When the Student is Ready, the Teacher Appears
Does your dog push your buttons? Do you ever feel an exaggerated reaction to your dog's behavior? Downright triggered?
Your most uncomfortable emotions can be activated and mirrored by your dog. Your shadow self might be unconsciously projected into your dog. Your unhealed inner child. Your refusal to accept the truth or the reality of your current situation.
One of the simplest practices (not necessarily easy, but straightforward) is to write your dog a letter of gratitude. This can help you process the emotions coming up around your dog's behavior. This can bring clarity to your situation.
You will most likely feel a softening, a heart-opening. You might also be processing anger, resentment, and frustration. This is a practice you can do many times, and over time you will process ever deeper layers of the onion.
We all have lessons to learn, and we all have different types of teachers. Your dog could be one of your greatest teachers!