Saving Slippers

12/08/2024

If you were wondering what to watch these days, I got you!! 🤩🥳

Netflix has published their new documentary “Inside the Mind of a Dog” … and although I was sceptical at first 🤨

It was a really good one to watch! 😃

Also, I might have cried a few times, especially towards the end - but I’m not here for spoilers 🤐

Swipe through the post to see the TOP 5 most important take aways for dog parents. 🫶🤓

(from my perspective as professional dog trainer)

Tell me in the comments: what were your favourite insights from the documentary? 💬

29/07/2024

“Will my dog be more anxious if I’m anxious?” - science says Yes. 🥼

We already know dogs could pick up very quickly and very well on our emotional state. 🧐

No chance to hide any feelings from them!

But how do our emotions make them feel?😳

New research suggests if dogs pick up on stress in human breath a or sweat, their feelings are negatively affected and they tend to take more pessimistic choices. 🤯

Now, don’t freak out - you’re not “responsible” for your dog’s emotions. 😮‍💨

Just know they’re very in tune with humans and that big part of helping them, is regulating your own emotions first ❤️

Cause you can’t pour from an empty cup!

If you liked this post, follow me for more interesting facts about dogs, and share with other dog geeks 🐶🤓

22/07/2024

Grab your dog - and your spot!! 😃😎🥳

The INTENSIVE SUMMER SESSIONS are here! 📣📣

If you’ve been in the fence of working with a trainer (aka: me 😉) and ready to take some quick & dirty action...

… this is your opportunity! 🥰

All the details are in the post - but spots are limited and on Friday this offer disappears.

DM for your spot - or send this to a friend in need! 🛟

10/06/2024

Vanessa and Zeca were at their wit’s end when we first talked. 😭

Despite working with several dog trainers, reading countless books, and taking a few courses, they felt utterly trapped with their two rescue dogs.

They couldn’t leave the house without their dogs whining and howling within minutes. 🥺

Walks were equally distressing: one dog would lunge and bark at other dogs, men, and kids, while the other shook in fear from the moment they stepped outside. 🫣

Having friends over? Not a chance. It was a barking nightmare. 💥

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬.

Determined, Vanessa and Zeca swallowed their frustration and decided to trust a new process. 🫶

A few months later, they sent me an ecstatic message that read, “WTH are we doing 5x/week for 2 hours outside without the dogs??” 😅

All fear on walks had vanished, and their dog acted like she never had an issue, even at night. 🥹

They could even have construction workers at home and introduce new dog sitters without any meltdowns. 🤩

A new life? You bet.

𝐒𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲?

1. We debunked common dog training myths and moved away from obedience.
2. We shifted focus from the “bad” behaviors (symptoms) to the emotions causing them (problems).
3. We met specific needs at home to build confidence and well-being.
4. We restructured walks to make them beneficial and enjoyable.
5. We built trust in the relationship by understanding each dog and their body language.

🙏 Look, it’s natural to want to change your dog’s behaviour immediately. But if I could give you one tip today, it would be this:

Listen first, understand them first, be their hero first and drop the catalog of commands you built. 🎈
Start with empathy, and watch the magic unfold.

10/06/2024

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝘿𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝘿𝙤𝙜 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙑𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖 & 𝙕𝙚𝙘𝙖'𝙨 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙨 🐾

Vanessa and Zeca were at their wit’s end when we first talked. 😭

Despite working with several dog trainers, reading countless books, and taking a few courses, they felt utterly trapped with their two rescue dogs.

They couldn't leave the house without their dogs whining and howling within minutes. 🥺

Walks were equally distressing: one dog would lunge and bark at other dogs, men, and kids, while the other shook in fear from the moment they stepped outside. 🫣

Having friends over? Not a chance. It was a barking nightmare. 💥

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬.

Determined, Vanessa and Zeca swallowed their frustration and decided to trust a new process. 🫶

A few months later, they sent me an ecstatic message that read, “WTH are we doing 5x/week for 2 hours outside without the dogs??” 😅

All fear on walks had vanished, and their dog acted like she never had an issue, even at night. 🥹

They could even have construction workers at home and introduce new dog sitters without any meltdowns. 🤩

A new life? You bet.

𝐒𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲?

1. We debunked common dog training myths and moved away from obedience.
2. We shifted focus from the “bad” behaviors (symptoms) to the emotions causing them (problems).
3. We met specific needs at home to build confidence and well-being.
4. We restructured walks to make them beneficial and enjoyable.
5. We built trust in the relationship by understanding each dog and their body language.

🙏 Look, it’s natural to want to change your dog’s behaviour immediately. But if I could give you one tip today, it would be this:

Listen first, understand them first, be their hero first and drop the catalog of commands you built. 🎈
Start with empathy, and watch the magic unfold.

