Coaching lessons from training a puppy (again)
We have another Border Collie. Rafa joined us at eight weeks old and is now three months old.
This isn’t our first Border Collie, and like any puppy, their schedule requires balance. For me, it feels even more critical with a Border Collie—they're incredibly smart and need a certain level of mental stimulation.
As I spend time training him each day, I’m reminded that many of the lessons I see in training also show up in my coaching. Here are a few:
Be aware of overstimulation and adjust your schedule accordingly.
It’s much easier to hit our limit when we’re overstimulated. Pay attention to your schedule and jot down observations each week. Maybe you didn’t have breaks between calls and felt drained, or perhaps scheduling four calls instead of five helps you maintain your energy for the next day. Each week provides valuable data. By noting what’s working and what’s not, you can gradually tweak your schedule to better support you.
Rest isn’t optional—build it in before you burn out.
We’ve all had that moment when we got really sick and were forced to rest for days. We always think things can’t wait—until we have no choice but to stop. So how can you proactively build in small adjustments to your weeks that allow for more rest and breaks?
Allow time to integrate, especially when learning something new.
A core rule in puppy training: spend about 15 minutes training, then give them time to integrate by chewing or sniffing. This helps them internalize what they’ve learned. Humans need this, too. It’s called the default mode network—the reason why you have an aha moment while running or folding laundry. When you step away from the task at hand, your brain activates regions that help process and connect ideas.
Go back to the basics.
When Rafa is acting out, it’s usually because he needs food, rest, or exercise (mental or physical)—it’s about striking the right balance. The same goes for us. When we’re stressed, exhausted, or overwhelmed, it’s time to step back and assess what we need. Do you need nourishing food? More sleep? Movement? Understanding which lever to pull can make all the difference.
Want to talk through your schedule and what’s working (or not) in service of your larger goals?
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