The Magic is in the Balance

As humans, we like to be given specific recipes to fix things. Social media thrives off this sort of guru content that gives you all the answers in a 60 second easy to digest clip.

“Always do this.”

“Add 10 bits of this.”

“Never do this with your dog!”

But in most cases, it’s more like this. And a bit of that. Then add more of this if your dog shows that they need it. The magic happens when you find balance.

🎊 So go out and play tug and other high energy games with your dog to fulfil their needs. And also make time for the less intense activities so they learn that both are part of life.

🏆 Work on your “outs” and “leave its”. But also have fun and let them win from time to time (because who wants to play a game they always lose?).

🐕 Show your dog that they are able to walk past another dog without having to interact. But also that they can meet a stable dog and enjoy themselves where appropriate.

📚 Work their brain. Also practice not working every minute and being okay with that.

🌲 Walk on that shorter lead at heel in town without allowing sniffing or mucking around. Also let them be free in nature, sniff around and be a dog because we don’t own robots.

👍 Use a whole lot of positive reinforcement for great stuff they are doing. Also set and enforce boundaries with consequences.

🧠 Set them up for success. Also allow them to live life, learn and build resilience through overcoming challenges.

❤️ Put the time in and train your dog. But also take a guilt free day off from time to time and just enjoy being with each other without the pressure of being perfect.

There is no magic recipe that is going to work for every dog and situation. There is no set amount of xyz that every dog must get to be that perfect dog. There is no such thing as “never” or “always” when dealing with sentient beings with their own unique package of genetics, prior learning history, relationships and the current environment at play.

There is only looking the dog in front of us, and adjusting each piece of the puzzle to suit their needs.

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Do you need a hand with getting the balance right? Get in touch. I offer owner coaching sessions in person throughout Waipa/much of the Waikato, as well as online anywhere with an internet connection.