18/03/2024

In many ways, dogs are expected to handle situations that we wouldn't want / be able to handle as humans. 🤓

For example: being a social butterfly with everyone they meet. 🦋

But an adult dog especially would not often than not hand pick the interactions with they have with dogs and people. 🤨

There's only one problem: the leash and our decisions.

TIP: Observe your dog and yourself.

Try to pause before any interaction, and give them an out (change side of the road, turn around, stop until the other has passed), then assess if your dog is more comfortable this way.

Do you ever wonder if your dog is unsocial? 🤨 let me know in the comments!!

12/02/2024

📣📣 FREE ONLINE EVENT for anxious dogs 📣📣

Sorry for shouting, but you won’t want to miss this.

My friend Anke over at has put this gem of an event together so YOU can learn how to live better with your anxious rescue (or not rescue) dog. 🐶

I’ll be joined by 14 other experts to talk about holistic, respectful and ethical ways to ease your dogs entuban reactions. 🥰 (not the “Stop your dog from pulling in 5min” kind of nonsense you see on YouTube..)

Are you coming?? 🤩

⏰ When: 19.02 to 25.02
🎟️ Cost: FREE (what are you waiting for? 🤓)
🔗 Registration: DM me “Summit” and I’ll message you the link!!

05/02/2024

“You have to train your dog to wait for food!”

“You have to train your dog to sleep in their own bed!”

“You have to train your dog to not beg for food!”

… sounds familiar? 🧐

Well, excuse my French, but screw that. 🤪

I’ve never had an agenda of “commands” or certain behaviours to train with every single client. ❌

I care about whether the behaviour we’re seeing is a real problem to either the dog or their guardian.

If it’s not… you keep doing you boo!! 🥰😍

What’s something your dog does that you can’t care less about “training” them for ?

I read you in the comments 😃⤵️

08/01/2024

I've had an awesome time chatting with Anke Herrmann on the 'Soul Touched By Dogs Podcast'! 🎙️ (Made obvious by the huge smile I just can't hide when talking about dogs 😁)

I've shared how I moved from Germany to Spain, and what's motivated me to become a dog trainer. 🌍

Anke and I talked about the importance of understanding our furry friends' emotions and needs to be able to build a trust-filled relationship. 🤝

And our thoughts on positive training and the power of empathy in our animal connections were on the table too! 🐶✨

How has your understanding of dogs evolved over time? 🤔

Dive into the conversation and share your thoughts below! 🗣️🚀🐕

(And stay tuned, because Anke and I have something planned that will be interesting to many of you !! 👀)

31/12/2023

I wish I could share a “Wrapped 2023” like Spotify. 🎶

You’d see a whole bunch of dog faces of all different kinds. 🫶

Small and squishy, long and hairy, with dark eyes and light ones. 🐩🐕‍🦺🐕🦮

And their humans, some in couples, some single dog parents, some families. 👩🏼👩🏽‍🦱👨‍🦳🧑🏽‍🦰

They all have two things in common: A struggling individual doing the best they can with what they have (🐶) and amazing family members that are willing to listen, understand and help (💁🏻‍♀️).

I’m buzzing with excitement to meet even more incredible human-dog teams in the new year and plant respectful and ethical dog training methods in new minds 🥰

Thank you to all of you, my clients, my followers, my friends. You’re making my job the best one in the world, every day!! 🥳🥳

Now, for the TIPS!! (As unfortunately for many dogs tonight is one of the worst days)

1. Always always always comfort your pup during the fireworks!!! Fear cannot get worse through affection!! 🫶

2. Create a safe space that your dog can choose to go into if they choose (most silent room of the house) 🦺 prepare snacks, bones etc in case your dog is interested.

3. Muffle sounds and close the blinds to keep stimulation from outside to a minimum. 🤫 I really love this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1acL4BbHJ0&ab_channel=EnClaveDeCan

4. Keep the next few days after NYE very low key. Something to chew, shred, time to rest and loads of cuddling until your dog’s stress levels are back to normal.

Happy New Years to all of you!!

