I got blocked today. Again.
This is the part of dog training that I wasn’t prepared for. I knew I’d want to advocate for dogs. I knew I’d want to educate the general public about the things I’ve learned about dogs. I knew I wanted to help dogs live their best lives, and guardians do the same.
What I wasn’t prepared for was advocacy being met with conflict. I didn’t expect that people who seemed really nice would perceive me as being rude, judgmental, and criticizing.
Here’s the thing, though. As an educated and experienced dog professional, my job isn’t just training dogs. It’s not just coaching people, either. It’s educating. As someone who does know about dogs (even though it’s a drop in the bucket because nobody knows everything), I feel I have a responsibility to dogs to educate on their behalf. Whether it’s a friend of mine, an acquaintance, client, or total stranger asking for tips and advice, my responsibility is to the dogs. If there was one thing I could ensure that people who interact with me understand, it’s that I am going to be honest. Even if it’s not what they want to hear. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if I get blocked. I am still going to be honest.
That honesty does not ever come from a place of judgement. It truly comes from a place of wanting to educate and support, with the dogs welfare as the priority. Dogs don’t have voices. They don’t really have a lot of say in much of their lives, at all, actually. We humans control where they go, who they interact with, when and where they relieve themselves, even when, what, and how much they eat. As humans, we have perceptions about how their lives should be lived, but it may not be what they actually want and need to have fulfilled lives. They rely on us for everything, and that includes having someone be their advocate.
Sometimes that means saying hard things. Sometimes that means saying something the guardian doesn’t want to hear. Sometimes it makes people not like me anymore. My priority will always be the dogs. For their safety, their wellbeing, and their total welfare. I don’t just want dogs to do better, I want them to feel their best. I believe that they need someone in their corner, someone willing to be honest even when it’s not easy, and I happily take that role.
Pride, popularity, ego… even income, will all take a backseat to education and advocacy at Your Happy Dog Coach.
I’m here to educate, support, and speak up for the dogs. Even above training. I will not compromise my values when it comes to dogs. If a dogs needs are overlooked or misunderstood, I will choose to speak up over keeping the peace.
I will lose comfort before I lose integrity. Even if it means I lose likes, even it it means I lose business, even if it means I lose approval. The dogs total wellbeing comes first. Always.
If you are connected to me, personally or professionally, you’ll always get honesty, respect, and real information. Because that’s what my values are, and also because that’s what every dog (and everyone) deserves. I will always try my best to not be blunt or rude, and if it feels that way, please know that it comes from the right place. And please talk to me about it., because I can promise, that’s never my intent.
As for me? I want to work with people who are open to learning and growing. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be willing to unlearn outdated advice, be honest, and put in the work yourselves. And if you already know that your dog is their own “self” who has their own needs, emotions, and instincts, who doesn’t need to be “fixed” but does need to be understood, loved, and valued for who they are, then: bonus points!
I want to work with people who will understand that if and when I speak up, it’s not with criticism or judgement.
It’s to speak for the dog who cannot speak for themselves.