We live in a world where it’s now easier than ever to obtain what we want straight away, without having to wait long if at all.
Linda argues that missing out on anticipation means we’re missing out on a major source of enjoyment in life—that delicious sense of knowing something good is going to happen and imagining what it will be like when it does. She draws on research looking at holiday planning to illustrate her argument.
Caroline explains how we can use anticipation when training our dogs. She introduces the ‘Ready Steady Go’ technique (view the training video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e34KeUnPCCQ) and explains how it can be used to decrease dogs’ anxiety and increase their joy. She also reminds us to take into consideration our dog’s breed as well as their own unique characteristics when deciding the best ways to use anticipation when we work with our dogs.
At the end of the podcast, Linda and Caroline encourage listeners to think about ways to build more anticipation into their own and their dog’s lives.
What's inside this episode?
00:00 Introduction. May as the month of holidays this year, and the joy that can be had anticipating holidays and free time.
04:12 We spend less time in anticipation in today’s world, and why this could be contributing to the decrease in reported happiness.
05:17 Are dogs capable of anticipation?
06:40 How to ensure human anticipation can be as joyful as possible.
07:55 The importance of and value in prioritising our dogs’ needs when we go on holiday.
09:17 Using anticipation and reward when training our dogs.
10:54 The Ready Steady Go technique explained.
15:18 How creating anticipation might enhance our dogs’ digestion.
19:40 Taking into consideration a dog’s breed and unique characteristics when using anticipation as a training aid.
21:40 The joy that can be had when anticipating a future desirable event, and a call for us to enjoy it more often.
24:36 Linda's "Just One Thing"
25:05 Caroline's "Just One Thing"
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Caroline Wilkinson is a Certified Animal Behaviourist. She is a Full (assessed) Member of the APDT and INTODogs – as well as a Registered Training Instructor (ABTC). Caroline is also a Certified Real Dog Yoga Practitioner and an Applied Canine Zoopharmacognosist. Caroline writes for Pets Radar, as well as a number of trusted pet brands. She also speaks around the country – presenting workshops and webinars with a focus on living more mindfully alongside our canine companions.
Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and registered as a Practitioner Psychologist in the Health and Care Professions Council. She trained at Harvard and the Institute of Psychiatry in London, and has offered cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based psychotherapy for over 40 years in the NHS and privately. She has also taught various aspects of psychology at the University of Cambridge and the Open University.
