The Willing Client
How do I describe this client of mine who always leaves me smiling? Her dog has issues. His previous owner got him at eight weeks and promptly plopped him in the garage with an older, not-so-friendly dog where he stayed until he was four months old. Somehow, he was able to adapt to his new home, complete with small children and another dog who is about the same age.
His issues? Well, he tends to start any meeting with a new dog by fighting. Originally, he would lunge maniacally on-leash toward any stranger or dog...but we've gotten past that now. He is still quite nervous about stange men and does the funniest air-snap I've ever seen. I know, air-snaps are warnings and they aren't funny...but his just are! He's a goofy looking Lab mix whose name is Bubba, which refers to his Bubba Gump style.
Anyway, back to his lovely owner. I can't quite figure out what is so great about her, but I'll try to explain. First, she listens. She asks a lot of questions, but then she actually actively listens to the answers. It's just fantastic! Also, she is totally focused during our training sessions on doing things right. She doesn't get frustrated with Bubba or herself, she just keeps trying to learn what she needs to do. Her style is calm, caring, yet unemotional in a way.
But I think the thing that made me smile all the way home from my training facility yesterday was her complete openess to what would be right for Bubba, without an ounce of trying to force any outcomes. To clarify, she doesn't hold any fantasies of Bubba romping and playing with large groups of strange dogs at daycare or a dog park. It's quite possible that we can get him there, but if we can't, that's okay, too. I can't tell you how great I think that is! She wants what's best for Bubba, not neccessarily wanting to mold him into some vision of her own.
She's not in a hurry, either. I've never seen such patience and authentic respect for the dog. If Bubba needs to be 25 feet from another dog in order to comfortably do some parallel walking, so be it! If he needs to do that for three weeks, that's what we'll do. It's just so nice to not have to be slowing down the client all the time.
At the same time, she is also very willing to move ahead when Bubba is ready. Believe it or not, some people aren't. Sometimes I am caught in a game of constantly pushing and pulling, advocating for the dog and trying to keep the owner connected.
That's it! Bubba's owner is totally plugged in and connected. She's not just connected to Bubba. She plugged in to the training, the process, the trainer and her dog. She's not concerned so much with how long it will take or how far Bubba can go, but instead totally focused on doing the next right thing. And I am so enjoying taking this journey with her and Bubba.
