Jocko and Me — The Big Picture
#jockosez #puppytraining #dogtraining
Learning to live with Jocko — the training, nurturing, protecting, and loving — has taught me a wealth of things that I didn’t expect, more than leashes, walking, and commands. And they’re big things too. They flavor everything else I do. Plus, they have made it all an emotional and deep reaching personal experience.
“Well, what are these things, Darrell?” you ask. I’ll tell you. Here are five big picture super-lessons I’ve learned with Jocko. They may apply to you and your pup.
#5 — If things go sideways with Jocko in any way, it’s my fault. If he gets loose and runs away, if he piddles in the house, if he chews on a piece of furniture, or worst of all, something happens to him, it’s on me. He’s just a dog doing what dogs do. It’s my responsibility to make sure he’s taken care of, nurtured, and protected to the very best of my ability.
#4 — Raising a puppy is a full time job. They need attention. They need leadership and guidance. They need affection. To give them anything less than 100% of yourself all the time is doing a disservice to them. Set your phone down, step away from your computer, turn off the TV. Anytime is puppy time.
#3 — Dogs are intelligent, sophisticated beings. Be respectful of that. They’re not some kind of house ornament or decoration or trophy. No matter what size they are, they are a companion to you, they know how to communicate, and they know how to reason. Don’t brush them off as a “dumb dog”. They remember.
#2 — A well exercised dog is a happy, easier-to-handle dog. It couldn’t be more plain: when your puppy is physically satisfied by not only being taken for frequent walks but also with periods of exercise and physical challenge, they’re much easier to deal with. They’ll walk with you easier, they’ll sleep better, and they’ll be a much better companion. My first motivation for getting a dog in the first place was to have a walking companion. We are both happier because of that.
And #1 — You are as much their human as they are your dog. You are creating a relationship, a relationship built on trust and affection. They are not a possession; you are adopting them into your family, even if you’re the only other member of that family. I love Jocko, and I would never consciously do anything that would jeopardize his well being in any way. Just the opposite; I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to enhance his happiness, as I do for every other member of my family: my wife and my children.
It may sound sappy, but a new puppy or dog, no matter their age, has the sensibilities of a small child, with their eyes and love fixed squarely on you. You need to embrace that. And when you do, and your actions reflect that, the rewards of your relationship with your dog will fill your heart with joy.