Struggle Care

67: Dog Care When You Struggle (From Our Team of Experts)

Dec 11, 2023

This podcast episode explores the challenges and joys of owning a dog while dealing with struggles in life. It emphasizes the importance of giving a dog a good life, even if it's not perfect. The episode discusses different approaches to dog training, the complexities of dog ownership and adoption, and the challenges of prioritizing personal needs while caring for a dog. It also touches on topics like meeting a dog's needs, training priorities for coexisting with a dog, and challenges of taking care of dogs in various situations.

01:05:22

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Quick takeaways

Adapt dog ownership and training to fit individual circumstances and limitations.

Focus on meeting a dog's physical and mental exercise needs for a fulfilling and adaptable life.

Comprehensive training teaches dogs how to handle their energy, respond to situations, and be well-behaved.

Deep dives

Adopting a Dog and Navigating Struggles

The podcast episode explores the journey of getting a puppy and how to navigate dog ownership while dealing with ADHD and chronic fatigue. The host discusses reaching out to trainers to find ways to raise a puppy effectively and create a mutually fulfilling partnership. It emphasizes that it's okay to have pets even if you have struggles in life and highlights the importance of adapting dog ownership and training to fit individual circumstances and limitations.

Introduction

2min

The Struggles of Dog Ownership

4min

Dog Training Philosophy and Approach

14min

Gifts, Better Sleep, and Deodorant: Tips for Dog Owners

3min

Finding Balance and Prioritizing Personal Needs

9min

The Complexities of Dog Ownership and Adoption

17min

Meeting a Dog's Needs and Personal Experience with an Electrolyte Mix

2min

Training Priorities for Coexisting with a Dog in Struggle Care

4min

Challenges of Taking Care of Dogs

14min

What do dogs have to do with struggle care? If you had lived in my shoes, you would understand. What was I thinking? I decided to celebrate all of my kids finally being in school by getting a puppy! It has been a journey of figuring out why I have a dog when I have ADHD and chronic fatigue–but we love our dog! I reached out to four different trainers to talk about the idea that it’s okay to have pets, even if you have struggles in your life. Let’s take a closer look with Ash, Aaron, Steph, and Joel at dog ownership and dog training in a way that ensures a good and mutually fulfilling partnership between our dogs and ourselves. Join us!

Show Highlights:

● The fact is that life changes, and it doesn’t have to be perfect to give a dog a good life. The bare minimum is okay until you can do better.

● An emphasis on owner-focused training gives high-output results with low input; the small things count!

● An important factor to consider is energy level management because you can’t always rely on being able to manhandle (or pick up) the dog.

● How to approach dog ownership in regards to breed, size, temperament, habits, and maintenance

● Why a consistent 60% effort is better than an inconsistent pattern of 100% and nothing

● Why the same tips don’t work for every person and every dog

● Why the most important thing is to train your dog on how to handle their energy

● How we over moralize many aspects of dog ownership, like rescue dogs vs. breeder puppies

● How to approach physical exercise AND mental exercise with your dog

● How a dog’s needs can be met in ways that fit in with ANY lifestyle

● Training priorities for a dog living with an owner with a struggle care background