I often talk about investing time and energy wisely and seeing ourselves, or specific aspects of our lives, in terms of a business or bank account when helping people overcome whatever issues they may be facing. In short do the opportunities that add value to a person’s life outweigh the inevitable outgoings that will occur or are they operating on consistently low reserves?
This analogy can be applied to any aspect of our lives including health, relationships, lifestyle, work, and so on. Taking a step back and reviewing situations in this way can help people separate themselves from any emotion or confusion that may be clouding their ability to make sound decisions. It can enable them to make any necessary adjustments that will help them move forward with greater clarity, make wise investments and build a safe and stable ‘account’ that supports their future instead of becoming, or remaining, trapped in a cycle that is a consistent drain on valuable resources.
The same is true for any animal but to help keep this article as concise as possible I am only going to reference dogs
Deposits
Deposits in the dogs account are made from positive experiences. They include anything that enables the dog to succeed, feel great, and adds value to his life. A deposit may be made through the provision of a yummy treat, a game or verbal praise; a wholesome diet that is appropriate for that individual dog; good physical, mental and emotional wellbeing; rewarding education that enables the dog to develop good life skills; positive interactions with people and other animals; respectful handling; a happy, stress free environment; appropriate management and so on.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals are made from negative experiences. They include anything that depletes the dog’s account. This may be poor physical health such as hip dysplasia, forceful handling that deliberately or inadvertently frightens or hurts the dog; situations that trigger fear such as fireworks, thunder, being left alone etc; an accident; an unforeseen unfortunate event; frustration; stress; an inappropriate diet; a visit to the vet; the wrong environment; poor husbandry and so on.
Interest
Every deposit or withdrawal has the ability to gain interest. Interest can be a bonus that will increase the overall value of all the deposits that are being made. If a dog has an overdraft however, interest will equally apply to any further withdrawals that occur. What we may consider to be a relatively insignificant deposit or withdrawal may therefore have more significance to the balance of the dog’s account than we might initially have thought. The greater the combined value of the deposits or withdrawals, the greater the interest accrued.
I personally think it is unfortunate that dogs that struggle in the world we humans have created for them are sometimes labelled as red dogs, or red zone dogs. If you read this reference on a dogs behaviour chart, veterinary record or in an article, think about what this may mean in terms of his account. A dog that is labelled as such is usually a dog whose account is desperately overdrawn. When a dog’s account is significantly in the red, many, many frequent deposits must be made if there is any hope of turning this deficit around. A few deposits here and there will not be enough to compensate for the interest on the losses that are mounting up.
Some guardians may be committed to making deposits in the early days but unless they remember to make continued small investments throughout a dog’s life and are mindful of any withdrawals that may increase as the animal ages due to changes in wellbeing for example, or as a result of an unpleasant experience or lack of guidance, the initial growth in the account may not be something that can be sustained or be sufficient to support that dog long term.
Our role as Banker, Manager and Advisor
A well managed bank account provides security. In order to maintain a healthy account for our canine friends, we need to be mindful of our roles whether we are a banker, manager or advisor. It is inevitable that there will be some withdrawals from time to time but if there are more deposits than withdrawals, the occasional outgoing should not have a long term detrimental impact on the dog’s account.
We may have sole charge of the account if we live alone with a dog but we may meet many others who either add to or deplete our dog’s account along the way. If we work with dogs, or foster, we may become an advisor, or temporary manager for another dog’s account. We may require the services of an additional advisor such as a vet, trainer, groomer, physiotherapist or behaviour counsellor for the dogs already in our care or work alongside them if we need to refer a client dog.
Some guardians do not wish to be responsible for their dogs account. This may be due to lack of confidence, lack of knowledge, or lack of time. Unfortunately there are ‘advisors’ out there who will offer to take over the management of the dog’s account and may ‘guarantee’ that they can deliver superb results, almost overnight. Far from making regular deposits in the dogs account, they make so many withdrawals due to their own failings and lack of knowledge that the dog is left virtually bankrupt. Bankruptcy in any form can cause anxiety, depression and despair.
Of course we cannot influence every withdrawal or deposit that may be made, but if we pay attention to the role we play, we can do our best to ensure that the frequency of deposits is greater than the withdrawals through our own investments or by providing consistent or additional education and support.
