05/12/2024
Here is something that frustrates the jelly beans out of me: It's the phrase, "let's see what happens!"
You know what I mean: Someone takes their dog to the beach, a busy park or into a chaotic situation, unleashes them with zero preparation, and mutters, “Let’s see what he does.” As if their dog is some magical, all-knowing creature who will instinctively handle everything like the Dalai Lama of canines.
Honestly, let’s see what he does?
I’ll tell you what he’s going to do—he’s going to get overwhelmed, stressed out, maybe bark his head off, lunge, or even start a fight. And then they’ll stand there, looking surprised, as if their dog didn’t just do exactly what they set him up to do.
Makes me want to pull my hair out!
Here’s the thing: “Let’s see what he does” is not a plan. It’s not a training strategy. It’s pure laziness, and it’s 100% unfair to the dog.
Because when someone says that, they’re basically saying, “I’m not going to prepare, I’m not going to guide my dog, and I’m definitely not going to protect him if this goes south.” It’s like tossing a toddler into a swimming pool with no lessons, no life vest, and saying, “Let’s see if she floats!”
Spoiler alert: She won’t. And neither will your dog.
Here’s the kicker—these people don’t realize the damage they’re doing. They think they’re being chill, giving their dog freedom to “figure it out.” But when their dog freaks out, barks, lunges, or gets in a scrap, they’re the ones who’ve failed. Not the dog. The DOG is just doing what dogs do—reacting to an overwhelming situation with the limited tools they’ve been given.
And the person? They haven’t given their dog any tools at all.
Dogs need guidance, protection, and a plan. Throwing them into chaos and hoping for the best isn’t kind—it’s reckless. Instead, dogs need experiences where they can feel safe. That’s how they learn. That’s how they grow. And safety doesn’t come from “let’s see what happens.” It comes from preparation.
Take my last puppy, Falken. He was a nervous wreck when it came to new things. Dogs? Full barking meltdown. Bicycles? Instant overreaction. Anything new? Bark bark bark, freak out freak out freak out. If I’d just tossed him into a park with a “let’s see what he does” attitude, we’d have been banned from every park in a 50-mile radius. (OK I AM exaggerating, we don't even have dog parks around here but you get the picture)
Instead, we started small. I mean tiny. We started with stuffed toy dogs at home. And even those made him jump at first! It was kinda funny, I do admit that. But it was only funny because we did this at home, taking baby steps so he could feel safe. And gradually, he built confidence, and we worked our way up to real-life situations.
And then there’s my current puppy, Stevie. She’s not a barker, but she freezes when something’s new and tries to create distance. So we stay at a distance where she feels comfortable, and with her I can use tugging—her favorite game—to help change her emotional state. Tugging keeps things fun and lighthearted. But there is no chaos. No “see what happens.” Just calm, intentional training.
The lesson here? Every dog is different, but the principle is the same. STOP with the “let’s see what he does” nonsense. It’s lazy. It’s careless. And frankly? It’s unfair. A good dog owner doesn’t wing it. A good dog owner thinks ahead. They have a plan. They create an environment where their dog feels safe and supported. And if something unexpected happens, they’ve got a Plan B ready to go.
And honestly? Dogs deserve better than being left to figure it out on their own.
OK I am done ranting. And I do realise that most people mean well and just don't know any better. So let's spread the word. Let's reach out to more people to let them know that kindness is the way.
Together, let’s create a world where dogs are family, where kindness rules, and where you and your dog live your best lives together. 🐶❤️
