The Journey Is the Point: Being Present With the Dog in Front of You
We can never truly take the future for granted.
We plan for it, hope for it, even shape our days around it — but it’s not guaranteed.
That’s not meant to sound bleak. It’s a reminder to come back to what is guaranteed: this moment, the dog in front of us, and the relationship we’re building right now.
When it comes to our dogs, it’s easy to get caught up in what we want to change — wishing they’d stop barking, calm down faster, or “finally get it.”
We imagine a future version of them that’s easier to live with.
But in doing so, we often miss the most important part: the journey that gets us there.
Because the future isn’t promised — and the only place we can actually make a difference is here, now, in the present.
A Lesson in Presence
Every day, I picture how I’d like to spend my afternoons with my daughter.
I imagine the plan: what we’ll do together, how the time will flow, and how I’d like it all to go.
But she’s two years old — and that means every day is different.
Some days she’s bright, full of energy, ready to play.
Other days she’s tired, hungry, or emotionally spent after a big day at daycare.
If I stick too rigidly to my plan — pushing ahead regardless of how she feels — it rarely goes well.
If I ignore her emotional state because I’m focused on what I wanted to happen, everything unravels.
Some afternoons, we do everything I imagined.
Other times, what she needs most is quiet connection — less stimulation, more stillness, just being together.
The most important thing is that I stay present enough to notice.
And that goes for me too.
If I’ve had a long day, if I’m tired or distracted, and I ignore that, I’ll bring tension into the moment that doesn’t belong there.
Presence means being attuned — not just to the other, but to ourselves.
Our Dogs Deserve the Same
It’s the same principle with our dogs.
We all come to training with hopes and goals — to fix behaviour, to see improvement, to help them become more relaxed or more confident. There’s nothing wrong with that. But if we get stuck chasing the future version of our dog, we stop responding to who they actually are right now.
And when that happens, frustration is never far behind.
We start reacting instead of relating. We become impatient, punitive, or dismissive — and in doing so, we not only block progress, we lose connection.
Because the truth is: frustration doesn’t change behaviour.
Connection does.
When we slow down, observe, and meet our dog where they are, we create the space for real learning to take place.
The Power of Presence in Behaviour Change
Being present doesn’t mean we give up on our goals.
It means we stop trying to force the future and start working with the moment we’re in.
It means:
Recognising when our dog is tired and needs rest instead of repetition.
Slowing down when they’re too stressed to think.
Rewarding calm, not demanding compliance.
That kind of awareness isn’t permissive — it’s responsive.
It’s how we turn moments of struggle into moments of understanding.
And it’s how behaviour truly changes — through safety, consistency, and support, not control.
How Bondi Behaviourist and Canine Caregivers Work Together
At Bondi Behaviourist, this philosophy is what underpins every consultation — helping people learn how to see their dog, not just manage their behaviour.
It’s about building trust and emotional stability through real-world application and hands-on guidance.
But lasting change also requires reflection — the time and space to deepen your understanding of why behaviour happens, not just how to respond.
That’s where Canine Caregivers comes in.
Canine Caregivers expands on these ideas through online learning, workshops, and self-paced courses. It helps you explore your dog’s emotional world in more depth, so you can meet them with empathy and clarity in everyday life.
Together, Bondi Behaviourist and Canine Caregivers offer both sides of the journey:
Bondi Behaviourist helps you do the work.
Canine Caregivers helps you understand the work.
Both are built on the same foundation — presence, connection, and emotional wellbeing.
The Journey Is the Point
We often treat training as a destination — a fixed point where our dog is “better.”
But dogs aren’t projects to complete. They’re companions we grow with.
The real joy isn’t waiting somewhere in the future — it’s found in the daily practice of being present, of helping them feel safe, seen, and supported right now.
Because the future isn’t promised.
And when we spend all our energy trying to get there, we miss what’s right in front of us — the connection, the learning, and the shared experience that makes life with dogs so meaningful.
By being present — by offering support, empathy, and safety — we not only make the most of our time together, but we give our dogs the best chance to change, grow, and thrive.
👉 Want to learn how to support your dog’s emotional wellbeing through presence, understanding, and connection?
You can read this full blog — and access free guides, workshops, and courses — inside our Free Dog Training Starter Guide, created in partnership with Bondi Behaviourist and Canine Caregivers.
— Ian
Bondi Behaviourist
A healthy dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog is great to live with.
