Dogs can and should be… uncomfortable at times!

While observing our newest litter of pups, I saw something I have seen many times in the past... a mother cleaning her pups. It occurred to me that this is the first act in advocating for the safety and health of her puppies, and it makes them uncomfortable.

While they nurse or while they sleep, she interupts their happy state to clean them. They squeal in displeasure, yet she continues unfazed. She knows it must be done. She finishes her duty to care for them, and they return to a state of bliss, nuzzled next to her.

You must understand that the puppies need stimulus to defecate and urinate. Without this stimulus, they would likely die. They would end up with a toxic backup in their system. This process can last 2-3 weeks while they develop function over their bowels. They don't seem to understand or like the process, as determined by their squealing. The mother does not back down, she presses on in the name of safety - and is truly teaching the puppies' bowels to function on their own.

I recently read an article by a purely positive training philosophy program that said you should never make your dog uncomfortable or allow it to feel uncomfortable because it will scar them - make them more fearful, and promote bad behavior. I shrugged it off, knowing it is just not the case.

Then, I read another article this morning saying dogs NEED to feel uncomfortable at times in order to learn. It is a great contrast to what I read a couple of days ago. Lightbulb lit up as I watched pups this morning and I had to share a practical application of this.

Viktor E. Frankl wrote this, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

My challenge to you is to THINK about nature. THINK about nurture. THINK about how you want your dog to behave. Then, THINK about how you HELP it become more confident, better behaved, more trusting of you as a leader. Being uncomfortable (getting out of your comfort zone) stimulates growth in most cases. Overcoming and doing what you didn't think you can feels amazing! Why not share that feeling with your dog - teach it to overcome!

You must create positive outcomes with your dog, and sometimes that IS a little uncomfortable. The reward on the other side is a fresh, new outlook on a once fearful, stressful situation. You build confidence in the process when done correctly. Lead your dog THROUGH the stress. That is your job as a dog owner. It isn't always easy to do, so we are here to help.