Comments on: The Puppiness Project – Work With What You Got

By: Lisa Trost

Lisa Trost — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:37:38 +0000

Wow. What a perfect post for yet another introvert…and for one with a scaredy-cat dog who has never been abused. People assume abuse when a dog is scared of a rake, or the garden hose, or people with hats…especially a rescue dog…when she may just naturally be a timid dog. And you said it perfectly…I need to have the same patience with myself that I have for my dog. Beautiful.

By: Amy@GoPetFriendly

Amy@GoPetFriendly — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:34:20 +0000

It seems to be part of our culture to always be striving for more. We get one house, we want a bigger one, or one in another location where we can go to get away from the first one. The same goes with cars, clothes, and jobs. Being content doesn’t seem to come naturally anymore. It’s unfortunate, because as far as I can tell accepting and being grateful for what we have is the only thing that really makes us happy.

By: didiwright

didiwright — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:24:46 +0000

Learning to work with what you’ve got…Wouldn’t it be cool if we all learnt to do that? Imagine a world of full-potential achievers (whatever the level of ability) and no false expectations…Nice…
Although quite bold and confident for his breed, George is still a shy dog by ‘normal’ dog standards, so I’m in the same position as you: always on the lookout for things that might frighten him. He’s got no problems bursting into the bathroom at the wrong time, though…Maybe Honey can teach him some manners.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:42:35 +0000

Serenity now. 🙂 Why is that darn Serenity Prayer so hard to remember when you need it? (I’m speaking about myself here.) (BTW, I am in awe that you can crank out these posts on your lunch break.)

By: Pup Fan

Pup Fan — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:18:06 +0000

Amen… I think there’s such a message in society that we can do it all if we only work hard enough. That seems a bit unlikely – there’s only so much energy and time in the day!

By: Kristine

Kristine — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:26:01 +0000

Just as people are born with natural tendencies and personalities, so are dogs. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about certain inclinations. You can’t cure Honey’s natural cautiousness and I can’t cure Shiva’s heedlessness. Maybe the best thing to do is just go with it, find a way to make their instinctive behaviours part of our success.

I have a huge tendency to hibernate and to procrastinate. It is all too tempting to take your advice as permission to do so just a little longer!

By: honeysjourney

honeysjourney — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:04:53 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with this post. When I first took in My Honey from a hording situation I just knew I could get her to come around and be just like other dogs. After 20 months of being with her and trying everything I knew regarding training a family dog, I now have the dog I really needed.

She has taught me patience, understanding and how to really love something that isn’t the predetermined norm. She still will not allow petting, leashing, or any of the normal (whatever that is) dog stuff. When asked by visitors why she’s that way, my reply is “Because…. That’s just the way she is right now and maybe always will be”

After, almost 2 years with her, I also learned not to push her, and as a side effect, not to push myself. As I like to say, “100 years from tomorrow who is going to care, no one I know”

By: Greyhounds CAN Sit

Greyhounds CAN Sit — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:24:42 +0000

Maybe we’ll pass on the way? I’m just coming out of hibernation, albeit reluctantly. I love having a good excuse for being lazy. Too cold, too wet, too windy, too dark won’t work for the next 6 months or so:)

You will have heard the old saying about getting the dog you need, not the dog you want? Perhaps in Honey’s case she has got the owner she needs? I can’t think of anybody better to deal with her anxieties than you. I’m sure with you by her side she has a much greater chance of being all that she can:)

By: Peggy Frezon

Peggy Frezon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:43:44 +0000

I love what you learn from Honey. This is something I’ve come to terms with myself, too. Certain things like busy highways, tunnels and being up in a high floor in a skyscraper, make me kind of panicky so I tend to avoid them. For years I have felt like I should face and overcome these things. This actually cases more stress. So lately I just accept that there are certain things that probably will always make me feel a bit stressed and that’s okay. How often do I need to go in a tunnel, anyway?!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:37:36 +0000

In reply to houndstooth. Very wise.