Yoga Mindset

One of the first things I learned about yoga is that we visit the mat to accept ourselves as we are. We must listen to our bodies, if the stretch feels good then push a little further. If the stretch causes pain, ease back to a more comfortable position. It is important to accept oneself where you are at in your yoga practice, and remember that dedication will help you grow.

What if we applied this same way of thinking to training with our dogs? If we were able to accept our dog where they are at in their level of training, we would gain so much patience. You accept where your dog (or your response) is struggling, and plan ways to practice success in these areas. This might look like doing some reading or research, watching videos online, or reaching out to a professional dog trainer.

Applying this new mindset can help you and your dog’s skills grow. To ensure you see progress, try setting a few goals for them, a general timeline, and daily practice. If my dog was having issues lunging and barking at other dogs it sees on walks, I would plan out week by week goals. Week 1: stop the barking/whining through redirection and leash manners practices. Week 2: stop the pulling on the leash. Week 3: hold the dog’s focus when other dog present. The best part about this practice is that each goal helps the next become easier.

It is important to be mindful of the level of your expectations. If your dog has had 2 or 3 years of consistently pulling, barking and lunging at other dogs on a walk, it is going to take longer than just 1 month to correct that behavior. The good thing is that as you continue practicing with your dog, you will be able to increase the level of your expectations as your dog continues making progress.