The Joys of a Dog

I love the intersection of the human animal bond and coaching. I see life’s easiest and hardest parts play out in daily, micro experiences of living with a dog.

I began to notice many years ago in my dog training sessions how the clients would describe their dog or their dog’s problems.

Many times underlying the desire to improve the dog’s “unwanted” behavior was a metaphor for the change they wanted in their own life (or career or love life, etc). It would also show up with a desire for a behavior to stop or a feeling they were tired of experiencing.

Talk to me about your dog and I know quite a bit about you.

I can share a recent story about a dog arriving at the beach, for example. The dog’s owner describes how the dog hits the beach sand and sprints across the tidal pools at full speed until they are a dot on the horizon only to return wet, crusty with salt and sand, and panting with a wide grin. I listen as the pet parent shares these details in joy and amazement of her pet.

Photo: H.K.

But what I also hear is how this person has a love of messy adventures, the appreciation of time to have them and the love of freedom to go as far as you want, when you want, so you can return to your loved one, happy and at peace.

You can play the game too. Ask yourself:

In what ways does your dog love life? Where do you see your dog express their joy? You can list one activity or top 3. As you look at that list; How do these feelings of joy show up (or don’t show up) for you? In what ways do you see your dog’s level of joy in your own life? Do you notice an opportunity for more of that kind of joy for yourself?

Photo: H.K.

Hit the yellow button (Leave a Comment), because I would love to read what came up for you.