07/04/2025
Often, when working with a client and discussing their dog’s behaviors, I ask what behavior they WANT from their dogs, or I ask WHY they feel a certain way about behavior. Typically, what happens is, they say something along the lines of “well I don’t know what’s best! That’s why I hired you! What would you do? Just teach me whatever you’d do if they were your dog!”
And I get it. I get all the pressure from society and family and whoever else to have a dog that behaves a certain way. But there are SO many reasons why I can’t just tell you what I do with my dogs. I’d be doing you and your dog a huge disservice if I did. Why?
Well, first of all, we’re all individuals. We all have our own factors at play. My dogs are NOT your dogs and have different breed and personality traits. Your dog deserves to be seen for who THEY are and what suits them. And I am not YOU. We have different life styles, different housing arrangements, different personal preferences and tolerances, and different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
And there isn’t a right or wrong answer here. What I do is foster a relationship and communication between you and your dog. There isn’t one ideal dog, just like there isn’t one ideal husband/wife/friend/partner, it’s all in how you operate together. Different living creatures with their own thoughts and feelings, making compromises to thrive together and coexist happily. I mean, how boring would it be if all dogs were the same?
My job is to help you understand each other and build the skills needed for a safe and happy life together. A life that’s tailored to YOUR needs and goals.
Besides…who says my dogs are a very good example of “perfect” dogs? Certainly not me! But they’re perfect enough for me, and at the end of the day, I’m the one that lives life with them, so that’s all that matters.
