Four Paws & You Dog Training LLC

06/19/2025

We were nominated as a pet trainer in the services category!

If you have time and want to show support, click on the link below.

Voting can happen daily until 7 July!

Vote once per day from June 16 through July 7.

02/25/2025

This beautiful boy is Tank! He and his person participated in a 3 month coaching program with me!

This coaching program was geared towards coaching Tank’s person not just through behavior modification, but the coaching supported them through the hills and valleys of learning.

Growth is not just about making progress, but also how to handle and flow with the muck of learning too and the lessons of when things don’t go as planned.
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I'd like to share my family's experience with Katherine as our coach to help us navigate sharing our lives with our pup, Tank.
He's been like no other pup any of us have experienced. Feeling frustrated and challenged, I reached out to Katherine for help. She adapted a program for our family that helped us understand Tank, our feelings, and how to feel confident being his advocate and gave us tools to help us .. which in turn helped him. Our journey continues with Tank with a renewed sense of openess to navigate where our relationship with him goes.

02/02/2025

Early Bird pricing ends Feb. 5th for the PAC-sponsored Emotional CPR virtual course!

Early bird pricing: $150
After Feb. 5: $250

YOU are worth taking the time for this life-changing course. This is a unique opportunity to take this course from the privacy of your home and share the experience with other canine professionals.

If you have a hardship or belong to a minority population and want to know about scholarships for this training, please email PAC Founder Annie Phenix: [email protected]

https://form.jotform.com/243364502379156

Virtual Emotional CPR (eCPR) Certification Training Registration Sponsored By Phenix Advocacy Center (PAC)February 19 and 21, 2024

We apologize that our credit card payment method was not working for a while yet is now available. The early bird discount has been extended to Feb. 5th.
If you have questions or any difficulty registering, please contact us at: [email protected].

This training is open to all positive reinforcement canine professionals, including shelter and rescue workers, ACOs, groomers, dog walkers, dog day care workers, etc.
Dates/Sessions:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Friday, February 21, 2025

Time all sessions:
9 am - 4 pm EDT (New York US Time) with a 60 minute lunch break
12 noon we will log off for lunch and return at 1 pm until 4 pm
Follow this link for Time Zone Converter: www.thetimezoneconverter.com

Requirements:
This Virtual eCPR Training needs a minimum of 10 participants and is limited to no more than 14 participants.
To receive your certification you must participate from the beginning to the end of training to receive your certificate.
We are asking everyone to have their own computer and if you're training in the same building or house with someone else please make sure you are in separate rooms and in an uninterrupted quiet place to participate during this training. Also, you will need a good internet connection for Zoom audio and video. We strongly encourage you to use your computer for a better experience, but could include your iPad (and perferably not your phone).
We are asking everyone to have on their camera and to fully be present as we take this special training journey together.

DESCRIPTION:
eCPR is a profound process of reclaiming our Connection (to self and others), embodying emPowerment, and ultimately feeling Revitalized. The certification training engages your heart and mind in an experiential and unfolding process that includes embracing mutual support. With over a decade of providing this training widely in the U.S with rapid expansion globally, the consistent feedback is that it helps us become better listeners and supporters, it changes our perception of not only ourselves but of the world around us; it teaches us how to tap into our well of compassion and enhance all our relationships.
Thriving in these times of uncertainty means we need to practice self-care and reclaim our ability to feel connected, empowered, and revitalized. Honestly, many of us were pleasantly surprised at how effective eCPR training has been in our new virtual training space; the energy, the safety, the sense of closeness and connection are all there. We invite you to join us on this deepening journey.
Those of us with lived experience of severe emotional distress have been well prepared for this global crisis because we have long known that our healing and resilience are enhanced by our connecting at a heart-to-heart level. eCPR certification training helps to alleviate the trauma of isolation and separation by laying a foundation for healing and wellness.

eCPR Is Recommended For:
• Peer Organizations/Groups
• Mental Health Professionals
• Healthcare Professionals
• Veterinarians
• School Personnel
• Public Safety Staff
• Community Organizations
• Family, Friends and Neighbors
• Faith-Based Communities
• Most importantly, it's recommended for YOU!

*You can earn up to 12 hours of CEU's depending on your state requirements. We leave a spot on your certificate to add your CEU license/certification number.

01/19/2025

As a pet parent of a newly adopted dog, a GSD in fact, being proactive and setting up a doggy den and seeing the opportunities for success has helped Hank progress in adjusting into our household.

