Create your own dog karma

One of my secrets to dog handling is also one of life’s little secrets....everything seems to flow effortlessly when there’s harmony.  In order to achieve harmony we need to be present.   Start this journey by cultivating the ability to let go of the stories we tell ourselves about what our dogs have done in the past (he always barks when people pass by), or how they might react to some future event (she’s afraid of big dogs).

When we tell ourselves these stories we’re projecting ourselves into the past or the future... a place where our dogs have never travelled.  Your dog may be afraid of big dogs, but perhaps it’s also true that when you spot a big dog out on a walk you immediately decide to cross the street.  Your fist might unconsciously clench sending ripples through the leash.   It’s also possible that your dog may not have even noticed the big dog yet... but she sure does now... how could she miss it when we made such a big deal about it.

Karma is the law that describes cause and effect.   Our actions of clenching the leash then leading our dog across the street not only teaches the dog to fear big dogs, it reinforces it.  How often do we find ourselves doing things like this?  It’s leading unconsciously by example.

Consider choosing to walk up a driveway and expecting your dog to ‘sit’ and ‘stay’... wait... and smile when your dog spots the big dog.  Perhaps the big dog is calm because we’re far enough out of it’s way.  Maybe the dogs haven’t even noticed one another yet.  Chose to view the big dog as a friendly creature and send these ripples through the leash.  This creates our own karma.  It teaches our dog to be calm and relaxed and acclimatizes her to the human world.  Send your dog some love after the big dog walks by.

Harmony is about making choices that leave no karmic impact...it’s about staying present and making intelligent decisions... and following through with actions that are guided by the heart.