Starter accounts
Regardless of their age dogs, come with their very own ‘bank account’. Genetics, physical health and well being along with every early experience form the basis of that account. Some dogs will have good investments already in place. They may have inherited a healthy account from their parents, and humans that were a part of their early life will have taken the time to make regular deposits as the puppy began to grow.
Other dogs are less fortunate. They have few reserves in place on which to draw , and many people will unwittingly, or through choice, take on dogs that are starting out with a nil balance or a close to empty account. Some dogs may even have inherited an overdraft due to the ill health of their parents and their accounts may have been drained further due to a lack of deposits in their formative years.
Checking/current accounts
Every time we interact with a dog, and every time a situation changes for that dog, there is potential for a deposit or withdrawal to be made.
Having a rough idea of the balance of a dog’s account is a useful starting place if you do not know anything about their banking history. Observing what is in front of you can give you valuable insights as to the existing reserves in the checking or current account and help you develop strategies as to how you might be able to access any previous deposits, and help new or existing deposits grow.
Even if you are told that the current or previous guardian spent time making several deposits, those deposits may have been temporarily moved to a separate account and may not be easily accessible in the short term. To access that account, you might need to spend some time helping the dog remember his security code, or build his trust to help him feel safe enough to share his savings with you.
Making deposits and withdrawals
Deposits do not only occur when we make a conscious decision to teach a dog specific life skills using positive reward based methods. Every interaction we have with a dog can affect their savings either way. Paying attention to detail and increasing our awareness of all the opportunities that we have to make small deposits throughout the day, will bring many rich rewards. We may be amazed at how much can be accumulated in a dogs account without the need to set aside dedicated banking time.
One simple way to ensure that many deposits are made on a regular basis is to establish where a dog enjoys being touched and how he responds to being handled, even by people that he already knows. If we consistently touch him in an area where he is sensitive to contact, or trigger anxiety or bracing through vigorous handling, a withdrawal will be made. This doesn’t mean that we should permanently avoid touching a dog that is sensitive to contact, but we want to ensure that we make far more deposits than withdrawals by working on a part of the body that helps the dog feel safe as we begin to address the reasons why some contact might cause concern.
Consider whether walking is an opportunity for multiple deposits to be made. Is the dog relaxed enough to enjoy topping up his account by taking in all the wonderful sights and smells in the environment, interacting with the handler and perhaps enjoying a shared game when in the park? If walking is actually depleting his account, consider ways that deposits can be made such as scent work, ground work, teaching games, and body work in an environment where the dog feels safe enough to learn.
Avoid rushing through these wonderful opportunities. As with any banking, we need to ensure that the necessary information is in place to avoid the deposit going astray, and we must allow time to let even the smallest investments grow. Give the dog plenty of opportunities to review his bank statement and to process all the wonderful deposits that have been made.
Prepare in advance for potential withdrawals that may be made by a trip to the vets or grooming salon, treatment for infections or injuries, toe nail trimming, microchipping, injections, bathing and so on by teaching your dog that contact around his eyes, and around and on his ears, neck, feet, nails, and over every inch of his body is rewarding and something that increases, rather than compromises, the security of his account. If the unexpected happens or preparation has not been possible, use TTouches and treats to make deposits before, during and/or after the necessary procedures have been carried out.
Standing orders and direct debits
There may be established standing orders or variable direct debits that result in regular withdrawals from a dogs account. They may be unavoidable such as monthly, quarterly, or yearly trips to the vets for monitoring, blood tests, or annual health checks; visits to the groomer and so on. There might be infrequent or frequent withdrawals that will vary in value and might be inadvertently overlooked such as chronic pain, niggling injuries that flare up from time to time, poor posture, or ill fitting equipment perhaps.
Some guardians may not be aware that there are standing orders in place that are responsible for regular withdrawals from their dogs account. These may be training classes that far from increasing the value of their dogs account actually deplete the deposits that have been banked. A well intentioned family member or friend may unwittingly be responsible for withdrawals from the dog’s account by interacting with him in a way that incites fear, in contrast to the person’s belief that the dog is having fun.
