Having patience for your puppy or dog's behavior might be one of the most difficult things in the world... but in this episode, I'm going to explain why that patience is key to your happiness when raising a dog!
Too often with our dogs, we expect things to happen overnight. But, newsflash... they aren't robots!
Having patience for our dogs can not only help when it comes to training, but creating a better relationship with our dogs as well!
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OVERVIEW OF HAVING PATIENCE FOR YOUR DOG
After moving across the country with my 3 dogs I was taught a powerful lesson in patience. I expected my dog Sunny to be the fastest at learning to go potty in a new environment, turned out she was the slowest of all 3 dogs! I let myself get frustrated and impatient because I had expectations that didn't match reality.
She really wasn't doing anything wrong... just adjusting!
There are two very important things to remember...
1. Every dog is different.
2. Your expectations/timelines don't matter to your dog.
There are many times where we get frustrated because we think our dogs should be learning things faster than they are, but like people, dogs work at their own pace, and on their own time. So it is important to take a step back, and think if you are creating unrealistic timelines for your dog in your head. Working towards understanding our dog’s behaviors can also help us understand why they do the things they do!
When training, it is important to try to set your dog up for success, and that means moving at their pace! Take things day by day, hour by hour if needed. With time, patience, and training you will get there! But need a little extra motivation? Check out this blog post on Puppy Blues. Having a dog can be hard! But we always think that it is worth it!
Related Reading: 21 Dog Training Mistakes
RECAP OF HOW TO BE PATIENT WITH A PUPPY
So, learn from my mistakes and remember to be patient with your dog. Whether you're working on overcoming separation anxiety, biting, or leash pulling problems you will be better served to put in the training and be patient with your dog's progress.
Remember that all dogs are different in their progress AND that progress is not linear!
If you're needing some extra training help, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup. It's a 100% free (no credit card required) course that covers biting, leash walking, potty training and more. Sign up for free here!
Let me know in the comments how being patient has helped your dog's behavior.
Related Reading: My Dog Doesn't Want to Walk, What Should I Do?
