Learning from Colt

Harlan and I have a new Bichon Frise puppy. His name is Colt, and he has a lot to learn. So do I. This morning I watched a dog training video that was a revelation to me. Like most puppies, Colt jumps up, scratching furniture and my legs. I have been saying, “Down,” to which he would momentarily get down. Then I would say, “Good boy,” and he would jump up again.

The video advised to let stern be stern and skip the “Good boy.” It said that when I say, “Good boy,” I’m really teaching him that, if he jumps up, he will eventually get my approval. Ever since I learned this, I have let stern be stern. I simply say, “Stay down.” Amazingly, it’s working.

A passage in Matthew says, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Anything beyond this is evil.”

You write or draw it: How much energy have you wasted trying to take care of others’ feelings when all you really need to say is NO?