Conscious Positive Attachment Puppy Parenting

My friend Luana said that with our new pup Brownie I can either pay now or pay later, in terms of investing the time and effort to integrate her successfully into our home and lives.  I’ve watched the puppy training videos, read the books, googled many things including, “Why puppies don’t sleep,” and “rawhide cons.” 

I’ve had the same kind of hunger for knowing how to do this puppy mom thing as I had when we learned we were going to have our human child.  

The difference then was that I had 9 months of studying and mentally preparing pre-kid arrival, and this time for some reason I didn’t think to study first, get the puppy later.  

This time we got Brownie and THEN I realized I had no clue what I was doing.  

So it’s day 12 since we got her and the learning curve remains steep. She is a sweet, good-natured girl.  She likes treats and snuggles and chewing things, especially chewing clothing or shoes I’m currently wearing.  

She doesn’t know how to play, where to potty, how to fall asleep on her own, what her name is, or really anything. 

She’s a baby of another species looking to fit into our pack or, do whatever works to get her snacking, snuggling, and togetherness needs met. 

She’s willing to learn.  I’m willing to learn. We are teaching each other.  And I realize, wait: I have done this before, just not in doggie language.  

I’ve given and received love, I’ve shown others how I wish to be treated and that I don’t respond as well to certain behaviors as others. I’ve respected others for where they were at and their own capacities rather than cursed them for not being how I’d prefer them to be.  

I get it — patience, tolerance, kindness, love, for myself and for Brownie. I’m gonna keep going.

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