We meet as we are

A while ago, whilst drinking tea I was thinking about all the dogs we’ve walked with 💗😍 and realised we’ve been walking with dogs for about 10 years! 😮😍

Timid, strong, fast, doodlers, big, small, tiny, anxious, traumatised, masking, shy, joyful, unconfident, pullers, excited, herders.

They’ve all met us as they are, and that’s how we meet them, as individuals, with stories to tell us.

Someone asked me recently what commands we use, so they could use the same, as they noticed that their dogs were much calmer, more settled and more engaged and responsive. I paused and thought, and replied ‘we don’t really use verbal commands, unless it’s to remind them that our time together is mutual, a two way street’.

We often walk in rural, wooded areas in verbal silence, to allow for the stronger, richer communication to come through, and when we do verbalise it’s usually a conversation about why we need be quick or wait, rather than a command, or to reassure them that it’s ok and that we’ve got their back. Oh and we say thank you to them often 💗🙏

We don’t ‘Train’ as such, we listen, see, watch, observe and respond, so any changes naturally embed into their time with us.

Spending time with us away from their humans is so important, as it gives them a change, a chance to break free from routine, a chance to unravel, a time to just be 🌸

All those dogs over the years! 😍

All those layers that have unfolded, behaviours that have changed, confidence that has built, sadness that has left, anxiety that has transformed, ‘masking aggression’ that has fallen away, herding that has diluted, joy that has come through, as each dog has realised it’s ok 💗✨