Your dog is a teenager and you need to get over it
Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. And honestly, out here, sometimes the most important news isn't about what’s happening in the halls of power, but what’s happening right in your living room, or more likely, your backyard. Especially when it comes to the four-legged members of our families.
Listen, I've had my share of pups. From the farm dogs chasing geese on Sumas Prairie to the quiet ones curled up by the fireplace after a long day of berry picking. So when I saw this piece about our dogs turning into teenagers, it just rang true. We expect these perfect, well-behaved animals, right? Then, somewhere between six months and two years, they go a little… sideways. Suddenly, that perfectly trained recall from Mill Lake Park is ignored like a forgotten chore, or they’re chewing on everything but their own toys, just like a teenager raiding the fridge for anything but what you bought for them.
### What This Means for Abbotsford Families
This isn't just about a cute observation; it’s about understanding the animals we bring into our homes, especially when so many families out here in the Valley have dogs. It means:
* **Patience is key:** Just like with human teenagers, consistency and calm are your best tools. * **Keep up the training:** Don't give up when they seem to forget everything. They're testing boundaries. * **Give them a job:** Whether it’s helping with chores on the farm or just long walks along the Vedder River, a tired dog is a good dog.
It’s a reminder that our furry companions are going through developmental stages, and sometimes their "bad" behaviour isn't defiance, but just growth. Understanding this can save a lot of frustration and keep more dogs in loving homes, right here in Abbotsford, which is something we can all appreciate.
This is Harpreet Gill-Thiessen, and that’s the buzz from the Valley. You know, Jaswinder and the crew talk about all sorts of things like this on the morning show, it’s worth a listen live at mornings.live.