Turns out my dog is a great teacher

The more time I spend with my dog, the more I notice how much he gets right about the things I talk about with clients every day: being present, being aware, knowing what you need, playing, and just being yourself.

Being Present

My dog doesn’t care what happened five minutes ago or whether he needs to worry about next week. He’s fully in this moment - whether that’s chasing a ball, trying to nab a dried sprat, or wanting a bit of fuss. He’s here. He reminds me how good it can be to slow down, take a breath, and just be.

Awareness

My dog doesn’t journal or reflect on his daily learnings (that I know of), but he knows himself by listening to his instincts. He knows when he’s thirsty, when he wants to play, when he needs to rest. For us humans, that kind of bodily awareness can take a bit more effort – there’s so much for us to think about and be doing, right? But whether it’s noticing tension in our shoulders or realising we’re emotionally drained, it’s important. We can’t take care of what we don’t notice.

Knowing What You Need

When he wants something, he lets me know. Whether it’s to go out for a wee, to remind me it’s dinnertime, or to sit on my lap, he doesn’t second-guess it. No guilt, no overthinking - he's just honestly prioritising his needs! So many humans have learned to push needs aside or feel bad for having them at all. But my dog shows me how simple it can be to say, “This is what I need right now.”

Playfulness

Whether he’s bringing me one of his balls, or a rope for tug-of-war, he's just up for play. He doesn’t care if he looks silly or whether he ‘shouldn’t’ be immature. He reminds me that fun matters. Play isn’t just for kids - it’s how we reconnect with ourselves, lighten the mood, and allow ourselves to feel a little joy.

A Little Dog Wisdom

So yeah, my dog might not have a diploma on the wall, but he teaches me a lot. About being human. About showing up. About it being bloody brilliant to simply be ourselves.