Being a Fun Dog Mom

December 18, 2023

Imagine if you were a dog, which kind of human mom would you prefer? Some are like the “No” moms, always restraining and saying “No”, moving at a pace far slower than our natural canine gait. Others, though equally slow, allow freedom, show interest in what I am working on, and always have snacks to share whenever I look up.

The answer is obvious.

The Boring Mom

Initially, I was a “No” mom, or a boring mom. Being human-centric, I blamed my dog for not being well-behaved every time she walked too fast or ignored my commands. I was always shouting “No” to her, which cast a shadow of frustration over our walks.

I experimented with positive leash training, and initially, she seemed aware that it was a training session, showing some cooperation. However, the moment she encountered something exciting, she would slip into “the zone”, completely ignoring me and even ignoring treats.

A dog sniffing, completely in "the zone" and ignoring everything else, Created by DALL•E.

Dog-Centric Thinking

It took me a while to finally understand that a dog’s world is way different than ours. To foster a healthy relationship with my furry friend, I needed to embrace what I called “dog-centric thinking”.

My dog spends all day indoors, making every outdoor excursion a treasure trove of sights, sounds, and smells. It's in their nature to be curious and playful, and it's unrealistic to expect them to be indifferent to their surroundings.

The Fun Mom

Having dog-centric thinking in mind, I decided to respect and participate in my dog’s explorative spirit - being the “Fun Mom”.

“Why not sniff that tree and see what’s there?” became my new approach, accompanied by treats not as training tools but as genuine rewards for her engaging behavior. My dog quickly distinguished between the lackluster praise of training sessions and the enthusiastic "good girl" from her adventure-loving mom.

Since then, our walks have become more joyful and stress-free adventures for both of us.