‘I want a handler’ is a phrase I hear a lot with pups. Sometimes just in general and sometimes to me directly. My first question back to them is always ‘what makes you want to have a handler?’. The responses to this question vary substantially but, more often than not, the pup asking the questions looks at me like I’m an alien. There is this perception that you are not a pup without a handler or trainer, this is so incredibly far from the truth.
I’m certainly not down-playing the importance of handlers or trainers, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. However it’s not as simple as just walking up to someone and asking, ‘Will you be my handler?’. The handler/trainer and pup relation is no different than other relationships humans engage in. Just like you don’t typically wondering around and say ‘Will you be my boyfriend?’, you cannot do that as a pup or a handler/trainer generally.
For me at least, the connection between a pup and his handler/trainer is very special. It takes work for both involved, it takes compromise for both involved, it takes negotiation for both involved and it requires you both to be reasonably compatible for it to work over the long-term. This is not to say you have to be clones of each other and share all the same common interests, however you are going to be spending a lot of time with this person and you do need to get along and be able to have a conversation with each other.
I would go as far as to say that it’s actually a more complicated relationship than most and therefor, nothing to rush into. That being said, it is important to experiment, especially if you have not experienced this type of relationship before. As a pup I have had two fantastic handlers, one great Sir, and as a handler I have one fantastic pup. It is fairly common for there to be far less handler/trainers than pups. This can be super intimidating and super frustrating for pups.
Bottom line is, be patient, try new things, and try not to get upset when things don’t always work out. This isn’t something that’s easy, and there is a good reason. Nothing worthwhile in life is easy. Keep taking chances, keep learning and eventually something will work out. You will find a dynamic that works for you, just don’t loose hope and don’t rush it. You’re a pawsome person and you’ll make this work. Hugs and licks to you all.
– Micro