Sammy Video 5

🐾Sammy’s Training Diary Big Emotions, Bigger Learning
In today’s clip, you’ll see Sammy — our gorgeous ARAN Animal Rescue NZ rescue Guest dog — rush over to me, park himself for a moment… and then launch straight into full-face, full-body enthusiasm.
He’s a big lad, so when he gets excited, you feel it.
But here’s the important bit: this behaviour didn’t come from nowhere. When Sammy was a tiny pup, climbing into people’s faces and licking them was likely encouraged because it was “cute.” Puppies who are picked up a lot or allowed to play right on top of humans often grow up believing that intense, up-close affection is the right way to connect. So Sammy isn’t misbehaving — he’s following the early lessons life gave him.
In this video, I let that emotional burst play out without shutting him down. No telling off, no supression. Just spaciousness. Then I guided him gently back into a calmer state by dropping my energy first, inviting him to join me in that moment of groundedness.
And you can watch the shift happen:
from “I must climb your whole body!”
to “Oh… I can breathe. I can choose.”
By the end, Sammy’s sitting calmly beside me, regulating his impulses and showing the beginnings of the emotional control Papia’s already been nurturing with him.
This is what mindful training looks like:
letting the emotion happen, then helping the dog find a better way through connection, not correction.
💜REMEMBER : Sammy needs a NEW HOME, unfortunatley he can’t stay with us forever. With all the learning he’ll gain from us he should fit in to a happy home really easily. And we’ll certainly help to make sure any transition is smooth. If you are Sammy’s Soul Mate then contact ARAN Animal Rescue NZ directly.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/pets-animals/dogs/dogs-to-adopt/listing/5676089408