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.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Struggles of Dog Ownership

02:23 • 4min

Dog Training Philosophy and Approach

06:15 • 14min

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

19:46 • 3min

Finding Balance and Prioritizing Personal Needs

23:07 • 9min

The Complexities of Dog Ownership and Adoption

32:21 • 17min

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

49:36 • 2min

Training Priorities for Coexisting with a Dog in Struggle Care

51:11 • 4min

Challenges of Taking Care of Dogs

54:51 • 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

● How to know if your dog is happy

● Enrichment activities for dogs that don’t involve the owner

● Why dogs are community builders

Resources and Links:

Connect with Ash: Website,

TikTok, and Instagram

Connect with Aaron: TikTok

Connect with Steph: TikTok,

Instagram,

Facebook, and Podcast

Connect with Joel: TikTok,

Facebook,

and Instagram

Connect with KC: Website,

TikTok, Instagram,

and Facebook

Get KC’s book, How to Keep

House While Drowning

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You

can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on

our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes.

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