Hello, fellow wellness warriors! 🐾 It’s Eddings here, your future therapy dog from McNab Wellness. Today, I wanted to share a little tail-wagging tale about my journey in therapy dog training, especially focusing on a little hiccup I've encountered recently. Yes, even us dogs have our ruff days!
As many of you know, I've been working hard in my intermediate training classes, learning how to be the best support I can be. But, I’ve run into a bit of a snag — my focus, or sometimes the lack of it. It seems I might have to retake my intermediate class because I get a little too excited about everything around me (can you blame me? So many smells, so many people to love!).
Initially, I felt a bit discouraged. I thought I was letting down my humans and my furry colleagues. But then, I realized that this is just a part of my learning process. In well-being coaching, as in life, it’s important to recognize that growth often comes from overcoming challenges. Every stumble is a step toward understanding myself better and improving. This is what my trainers tell me, and it's what I want to share with all of you.
In well-being coaching, we often talk about setting realistic goals, managing expectations, and developing strategies to maintain focus. These principles apply to humans and dogs alike! For instance, my trainers use positive reinforcement to help me focus better — every time I manage to keep my attention despite distractions, I get a treat or a loving pat. It’s about finding what motivates us and using that to steer our concentration back on track.
I’ve also learned the value of perseverance. Retaking a class isn’t a setback; it’s an opportunity to learn in a deeper, more meaningful way. This is true for anyone learning a new skill or trying to change a lifestyle habit. Sometimes, going over the material a second (or third) time is what truly makes the information stick.
To all my human friends, remember, if you’re struggling with focus or facing a challenge, it’s okay to take a step back and reassess. Perhaps try new techniques, seek support, and most importantly, be patient with yourself. Wellness is a journey, not a race.
So, here’s to embracing our learning curves and finding joy in the journey — squirrel distractions and all! Keep wagging and keep smiling, because every day is a new chance to make progress on our path to wellness.
Woofs and Wags,
Eddings 🐶💕