Why is my dog disobedient?

I'll write up a full article on this topic, but for now - ponder this infographic. Dogs and horses do not stay up at night, conjuring new ways to misbehave

If your dog or your horse is doing something that you don't want them to do, THERE IS A REASON. Notice that only one of the reasons in this graph has anything to do with you directly: being unclear . . . hellllloooo, I'm working so hard to improve on this

Vengeance, shame, guilt - these are useless, even damaging emotions, and animals waste little time on them. Stop saying your dog "knows he was bad," because nobody who loves their dog says that Stop saying your horse "chose to pick up the wrong lead," because that's on you, friend

All of us here are trying our best to survive and thrive in a world that does not always make much sense. Give your dog or horse the benefit of the doubt - heck, give your fellow humans that benefit as well! When things go awry, just pause, breathe, listen, and try a different way. . .

I am SO MUCH HAPPIER when I am able to do this.