Last week, I spent four days dog training with my fiancé and our rescue dog Poppy at an intensive dog training weekend. While I thought the training would be primarily focused on teaching Poppy new commands and behaviours, I was surprised to find that I learned a lot about myself in the process, and that most of the program was focused on the change from us and the way we interact with her. Here are some of the key takeaways from the weekend:
- I learned about how to regulate my emotions even better: Dog training can be frustrating at times, especially when you're trying to teach a new behaviour and your dog just isn't getting it. However, I found that the more I practiced, the better I became at regulating my emotions. I learned to stay calm and patient, even when I was feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. This was a valuable lesson for me to learn, as I tend to be someone who can get easily frustrated when things don't go right first time!
- I understood that mental stimulation is better than physical: I have always believed that physical exercise was the best way to tire out a dog. However, after this weekend of training, I realised that mental stimulation is just as important, if not more so. Our dog was mentally exhausted after a long day of training, even though we hadn't done much physical activity. This was an eye-opening experience for me, and it made me realise that I need to incorporate more mental stimulation into our dog's daily routine, as well as into my own.
- I know that challenging situations are something I thrive in: I've always enjoyed a good challenge, but this weekend of dog training reminded me just how much I thrive in challenging situations. Each time we were given a new task to teach our dog, I felt energised and excited to take on the challenge. I enjoyed brainstorming different strategies and techniques, and I loved seeing the progress that we made over the course of the weekend. However, I also have to know when I need time to slow down and regulate my nervous system in order to get the best results.
- No dog is a 'bad dog' they just need more work: One of the most important things I learned this weekend was that no dog is a "bad dog." Our dog struggled with a few of the commands at first, but with patience, practice, and consistency, she was eventually able to master them. This experience reminded me that every dog has the potential to be well-behaved, as long as they have a patient and committed owner who is willing to put in the work.
- In order to get results, you have to do the hard work: Finally, this weekend of dog training was a powerful reminder that in order to get results, you have to put in the hard work. It's not enough to simply want a well-behaved dog; you have to be willing to practice every day, be consistent in your training, and push through the challenging moments. This was a valuable reminder for me not just in my dog training, but in other areas of my life as well.
Overall, this weekend of dog training was a valuable experience that taught me a lot about myself. I learned about the importance of regulating my emotions, the value of mental stimulation, and the power of a good challenge!
