Читать книгу My Dog, My Buddha - Kimberly Artley - Страница 23

14.

Stand your ground.

As I’ve said before (and will continue to say throughout the book), training Dog is about relationship. Partnership. Team building. Establishing a mutual line of effective communication.

Each dog that comes into our care will always require something new and different of us, challenging us in a number of ways to step up and into our strength. Our influence, our power. That space of calm and assuredness we all have within. Standing our ground without fear. Without doubt. Without hesitation.

Trust and respect creates the foundation from which every sound relationship stems from. We gain this when we trust and respect ourselves first and foremost. Each being has a radar for this, especially Dog. If we don’t trust and respect ourselves, no one else will, either.

We also push trust and respect further away through being passive, overly accommodating, manipulating, inconsistent, and not following through.

So, how do we stand our ground?

1. Set clear boundaries, and consistently follow through with them.

2. Do not second-guess or doubt yourself! When you’re clear with your intentions, and know them to be fair and just, you’ll naturally be more confident in your approach and expectations.

3. Stand tall and unwavering in your space and stance. Claim it. Own it. Shoulders down and back. Head high. Both feet planted firmly on the ground. This stance speaks volumes without the need for words.

4. Be calm, clear and grounded (read: unemotional) in your directive. Remember, dogs get their cues and guidance from us, so make sure your body language is clear and succinct; matching the command and expectation. Guide your pup with your body language. Calm yet firm.

5. Move forward, towards and into; not back and in retreat. This generates “special pressure”, a strategy used to ask for or gain more space using our body and body language.

Developing the ability to honor ourselves, stand our ground and own our space, not only garners trust and respect; but sends the reassuring message that we’re safe to follow. Dogs will feel much more secure and comforted in the knowing that their human’s “got it” and can handle whatever may come their way.

Standing our ground is a daily practice and an ongoing process, but totally worth the effort.

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