Comments on: Day 1 – Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:50:09 +0000

Also, I have spent a good part of the day poking around your sites. Absolutely fabulous .

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:46:33 +0000

I wandered over to your blog today via Brazen Careerist. Sorry to intrude, but my love for dogs would not let me bite my tongue.

It is probably moot at this point, but there are ways of drawing boundaries with your dog without him being afraid of you, especially if you are concerned about aggression issues. Addressing aggression with fear-based techniques will often create a dog that bites out of fear. “Alpha” and “dominance” theories are rooted in misunderstood studies of non-familial captive wolf packs, which bear little resemblance to either real wolf packs or our domesticated dogs.

I would suggest taking a look at Patricia McConnell, Suzanne Clothier, Ian Dunbar and Turid Rugaas. They (and many other behaviorists and trainers) provide alternatives to that “method of being in the world” with your dog.

Thank you so much for adopting and a dog with some behavioral issues a chance!

By: Candice

Candice — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:00:14 +0000

I really enjoy reading about your journey.

By: Courtney Martin

Courtney Martin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:05:28 +0000

Rock on, sista’.

I really like the blog Zen Habits, which discusses a lot of personal transformation tips.

By: Michele

Michele — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:50:42 +0000

Dear Alexis,
Be kind to yourself. No doubt you have many talents and strengths, but you have taken on a huge burden all at once. Anyone will tell you if, for example, you are a smoker and you also need to lose weight, do one thing at a time. You will have a better opportunity for success. Youare doing so much at once, just reading your list is overwhelming. It is no wonder trying to actually achieve them makes you feel overwhelmed. That said I salute your determination and your bold honesty.
Those qualities are the ones that have taken you to the life you are now living but, please remember that you don’t have to be perfect every moment. Give yourself a little wiggle room. It will all go a little smoother for you if you do and, Alexis, even as you give yourself wiggle room, you will absolutely accomplish more than most of us would or could. God bless and keep you.