Wise Mind Canine

02/09/2025

I've extended enrollment to the Thriving Multi Dog Households Course Beta Test through 9/7. While we definitely have enough awesome multi dog loving people to run the test, I'd love for more of you to join us!

If you need a payment plan or a partial scholarship I can make that happen. Just reach out.

Posting here has been a big struggle for me recently, so even if you can't join, leaving a reaction or sharing this post would be a great help. Your support means so much.

ID: There's a megaphone and you can see part of my German Shepherd's head as he looks up at the words "Thriving Multi Dog Households Course Beta Test: Enrollment Extended Through 9/7." 3 Month Group Course. 7x 60 minute live meetings that will be recorded. Course group. Instructor feedback. 9-1-25 through 11-30-25. $177 see comments! The Wise Mind Canine Logo is on the image.

25/08/2025

I have spent 6 years perfecting my introduction protocol in homes with dogs that were everything from truly simple/highly social to "Do NOT pass go. Do NOT collect $200. Go directly to the veterinary behaviorist" types. I even presented the cliff notes aggression version at an international conference.

It's good. REALLY good. Better yet? It's actually a system you can use for the life of your dogs. Even better? If things get snarly one day, I use the same protocol when trying to reintegrate aggression cases. (With some extra help that you can only get in Dog Fight Rehab you'll need some feedback/guidance) . Back to Thriving Multi Dog Households though!

If you find yourself asking how you go from day 1 introductions to forever, never fear, I've got it all laid out for you step by step. Can't do a parallel walk in a neutral location? Yeah. I see you. I have a solution for that. Come to the beta test class and see!

ID: This image is primarily words inside banners. It reads: "Why Join the Thriving Multi Dog Households Beta Test? You want a system for dog-dog introductions that can accommodate behaviorally complex dogs. Not everyone has “easy” dogs who are going to integrate easily after a parallel walk. Some of you have dogs that are going to need a really slow, thoughtful, and intentional adjustment period. My protocol will help you do just that. Helping you identify potential problems and fix them before any nasty surprises.You don’t have to guess how to do that, I’ve got 20 Stages of protocols with individual exercises and benchmarks for moving forward. If you have simple, highly social dogs, the system can still help you. You’ll just move through it faster and with peace of mind that you’ve checked everything, just in case there’s a surprise. Check the comments. There is a small image of 2 dogs on beds separated by a gate. The Wise Mind Canine logo is also present.

23/08/2025

How do you teach behaviors resilient enough to work in your multi dog household? I know how I make that happen. Now you can too. Step by step instructions await. Tried and true. I hope to see you in class!

ID: The image is a series of banners with text. "Why Join the Thriving Multi Dog Households Course Beta Test? You want your dogs to listen to you as a group. You taught all of the dogs how to do (fill in the blank) but they can’t do it when they’re together and certainly not when they’re excited. I’ve got a system you can use to help ANY behavior become more reliable in a multi dog household. But if you want it you’re going to have to come to class. 🙂 Check the comments. The Wise Mind Canine Logo is on the image.

22/08/2025

It's big, scary thing time! Well for me, not for you.

For you this is an amazing thing. A very exciting thing. A steal even.

For me it's terrifying and vulnerable. Putting my creation out into the world is hard. But I have sat and fussed with this course reboot for far, far, too long and apparently the fear wasn't planning on going anywhere. So, deep breath. Here we go.

🎉🎉🎉I've decided to put my Thriving Multi Dog Households Online Course out there for a group beta test!! 🎉🎉🎉

That test needs YOU and ALL of your multi dog mayhem.

WHAT:
3 Month group course with extensive course content hosted in Google Drive, 7x 60 minute live meetings, course group with opportunities for direct support from your instructor (Me!). This is NOT a 6 week course. It is not short and sweet. It's a deep dive. It's a journey to transforming the way you live with your dogs so that everyone can thrive. If that sounds like your jam, keep reading.

WHY:
You have some things in your multi dog household that just aren't working or that you just don't understand. That chaos, that frustration, well, it's taking some of the joy out of this whole pile of adorable dogs thing. It's making you feel unsure about your decisions. Should you interrupt that play? Is it even play? Why can't they all take turns? How do you help dogs who aren't getting along? What do all of your dogs really need in a day and how the heck do you provide it when they outnumber you? Why can they share 90% of the time but then SUDDENLY it's an issue. Basically, if it's a multi dog challenge from any stage in the process of becoming or being one: this course has an answer for you. If somehow it doesn't, well, that's what I need YOU for, because I need to find the holes.

