How My Dogs Taught Me To Be A Better Entrepreneur

These are my pups Apollo and Basil. Two very different dogs with two very different personalities. Both have something to teach me about entrepreneurship.

This is Apollo, my big scary and ferocious Doberman Pinscher...not! He's almost 90 pounds of goofy, mushy, sweet heart. Always down for a run or a cuddle sesh on the couch. If you're not careful he'll sneak up on you and give you a big wet kiss. 

Here's what I learned from Apollo:
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Apollo loves Hard
and he's not afraid to show it. If you leave to the store and come back in 10 minutes - he's in your face physically expressing his love (borderline obsession) for you. He'll be licking you constantly, rubbing his head on your hands for a scratch and literally squirming until you acknowledge his undying love. And the best part of this is that he gives his love and affection freely with out any expectations for something in return.

Apollo is Curious
If you bring something new into the house Apollo will circle it cautiously at first. He'll then get a little closer nudging it, sniffing it, and licking it. Once it gets to the licking, I usually try to cut it out, because if not; he'll eventually tear whatever it is up! But the point is, he doesn't let the fear of anything new stop him. Sure he's cautious at first; but he'll explore it, learn it and own it.

Apollo Knows When to Respond
Apollo takes a fair amount of abuse from his younger brother (we'll expand a little bit later). Apollo knows to keep his cool when mom and dad are playing tricks on him and knocking on the counter. Apollo doesn't bark when the dog on the other side of our fence starts hurling insults at him. Ohhh but when there's a sound he doesn't recognize or flat out doesn't like.... his inner doberman surfaces and he growls and snarls and charges toward whatever it is that pissed him off. Basically don't be the cause of the sound that sets him off! Be like Apollo and learn the difference between what  does and doesn't warrant a response.... and when the situation calls for a response hold. nothing. back.

This is Basil, my sweet and cuddly Brussels Griffon... sike! Basil is 5 pounds of pure, explosive, hell fire. You know, that kid with the silver tooth who constantly asks to play the games on your phone. He'll scratch your legs until you pet him, run off with your socks as you're trying to put them on, and poop on the carpet. Overall he's still a good boy, but he's tough as hell... who can blame him? He's lived his whole life a fraction the size of his big bro. He's gotta make up for his lack in size somehow.

Here's what I learned from Basil:

​Basil Goes For What He Wants
This dude is an animal in every sense of the word. If there is something he wants, he's gonna do everything in the power his little 5lb body can provide. If Apollo has a chew - Basil is snapping, growling, and nipping until he can grab it and run under a table. If you want to keep Basil out of a particular room and think a small barricade will keep him at bay; you got another thing coming. He will climb, hop over, or chew through whatever it is until he gets to where ever in the hell he was going. Basically this guy is tenacious and relentless. That kind of spirit is damn near impossible to break.
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Basil's No Means No
This guy sometimes gets in moods where he doesn't want to be licked by Apollo, rocked like a baby by his mom, or petted...basically he wants to lie down, relax, and remain unbothered. The sweet peacefulness of his slumber is often deceiving and before you know it you've got your hands all over him. *Cue menacing growls* Basil will bitch until you put him back in the warm spot he made in between the couch pillows. And this is totally okay. If you decide you want to take a break and relax - feel free to ignore life's obligations until you're ready to meet them. You don't have to be agreeable to everything. Let your no be a no without any explanation. 
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Basil Knows When to Back Down
As ferocious and fearless as he is; Basil has his limits and he knows where they are. When he's pushed his much bigger brother too far and Apollo starts nipping back or when we're outside and a noise sets Apollo into guard dog mode - the little guy makes his way between my feet with the speed of Usain Bolt. Basil knows his limits, works right up against them; but isn't too proud to kowtow when stuff gets out of control or to seek help when its needed. 

My goal going forward is to be more like my pups: 

• Give freely with no expectation of something in return
• Be curious. Don't be afraid of change. 
• Not everything deserves a response, but when it does... RESPOND
• Go for what you want and let nothing get in the way!
• Let your no be a no without any explanation
• Know your limits. Don't be afraid to seek help when its needed

Also, just about everyone has something to teach you. Keep your eyes open and learn as much as you can. What's something you recently learned from an unlikely source? Let me know in the comments below!