BY: PAWS & LEARN TRAINING CENTER
I used to be embarrassed to refuse when a stranger asked to pet my puppy — not anymore.
If someone asked to touch my expensive bag, I’d probably say no without thinking twice.
But when strangers asked to pet my dog—an actual living being with feelings and preferences—I’d say yes. Every. Single. Time.
I didn’t think about whether my dog wanted it. Whether it was good for him. Whether he felt safe. I just said yes because I didn’t want to seem rude.
And I’m guessing I’m not alone.
It wasn’t until I started training hundreds of puppies every year—puppies with different personalities, some confident, some shy, some reserved—that I realized: my dog needed me to be his advocate.
Because here’s the thing—your dog can’t say no for themselves. And if they get to the point where they have to advocate for themselves? It’s probably going to look like growling, snapping, lunging, or barking. The exact behaviors we’re trying to avoid.
Some puppies are resilient. Some bounce back from everything. But others? They’re sensitive. Watchful. They need you to create boundaries for them while they’re learning to navigate the world.
And honestly? Learning to advocate for my dogs changed me as a person.
It taught me how to say no. How to set boundaries—not just for my dogs, but in my own life. It made me less of a people pleaser and more of a protector.
So here’s my challenge: Start advocating.
It’s okay to say, “Sorry, he’s in training.” It’s okay to say, “Not today, thanks.” It’s okay to protect your dog’s space, their nervous system, their sense of safety—even if it feels awkward at first.
Your dog is counting on you to speak up when they can’t.
This matters for many dogs—not all—but if your dog is struggling? Maybe they need you to stand up for them first.