Puppy Training

A few months back, my wife and I got our first dog.  A puppy no less; 6 months old and full of energy.  I would have been perfectly happy to have found a nice, settled-in 2 year old but this little pup caught the wife’s eye so my vote was quickly vetoed.  And now I find myself in the midst of puppy training. 

Frankly it’s a lot of work.

For starters, she’s just so rambunctious.  She sprints around the house and jumps (dare I say launches) herself off the furniture.  She is in constant need of attention.  You cannot sit on the couch without her wanting to sit in your lap and put her nose in your face.  When walking, she pulls on her leash and wants to meet every other dog she passes; desperate to make new friends everywhere she goes.  And she requires unblinking surveillance as her curiosity will lead her to exploring every nook and cranny of our home.  She seems to have doggie-ADD as she will not always bring the toy back or come when she’s called.  She won’t quite sit every time she’s asked and her propensity for waking me up at ridiculous hours of the morning is exhausting.

And yet at the same time, she’s an absolute joy.

She’s just so darn eager to please that even when she wears my patience thin, I have to admire her enthusiasm.  Her utter devotion to my wife and I is inspiring considering how short we’ve known her.  And she’s challenging me to take more responsibility, be a bit more patient, and really think through how this new addition will fit into my life.  More often than not, what drives me crazy is really just that she’s pushed me out of my old comfort zone- a place I probably needed a break from anyway.

New employees are no different.  At times, their fresh new energy, curiosity, and exuberance can feel exhausting, overwhelming, and even a bit frustrating to those of us who have become comfortable in our work.  But if we can take a moment and realize that they are just as eager to please and devoted as my new pup, we can find that soft-spot in us that helps ease the pain of their mistakes and messes and gives us the patience to house break them right.