This week’s post comes to us courtesy of the exceptional writer and dog trainer Nancy Tanner. Check her website and you’ll see she’s the Founding Owner at Paws & People, the Scent Project, and The World Treibball League. Nancy is the recipient (twice) of the Dog Writers Association‘s prestigious Maxwell Medallion, with a total of eight impressive nominations to her credit. She generously allowed me to repost this blog entry in its entirety (thanks, Nancy!). Please note all photos and text are the exclusive property of Nancy Tanner.
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the misunderstanding of time
When I am asked what is the biggest problem I see in dog training today, it is the same problem I saw fourteen years ago, and thirty years ago, it is the misunderstanding of time.
It takes time to learn how to be a teacher to another species.
It takes time to learn how to learn from another species.It takes time to build understanding.It takes time to learn how to observe and how to apply what you observe.It takes time to build a relationship with trust.It takes time to get to know one another.It takes time teach.It takes an enormous amount of time to build skill on both ends of the leash.It takes time to learn.It take time to learn about humility.It takes time to learn how to work together.It takes time to learn about the things in training you don’t even know that you don’t know yet.It takes time to learn about your own short comings.It takes time to forgive your own short comings and learn how to move on with your dog.It takes a life time to practice compassion.
It takes time, all of it.
You cannot rush a relationship.
You cannot rush the teaching or learning process, on either end of the leash.You cannot rush maturity or the lack there of.You cannot rush your skills, or your dogs understanding of your skills.My advice to new dog owners, seasoned dog owners, and want to be dog owners – learn how to settle in, learn that nothing will happen over night. Learn that if you try to take short cuts and try to make it all happen to fit your schedule, or your desires, or your needs, it will come back to bite you in the ass, figuratively or literally.~ Nancy***
If you’re interested in sharing Nancy’s post via your own site or other social media, see the copyright notice on her site for details. And while you’re there, be sure to read more posts; she’s a terrific writer!
Such a well considered post!
June, I think Nancy’s post (and her entire blog) resonates well with all dog owners, no matter their experience.
Nancy’s post reminded me that I cannot rush the time Sasha and I need to learn to work together. We’re making great progress in daily training, while we’re still at the baby-step stage of the socialization process. Some days she’s open to meeting others and some days she’s clearly not, and I have to pay close attention to read the signals and step in when necessary. I want Sasha to proceed at her own pace, so she’ll feel safe and confident when meeting others (whether human or canine). It truly takes time–and patience too!
I’m sure you have patience in spades and Sasha is very lucky to have you