’re become embarrassed how your dog is jumping and grabbing at your guests clothes. You had no idea this was going to happen.

The trickle of anger begins to seep in.

And you explode at others around you, including your dog.

Quickly, you become angry at yourself for allowing the top off the kettle.

Now, everything is out in the open and you can’t stuff it back in.

It’s staring at you in the face. You’re feeling exposed.

You now desire for something to change.

You want to feel good in what you do, how you do it and you want others in your life including your dog to experience good times with you.

You want to feel as free as your dog sticking her tongue out of the window as you’re cruising down the street.

You now know what you want to feel and how you envision your life to look like with your dog, but how to get there, leaves you feeling confused.

A dog trainer can help you with the concepts and teaching you the skills of how to teach your dog what you want to see more of when you’re both together.

A coach will bring you through not only your dog’s hills and valleys of learning when the excitement wanes and confusion and frustration rear its head, but a coach will be there when you experience your own ebb and flow in learning too.

You’re not only feeling into the sensations of what your body is experiencing, but you’re also caring for another who is also going through their own emotional experiences of learning.

Investing time and resources into support systems while you build your confidence, resiliency and encouragement to move forward makes the difference.

You never have to do it alone.

Are you desiring encouragement and support in how you grow into the person you and your dog need you to be?

Let’s chat!

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