In this time of social distancing and self-isolation, we need more than ever to keep in touch with our special people - our families and friends, and those with similar interests who understand us.
There are many good things coming out of this crisis (there always are good things. But if you watch the news all the time you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s all gloom and doom! That’s how they operate.)
There are people who are moving forward boldly to cope with the new life that we are experiencing. And there are those who are bemoaning the loss of their “normal life” and sitting on their hands waiting for it to come back. I fear they will be sadly disappointed.
Think of the clothing manufacturers who have switched from fashion or overcoats and are now making hospital protective clothing. Not only are they saving their businesses, but they’re doing something genuinely useful at the same time!
I was impressed to hear of the manager of a company which makes domestic washers and driers. They have immediately switched their production to making mobile washbasin cabinets for hospitals. This is a great example of the manager NOT panicking, but thinking on his feet how best he could serve at this time, while protecting his staff and his business.
The ability to “pivot” when you find yourself in a cul-de-sac is what differentiates those who struggle from those who make the best of things.
The internet was made for a time like this! And companies who can offer online conferencing - the ideal way to keep personal contact as well as distanced working - have seen a 20-fold increase in their business in the last month.
In my own space, many dog trainers who have been forced to shut down the dog training schools they have spent years building up have turned their hand to making themselves available to their clients in other ways.
There are online businesses who are offering free programs to help people now, and sadly there are those that are capitalising on the crisis in order to make a lot of money. Of course people must keep their businesses afloat, but it’s important to honour your integrity and act according to your values.
What’s this got to do with dog training?
A lot! The only life we know is the one we are living right now. And that’s the life we need to make the best of.
So instead of regretting what we don’t have - let’s look at what we do have!
Here are some thoughts from students in my Growly Program on how they are making the best of this enforced change. I love to see that they are taking a proactive approach, and managing their mindset in this challenging time:
C kicked off with this report.
“We’re progressing nicely here with our mini garden agility course, sniff games, and all the other things you’ve kindly recommended. It’s so much fun!!”
K told us that having a growly, reactive dog used to make her feel lonely and inadequate.
“Especially during this time of lockdown, isolation and uncertainty, the camaraderie and understanding of the community of other students is invaluable.”
J pointed out that there’s a silver lining for those under Lockdown: the quieter roads and areas reachable on foot are ideal at the moment for training a Growly Dog!
“In this particular, peculiar and difficult time, for those able to do so, getting started over the next few weeks and months to training a dog whose habits are difficult to live with, would be wise use of this time.”
T was talking about a breakthrough she had in the program in realising that the control we try to exert on everything in our lives - from our surroundings, to other people, and to our dogs - actually works against us! She put it very succinctly when she observed:
“You know when someone else always drives you to a certain destination, then, when it’s time for you to drive yourself you don't know how to get there. That's what Paisley's walks have been like her whole life - me, always driving her where I wanted her to go without allowing her the time she needed to take it all in. How eye-opening for both of us!”
And M, who’s always full of ideas, added that there are so many things we can choose to do safely during this time for ourselves and our dogs: we can choose new activities or rest when needed.
“We have control of what we choose to do, then have a choice to analyze the outcome, and change things if needed.
We don’t need to be stuck in our lizard brain (survival - fight or flight), but stay more in our thinking brain: this is exactly the time to make changes that will have a lasting impact on the rest of your life with your dog.”
In a plumbing emergency, trying to mop up the flood and rescue her home, L noticed her dog dozing peacefully amidst the chaos. She adopted a new thought: Be like Annie!
“I need to maintain perspective with the water, the pandemic, and everything else rather than allowing them to dictate how I think, feel and behave.”
There is no situation so bad that we can’t make it worse by over-reacting to it. Chris Hadfield, astronaut
Inspiration!
Do those comments inspire you? I hope so, as they show a firm grasp of how we need to think - at any time, but especially now - to get the best from this one exciting life of ours!
I’m proud to have helped these students, not only with the Growly Dog problems that they arrived with, but to change their mindset in order to change their experience of the world.
It really isn’t just a question of changing your dog (or other people, or the world). It’s about changing us!
For more thoughts about changing our thoughts to change our lives
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