In order to cover the predictable outgoings, it may be necessary to top up the account with plenty of deposits before the date of the standing order to ensure they do not deplete important reserves. If we refrain from making the deposit until the day that the standing order is due to be taken from the account, there may not be enough time for the deposit to be fully processed and it may not be available to draw on in time. Â If we don’t address the underlying reasons why there may be consistent withdrawals, however small, through better awareness and education the ability to keep a healthy balance in the account may be limited.
Super savings accounts
These are an accumulation of the deposits that may have been made over many months or even years. They may have been amassed by deposits received for a well practised sit for example that has been taught in a variety of locations, and in a variety of situations; a solid recall that again has been practised multiple, multiple times; considerate handling that has enabled the dog to enjoy contact on every part of his body from people he knows and those that may be less familiar to him. Savings ideally are something that can be self sustained and no longer need consistent top ups to be of value to the dog.
As with any account, there are never any guarantees that the savings will perform as expected or hoped, but the more deposits that are made and the greater the savings that can be generated from those deposits, the greater the chances of creating a security blanket that will support the dog in times of need.
Identity theft
A one off traumatic experience, excessive stress or serious health concern can have a devastating effect on a dogs account. Regardless of all the wonderful deposits that had been made, a significant upsetting event, or series of events, may occur that results in a massive withdrawal in a very short space of time. It might be an accident, an attack by another dog, kennelling, and so on. Whatever the reason, the result may be a dog that then behaves in a way that is totally out of character for that dog.
With time and patience, and plenty of deposits, it may be possible to help the dog feel safe once more. Bear in mind however, that a dog whose account has been depleted in this way, may never quite believe his savings can ever be truly safe again.
Banking book
It can be hard to motivate some guardians to make regular deposits in their dogs account. They may feel overwhelmed by what they perceive to be the task ahead. Consider whether a client may appreciate being given a little’ banking book’ for their canine companion and think about ways to help them accrue their dog’s savings over time. Create deposit slips for them to complete as a reminder to practice specific TTouches, groundwork or learning exercises and ask them to record all the deposits and withdrawals being made.
Regardless of whether we are working with our own dogs, or helping to establish a robust account for a client dog, achievable targets, consistency and patience are the keys. Sustainable financial growth takes time and requires diligent management along the way. It is impossible to make accurate forecasts but if we remember to take care of the pennies, we create potential for the pounds to take care of themselves.
This analogy can be applied to any aspect of our lives including health, relationships, lifestyle, work, and so on. Taking a step back and reviewing situations in this way can help people separate themselves from any emotion or confusion that may be clouding their ability to make sound decisions. It can enable them to make any necessary adjustments that will help them move forward with greater clarity, make wise investments and build a safe and stable ‘account’ that supports their future instead of becoming, or remaining, trapped in a cycle that is a consistent drain on valuable resources.
The same is true for any animal but to help keep this article as concise as possible I am only going to reference dogs
Deposits
Deposits in the dogs account are made from positive experiences. They include anything that enables the dog to succeed, feel great, and adds value to his life. A deposit may be made through the provision of a yummy treat, a game or verbal praise; a wholesome diet that is appropriate for that individual dog; good physical, mental and emotional wellbeing; rewarding education that enables the dog to develop good life skills; positive interactions with people and other animals; respectful handling; a happy, stress free environment; appropriate management and so on.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals are made from negative experiences. They include anything that depletes the dog’s account. This may be poor physical health such as hip dysplasia, forceful handling that deliberately or inadvertently frightens or hurts the dog; situations that trigger fear such as fireworks, thunder, being left alone etc; an accident; an unforeseen unfortunate event; frustration; stress; an inappropriate diet; a visit to the vet; the wrong environment; poor husbandry and so on.
Interest
Every deposit or withdrawal has the ability to gain interest. Interest can be a bonus that will increase the overall value of all the deposits that are being made. If a dog has an overdraft however, interest will equally apply to any further withdrawals that occur. What we may consider to be a relatively insignificant deposit or withdrawal may therefore have more significance to the balance of the dog’s account than we might initially have thought. The greater the combined value of the deposits or withdrawals, the greater the interest accrued.
