Raising a Dog Isn’t a Race

Last week was Monday’s first full week home and we are starting to find our groove and get to know each other. Our first week wasn’t anything crazy, learning to play, learning to learn, meeting the family, a few field trips, learning his name, kennel training, potty training, and getting SOOOO much sleep (him, not me ). That’s about it…

The one thing I regularly find myself struggling with when it comes to my dogs, especially puppies, is remembering we have time. Social media loves to show us impressive things like young puppies who seem to know all the things and can do all the things. It makes us think we need to do the same with our own puppies and if we don’t we are failing them or falling behind. But social media doesn’t ever give us the full picture of things and it certainly doesn’t show us things that aren’t flashy. A puppy that knows ALL THE THINGS is cool and impressive, but I have found that having a puppy that has solid foundations is much nicer to live with in the long run. I have my puppy’s entire life to teach them tricks, but right now is my opportunity, during the socialization window, to teaching him the world is a great place, that I like when he offers behaviors, that scary things aren’t so scary, that people and other animals are generally cool, but that doesn’t mean it’s always time to play with them, that mom is the coolest, and learn when it is time to GO and when it is time to rest.

None of these things involve obedience or tricks because at the end of the day I want a dog who can exist without that stuff. A dog who can listen to commands is great, but a dog who doesn’t always need them is even better.

Raising a dog isn’t a race or a competition. Taking your time and letting them be puppies is important, be kind to yourself and enjoy the process of raising a dog that you want to live with, whatever that may look like.

Also Monday says get yourself a good hat, because everyone needs a hat that makes them feel fancy.