My heart is not proud, O
Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or
things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a
weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O
Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forever more.
Psalm 131
“Teaching proper socialization is more
important than obedience training.”
In our vet’s
unforgettable example: “Teaching obedience without properly socializing a puppy
is like teaching a serial killer to drive a car. He can perform a specific, isolated
task, but he can’t function in society.
Socializing a
puppy is training him to function appropriately and harmoniously in his world.
If you watch dog shows or read dog books, you are familiar with the research on
pack behavior. Like children, the
average dog doesn’t want to be in charge, but if there is a leadership vacuum,
he will attempt to fill the void. And, as we know from seeing the behavioral
antics of snappy dogs and snotty kids, it isn’t a pretty picture.
“There is a
God and you are not Him” is this training rule in big letters. We—dogs, kids,
adults—are a part of the Creation. The infinitely wise and loving Creator is in
charge here. Even when we feel that events aren’t to our liking or
understanding, there is no void that needs filling.
In puppy
training, the “settle” cue is used to teach a dog to calm down or relax. The
purpose is to teach him to tune out distractions and concentrate on what he is
about to be taught.
In the same
way, true peace with God isn’t gained through performance. It is found when we
settle into His plan, rest in the place He has prepared for us and rejoice in His
provision for us.
Nancy Shirah
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