This week on the Juniper podcast, we’re unpacking what we thought dog mom life would look like, and what having a dog has actually been like. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed in training class, experienced the puppy blues, or compared your dog (or yourself) to your local #dogfluencer, this episode is for you. Tune in for a dog-walk-length dose of camaraderie. Then join the Juniper Community to meet more dog parents like you! 📍 Episode Highlights: Haley 00:45 — Loving your dog for who they are — When I first adopted Scout, I thought that if I worked hard enough and trained her well enough, then I could make her into anything. And that’s a really nice idea, and it’s not completely untrue … but I can’t fundamentally change who my dog is. She’s not a robot that I’m programming. Allison 3:38 — Letting go of naiveté and embracing dog training — I was so naive. I was like “dogs! they’re cool. they hang out. they sit.” I understood naively that there were some dogs that have challenges, but I thought they were extreme cases. But no, with most dogs you’re going to have to do some level of training and adjust your expectations. Haley 12:38 — Puppy blues — I think sometimes the puppy blues come from understanding that you’ve committed to this creature, and sometimes a sense of feeling a little trapped or worried that you’ve made this decision that feels irreversible and is shaking up your whole life. 🦴 We love Optimeal and we think your dog will too. Get 20% off their natural pet food with the code 20JuniperPet or at this link. (sponsored)