WHEN:
9-1-25 through 11-30-25. Online meetings are currently scheduled for 6pm CDT on Mondays. However I will be polling the class to see if there is a better time for everyone after our first meeting.

WHERE:
Online!

HOW:
Check the comments, check the bio. I'm keeping this first run small, so don't wait too long. Once the spots are gone, I'm not adding more until the full launch. If you sign up you'll get an email with more details in the days before class so you can join the group and get started.

COST:
This part is exciting for me. I have been trying to get a lower cost service out there forever. Finally, it's here! You can join this beta test for 12% of what it would take to enroll in a private training program for the same 3 months. Like I said. It's a deal!

Have more questions? Just send me a message.

I'll also be sharing more posts about why you should join us over the coming days. If you're on the fence make sure you've followed the page so you don't miss them.

ID: You can see part of my German Shepherd's head as he looks up at the words "Thriving Multi Dog Households Course Beta Test: September 1st 2025." 3 Month Group Course. 7x 60 minute live meetings that will be recorded. Course group. Instructor feedback. 9-1-25 through 11-30-25. $177 see comments! The Wise Mind Canine Logo is on the image.

21/08/2025

I want to give the mailing list a little more time with the offer. So stay tuned for that announcement tomorrow. That post is scheduled and ready to go in the morning.

Now until then, show me one of your favorite pictures of your dogs in the comments.

Here's mine:

ID: A large German Shepherd is sleeping with his big giant head on a much smaller black mixed breed dog. The smaller dog is sleeping pinned between his human and the GSD on the couch. The view out the window in the background shows a gloomy overcast day.

14/08/2025

1 week from today I'm putting up an awesome opportunity that you don't want to miss. If you want a first chance at it, those of you who qualified for it should have something in your inbox now or by early this afternoon. If you want to be next in line, you'd better go sign up for the mailing list, they'll get a 24 hour head start. Like to live on the edge? Then come back here next week Thursday at 7pm CDT to see what all of the excitement is about and cross your fingers there's something left for you.

ID: There's a background of a stage with a spotlight and confetti falling from the ceiling. At the forefront of the stage is a German Shepherd's head eyeballs looking up at the words "A BIG opportunity is coming SOON." under the spotlight. Other text says " Don't miss out!! Check back 7pm CDT August 21st 2025". The Wise Mind Canine Logo is in the lower right hand corner.

11/07/2025

July is Disability Pride Month! If you've been here awhile you probably know that I am disabled.

What you don't know is that it took me a long time to embrace that as a unique and wonderful part of my identity. I had to work through internalized ableism and the way the world treated me because of disability in daily life. I had to learn how to self advocate. To understand the laws and programs that protect people like me and how to access them and ensure their enforcement. To live well alongside my disabilities, to recognize my worth, cope with them and find joy. In other words, it has been a process. A long process.

The reason I'm transparent about these things is because I want other people to know that there can be hope in self employment for those of us who don't fit the standard mold of the workforce. Working is sometimes possible when we are given the freedom to accommodate ourselves fully and unapologetically. Is it hard? ABSOLUTELY. Does it feel impossible sometimes and impact my bottom line, also yes. But I do this for the joy of it. For the connection to my clients. For the possibility of making my disabled life better with the help that money can buy.

Let me be really clear though, disabled people are worthy and valuable, period. I was just as valuable when I could not work as I am today as a business owner. If you're sitting at home unable to work I want you to know that you matter. That I am glad for every cent of my taxes that goes into making sure you have what you need. That as the government attacks our rights, protections, and the supports that keep many of us alive, I am thinking about what it means to show up for people hit the hardest by the changes that are coming. Because years ago, I would have been one of those people. I know how terrifying things have to be right now.

If you are disabled and facing the prospect of having to change your living situation to stay afloat, and that living situation requires integrating dogs, please reach out. I have scholarship spots for you.

For my clients and followers, thank you for supporting my small business. There were many years of my life where I thought working was never going to be in the cards for me again. Instead you've given me years of slow and steady growth. Every dollar you spend here changes my life. It pays for things like cooling vests, anti nausea watches, prescription sunglasses, cooling/compression clothing, prescription medication, piles of electrolyte powder, grab bars and a hundred little things that make my disabled life easier to live with a lot more freedom. Wherever I can I try to pay that forward by providing scholarship services to disabled clients and assisting disabled people in my community. This Wise Mind Canine adventure has been truly life changing and I am grateful to get up and do this job that I love every day.

