Blog-post: what your dog teaches you about yoga!

I was reading a piece in the Sunday papers (when I was recently back in the UK) about how the Brits are a nation obsessed with pets. The article said that not only do one in two UK households have a pet; but an incredible 40% of Londoners admit to loving their pets more than their relatives! The obsession doesn’t end there either; apparently in London you can take your dog to a ‘doga’ (dog’s yoga) class… (do they need adjusting in downward dog like I do, that’s what I want to know?) Naturally, in the US they go one… err, paw further, where there’s even five star hotels for pets - namely New York’s Ritzy Canine Carriage House (fitted out with orthopaedic beds and a roof-top garden)! Gee. But if Londoners and New Yorkers are so pet-tastic, what does that make Sydney-siders? I mean, walking along Manly beach on a Saturday morning you’d hazard that there’s a serious dog fixation in this town as well, though thankfully I don’t think doga has taken off over here… Yet… But what is our obsession with dogs all about? As a new ‘mum’ myself (yep I’ve just got a ten week old border collie pup) I’m starting to get the dog thing; and I think it runs a little deeper than such petty(!) vanities.  Maybe, this doga thing might have some legs after all… We picked Conan up about a week ago now. And what a gorgeous little fluff ball he was too. There was a bit of a hairy ride back from the breeder (just one ‘incident’ in the car) and he was such a shy little fella when we got him home, sniffing around and coming up to us for licks and cuddles (how he changed after a few days eh!).  But after reading numerous books, websites and forums on effective dog training and dog psychology, I was all geared up to employ various positive reinforcement strategies to maintain my status as pack leader; like eating my dinner first, ignoring him when he paws at me for attention, turning my back on him when he jumps up, confining him for periods of the day so he doesn’t develop separation anxiety when we leave; and of course lavishing him with praise and love when he does well! Sounds easy? “Uh uh!” as they say in dog speak. I’d be safe to say this last week has probably been one of the most challenging of my life. University exams? Pah, a walk in the park! My yoga teacher training course? Easy! And even the preparations for my wedding seemed like a warm summer’s breeze by comparison. Okay, I could be exaggerating a little here, but no joke, I’d put this dog training lark right up there, in my list of challenging life-changing moments. Of course, it’s been amazing too; there have been times of boundless joy, coupled with periods of almost-anger (you can’t be seen to show a dog anger as they see this as weakness apparently); there’s been immense frustration and pain, but then my heart bursts with delight again as he learns to give his paw, runs for a ball, brings it back; and sits on my command. I’m starting to swell with pride just writing this – puppy love has definitely kicked in. And what of the rest of my life… err what rest of life? This is my life, right here, right now, with my mop in one hand to clean up the accidents (we’re still in the toilet training phase), kitchen roll in the other, and a bulging pocket full of treats, for praising his good behaviour. As I said to another yoga teacher friend of mine: “I’ve never been more present!” (We speak to each other in yoga terms sometimes, because we can!) But what other yoga lessons have I learnt from my dog? Well here’s five of the best so far: 1. Paws for thought Conan has taught me to look for and enjoy the minutiae of life! This is something he does constantly, whether it’s a licking, sniffing, and frollocking with a new toy, a raw-hide chew, or a tiny leaf; he explores everything around him, rolls around in it, and is fully focussed, attentive (and yes!) present. 2. Part of the same pack One of the most interesting and (for me) difficult to grasp concepts explored in yogic philosophy is the idea that we are part of this greater collective consciousness; but seeing Conan in action really brings it home. We’re the same, Conan and I. A little crudely put, I know, but when I watch his head cock, his little brain processing everything around him and his dogged efforts to get things right, just to please me, I can’t help but think…man, woman, dog, - we’re really all one and the same aren’t we? 3. A walk in the park During times of frustration he’s taught me to enjoy the journey. Like life, training a puppy is a process, which gets easier over time; and just when you think you’ve nailed it, it throws up a heap of new challenges. Sometimes it’s hard to remember this, but we need to enjoy the good times and bad! 4. Two paws forwards, one paw back …On that note, I’ve also been reminded that things don’t happen immediately; something which should be remembered both on and off the mat. So you can’t do lotus, or even touch your toes. What does your yoga teacher say? Don’t worry, with practice that pose will come and if it doesn’t, hey! It’s the same with training a puppy: They don’t pick it up straight away, especially when it comes to knowing not to chew laptop wires, the new top I bought in London with the tie-detailing at the neck, or not to chase the broom/mop/towel/dishcloth. Sigh. But, like the headstand I’d never thought I’d manage, or the lotus I’d thought impossible, it’ll come, with practice and patience. And it won’t happen right away! 5. Loosening the collar Accidents do happen (and he doesn’t mean it), so one of the big lessons he’s taught me is to loosen some of my attachments: Oh yes, before I might have cared about having a sparkly clean kitchen, a spic and span lounge, or sharing a chilled out evening with my hubby; but now I’ve realised how important it is to let it go and not obsess about things being a certain way. As soon as I find myself getting attached to something, that mad, adorable, fun little bundle of furry joy appears from the lounge with our favourite rug in his mouth (and reminds me not to care too much!). So is ‘doga’ such a bad thing then? If it’s getting your pup to do sun salutes then I’m still not convinced; but a few valuable lessons from a four-legged friend can still be learnt… and surely this is the real ‘doga’? Do you have a pet? What lessons have you learnt from yours that have helped you in your attitude to life? Sources: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2010/sep/12/pets-battersea-dogs-home-animal-welfare-animals

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