It Takes Practice

As parents we need to support our children in developing and practising their life skills. Often our frustration is not so much with their challenges, but with our unrealistic expectations as the story and cartoon below illustrate.

My wife and I rescue and rehabilitate dogs. At times it’s exasperating with new owners...

Owner: “I don’t understand why Buzz can’t behave. Look at you. Your dog lets you walk her on a leash and doesn’t take food off the table. She’s so well behaved!”

Me: “Well, how often do you take him for walks? I take Bella out on a leashed walk at least once a day and we practice walking to heel, staying and sitting at intersections.”

Owner: “Oh, well, we’ve got the fence, so we don’t need to do that.”

Me: “So, you don’t walk him on a leash and then it sounds like you’re disappointed that he doesn’t heel and walk properly?”

Owner: “Well, he comes to the table every day and still steals food!”

Me: “Do you give him food from the table?”

Owner: “Only scraps and meat.”

Me: “And you take them off your plate in front of him?”

Owner: “Yes…”

Me: “And you’re surprised that he’ll take food off your plates when he’s hungry?”

Owner: “I just don’t understand why he doesn’t listen to me and doesn’t walk well on a leash.”

Cartoon downloaded from here.

Mr Alan Clarke

Paediatric Psychologist