Hugs & belly rubs 😌🥰

21/12/2023

Hi I’m Daphné, I’m the face (and brain) behind Saving Slippers and it’s been a while since I last introduced myself. 🤩

Obsessed with dogs since I can think, I started my own dog training business 3 years ago after years of fostering. 🐶

Through my training programs I help busy dog parents who live in urban environments understand their dogs, troubleshoot (and get their sanity back!). 🥳

My work allows me to connect with people from all over the world and transform their feelings of guilt, frustration and insecurity around their dogs into confidence, calm and hope.�🤗

Wether you are starting off your dog parent journey with a brand new puppy or you’re finally ready to fix an issue with your older dog that has been driving you crazy, I’ll be able to help you. ❤️

And if you thought that dog training was only about tossing treats and obedience drills - think again! 🤓

I’m happy to show you the world through your dogs eyes and make you discover how you can create the life you wanted with them in a respectful way that just feels good for both of you! 🚀

�Some fun facts about me:

✨ I ADORE dancing. I dance bachata and salsa at least twice a week 🎶
✨ My secret weapon is being able to fall asleep anywhere and within seconds 😴
✨ Taking advantage of having grown up with two languages, I now speak 5 💬
✨ I really really dislike strawberries in any form 🍓😝
✨ Since 2018 I'm vegan (it’s rough, as the most successful dog treats are still cheese and sausage!) 🌱

If you feel like it, comment below how you found my account, and what you’re most interested in knowing about! 📬

16/12/2023

Wanna win some sessions with me?? 🤩 enter the raffle - all money raised goes to animals in need! 🥰

Join our X-mas raffle if you haven’t done yet!

More info: savingslippers.com

Saving Slippers

Contact: [email protected]

Reminder!!
🎟️ Ticket price:
1 ticket for 5€
5 tickets for 20€

The more tickets you buy, the greater the chance to win!

1. To enter Bizum the amount for the tickets you want to +34 681 322 568
2. Send a screenshot of your Bizum and your 1-9 ranking of the prices in case you win 💫 to: [email protected]

On the 20/12 we will have the draw and announce the winners!!

24/11/2023

I've teamed up with the amazing Therapy in Barcelona and wrote a guest post about being an expat AND dog parent in Barcelona. 🫶

Go have a look for useful info and resources. ☺️

If you yourself could need some support, the amazing team at Therapy in Barcelona is not only multi-lingual but also dog friendly! Bring your pooch to your session for double power 😍

Would you be interested in any topics that we could cover form both the human and canine psychology? Share your ideas in the comments below ✨🥳

https://www.therapyinbarcelona.com/barkcelona-bliss-navigating-expat-life-with-your-dog-in-barcelona/?fbclid=PAAaaM6TUonbGfQ5qQBeNY2OT8qYR4IWYGZmuPv5gmtUxmEcebiVunwWGEsPo_aem_AfW3zH7LT-Cn7hMmWiPADHQhB865bpiCqyfHn5wcl38jVLzp6BIxXCt6ft28DpN14OU

Barcelona, with its sun-kissed beaches, rich culture, and warm Mediterranean charm, is a city that attracts expats from around the globe. And for those with four-legged companions, the journey becomes even more of an adventure. Your dog will provide you with significant reductions in anxiety and

22/10/2023

I'm on a quest to further spread my wisdom and expertise in coaching for dog parents who want to understand and guide their pups in the most respectful way. 🎓🐾

And I need your (p)awesome suggestions! 🥳

I’m looking for your favourite communities (both free and paid) where fellow dog parents hang out and would really benefit from my insights. 🤩🤓

Wether it’s a Facebook group, a local dog park, or even a quirky knitting club 🧶 (you never know!), if you think they’d love to have me as a guest speaker, I’d be forever grateful if you could lend a paw! 🐾

Drop your suggestions in the comments below, or shoot me a message! 💌
Together we can spread more love and help struggling dog parents with their pups!

Thank you so much!! 😍

Daphné

16/10/2023

I see you!! 🥰

I know it’s hard.

I know you have days that you’re questioning the decision of getting a puppy. 😭

It’s been a few months of puppy struggles … but nothing prepared you for THIS. 😱

Know that you’re not alone, all guardians of teenage dogs struggle with their pup’s wild hormones, the mischief, the boundless energy (at all the wrong times 😵) and the changes in behaviour.

Through the ups and downs, remember they are growing just like us.

And when we most want to strangle them, they need our love and patience the most. ❤️

You’re a super star ⭐️

PD: if you need help to navigate this rough patch, DM me for a free consultation! ☎️

09/10/2023

Are you flat out avoiding walking your dog because it's a constant power struggles and you both get home frustrated? 😔

Does their behaviour embarrass you when friends and family are coming over? 😭

Do you fear that you'll get in trouble with neighbours or even worse - strangers on the street because you can't seem to control your dog? 😵

I have still a couple of spots left for working with me this month.
Get your FREE discovery calls to talk with me about your situation. ☎️

Let's chat about what might be happening and how it's impacting your (and your partner's) lifestyle to see how we can get you back to normal. 🥰

Pick the time that works best for you through my link here:

Hey there!I'm excited for us to connect regarding you & your dog.This video call is to get to know each other and discuss in detail what's going on for you and your dog. Any questions are welcome!This consultation is totally FREE!Let's find out if we're a good match!Daphné

03/10/2023

🚨🚨STOP!!! 🚨🚨

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to forget that our furry friends need a lot more time to observe. 👀

Dogs are natural observers, and when they pause on walks, they're doing what comes naturally to them.