In a week, he makes choices to stop barking at the fence when our neighbor’s dogs come out.

He’s calmer in the home and chooses to relax and when he does get excited (he’s not even 2yrs old yet), he’s quicker to calm himself down.

He’s showing more patience with waiting for things like meals, hellos and play time which helps him to choose to relax.

Now, with focusing on his emotional well being as the priority, I can see how he needs more support during transitional times and even sharing space (separated by a gate) with Jack.

The lessons I’m learning are really just releasing old thoughts and beliefs about the mistakes I made with Jack 14yrs ago before I knew what I know now.

Fear still creeps in and for me, I’m able to reframe the fear into taking action. One small step at a time and celebrating the success and learning from mistakes.

Always be kind to yourself and your companion animals. No living being thrives spiraling in shame and guilt.

Sharing my first pic of Hank!

https://www.coldnosecollege.com/the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-dog-owners?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3WraRnLQg8ZOCCZmrFs2OZIHQF3b1PV3m6KxkiC8zYs8QkflDr-JmilN8_aem__iA3wTQ91NXDo5hbUWXboQ

11/13/2024

“The moment in front of you is not bothering you. You are bothering yourself about the moment that is in front of you.” Michael Singer

When something happens like your dog barking or pulling on the leash, you feel angry and frustrated.

Your perception about that moment of the barking or pulling is what colors the experience.

You are making yourself angry and frustrated. You are labeling the experience as bad or things aren’t perfect or you don’t have time for this.

Then you yell at your dog for vocalizing or you yank on the leash because you tell yourself you can’t handle what’s happening with your dog.

What is showing up in these situations is your own fear.

Fear of not being good enough about keeping your dog safe.

Fear of not being perfect in having a “bomb proof” dog.

Fear of what others are going to say about you and how others perceive you.

Your mind is very powerful, but your mind isn’t so powerful you lose your ability to choose.

You can choose to handle the situation and look at what’s happening inside of you when the world presents a moment you’re saying is bad or terrible or you want to run and hide.

Take the moment and take a conscious breath.

Breathe in and feel the breath travel through you.

Exhale and take a moment and feel the breath leave your body.

Repeat.

See if you can observe the thoughts that come up and learn to let them go.

The only way for your body to let go of past hurts or pain is to allow the sensations to pass through you.

Allow yourself to feel.

Observe the sensations.

Remain present.

This moment is the only moment that matters and it will go by in an instant.

Choose wisely.

10/31/2024

Normalize failing or making mistakes as part of your journey rather than labeling yourself or someone else (dog included) as being bad.

Our culture is fixated on success and achievement and moving on to the next that we make every effort to avoid the opportunity of learning within lesson of not getting the thing right.

Whatever “the thing” you deemed as the goal or outcome is not the source of your happiness.

Discovering the peace that’s already inside of you when you live fully present in each moment is available to you.

It’s up to you to be brave and be curious to what each day’s lessons are trying to show you.

You can start by not shaming yourself or others (dog included) when something doesn’t go as planned or mistakes happen.

Learn to flow with what is!

10/30/2024

You’ve come to realize what you’re currently doing is no longer working.

You’re tired.

You don’t see any changes happening with your dog and you continue feeling frustrated.

Simultaneously, you know things can be different.

You are feeling the push to make some changes and also feeling the pull to go back to where you were even though it was no longer working.

The liminal space you’re in is uncomfortable and it leaves you feeling uneasy.

You want something different, but crave familiarity.

You want your dog to change, so you can feel more at peace.

You also realize that if you want your dog to do something different, you too have to show up and do different too.

You resist.

You deny that anything you do needs to be different.

You retreat to what you know.

When you do, you also feel uncomfortable there too.

This limbo is part of your growth and it is a marker for change.

It’s ok to feel overwhelmed and uncertain. Growing and learning something new is unpredictable.

It has to be. To do something new and looking to make a change means you will becoming an explorer in your life.

You are charting your next steps in a direction that is more aligned for you.

Be kind to yourself. Be easy on yourself as you move and show up differently.

At the very least, have a good sense of humor and don’t take yourself or your dog so seriously.

You can choose how you experience learning something new and when you can see the joy emanating from your dog in learning together, feel your heart burst open allow the light to shine in.

You deserve it!

10/11/2024

Learning anything new requires you to change.

