Except when...

Do you use excuses like "I cannot", "I'm not good enough", "I am good for nothing", "I should", "Yes, I know but", etc...?
Over the years I have heard many dog lovers use all sorts of excuses when talking about the behaviour of their pets. It took me a very long time to notice the real message behind these excuses.
Do you know why it took me such a long time?
Well, the answer is simple:  

I was used to making excuses myself in all sorts of situations.

Only from the moment I became conscious of what I was thinking, feeling and doing could I see through the smoke screen of my unconscious behaviour. Because of my initiation in the ManKindProject and my work in many circles of men, could I develop a new way of thinking, feeling and behaving. It soon became obvious that for the major part of my life I had been dishonest and unclear with myself, my dogs and my fellow human beings. The amazing thing was the discovery that I was not alone in having done this. The hundreds of emotionally mature men I met in the men's circles had all gone through the same processes.
I realized that for many decades I was being lived an unconscious life based upon feelings of fear and guilt.
As soon as I could shake off the many negative rules and regulations I learned as a child, I really could start living my own life. I do not blame my parents, teachers, priests, professors, etc... at all.
They did the best they could, as they had also been "educated" with the same rules and regulations.
But it is my opinion that we do not have to continue living as victims of an "education" based upon fear and guilt.
We can break the chains of this fear- and guilt-based education.
In that respect dogs have been magnificent teachers for me. They never judge, blame or critisize anyone and they are very clear in their communication. You too, you can learn how to clearly understand their behaviour, if you learn their (body) language. The thing is that you will start to understand how YOU think, feel and behave. With your new consciousness you will be able to create an atmosphere of harmony in the life you are leading with yourself, your dogs and the people around you.
And who would not like that?

I was thinking about all this while reading an article written by Cesar Millan.
He has the same experience as I have when dealing with dog loving people and their pets.
In this article he comments on one of the many excuses he is hearing.
This excuse is: Except when...

"When it comes to dealing with issues with our dogs, we can become very good at building our own brick walls. Many times, I have heard people say, “My dog is perfect, except when...” Except when she eats my shoes, except when he shows aggression, except when I have no control on the walk...
“Except when” is the excuse that allows us to not move forward. It’s what we tell ourselves so that we can live with a problem instead of dealing with that problem. All the time, people put up with behavior in dogs that they would not tolerate in other humans. If you had friends who decided to trash your house, you’d stop inviting them over. If your kids were disrespectful, you would deal with it immediately.
Your dog does not see you as the Pack Leader, or doesn’t have rules, boundaries, and limitations? Well, that’s “almost perfect.” But why should that be good enough?
It is much easier for an object at rest to remain that way, because it takes energy to get it moving. What’s easy to forget is that it also took energy to make it stop; in this case, negative energy. The good news, though, is that it only takes a little push to start rolling again.
Here’s the little push. When it comes to your dog’s behavior, what’s your “except when?” Now, complete the following sentence: “So then I...”. If you finish that with “do nothing,” then you need to get moving again. The spring rebirth of Nature and the message of Easter provide a reminder. It is never too late for growth, and it is never impossible".


Thank you Cesar and thank you all my canine teachers.

OUR DOG WALKING CLASS
Thank you Anna and John for the long but superb walk in the Vall de Gallinera.
This coming Sunday 07.04.2013 we will stay in Jalón/Xaló for our dog walking class. I will be waiting for you at the library at 9.45 for 10.00

Diesen kommendan Sonntag 07.04.2013 moechte ich in Jalón/Xaló bleiben. Ich warte auf sie an unsere Bibliothek ab 9.45 und fange an um 10.00

LieGrue von Bruno

With love from Bruno