Embracing Patience and Growth Through Puppyhood
How Training Our New Dog Taught Us the Value of Incremental Learning
My wife and I have just adopted a puppy named Sully, a brown and white Portuguese Water Dog. We chose this particular breed because of my wife’s allergies; Portuguese Water Dogs are hypoallergenic, making it possible for us to finally bring a furry friend into our home. We also saw this as a wonderful opportunity to nurture and learn before we start a family of our own. Though we knew training a puppy would be challenging and time-consuming, we never truly understood how much patience would be required until Sully arrived.
It’s one thing to know that something will be hard, and another to experience it first-hand. Advice and preparation can only take you so far before reality steps in. That’s when you really begin to understand what the words “difficult,” “exhausting,” and “rewarding” mean. Through these first few days, I’ve come to realize that I, too, am going through a learning process right alongside Sully.
When we first brought him home, we had some basic knowledge—enough to get by—but I’ll admit I didn’t fully prepare myself for the day-to-day realities of puppyhood. Sully’s mishaps, from biting to occasional indoor accidents, aren’t his fault. He’s a puppy who doesn’t yet know our rules. The responsibility of teaching him right from wrong, what’s acceptable and what isn’t, falls to us. In many ways, we’re beginners learning the ropes together. He’s learning to understand our boundaries, and we’re learning the best ways to communicate with him.
This experience has highlighted a simple truth: you can’t rush learning. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to grow through small, incremental steps. Just as Sully won’t master his commands overnight, neither will we immediately become seasoned trainers. We’ll make mistakes, adjust, and try again. Over time, these tiny efforts accumulate, leading us toward the life we envision—one where Sully feels secure, happy, and well-behaved, and we feel confident and capable in our parenting (of a pup today, and perhaps a child tomorrow).
As we continue working with Sully, we’ll learn more about ourselves each day. We’re discovering that when we take time to rest and gather our energy, we can approach training with clear minds and more compassion. In doing so, we set a positive tone that encourages Sully’s growth and our own.
Every step of this journey reminds us that growth is never instantaneous. Like learning any new skill, training a puppy requires resilience, patience, and the courage to make mistakes and learn from them. By embracing these lessons, we strengthen our bond with Sully and gain confidence in our ability to adapt, grow, and thrive—no matter what new challenges lie ahead.
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