Yesterday was apparently “Celebrate your unique talent” day. (Who thinks these things up?)
Do you have a unique talent? Does your dog have one?
I was trying to think if Gus or I have any special talents. I suppose I can play the piano and make cards – and I can train dogs and owners. Gus has an amazing nose and can find particular scents really well.
It’s a funny thing, but as soon as you can do something it becomes ordinary, to you at least, so you might not recognise it as a talent.
Striving for the next thing, learning that training exercise, worrying about what you can’t yet do – it’s all normal.
For example, your dog might walk really well on a loose lead – but you might be focusing on training a better recall. Perhaps your dog is great at being left home alone – but you want her to stop barking at other dogs when out and about.
You forget just how much you’ve taught your dog already – to be clean in the house, to chew only their own toys, to enjoy cuddles, for example – because you’re focused on what you want them to do next.
We don’t take time to celebrate how far we’ve come often enough.
Think what your dog is great at and celebrate that today.
Celebrate your own talents too.
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol