Comments on: The Puppiness Project – Don’t Be in a Hurry to Solve Every Problem (sometimes it’s not a problem at all)

By: Amy@GoPetFriendly

Amy@GoPetFriendly — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 01:35:47 +0000

I have the same tendency – to jump in before giving the dogs time to work things out. I imagine dogs learn a lot more from each other – and do so much more quickly – than they do from us humans. Obviously, you don’t want to let things go too far, but giving the dogs time to resolve things in their own way is probably better. Thanks for the great post.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:55:54 +0000

In reply to Pamela.

Why am I dying laughing at the “ugly” comment? Thanks for the reminder that all things are relative – I think. 🙂

By: Kolchak & Jodi

Kolchak & Jodi — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:26:57 +0000

What a wonderful post! I do so love your puppies project. I definitely need to be more conscious of this. I have a tendency to jump in and start solving before I even take a moment to hang back. Excellent reminder :0)

By: melF

melF — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:38:42 +0000

I love this post! I agree with Kristine. One of my favorites for sure!

I have often let the dogs work things out (as long as I see now worrying body language being exchanged). I also used to be the problem solver, jumping right on something as soon as someone had a problem and needed a resolution. But, when I lost my job over 3 years ago, I came to realize that all that work I did to help everyone didn’t make me invaluable, just harried and stressed. It took losing my job to gain a little perspective.

Your phrase “before I came along people did fine and they will continue to do fine once I’ve long left this earth.” is so true. I think there is a lesson here for all of us.

I so love how you think. I wasn’t kidding when I called you and your blog “wise”.

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:27:37 +0000

In reply to Pamela. LOL! I'm afraid to hear their response!!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:22:02 +0000

In reply to 24 Paws of Love. The point my campsite neighbor made was that well-socialized dogs that aren't normally aggressive figure out how to resolve things without bloodshed. Your crew has gotten such great care from you and your husband I'm sure there is little chance of anything serious happening.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:20:35 +0000

In reply to Jen.

I have had dogs that really fought (blood drawn and everything) and it is terrifying. But most of the time it doesn’t come to that. Like your story about Leroy and Sherman, we need to trust the dog.

Why don’t you ask the boys what other things you need to let go of? 🙂

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:18:32 +0000

In reply to Jodi.

It’s amazing how many things work themselves out without our intervention. I should make a poster for my wall as a reminder. 🙂

Honey would be happy to visit and share her puppy wisdom–for treats.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:17:23 +0000

In reply to Julie. A lot of trainers are very down on dog parks. I wonder how many problems in dog parks stem from inappropriate human behavior? Hmmm, that could be a good grad school thesis for someone.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:16:13 +0000

In reply to houndstooth.

You’re so right about children needing to learn how to work things out. We’re in the era of helicopter parenting and it does cause problems.

I read an article recently about Optimist boat races. An Optimist sailboat is one that can be built by a kid and a parent out of two sheets of plywood. After it’s built, the kids race it.

Apparently, parents are hiring professional designers to build their child’s sailboat and have coaches in “nanny boats” telling the kids what to do to win the race.

Those are going to be some very disappointed kids when the nanny boat disappears.