The Dog Who Changed Everything: Lessons from Kip
- Deb from Busy Pawz
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Some dogs arrive in our lives with a plan. Not our plan - but a plan. And sometimes that plan is to turn everything you thought you knew upside down.
Kip is that dog for me.
He came to be rehabilitated and rehomed. Four years later, he’s still here.
And while he may not be the easiest dog I’ve ever lived with… he’s without a doubt the one who’s taught me the most.
When “Typical” Training Doesn’t Work
From the outside, Kip looks like your classic working-line kelpie - smart, stunning, athletic. But from the moment he arrived, it was clear that his brain didn’t work like most dogs.
Kip wasn’t just sensitive - he was deeply mistrustful, hyper-alert, and would go from zero to meltdown in a heartbeat, and none of the usual training techniques worked. Not in the way they usually do. I tried everything - structured training, reiki, kinesiology, animal communication. And bit by bit, I saw improvement… but none of it was a quick fix.
There were still meltdowns. He still relied heavily on me for emotional support. He trusted only me. And even now, he has days and moments that are just plain hard.
But we also have moments that are incredible. Where he shines. Where the connection is so strong, it takes my breath away.
And over time, those moments have started to outweigh the tough ones.
It’s Not Always Your Fault
In the early days, I questioned everything. Was I doing enough? Was I doing it wrong? Why wasn’t it working?
But what Kip has taught me - what I now share with so many of my clients - is that sometimes it’s not about fault. It’s about learning to meet a dog where they are.
Kip isn’t broken. He’s just wired differently. And once I stopped trying to “fix” him and started listening to what he needed, everything changed.
The pressure dropped. The connection grew. And I began to realise that this was the dog I needed, just as much as he needed me.
When the Dog Chooses You
When Kip arrived, I didn’t need another dog. In fact, I really didn’t want one. But for him, it was me or no one.
He wasn’t rehomeable. Not in the traditional sense. If he had been “normal,” he would’ve moved on. But he wasn’t. And he didn’t.
Looking back now, there’s no doubt in my mind that he landed on my doorstep for a reason.
So many of my clients have dogs like Kip. Dogs who feel like a mismatch. Dogs who make you second-guess yourself. But I promise you they are not a mistake. Whether they’re here for a reason or just a season, the dogs who challenge us are often the ones who help us grow the most.
Our Dogs Are Our Mirrors
Our dogs reflect back to us what’s going on inside. And Kip is the ultimate mirror.
When he’s anxious, I have to ask: am I?
When he’s unsettled, I need to check in: what energy am I bringing into the space?
Because more often than not, we’re walking the same journey. And that’s not a bad thing - in fact, it’s an opportunity.
Who better to support your anxious, sensitive, or reactive dog than you, someone who understands what it feels like to live with big feelings and an overwhelmed nervous system?
The Lesson of Letting Go
There are plenty of things I’d love to change about Kip. Things I wish were easier. But part of this journey has been learning to let go of control and accept what is.
Kip has taught me that sometimes, the best thing you can do is surrender your expectations and go with the flow. Stop fighting the dog in front of you. Start partnering with them.
He’s helped me regulate my emotions, even when it all feels like it’s falling apart. He’s pushed me to be more creative, more empathetic, and more grounded as a trainer. And as a human.
He’s reminded me that love isn’t always easy - but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got a Kip in your life, please know you’re not alone.
Some dogs are easy. Some dogs are here to shake things up. And some dogs are both, depending on the day.
But no matter what, you’re not failing.
You’re growing. You’re learning. And your dog - whether they show it in clear ways or quiet moments - knows how deeply they are loved.
Thanks for reading!
And as always, throw your dog a treat from us!
Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew xo
P.S. If you’ve got a dog like Kip - one who doesn’t follow the rulebook and leaves you feeling like nothing’s working - you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out on your own. If you’re feeling lost, I can help. My in-person consults are designed to support you and your dog with practical strategies that meet you both where you're at. Book a consult here and let’s get started.
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