Taking frequent "observation breaks" allows them to:

1️⃣ Build Confidence: By stopping and observing, they can gradually get used to all the stimuli that may otherwise overwhelm them. 🤯

2️⃣ Be well-rounded: We often expect our dogs to be silent rugs at home, but then walk like little soldiers outside 3x/day. Getting this more balanced is good for everyone involved !

3️⃣ Bond more: It's a chance for you and your pup to connect on a deeper level and for them to see that you have their back. 🥰

Do you take frequent breaks with your dog on your walks?

If not, let me know in the comments where you would like to try it out 🥳

12/08/2023

Madeleine came to me through another client because she was struggling for over 2 years with her mix Simba who would become super aggressive towards dogs in the street (especially entire males). 😟
Living in an area with a high number of off leash dogs made it even more frustrating. 🙄

Simba was stressed, overwhelmed with fear and obviously walks had turned into nightmares for everyone involved. 😫

Throughout the Tame the Troublemaker program we discovered a new dog, who felt safer in his relationship with Madeleine and her daughter, who could gain back ability to reflect and pretty soon (with support of his humans) chose to calmly meet other male dogs 🤩🥳🥰

Now they all have new understanding and tools to have harmonious walks that they can actually enjoy ❤️

Proud of this family for their dedication and will to change their perspective on many things ☺️

26/07/2023

My client Keyoka had her hands full with not one, but two reactive dogs 😳🙈

On our consultation call she said “I’ve tried everything at this point.” 😞

And she had! Her 6 year old dogs had been to different trainers with different approaches before, she had invested a lot of money and effort into the training but nothing seemed to help. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Both dogs got increasingly reactive, barking and lounging at dogs, bikes, mopeds, scooters, people etc. … making every walk a nightmare. 😩

On top of that they had issues with new people coming into the house and resembled two firecrackers, jumping at every sound from the outside, lounging at the door barking 🧨

2 months later, after looking deep into their relationship, the daily structure and meeting both dogs’ needs it’s a completely different story 💕

I was very amused when on our last couple of sessions Keyoka kept saying “Those are not my dogs. Idk what happened, but WHO IS THIS?!” 😂

Dear it was a pleasure working with you on Frank and Bernie 2.0 😋🥳

You’ve got your tool box full and your faith renewed - I’m stinking proud of the three of you and immensely thankful for the trust you put in me! 🥰

If you’re also at the point of “I’ve tried it all.” - come chat with me! 😃
I’m sure we can turn things around for you!!

Check the link in the comments to book your free 30 minute consultation. 📞

17/07/2023

🔍 Spotting progress in Reactivity Training 📝

📏 "You're too close!" As a guardian, it's easy to miss the incremental changes in your dog's reactivity training. It’s a bit like noticing extra freckles after a few days of sun. ☀️

But don’t freak out! Here's how to become a keen observer and track progress like a pro:

🗒️ Imagine having a mental clipboard, like you were a behavioural scientist tasked with observing the conduct of a new species (aka your dog 🐶) Take notes! Detailed observations are vital for effective training and can help you spot patterns and progress!

👀 Watch out for the following signs of progress:

1️⃣ Less intense reactions: Notice if your dog's response to triggers becomes milder over time.

2️⃣ Fewer reactions: Keep an eye on the frequency of your dog's reactive behaviors. Are they occurring less often?

3️⃣ Quicker recovery: Observe if your dog bounces back faster after encountering triggers, showing resilience.

4️⃣ Decreased distance to triggers: Pay attention to whether your dog is comfortable getting closer to the things that previously triggered them.

🔄 Remember, it's not just your dog who's conditioned! You, as the guardian, undergo emotional improvements too. Take note of any positive changes you feel and acknowledge their significance.

🎉 Celebrate each shift! When you witness progress, honor it! Recognize the hard work you and your dog have put in and let these milestones motivate you further.

👉🏼 So keep observing, taking notes, and celebrating the small victories along the way. You and your dog are making strides together! 🐾❤️.

