24/10/2025
I don’t usually post anything personal on here, but thought I’d better explain that I’ve been extremely quiet on here this past month because I’ve had to take some enforced time off due to an injury 😢
When I first had to admit defeat and temporarily stop working, because I’m quite a driven person who likes to be busy, I said to myself that I’d use the time off to be as productive as possible - writing posts for social media, planning sessions and courses, writing leaflets, booking CPD, finishing off online courses I’m enrolled in, networking with other trainers, training my own dogs etc etc. Not much of that has actually happened. 😳
It turns out that I’d probably been pushing myself quite hard, and if not running on empty then definitely running on fumes, for quite a while. 🫣 When my injury happened and everything had to stop, my immune system also just said NO and everything seemed to hit me. 😩
I’ve always known that although I’m great at preaching to others about it, I’m not very good at actually looking after myself, no good at setting healthy boundaries, rubbish at self care, and I absolutely suck at resting.
This time I have had to kick my own bum, and try and treat myself a little bit more like I’d treat one of my own animals who wasn’t right. There’s absolutely no way I’d ask my dogs to work or participate in an activity if there was even the slightest hint that they weren’t 100%, I’d definitely enforce rest days, and do everything by the book and do an endless amount of physio and aftercare if they’d had an injury.
I know I’m not alone in this, I think most of the dog/animal people I know, and most of my fellow instructors/trainers are exactly the same. We are excellent at looking after our animals, advocating for them, and ensuring that they are in the best possible condition - all whilst chronically neglecting ourselves, deliberately turning a blind eye to our health problems, and ignoring all of the little niggles, aches and pains that we have.
I’ve had to change my outlook a lot this last month, change my goals, and also learn to accept a bit of help - although I think my husband is probably very tired of hearing the phrase “No, I can do it myself, I’m a strong independent female!” 🤣
So what have I actually done this month?
🛋️ I have actually rested! I’ve spent more time on the sofa and in bed sleeping than I have ever done!
📺 I’ve binge watched a disgusting amount of TV, catching up on series from months ago as I never have time to watch telly during the summer.
💻 Obviously because I’m obsessed with dogs, dog training, trailing, and anything scent related I’ve also watched a lot of webinars and read a lot of blogs and articles.
📖 I’ve binge read my way through a massive stack of crime thrillers, because what better way is there to relax? There have been dog books in there as well though, obviously 🤓
🐶 I’ve snuggled with my dogs a lot, and provided them with lots of scent based enrichment type activities - but not actually done much training as when I train I like to give 100% to whatever it is and I just haven’t felt like I’ve had quick enough reactions or enough energy to do them justice.
🌳 I’ve got outside whenever possible, even if it’s just to sit in the garden with the dogs and a book.
🐾 We’ve used enclosed dog walking fields a lot so our gang have had freedom to burn energy off without me having to use too much of my energy.
🐦⬛ I’ve tried to get out in nature as much as possible because I’m also obsessed with our wildlife, and I’ve spent a bit of time on my local wildlife reserve, just sitting and relaxing.
🥗 I’ve done a lot of healthy(ish) cooking in an attempt to try and eat myself and my immune system better.
🗒️I have done a little bit of planning for some future sessions and come up with some interesting ideas of things to work on.
🌟 I’m tweaking (again) the assessment scheme that will be introduced in the new year.
That’s pretty much it! Now I’ve got to focus on building my fitness back up, as all this resting with just gentle potters has definitely knocked my fitness and stamina. I need to actually improve on my fitness and strength too, to make sure that I’m less likely to get injured again once I get back out there doing long days of following trailing teams.
Thank you so much to my amazing clients who have all been so kind, supportive, and so patient. I can’t wait to get back out there and I’m missing all of you and your dogs so much. Hopefully it won’t be too long now 🤞🏼🤞🏼
But please, if you’re also burning the candle at both ends and not taking proper care of yourself, try and treat yourself as though you are one of your own animals that you’re so good at looking after.
📸 Photo of me and Whimsy, who may not be my best “working” dog, but is hands down one of the best snuggle buddies and best mates ever.
