@dog_training_institute: My last dog, Cami, was a national-champion protection dog.
 She beat a dozen of the best dogs in the world. Dogs that were Bigger. Faster. Stronger. 
On the field, no other dog was even close. And yet, her favorite thing in the world was little kids. The kids in my neighborhood would knock on the door and ask if she could come out and play. We’d say yes, tell them to bring her back… and they’d forget. Later, we’d open the door and she’d be lying on the porch, waiting. Heart first. Always. She passed right after my divorce.
And even though I train dogs for a living… I knew I wasn’t ready for a puppy yet. So how do you know when you are? Here are three places I start every conversation. 1. Are you emotionally ready to commit? A dog doesn’t need perfection but they DO need presence, consistency, and regulation. If your life is in emotional free-fall, a puppy will feel it. After my divorce, I needed space to heal. I wasn’t willing to half-show up for a dog who deserved my whole heart. 2. Is your lifestyle compatible with a dog? Love alone doesn’t raise a stable dog. Structure does. At that time, I was gone one week every month.. out of state, out of the country. That isn’t fair to a puppy, no matter how much you want one. Ask yourself honestly: • How often are you home? • Who will handle the dog when you travel? • Are you willing to adjust your life instead of expecting the dog to adjust to you? 3. Are you physically set up for the dog you want? Not just a dog. That dog. I wanted another Malinois. My setup after the divorce shifted from a house, to a fifth-wheel trailer, to an apartment. Could a dog live in those spaces? Probably. But is it the life I want for my dog? No. You can make imperfect situations work, but wanting a dog isn’t enough. Being physically and emotionally set up for the dog you choose is what matters most. Right now, I don’t have my own dog, but I’m surrounded by them. Four family dogs lose their minds when they see me, and I get to work with incredible client dogs every day. When I’m ready, I’ll get another puppy and give it my whole heart. The right time isn’t when you want a dog, it’s when you’re ready to build a life with one.

dog_training_institute

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Friday 09 January 2026 22:09:53 GMT