The “New Trick” Hesitation: Why It’s Okay to be a Clumsy Puppy
By iKE ALLEN, Happy Healthy Dog Co-Founder
Have you ever tried to teach your dog something brand new—maybe something a little tricky like “roll over” or “fetch the mail”—and they just… quit? They might sniff the ground, look away, or even walk out of the room.
It’s not that they’re being stubborn or “lazy.” Often, they’re just hitting a mental wall. They aren’t sure how to win yet, and that uncertainty feels a little bit scary. They’d rather walk away than keep “failing” at the new thing.
Sound familiar? We humans do this constantly. We call it a “Fixed Mindset,” but I like to think of it as the “New Trick Hesitation.” We’re so afraid of looking silly or getting it wrong that we stop trying altogether. But at [ReThink], we know that the best stuff happens when we give ourselves permission to be a little clumsy.
The Fear of “Getting it Wrong”
Dogs are naturally people-pleasers (well, most of them!). When they don’t understand what we want, they feel a dip in confidence. Humans are the same way. We avoid the new gym class, the new hobby, or the new project at work because we don’t want to be the “slowest” or the “clumsiest” one in the room.
But here’s the [ReThink]: Perfection is the enemy of growth. If your dog never messed up the “roll over” a dozen times, they’d never learn how to do it right. The mess-ups are actually the building blocks of the “aha!” moment.
[ReThink] Your Progress: Embracing the Wobbly Bits
When we approach life with a “Growth Mindset,” we start to see mistakes as proof that we’re trying, not proof that we’re failing. We can learn a lot from watching a dog finally “get” a trick after days of trial and error. That tail wag when it finally clicks? That’s the reward for staying in the game.
The [ReThink] Exercise: The “Clumsy Puppy” Permission Slip
The next time you’re feeling stuck or afraid to try something new, give yourself a “Clumsy Puppy” reset:
- Identify the “New Trick”: What is one thing you’ve been avoiding because you’re afraid you won’t be good at it right away?
- Lower the Stakes: If you were teaching a puppy, you wouldn’t expect them to get it on day one. What’s the tiniest, most “clumsy” first step you can take today where it doesn’t matter if you mess up?
- Celebrate the Effort: In dog training, we reward the attempt, not just the finished result. What’s one way you can treat yourself today just for being willing to try?
The Bottom Line
Growth isn’t a straight line—it’s a series of wobbly steps, funny mistakes, and eventually, a big win.
Your dog doesn’t care if they look “cool” while they’re learning to shake paws; they’re just happy to be engaged and working with you. We should treat ourselves with that same kindness. So, go ahead and be a “clumsy puppy” today. Try the thing, make the mistake, and remember: every pro was once a beginner who just refused to walk out of the room.
P.S. Can you believe it’s already been a year? As we celebrate the first anniversary of Happy Healthy Dog, Ande and I wanted to take a moment to look back and say a massive thank you. When we started this journey, we hoped to create a space where pet parents could find a deeper, more soulful connection with their dogs—and with themselves.
Because of you, our readers, your comments, and your shared stories, this has grown into a community far beyond what we imagined. Thank you for helping us make this first year such a success. We wish you and your pups a future full of long walks, deep breaths, and many “Good job!” moments. Here’s to many more years of growing together at Happy Healthy Dog!
