Last week, I picked up my new puppy. She’s the seventh one I’ve raised in my lifetime, so I knew what I was getting into. In advance, I was filled with more anxiety than glee — all.the.work. The lack of sleep for the first few weeks. Potty training. Chewing on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. The cost and hassle of multiple vet visits for shots and spaying. There is a whole list of downsides that I considered before I met her (when I instantly fell in love).
It occurred to me that getting another puppy is a good example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect (dot #2975). Dunning-Kruger plots confidence vs. knowledge in the field. When knowledge is low, confidence is high — “how hard can this be?” When knowledge is high, confidence is tempered — “it’s complicated and won’t be easy.” When my sister got her first puppy, she was totally unprepared for how much and for how long her life would be upended. The same was true for my first round, but by the seventh, I knew what to expect and was mentally prepared for a patience-testing assimilation.
If you’re new at anything, be aware that your enthusiasm can blind you to the nuances. You don’t know what you don’t know, and when you learn it, your confidence bubble will likely burst. Then, as you gain experience, ride the dip that follows the initial bluster and stick with it. Puppies grow into dogs and are so worth the wait!