I personally think it is unfortunate that dogs that struggle in the world we humans have created for them are sometimes labelled as red dogs, or red zone dogs. If you read this reference on a dogs behaviour chart, veterinary record or in an article, think about what this may mean in terms of his account. A dog that is labelled as such is usually a dog whose account is desperately overdrawn. When a dog’s account is significantly in the red, many, many frequent deposits must be made if there is any hope of turning this deficit around. A few deposits here and there will not be enough to compensate for the interest on the losses that are mounting up.
Some guardians may be committed to making deposits in the early days but unless they remember to make continued small investments throughout a dog’s life and are mindful of any withdrawals that may increase as the animal ages due to changes in wellbeing for example, or as a result of an unpleasant experience or lack of guidance, the initial growth in the account may not be something that can be sustained or be sufficient to support that dog long term.
Our role as Banker, Manager and Advisor
A well managed bank account provides security. In order to maintain a healthy account for our canine friends, we need to be mindful of our roles whether we are a banker, manager or advisor. It is inevitable that there will be some withdrawals from time to time but if there are more deposits than withdrawals, the occasional outgoing should not have a long term detrimental impact on the dog’s account.
We may have sole charge of the account if we live alone with a dog but we may meet many others who either add to or deplete our dog’s account along the way. If we work with dogs, or foster, we may become an advisor, or temporary manager for another dog’s account. We may require the services of an additional advisor such as a vet, trainer, groomer, physiotherapist or behaviour counsellor for the dogs already in our care or work alongside them if we need to refer a client dog.
Some guardians do not wish to be responsible for their dogs account. This may be due to lack of confidence, lack of knowledge, or lack of time. Unfortunately there are ‘advisors’ out there who will offer to take over the management of the dog’s account and may ‘guarantee’ that they can deliver superb results, almost overnight. Far from making regular deposits in the dogs account, they make so many withdrawals due to their own failings and lack of knowledge that the dog is left virtually bankrupt. Bankruptcy in any form can cause anxiety, depression and despair.
Of course we cannot influence every withdrawal or deposit that may be made, but if we pay attention to the role we play, we can do our best to ensure that the frequency of deposits is greater than the withdrawals through our own investments or by providing consistent or additional education and support.
Starter accounts
Regardless of their age dogs, come with their very own ‘bank account’. Genetics, physical health and well being along with every early experience form the basis of that account. Some dogs will have good investments already in place. They may have inherited a healthy account from their parents, and humans that were a part of their early life will have taken the time to make regular deposits as the puppy began to grow.
Other dogs are less fortunate. They have few reserves in place on which to draw , and many people will unwittingly, or through choice, take on dogs that are starting out with a nil balance or a close to empty account. Some dogs may even have inherited an overdraft due to the ill health of their parents and their accounts may have been drained further due to a lack of deposits in their formative years.
Checking/current accounts
Every time we interact with a dog, and every time a situation changes for that dog, there is potential for a deposit or withdrawal to be made.
Having a rough idea of the balance of a dog’s account is a useful starting place if you do not know anything about their banking history. Observing what is in front of you can give you valuable insights as to the existing reserves in the checking or current account and help you develop strategies as to how you might be able to access any previous deposits, and help new or existing deposits grow.
Even if you are told that the current or previous guardian spent time making several deposits, those deposits may have been temporarily moved to a separate account and may not be easily accessible in the short term. To access that account, you might need to spend some time helping the dog remember his security code, or build his trust to help him feel safe enough to share his savings with you.
Making deposits and withdrawals
Deposits do not only occur when we make a conscious decision to teach a dog specific life skills using positive reward based methods. Every interaction we have with a dog can affect their savings either way. Paying attention to detail and increasing our awareness of all the opportunities that we have to make small deposits throughout the day, will bring many rich rewards. We may be amazed at how much can be accumulated in a dogs account without the need to set aside dedicated banking time.
One simple way to ensure that many deposits are made on a regular basis is to establish where a dog enjoys being touched and how he responds to being handled, even by people that he already knows. If we consistently touch him in an area where he is sensitive to contact, or trigger anxiety or bracing through vigorous handling, a withdrawal will be made. This doesn’t mean that we should permanently avoid touching a dog that is sensitive to contact, but we want to ensure that we make far more deposits than withdrawals by working on a part of the body that helps the dog feel safe as we begin to address the reasons why some contact might cause concern.
