It is a scary proposition to ensure emotional well-being with a puppy who will likely not directly interact with more than - what, five? - five humans during the first six months of their lives with us, at least. As this crisis has grown, as the situation became quickly as serious as it now is, I got it.

I got it.

…I thought I got it.

It is okay not to say hi. Your dog should not be expected to love everyone they meet. They should be permitted their space. They should be given the balance of freedom and management that allows them to live their most fulfilled life. Parallel walk with known, neutral dogs. Muzzle train. Take them for decompression walks, and train behaviors that reward them for looking to you rather than losing their minds.

Above all, embrace the “No.”

Who knew that virtual learning could be key to a better relationship with my dog (and my people, for that matter)?

Our dogs are so good at knowing the value of doing less.

We might want to look to them for guidance.

Training and working with animals requires an interest in behavior, and interest in how human’s build society and communication and how that translates (or, more often, doesn’t) to the canine.  It requires patient development, understanding of motivation.  It understands a desire to help people and their animals achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves.

And it requires intention.