Kids and Dogs

Between preschool kids and my dog, I think I learn something new every day.

When we were outside for recess with our preschool students the other day, I noticed a little boy needed his shoelaces tied. He was running around in circles with friends and I could just picture one of the other kids accidentally stepping on his laces causing him to fall. So, I called him over and told him I needed to tie his shoes.

Student: Why?

Me: Because I don’t want you to fall. I explained the possibilities.

Student: But that hasn’t happened.

Me: But it COULD happen.

Student: I like them untied.

Me: …..

Side note: They were untied again when we were lining up. Haha

Lesson continues….

We moved into our home last November and we’ve been going back and forth about purchasing an Invisible Fence. We finally took the plunge last week and our dog, Bogey, has been in training. It’s actually been interesting and fun to watch him learn — most of the time. However, because of my impulse to prevent him from getting zapped ( as in NEVER), I have found myself a bit overprotective- OK, more than a bit, which in turn prevents him from learning the consequences of going beyond the designated boundaries.

The trainer’s words were this: “If you want to be able to trust him, then you need to let him feel some pain. You need to wait and see (and keep your mouth shut!) if he will actually go beyond the flags in the yard. I know it’s hard, but it works.”

Do you see where I’m going with this?

NO ONE wants to see someone they love experience pain. There’s a time to speak, and there’s a time to be quiet. Lord, give me wisdom to know and the strength to do what’s right.

“A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3:7