A Different Perspective for Adopters of “Rescue” Dogs
                                    
I had a phone call yesterday with someone who just signed up for a Basic Manners Class.
When people sign up for this class, I always call to talk a little about the dog.  I like to be sure my classes are safe, and organized and that the group setting is not beyond what the dog can handle.  I can always tell by this conversation if this is the situation or not.

If this information does come out from this call, it doesn't mean the dog can NEVER handle a group setting but maybe he needs a private lesson first.  Or perhaps the family needs a private setting first.  

In any case, these calls are very informative for me. The call is also helpful for the new student. I'm sure it's comforting to hear from the trainer, especially in this day and age of less communication due to online automation.

I have been training now for 30 years which makes me feel really old at times but it also fills me with a sense of security knowing that I’ve worked with so many dogs and so many families.  I feel secure in the fact that I can indeed help those who want help with their situations around their new dog.

One common conversation happened yesterday on one of these calls.  I asked my normal questions about this new 8-month-old dog that was now signed up for my next group class.  

In talking with the owner, it sounded like she was really stuck in the dog's past life.  What I mean by that is, often people get stuck in thinking that the new dog or puppy has had such a traumatic past that he needs to be treated very carefully so as not to upset him.

Dogs do not live in the past.  Sure, a dog can have trauma and what I call baggage due to his previous life, but dogs live in the present tense.  They don’t think about their past, they don’t think about their future, they are in the now!  That’s what makes dogs so cool.  

Can you imagine if you could live every moment in your life in the NOW?  How great would that be?

I also reminded my new student, like I remind so many others, that the dog in question is no longer in a bad situation. He is now in a GREAT situation.  A new home with new owners who adore him and are able to take care of him.  There are millions of dogs (and cats) that will never have that.  

My new student was very grateful for this conversation as that is exactly what was happening in her case. She thanked me several times and that made me feel very good to have been able to help her.

Please do not under-appreciate that your dog is now in a great home.  You can and should set that new dog up for success by giving him or her the training that he needs to be successful in our strange human world.
My message:  Let go of your dog’s baggage.  The sooner you do, the sooner he will do the same.  Your dog needs a lot more than love.  Your dog needs consistency, clear outcomes, and lots of training.  

I hope this resonates with you or someone you know.