Four Legged Scholars LLC – Dog Training – Hiram

Today, I was hiking at the Field Station in Hiram. Dog training is definitely something I am always thinking about. I am going through a profound experience that I wanted to relate to dog training.

I know so many of you struggling with your dogs and are feeling stressed and frustrated. You are not alone and I am here to help. I am hoping this post helps you create more peace of mind with your dog.

So that you can understand the whole concept that I am experiencing I am going back to Thanksgiving. I was riding in the car for about 2.5 hours in the car with my parents to see my brother. Normally this would be a very boring experience.

This time I was on the verge of am epiphany because I decided to listen to the Tao of Pooh on Hoopla. This book teaches a basic life concept to work with whatever happens in your life. As a result, you will live harmoniously with all beings and create ultimate peace and happiness.

Simplicity is the way to live and when complexity is added the power of simplicity is spoiled and so is your happiness. Pooh was very good at simplicity and happiness. Owl was full of knowledge and had a more complex life experience.

Tigger definitely ignored the harmonious concept and caused much stress. He also was unaware of his limitations and believed that he could do anything.

As I was walking in Hiram today, I thought about my recent diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and Tigger. Before I was aware of my limitations I thought I could do anything. I thought I could ski on advance level slopes, learn how to do moguls, and rock climb like a pro.

I thought about the amount of pain I had felt during these activities in the past. I wanted to ignore it and keep doing what everyone else of doing. If my friend could climb up that wall so could I. If brother could do moguls, I could do them.

What I had realized today is that I was attempting to become something that I wasn’t. I was in pain. My nervous system had caused tension in my body due to past trauma. As a result, I could not climb or ski like my friends or my brother.

I could only climb and ski as I honored myself and the pain that I was experiencing. This means that I may not be able to climb the same wall that my friend could climb and I may not be able to do moguls at this time in my life.  It may be different in the future but I have to honor what is true right now. Be simple and be harmonious.

How many of us have dogs that we compare to other dogs? We constantly compare our dog to our neighbor’s dog or to a past dog that we have owned. Your dog needs to be honored for who he is and not for what you want him to be.

If you have a dog that barks and lunges at other dogs. This needs to be accepted. It means you have a dog that cannot be walked in large dog populated areas without stressing yourself or your dog out.

If you have a dog that barks and is aggressive when people come to your home, it means that your dog will not be calm when someone comes to the door.

The first step is to accept who your dog really is and what he capable of doing at this time. Work with what is so. It is a tough road to be on especially if you are into dog training. Hiram friends and family may constantly be attempting to convince you that your dog can be like their dog.

Well your dog cannot be like their dog because your dog isn’t that dog. Your dog is your dog. He is who he is and he is not someone else. Keep it simple.

Once you can honor your dog’s limitations, you will be more successful with your dog training. Hiram friends and family may not understand, but in time they will. As you honor your dog’s limitations you will begin to take him in environments where he can be happy and harmonious.

No more walking a barking dog in busy dog areas. No more having your dog out when visitors come over if this stresses your dog out.

Once you do this your dog will begin to feel honored and then more at peace. Now that you have fully accepted your dog’s limitation, you can look at what you can do about it.

For me once I accepted that I had fibromylagia I could begin to take homeopathics that are drastically decreasing the pain in my body. As I keep doing this and honoring what my body says I will notice changes in my life.

So if you accept your dog’s limitation, you will begin treating it. What does your dog need? Is it Western medication from your vet. Is it Eastern treatments such as homeopathics, reiki, accupressure, essential oil etc.?

Is it clicker training or some sort of positive dog training? Hiram and surrounding areas is where I serve so I can help you with a training program tailored just for your dog.

As you listen to your dog’s needs, his behavior will change on it’s own. As I listen to what my body needs I am experiencing less pain and less stress. Do the same for your dog. Honor his limitations and then from there involve dog training.

Hiram friends and family will still find that your dog will not be like their dog but your dog will become more balanced and at peace. Isn’t that what we all want? As your dog is at peace, you will feel more at peace too.

Best wishes in your dog training. Hiram is excited to see the positive changes that occur as you create simplicity, harmony and happiness.

Tell us about your dog.

Johanna Teresi, Hiram Dog Trainer and Owner of Four Legged Scholars LLC, Dog Training, Hiram and Surrounding Areas