Navigating the Ups and Downs of Lurcher Parenthood: Lessons from a Chewed Fleece
In this blog post, I dive into the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable world of living with lurchers, sharing firsthand experiences and invaluable insights for current and prospective lurcher parents.
From understanding their instinctual behaviours to embracing patience and adaptability, discover how to foster a positive, loving environment.
Life with lurchers is never dull.
Just when I thought I’d got into a comfortable routine, a surprise was lurking in the corner—or, as I found out, in the pocket of my favourite fleece. This episode serves as a vivid reminder of the joys and challenges that come with our four-legged friends.
Not long ago, my two lovely lurchers decided that my fleece pocket was their next great adventure, primarily because I forgot I’d left some dog treats inside.
Within 20 minutes of me being out of the house, they managed to excavate their snack with what can only be described as an enthusiastic determination.
The outcome? My 2-month old, Christmas gifted fleece, worth £80, torn up.
What Could Have Been Fury Turned Into Reflection
The initial shock and disappointment I felt soon evolved into introspection.
This is a point many pet parents reach: realising that our pets act based on instinct, curiosity, and immediate desires. They don’t comprehend guilt in the way humans do.
This understanding has significantly altered my approach to training and everyday interactions with my lurchers.
The Key Learnings From Our Canine Companions
Perfection Is a Myth in Dog Parenting: Striving to be a perfect dog parent or expecting your pet to be flawless sets us up for disappointment. Lurchers, like all dogs, have their natural inclinations. They explore, chew, and react to their environments as part of their learning process.
Dogs Respond to Our Behavioural Cues: The “guilty” look often attributed to dogs is more about reading and responding to our behaviour than any internal moral conflict. They are incredibly perceptive, tuning into our emotions and reactions more than we might realise.
Choose Patience and Understanding Over Punishment: Recognising the torn fleece as more my oversight (leaving treats in tempting reach) rather than their misbehaviour influenced my response. Instead of responding with anger, I chose understanding and patience.
Embracing the chaos and learning from each unexpected moment enriches our lives, providing not only growth but deepening the bond with our pets. Here’s to the messiness, the laughter, and the countless lessons in every unexpected adventure.