You evolve into a new way of being.

Learning isn’t always about acquiring knowledge from books, but learning about yourself and seeing what changes you need inside of yourself to align to the real you.

When you’re willing to let go of living a life based on how others see you or how you “think” you should be, you will feel fear and uncertainty, but this is the doorway to your own growth.

You can make a choice of continuing to play small or you can be brave and take the next tiniest step to the person you know who are, but have been too afraid to embody.

When those moments or hours or days show up that suck the wind out of you, be with your dog.

Allow yourself to feel the love your companion has for you and allow yourself to surrender into that moment that you are ok.

You will learn you can learn to love yourself as much as you companion animal loves you.

Don’t let fear stop you. Let it be your guide to open your heart.

10/07/2024

As I mentioned last week, life is already hard enough.

Why make it harder than it needs to be for yourself, others and even your companion animals.

While our own suffering in the wake of becoming more aware of what is important to us doesn’t need to be compounded any additional pain.

Other’s pain doesn’t need to become our pain and this is also the same for our dogs.

When you are ravaged by your thoughts and feeling pangs of resentments and in the midst of judging others and even yourself, please know these thoughts and beliefs are not you.

They are the conditioning that created how you perceive yourself, but they aren’t you.

When you lift this veil of how you perceive yourself and yourself in the world, you can end your suffering.

The veil is only perceived and created in your mind.

This keeps you from living with kindness and love.

Making the choice to live from your heart is totally within your control.

Find it in your heart to be compassionate to yourself, others and your companion animals.

10/04/2024

Life meets us with challenges everyday.

Ever since we entered this world.

Challenges are presented for our dogs.

One of the biggest challenge is living in a human centered world.

Us humans aren’t the easiest species to live amongst lol.

For most of us, we live in our heads and unaware of ourselves at the deepest level.

When the mind controls how we live we get wrapped up in the judgements of our own beliefs or even the judgements by others who are also living in their minds.

Then we suffer.

Suffering becomes unbearable and now when you dog barks, your dog becomes the object of your suffering.

Blaming your dog for how you feel or what you think causes a disturbance in your relationship with your dog.

Because you’re living unaware that things outside of yourself isn’t what is the cause of your suffering.

You are see your dog as your antagonist and your enemy.

The cycle of looking outside of yourself to feel better or blaming when that reality doesn’t match our desired reality, continues.

You continue to suffer.

Instead of looking to control each moment of your life, let go and live with what is.

When you live presently, you respond to life.

Your connection with yourself deepens and your relationship with your loved ones transform.

Tap into your own inherent ability to access the present moment and invite in how your dog already sees the essence of who you are.

10/02/2024

Do you want your dog to make you happy?

Are you so focused on what your dog is doing or not doing and when your dog does the opposite of what you want, do you feel annoyed, irritated and overwhelmed?

If so, you are putting a lot of expectation on your dog to make you feel a certain way or to relieve the stress of your life.

At the same time, you set yourself and your dog up not to be successful and you both continue to suffer.

Dogs are without self concept. They are pure being-ness.

They are without judgment of themselves or others.

They live their life with an aliveness that sometimes as humans we lose our connected to presence we don’t see experience what is happening in the heart and now.

I invite you to sit with your dog and be still.

You nor your dog have to do anything for a few moments, just be present and allow thoughts to bubble up.

When thoughts show up, look at your dog and know your dog is free of thoughts and just is and you can be that way too.

The thoughts running through your mind are not you, it’s just chatter that takes up the space and keeps you from experience what is now.

Your dog’s presence in your life is much more than the doing. They teach you how to live.

07/30/2024

When you are kindness, you are showing love.

Through love you are connected to those around you.

Connection is a state of being and our dogs are an embodiment of that expression.

They are never judging us or thinking ill of us or of themselves.

They are the purest expression of love.

When we begin to turn into ourselves, we begin experiencing our senses much like our companion animals.

We see, feel, hear and even taste what is in front of us in the present moment.

As we pass through that doorway of sensory perception, we start to become one with our dogs.

We experience life as they do.

Freedom from our thoughts and just being in the present moment.

As we go deeper into ourselves and connect with our inner knowing, we merge with the oneness of animals.

We are the kindness and love that our dogs already know exist within us.

Take a breath, experience your senses and feel the deep knowing that you are love and are loved and your dogs presence is an embodiment of that oneness in the world.