“Nuzzle the Muzzle”

Dear Teacher,  
 

This past weekend, my family of four went car camping in Virginia.  Out of necessity (our dog boarder was booked!), we took our two English Cream Golden Retrievers, Nessy and Pearl. Although we had previously camped with Nessy, a calm, soft-spoken five-year old, we had never done so with Pearl, whose relentless hyperactivity and boundless energy could exhaust the Energizer Bunny.  It was with extreme reluctance then, that we loaded her, along with our camping gear, for a 3-day trip to the Appalachians.

Being the beginning of fall in the mountains, the campground was packed.  People, pickups, and pups made happy noises throughout the campground: Clanging pans, children playing, dogs barking. These sounds, however, put Pearl on edge.  She felt vulnerable without four walls of familiarity to be her safe place.  She was concerned by passersby, afraid they would invade our campsite.  As a result, she was very emotionally dysregulated, barking and growling at the sight of any perceived threat. 

After two days of this behavior, my husband was at his wit's end.  He was worried that Pearl's behavior would interfere with those around us.  He, himself, was exhausted for constantly correcting and scolding her.  When she let out another high pitched yelp, his temperament was frayed.  And yet, sitting across him in my own camp chair, I watched him make a conscious decision.  Instead of lashing out at our dog, Jason reached over and pulled Pearl toward him.  Situating her between his legs, he held the 65-pound pet, talking quietly into her ear, soothing her with his touch and tenderness.  For the rest of the night, Pearl was a different girl.  Thanks to Jason's actions, she felt safe, secure, and settled.

And you, Teacher, there in your classroom, may feel at your wit's end with a particular student.  You are likely worried that this student's behaviors will impact the learning of your other students.  You're exhausted from constantly scolding and correcting.  Your temperament is frayed from parent-teacher conferences, behavior modification, and sticker charts.  And yet, you make a conscious decision.  Instead of pushing back at your student, you pull him/her in!  You speak quietly to them, offering safety, security, and the ability to settle.  And the result?  Your student will eventually have a turn-around.  It may not be overnight, but your patient persistence will pay off.

Pulling them in with you,

Mindy
Christian Educator & School Counselor