You Don’t Have to Stick With It (If It’s Not Working)

Deb from Busy Pawz
4 days ago
4 min read

I’ve been running a podcast alongside this blog for a little while now. And honestly? It never really felt like me. I gave it a red-hot go because it's what all the business gurus were recommending. “Repurpose your content,” they said. “Get on Spotify,” they said.

So I did.

But over time, it started feeling like something I had to tick off rather than something I actually enjoyed. And when I really stopped to look at it, I realised it wasn’t adding the kind of value I wanted it to. Not for me, and not for the people I support.

So I’ve made the decision to hit pause on the podcast for now. It may come back later, but for now, I’m sticking with what works. And for me, that’s writing. Blogs feel natural. They help me explain things clearly and connect with you in a way that feels more grounded.

This little pivot got me thinking because this try it and see what fits mindset is the exact same approach I encourage in dog training.

The World Is Full of Dog Rules

There’s a lot of advice out there for dog owners (and business owners!) Some of it’s great. Some of it… not so much. But even the good stuff might not suit you or your dog. (or your business!)

You’ve probably heard a few of these:

Take your dog for a walk every day
Don’t let them sleep on the bed
Only feed them twice a day
They must be socialised with every dog they meet
Never let them on the couch
Take them to the dog park
Be the alpha
Don’t comfort them when they’re scared
Use a firm voice
Correct them immediately
Ignore bad behaviour
Use a crate. Don’t use a crate. Use the crate for five minutes. Keep them in it for an hour…n’t use a crate. Only use the crate for five minutes. Keep them in the crate for an hour.

It’s a long list. And when things don’t go smoothly, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing something wrong. But some of this advice simply doesn’t fit every dog - or every household.

Some dogs don’t love the dog park. Some are better off with quiet walks or backyard play. Some adore snuggling on the bed, while others genuinely prefer their own space. And not every dog needs the same level of socialisation or structure. And not every owner has the same lifestyle, energy, or goals.

You’re Allowed to Change Your Mind

What works for one dog may not work for yours. And what worked for you last month might not be working now. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re paying attention.

Just like I realised the podcast wasn’t lighting me up, you might realise that your daily walk is leaving your dog more frazzled than fulfilled. Or that dog parks are more stress than social. Or that sleeping on your bed is the one time your anxious rescue dog actually feels safe.

You get to try something… and then pivot.

Training, like life, is full of trial and error. It’s okay to try something and then realise it’s not quite right.

Bonus Tip: Try Something New This Week

Take a look at something you’ve been doing out of habit. A walk that always ends in stress. A routine that no longer feels helpful. A rule you’re following just because you feel like you should.

Now ask yourself: is this actually working for us?

If the answer is no, try something different.

Here’s a little game to play this week.

Every time you think “I should…”, swap it with “Do I want to?”

Do I want to walk my dog today - or would a scatter feed in the backyard be enough?
Do I want to go to the dog park - or would my dog prefer a solo sniffari?
Do I want to work on training - or is today better spent just cuddling on the couch?

Trust yourself. You know your dog better than anyone.

You and Your Dog Are Not a Statistic

You’re not a checkbox on a list. You’re not a data point on a graph. You’re a human with a real life, a unique dog, and a whole lot of context that nobody else can see.

And some weeks, life just looks different. Maybe you’re working extra hours, or your dog is recovering from a setback, or you’re just feeling a bit flat.

Do what works. Let go of what doesn’t.

Final Thoughts

You and your dog are allowed to figure things out together. You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re allowed to ditch what’s not working and lean into what is. That doesn’t mean giving up at the first hurdle. It means giving things a red-hot go - and reassessing if you’re not seeing progress.

Thanks for reading!

And as always, throw your dog a treat from us!

Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew xo

P.S. If you’re looking for support in building calm, connection, and confidence with your dog, my free eBook Chaos to Calm is a great place to start. You can download it right here. 🐾