A Gentle Reminder About Progress — The goalposts can move

Be careful not to move the goalposts every time your dog reaches them.

The dog who couldn’t settle while visitors were present can now sleep in another room.

But now we’re wondering why they can’t sleep beside the visitors.

The dog who couldn’t leave the driveway can explore the end of the road.

But now the end of the road doesn’t feel like enough.

The dog who needed twenty metres from another dog now needs ten.

And suddenly we’re disappointed that they still need ten.

Sometimes progress becomes invisible because yesterday’s enormous achievement quietly becomes today’s expectation.

Every now and then, look backwards.

Not to compare your dog with who they “should” be by now.

But to remember how far you’ve travelled together. 🩵