A note about dog training

I want you to meet someone really special!

This is Mia, she is a dog who is very near and dear to my heart. 💗 She was just a baby when I started working at her daycare over three years ago.

I've watched this girlie grow up, done puppy training with her and her mum, she's even stayed at my house!

She is SO smart, and very sensitive. And just like many smart, sensitive dogs, she can find the world overwhelming.

Mia has always been a huge source of learning for me. She's just a one in a million dog. (I'm well aware that we shouldn't have favourites but here we are)

This month, she taught me something invaluable.

Just as much as we talk about positive reinforcement, consent, pacing, and awareness of the dog's emotional state, we forget we need ALL of that for the humans too.

Dog trainers: we all want to info dump and geek out. We feel pressure to GET IT DONE. Would you do that to the dog? No. So stop doing it to the people.

Dog owners: the work you do with your dog should fill your cup (thats a whole nother post right there!) You should never have to feel like you don't measure up.

I've been so grateful for this girl for all the lessons she's taught me, but this one is especially poignent.

Her mum is also someone I'm grateful to know over these past few years. I know that her and Mia are still at the beginning of a long and beautiful journey together, and I'm so happy to play a small part in it.

Do you have a dog who just seems to teach you ALL the lessons? Share a picture and tell me about the most imortant thing they taught you!