Consider whether walking is an opportunity for multiple deposits to be made. Is the dog relaxed enough to enjoy topping up his account by taking in all the wonderful sights and smells in the environment, interacting with the handler and perhaps enjoying a shared game when in the park? If walking is actually depleting his account, consider ways that deposits can be made such as scent work, ground work, teaching games, and body work in an environment where the dog feels safe enough to learn.
Avoid rushing through these wonderful opportunities. As with any banking, we need to ensure that the necessary information is in place to avoid the deposit going astray, and we must allow time to let even the smallest investments grow. Give the dog plenty of opportunities to review his bank statement and to process all the wonderful deposits that have been made.
Prepare in advance for potential withdrawals that may be made by a trip to the vets or grooming salon, treatment for infections or injuries, toe nail trimming, microchipping, injections, bathing and so on by teaching your dog that contact around his eyes, and around and on his ears, neck, feet, nails, and over every inch of his body is rewarding and something that increases, rather than compromises, the security of his account. If the unexpected happens or preparation has not been possible, use TTouches and treats to make deposits before, during and/or after the necessary procedures have been carried out.
Standing orders and direct debits
There may be established standing orders or variable direct debits that result in regular withdrawals from a dogs account. They may be unavoidable such as monthly, quarterly, or yearly trips to the vets for monitoring, blood tests, or annual health checks; visits to the groomer and so on. There might be infrequent or frequent withdrawals that will vary in value and might be inadvertently overlooked such as chronic pain, niggling injuries that flare up from time to time, poor posture, or ill fitting equipment perhaps.
Some guardians may not be aware that there are standing orders in place that are responsible for regular withdrawals from their dogs account. These may be training classes that far from increasing the value of their dogs account actually deplete the deposits that have been banked. A well intentioned family member or friend may unwittingly be responsible for withdrawals from the dog’s account by interacting with him in a way that incites fear, in contrast to the person’s belief that the dog is having fun.
In order to cover the predictable outgoings, it may be necessary to top up the account with plenty of deposits before the date of the standing order to ensure they do not deplete important reserves. If we refrain from making the deposit until the day that the standing order is due to be taken from the account, there may not be enough time for the deposit to be fully processed and it may not be available to draw on in time. Â If we don’t address the underlying reasons why there may be consistent withdrawals, however small, through better awareness and education the ability to keep a healthy balance in the account may be limited.
Super savings accounts
These are an accumulation of the deposits that may have been made over many months or even years. They may have been amassed by deposits received for a well practised sit for example that has been taught in a variety of locations, and in a variety of situations; a solid recall that again has been practised multiple, multiple times; considerate handling that has enabled the dog to enjoy contact on every part of his body from people he knows and those that may be less familiar to him. Savings ideally are something that can be self sustained and no longer need consistent top ups to be of value to the dog.
As with any account, there are never any guarantees that the savings will perform as expected or hoped, but the more deposits that are made and the greater the savings that can be generated from those deposits, the greater the chances of creating a security blanket that will support the dog in times of need.
Identity theft
A one off traumatic experience, excessive stress or serious health concern can have a devastating effect on a dogs account. Regardless of all the wonderful deposits that had been made, a significant upsetting event, or series of events, may occur that results in a massive withdrawal in a very short space of time. It might be an accident, an attack by another dog, kennelling, and so on. Whatever the reason, the result may be a dog that then behaves in a way that is totally out of character for that dog.
With time and patience, and plenty of deposits, it may be possible to help the dog feel safe once more. Bear in mind however, that a dog whose account has been depleted in this way, may never quite believe his savings can ever be truly safe again.
Banking book
It can be hard to motivate some guardians to make regular deposits in their dogs account. They may feel overwhelmed by what they perceive to be the task ahead. Consider whether a client may appreciate being given a little’ banking book’ for their canine companion and think about ways to help them accrue their dog’s savings over time. Create deposit slips for them to complete as a reminder to practice specific TTouches, groundwork or learning exercises and ask them to record all the deposits and withdrawals being made.
Regardless of whether we are working with our own dogs, or helping to establish a robust account for a client dog, achievable targets, consistency and patience are the keys. Sustainable financial growth takes time and requires diligent management along the way. It is impossible to make accurate forecasts but if we remember to take care of the pennies, we create potential for the pounds to take care of themselves.
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