The longer I am married, the more grateful I am for my husband. Often, in my work as a dog trainer, somewhere in the course of a private lesson with just about any couple I get asked to “Just tell HIM that, he won’t listen to me anyway” or “See honey, I TOLD you so” or better yet, the infamous “My wife doesn’t like the dog on the couch, TELL HER it’s ok.” If your spouse is listening to me more attentively than they are to you, maybe your dog misbehaving isn’t your biggest issue….
Here is where I must point out that most of us started training dogs because we love dogs, enjoy their company, and had some bizarre dream of helping owners understand their dogs better, thus have better relationships, and perhaps keep said dog until it passes on. I do not know even ONE dog trainer who became a dog trainer because the LIKED PEOPLE!!! You, as the owner, are secondary on our priority list, and frankly, if you can’t talk to your spouse openly and honestly - it is NOT OUR JOB to be a go between!!! We did not get into this career because we had an undeniable urge to help people. If your relationship sucks, that is your issue, not mine, and if your significant other doesn’t listen to you, perhaps you should address that issue AFTER I LEAVE! Please, please save the nasty comments for after I’m out the door.
It ever amazes me people who will snip, fight and belittle each other, in front of a professional they have invited into their home. It truly boggles the mind. On a positive note, it gives me a interesting look at how so many relationships either work or don’t work and a lovely opportunity to observe how telling body language is.
Every time, I walk away even more grateful for the man I got to marry. May you all be so blessed to find a spouse with common sense and courtesy to spare.
Posted on November 13th, 2007 by michelle
Filed under: Random run ins, The Naked Part, Training
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