- Pay more attention to others, less to yourself. Dogs don’t care about what they are doing. They care about what you are doing. And that makes us feel good.
- Don’t let a “no” derail your efforts. Sure, your dog might pout or cower if told “no” forcefully. But dogs don’t stay in that negative emotional space long. In no time at all, they are right back with you, tail wagging, and ready for more fun.
- Spend more time in the moment. Dogs don’t live much in the past (see above). And, they never live in the future. They spend most of their time completely attentive to the here and now and the humans in front of them.
- Be consistent. Dogs know, seemingly to the minute, when mealtime is. They seek routine and consistency which build trustworthiness and credibility.
- Greet people with enthusiasm. If there is one key lesson all dogs teach us it’s that being greeted with enthusiasm is one of the best feelings in the world.
This article was originally posted on Jason’s Blog in August 2022. To read more, visit www.jasonmcneal.com.
