Bonus Episode 015 | Spinning in Indecision, Why You Do It, and How to Get Out of It

Bonus Episode 015 | Spinning in Indecision, Why You Do It, and How to Get Out of It

If you agonize over decisions, research purchases to death before buying, and weigh the pros and cons seemingly endlessly, then this is the episode for you.

There’s a reason your brain does this. It’s trying to be kind to you. And its kindness often hurts more than it helps.

All is not lost though. We’re not at the mercy of our brains. We actually have a say in things, which is what I explain in the episode.

There may or may not be an anecdote in there about me having to decide on the colors of Rusty’s backpack.

His backpack was made by an awesome woman-owned boutique business in the USA, called Groundbird Gear. They provide your dog with a custom harness to which you can add separable roll-top saddle bags.

I highly recommend them. You can find their website here:

https://www.groundbirdgear.com/

 

Want to stop spinning out?

It’s all about knowing how your brain works and getting comfortable with discomfort. Sound vague? Listen to the podcast episode or book a free consult and I will tell you more.

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024 | Marijke (and Scott) & SupDog, a 1600-mile decompression walk on the Pacific Crest Trail

024 | Marijke (and Scott) & SupDog, a 1600-mile decompression walk on the Pacific Crest Trail

You’ve heard of decompression walks, letting your dog enjoy nature and sniff away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

How about a 1600-mile decompression walk?

Luna (Marijke) and Werewolf (Scott) hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (2650 miles)  for their honeymoon and after clearing the desert section in Southern California, their dog SupDog (“real” name Balu) joined them for the remainder of the trail.

Marijke tells us about the mindset they needed to be in (Hike Your Dogs Hike), the accommodations they made for him and so much more.

What food did they bring?

What’s it like bringing a black dog in warm weather?

How did they deal with judgment from others?

What are town visits like? (“scamming” a sausage off the local butcher anyone?)

 

She also doesn’t gloss over the hard stuff. SupDog was sound sensitive and on day 1 of him joining there’s dynamite blasting on trail. Now what?

Or that time where he would mysteriously refuse to walk every late afternoon and it took a while to figure out what was going on.

As Marijke explains it was just a stringing together of a series of decisions, constantly evaluating where you are at and what is the best way forward based on the situation as it is.

One of my favorite parts is where Marijke explains that SupDog was sound sensitive and the choice was simply between him being sound sensitive at home or sound sensitive on the trail with the family who loves him. It doesn’t sound like too hard of a choice to make, when you put it that way.

After coming back home Marijke and Scott decided to pay it forward and they started the Thru-Hiker Dog Facebook Group to exchange information with those considering thru-hiking with their dog that is judgment free.

I am a member of that group and if you’re considering hiking longer distances with your dog I highly encourage you to join. You will be able to ask all the questions you need to figure out what works for you and your dog. Marijke also mentions that her present dog probably is not a long-distance trail dog. This is one conclusion you might come to as well based on the information shared freely within the group.

It’s all about what you believe is right for you and your dog.

 

Links:

The Thru-hiker Dogs Facebook Group, that was started by Marijke and Scott to provide dog guardians with information, tips, and tricks, given by people who’ve actually been there and done that:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/907294749289972

The dehydrated dog food SupDog was eating on trail:

https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/

The Pacific Crest Trail Association:

https://www.pcta.org/

The other two major long distance trails:

The Appalachian Trail: https://appalachiantrail.org/

The Continental Divide Trail: https://continentaldividetrail.org/

MSR Gear: https://www.msrgear.com/

Think you could never do something like this, even though you would like to?

It’s all in your mind(set). Why not figure out how you can make your brain work for you instead of against you?

Schedule a Call
Bonus Episode 014 | Curiosity, Collar Pops, Caesar Milan and Crumbs

Bonus Episode 014 | Curiosity, Collar Pops, Caesar Milan and Crumbs

This episode is all about how staying curious can help your dog, your relationships, and yourself.

It was triggered by a conversation I had with a friend who wanted to know why I didn’t use Caesar Milan’s training style, because it seemed to be working for her.

My conversation with her once more drove home the point I always try to make, which is that curiosity is the best antidote to judgment, both judgment of your dog, human others, and yourself.

It’s how we keep communication open between people and species with possibly opposing views. That communication in turn is what brings us closer together and brings about positive change in the world. Yes, I am unapologetically idealistic.

Of course, I try to come up with some practical advice on perceived criticism and how to deal with thinking someone is wrong as well, which is:

–  When you feel an emotion bubbling up…
–  Stop and pause and get curious by asking yourself questions
–  Some questions that you can ask are:

  • What am I feeling now?
  • Why am I feeling that, or
  • I wonder what‘s triggering that? (Whatever wording works for you.)
  • What are the things I am assuming in this situation but do not actually know?
  • Do I have all the information?
  • What does this mean for me?
  • What do I still have to get clear on myself?

Listen to the whole episode to hear how I answered those questions and what things came up for me. I hope the episode is useful. Do let me know your thoughts!

Would you like to learn how to deal with (perceived) criticism and conflict better?

Jump on a call with me to find out about my coaching program, which will teach you precisely that!

Schedule a Call
023 | Megan and Luna, on the intersection of pica, food indiscrimination, and reactivity

023 | Megan and Luna, on the intersection of pica, food indiscrimination, and reactivity

Megan and I talk about all things complex dog:

– Labels and when to use them. Is Luna, reactive, aggressive, complex, or “simply” a dog dealing with health issues?

-What are her health issues? What’s causing her extreme pica and food indiscrimination?

-Is pica a cause or symptom of Luna’s anxiety?

-What’s behind her resource guarding of her own vomit? And what is making her vomit in the first place?

-The importance of having a great primary care veterinarian, especially a force-free one

-The magic of a muzzle

-Feeling alone in having a dog with such a peculiar and unique set of behavior problems

-The importance of doing things without your dog 

 

Links:

Megan and Luna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luna_the_cur_/

The other Instagram account with a mention:

Lauren and Stella:

https://www.instagram.com/stellainthecity22/

Could you use some help with your mental health?

It’s tough and stressful to be the guardian of a complex dog. In my coaching, I teach you tools to be able to reduce the amount of stress so you feel more relaxed in the relationship with your dog.

Schedule a Call

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