Have you ever heard the phrases “I would never do that to my dog” or “That person doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing with that dog”? The role of the dog parent is often an open invitation for judgement. Many people will have an opinion on how your dog should behave, what they should eat, how they should look, and what is required for their health and happiness. No matter what we choose for our dog, someone will have an opinion. It doesn’t just stop at the people around us. We also get conflicting views from veterinarians, trainers, social media, TV shows, and the internet. The dog world can be confusing and unforgiving, with mixed messages and high expectations.

Ask yourself how you feel when you are being judged or pressured to do something. Do you care what the other person thinks? If not, ignore them and move on! However, if you have certain feelings about what you are doing that make you feel unsure, focus on your dog’s needs instead. You may simply need to address unregulated behaviour or gain additional information. Still, your choices should be based on what’s best for your dog, not on other people’s judgement and biases.

The bottom line is that you will be judged and pressured to be more like others for as long as you have a dog. The best way to stay rooted in your beliefs and your dog’s perspective is to focus on your intentions and stand up for your dog when necessary. If you are looking out for your dog, how others feel about what you do will be inconsequential!

To learn more, check out my book Unleash. There. I share insights and ways to overcome our pre-existing beliefs about dogs and encourage self awareness to elevate our relationship with them and ourselves.