Peattie the teacher

Life Lessons From Dogs: What My 8-Month-Old Doberman Taught Me About Patience

Life Lessons From Dogs: What My 8-Month-Old Doberman Taught Me About Patience

If you’ve ever lived with a puppy, you know the chaos—and the love—that comes with it. My Doberman, Peattie Pablo, is now eight months old, and let me tell you: he’s a handful. He works with me every day, stays by my side almost 24/7, and only spends time in his crate at night or when he’s earned a “time out” in the garage for being too naughty.

And when I say naughty, I mean destructive. My house looks like a storm hit it—carpet shredded, plants destroyed, furniture chewed. But somehow, in the middle of the mess, this goofy dog is teaching me more about life than I expected.

Here are the three biggest lessons Peattie Pablo has taught me about patience, persistence, and joy.

Lesson #1: Persistence Pays Off

Peattie never gives up. If he wants something—your attention, a toy, or a chance to leap on the couch—he will keep trying. He fails a lot, but that doesn’t stop him.

Life works the same way. Success, growth, and healing rarely happen on the first try. You may feel like you’re “failing” along the way, but if you keep showing up, you’ll make progress. Just like Peattie, persistence gets results.

Lesson #2: Boundaries Are Loving, Not Mean

Peattie loves to be close to me every second of the day, but that’s not always possible. Without structure, his energy spirals into chaos—chewing things, knocking things over, destroying furniture.

The crate and the occasional “garage time-out” aren’t punishments—they’re necessary for his safety, my sanity, and our relationship.

The same is true in life. Boundaries aren’t cold or controlling—they create security and respect. Whether in relationships, work, or personal life, healthy limits allow love to grow stronger.

Lesson #3: Joy Lives in the Simple Things

Peattie finds happiness in the smallest moments—a squeaky toy, a treat, even a stick. He’s thrilled just to go for a walk or nap by my feet while I work.

Watching him reminds me that joy doesn’t always come from big milestones. It’s in the little things: a cold Diet Coke, a sunny day, a laugh with someone you love. We just have to notice it.

The Big Takeaway

Life with Peattie Pablo isn’t perfect. It’s messy, loud, and at times expensive (goodbye, carpet!). But it’s also full of love and lessons. Patience isn’t about waiting for things to calm down—it’s about embracing the chaos with grace, finding joy in small wins, and remembering that growth takes time.

So today, I’m grateful for this stubborn, silly, destructive Doberman who’s teaching me persistence, boundaries, and joy—one chewed-up shoe at a time.