16 ways to make life happier with your dog

Here are 16 things you should stop doing in order to make life with your dog happier and your relationship stronger.

1 Stop being fussy — don't worry, be happy
Being a perfectionist has advantages and disadvantages. Things seldom go 100% the way you expect. You can and should plan and train, but be prepared to accept all kinds of minor mishaps along the way. In most situations "good enough" is sufficient, so why worry about perfection, a concept that only exists in your head and doesn't make either you or your dog happy?

2 Stop being too serious — have a laugh
If you don't have a good sense of humour, don't live with a dog. During your dog-owning life there'll be many incidents where laughter is the best way out. Laugh at your mistakes, as long as no-one gets hurt. Don't be embarrassed. Your dog doesn't even know what embarrassment is. Follow their example.

3Stop your desire to control everything — take it as it comes
If you attempt to control your dog's every move, you'll end up with an ulcer or fall into a depression. Of course, you should have reasonable control over your dog for safety's sake, but let go of anything that's not a matter of life or death. Total control is unnecessary and self-defeating. Take it as it comes and keep smiling!

4Stop apportioning blame — move on
When things go wrong (and they will), don't waste your time in blame. Was it your fault, the dog's fault, or the neighbour's cat's fault? Who cares? Move on. If you found it upsetting, try to avoid a similar situation in the future. If it was no big deal, forget about it.

5Stop believing in old wives' tales — be critical
The Internet provides quick and easy access to a lot of valuable information—and a lot of junk as well. Think about it. Seek a second and third opinion. If the argument is sound and you like it, then do it. If the argument is sound but you don't like it, don't do it. If the argument is unsound, reject it and forget about it. Make up your own mind and do what you think is right.

6Stop caring about labels — be free
Should you be a positive, balanced, realistic, progressive, clicker-fan or authoritarian dog owner? Stop caring about labels. Just enjoy those great moments with your dog. Labels are for insecure people that need to hide behind an image. Believe in yourself, be the type of dog owner you want to be. You don't need a label.

7Stop caring about what others think — live your life
You live your whole life with yourself and much less time with anyone else. So, why care about what other people think about you and your dog's behaviour, when you probably won't see them again or you'll only ever see them sporadically? If they like you and your dog, fine. If they don't, it's not your problem.

8Stop complaining — don't waste your time
You only have a problem when there's a discrepancy between the way things are and the way you expect or want them to be. If your expectations are realistic, try and do something about it. If they're not, stop complaining. If you can do something about it, do it. If you can't, move on.

9Stop excusing yourself — be yourself
You don't have to excuse yourself or your dog for the way you are. As long as you don't bother anyone, you are both entitled to do what you like and be the way you are. You don't need to be good at anything, and you don't need excuses why not. Change what you want to change and can change; and don't waste time and energy thinking about what you don't want to, don't need to or can't change. Do whatever you and your dog enjoy, so you're both happy. It's as simple as that!

10Stop feeling bad — act now
If you're unhappy with any particular aspect of your life with your dog, do something to change it. Identify the problem, set a goal, make a plan and implement it. Feeling bad and guilty doesn't help anyone—it doesn't help you, your dog, or the other people you share your life with.

11Stop your urge to own — be a mate
The ownership of living beings is slavery; and thankfully slavery was abolished. Don't regard yourself as the owner of your dog. Think of your dog as a friend you're responsible for. By the way, you don't own your children, your partner or your friends either.

12Stop dependency — untie your self
Love your dog but don't create mutual dependency. Have a life of your own and give your dog some space. You and your dog are two independent individuals. Enjoy living together as free agents. Stop projecting yourself onto your dog.

13Stop turning your dog into a substitute — show respect
Love your dog as a dog. Don't make it a substitute for a human partner, a friend, a child or a spouse. To expect anyone to be a substitute is the greatest disrespect you can show to a human as well as non-human animal—and to yourself.

14Stop rationalizing — be truthful
All relationships are trades: you give and you take. There's nothing wrong with that as long as there is balance. Be honest with yourself: what does your dog give you and what do you give your dog? If you find that one of you is almost solely a giver or a taker, think about it and redress the balance.

15Stop wanting what you can't have — be happy with what you've got
You always want what you haven't got and you can be blind to all the good you do have. Your dog already gives you a great deal and the two of you can be perfectly happy together, even if your dog is not particularly good at anything. It's amazing how dog owners say they love their dogs and yet they spend most of the time trying to change their behaviour. Focus on what you do have, not on what you don't, appreciate it and be grateful for it.

16Stop fighting yourself — follow your heart
There are many different ways of being a good dog owner. Yours is your own and different to everyone else's. It's your life. As long as you don't harm anyone, live it the way that feels good for you. Listen to experts, ponder on their advice, but, at the end of the day, do what you feel is right for you. Follow your heart. Be yourself.

KEY POINT: Be honest with yourself

Enjoy what you have and only change things if you have to. Accept "good enough" rather than striving for perfection – which'll just make you unhappy.
Comparing yourself to others in any aspect of life is the road to unhappiness and despondency. Instead, celebrate the great things you do have in your life, including your dog. If you decide you do need to change something about your life with your dog, especially if there is any potential danger about their training or behaviour, then ask us for help.
If your dog won't come back, or pulls strongly on lead so you don't feel safe, or you have any other training issue, come to our signature Perfect Pet course; or book a Personal Pet Package – or book an online Consultation Call if you're further away. If your dog's behaviour worries you, book a Doggy Doctor House Visit or online Consultation Call. You don't need to struggle on your own. We're here to help.