13/07/2023

And then it suddenly happened 😍😍

Ted (that you might know from earlier posts) has graduated from the Overwhelmed to Overjoyed Puppy Program 🤩🤩🎊

Only a few of his many wins:

1. Ted is a calm and happy pup at home and barely barks at noises

2. He is bomb proof with anything in the streets (skateboards, e-scooters, kids, bikes, …), although living in the Gotico area of the city he’s exposed to a ton of triggers

3. He gets along super well with other dogs, but can also ignore them on walks

4. His guardians and Ted have formed a beautiful relationship based on trust and understanding of his development and needs

A job well done for this team 🥳🥳🙌

13/06/2023

Big part of what makes my job an absolute dream are my clients. 🤩

Clients like Emma & Maja (Aren't they just TOO CUTE with their new puppy to be Mochi?! 😱😍)

THIS is who I usually work with: ⏬

You're probably someone who's thinking about getting their first own dog or have decided on a particular dog already. 💭

(My fav is when people contact me even BEFORE the dog arrives, just like this awesome couple did!)

You want a partnership with a dog that you love and get to enjoy your life with, whether this means long walks on the beach off leash, hanging out at brunch with your friends or exploring new places alongside you. 🧳 🏖️

(For Emma and Maja travelling and preventing excessive barking is key)

Although you're pretty nervous, you're excited to learn about dogs, their behaviour and how to avoid common pitfalls. You want this new family member to be as happy as possible with you! 🥰

(As Maja put it: It's a long term commitment and they want to start off in the best way possible.)

Your biggest fear is to unconciously create problems and end up with behaviours that you feel helpless about. Like biting everything, not comfortable with people or other dogs, or even aggressive. 😬😳

(Both girls had vivid examples of what they DIDN'T want based on what they saw happening for others in their close circle)

In short: You want your dog to do things right and communicate instead of getting into weird power struggles. 😌

(This is NOT a space where we'll be talking about "being the leader of the pack", or using anything that hurts/intimidates the dog)

I help people like you all the time, to feel totally empowered, knowledgable and confident for the journey with their new dog. 🥳

It's extremely important for me who I work with ’cause I work very closely with my clients - so I'm offering a few quick 30 minute calls (I know you're busy!) to see whether you're a good fit for my Overwhelmed to Overjoyed Puppy Program.
I have 2 spots left this month. Use the link in the comments and let’s chat!

07/06/2023

Sure... I'm a dog trainer, but that doesn't mean my job is all about dogs. ❌

(Although I have to admit, I also thought it would be all about dogs when I first got started! 😱)

I do my best to try to never lose sight of what my human clients might be juggling as well and guide them through it the way they each deserve to be guided ❤

07/06/2023

Sure... I'm a dog trainer, but that doesn't mean my job is all about dogs. ❌

(Although I have to admit, I also thought it would be all about dogs when I first got started! 😱)

Once I got started on my professional dog training career, I quickly realized that my job also required me to understand and teach my human clients. 👱🏻‍♀️👩🏽‍🦱🧔🏻‍♀️👩‍🦰🧔🏽‍♂️

Honestly, it really is more like 25% dog training and 75% human training - which is why I prefer to call my job "Coach for Dog Parents"! 😃

And guess what....I LOVE teaching people how to have better and more cooperative relationships with their dogs and eliminating their frustrations. 🎉❤️

It's incredibly fulfilling for me when people look beyond "fixing the dog" and sign up to grow in the process themselves.

I've had my fair share of struggles with the variety of dog's I've cared for so it gives me an insiders perspective when it comes to what you might be going through. 🤗

I do my best to try to never lose sight of what my human clients might be juggling as well and guide them through it the way they each deserve to be guided ❤

If you're interested in learning about what's possible for you and your dog, let me know in the comments or send me a private message and let's chat. ✉️

05/04/2023

Due to popular demand, here’s a video for you on why I generally DON’T recommend playing fetch with dogs. 🎾🚫

There are plenty of other more healthy options to play out there.

Which is your favourite? 🦴🧸🐾

I read you in the comments!

27/03/2023

Know that face? 😬😬

Vets are very tricky for dogs! 🥺
They often are not used to what this unknown person is going to do to them, they smell the fear and sickness of other dogs and rarely have good experiences at the vet. 😩

This is why I incorporate Cooperative Care in my Overwhelmed to Overjoyed Puppy Program. 🥳

Vet and groomer visits that feel like a stroll through the park 🤗😌

Do you know what Cooperative Care is??
Would you like me to show you a real example?

I read you in the comments! ❤️

22/03/2023

Are you struggling being a dog parent? I can help! 🆘🛟

Here are 4 ways you can work with me this 2023! 🥳

Use this link to book a free consultation: ⏬⏬

https://calendly.com/savingslippers/consultation

Looking forward to hearing from you 🥰