Disability Pride, disability rage, disability joy, disability wrath: It's okay to have complex feelings about Disability Pride Month. But recognizing Disability Pride Month is so important! Here's a few reasons why:

- Civil rights protections under the ADA have existed for only 35 years - and are still under attack.
- Disabled activists have fought for decades to protect those rights and continue to do so.
- Disability is not a "tragedy" or a "fate worse than de*th"
- Eugenics is still the default
- Ableism, including internalized ableism, is still rampant
- Disabled people have inherent value, and our communities are resilient
- Celebrating our lives and our joy is important in a world that thinks we don't matter.

Disability Pride Month is about cutting through the isolation so many disabled folks experience, celebrating who we are, and (re)committing to the fight for our rights and value to be recognized.

Of course, being disabled can suck. Living in chronic pain and fatigue and not having access to places and things isn't easy. But that doesn't mean our lives aren't valuable and worth living.

You matter. We'll keep fighting and celebrating for you!

02/07/2025

I LOVE client updates. Stick and Hero's people put in such effort to create a harmonious blended multi dog household when they moved in together. So proud of them all! Plus, look at the beautiful places these dogs get to explore together.

Helping couples sort through this transition with their dogs is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I'll have a resource on my blog on the topic really soon.

ID: The dogs, A brown and white Australian Shepherd and a brown and white border collie mix stand close together while exploring large rocks against a shore. Calm water is in the background.

01/07/2025

Look what came for the wall behind my desk on the very last day of Pride Month! I wanted something that would be visible every day while I'm on video chat with clients.

It has been quiet here. A story for another day perhaps, maybe for Disability Pride month in July.

But I wanted to pop on and wish everyone a Happy Pride Month before it was over. It's my first Pride out as Bisexual and I haven't quite known how to interact with things. So I took some introspective time and started reading some really amazing books on the history of Q***r activism. Seemed appropriate for these times.

Anyway, please know that you're welcome and wanted here.

31/05/2025

Struggling to decide whether adding another dog to your home is a good idea? This will help you decide.

ID: A German Shepherd head tilts next to the words, "New on the blog: should I add another dog?" The Wise Mind Canine logo is on the image.

15/04/2025

How about a 3 minute late Multi Dog Monday?

Walking multiple dogs at the same time can be a challenge! But it's not impossible and it can even be enjoyable with the right skills. Usually when people talk about this they're talking about heeling together or loose leash walking within a few feet of their person. Those are important too, especially if you tend to walk in areas with tight spaces like the city. But when I talk about skills for walking multiple dogs I'm also thinking of things like:

1. Intermittent auto check ins with their people.

2. Directionals. Have you ever tangled leashes? Being able to ask a dog to move a certain direction can help.

3. Coming back when called.

4. Skills for soothing arousal like pattern games.

For me, multi dog walks are for their enjoyment of just being dogs. I love watching what they decide to do together. From carrying sticks, to sniffing all the same spots, to getting excited and trying to play. Wherever possible I'm going to let them just do their thing and not stress about that perfect picture of loose leash walking. I'm not ruining their fun or their bonding activity by panicking about a leash that got tight. But I do need them not to drag me down the street, avoid wrapping each other up in knots, move away from something when I ask, and bring that energy level back into thinking brain territory if something overexcites or upsets them.

What skills do you find most important while walking multiple dogs?

ID: Multi Dog Monday Tip of the Week. Are you having a disastrous time walking your dogs together? You’re definitely not alone. It’s important to work on leash walking skills with each dog individually first before you try to ask them to perform those skills together. Be prepared to work on those skills again, often from the beginning when you switch to working with both dogs. The behavior will slip because of the added distractions. A commonly missed part of this process is practicing inside your home first. Then gradually transition outside. When you first start walking together it can help to make loops around the same block so the environment becomes less distracting. The Wise MInd Canine logo is on the image.

11/04/2025

There seems to be a pressure on people to throw everything they have into their dogs. Especially when things aren't going well with behavior which is ironically the time people are most overwhelmed.

Here's the thing, sometimes you need a break. Sometimes life is just really hard and I think all of us can relate to the feeling that there's just not enough of us to go around and do all we need to do. The dogs will truly be alright if you can't go for a walk today or if you need to skip that enrichment activity or training you had planned. If you need "you" time. Take it. You'll be a better dog guardian for it later. Your needs matter too.

If you find yourself struggling to balance your needs with those of your dog professional support can go a long way toward making your lives together run more smoothly. Send me a message if you want to find out how Wise Mind Canine can help you with that.

ID: Large text says "YOUR DOGS WILL BE OKAY IF YOU NEED A BREAK TODAY" in all capital letters. Will be okay is bold. Smaller text says "You have to take care of yourself to take care of them. If this day or this week or this month have to be about you, it’s OK. Your needs matter. Their needs matter. You have to honor both." The Wise MInd Canine logo is on the image.