Empathy Over Ego Dog Training and Advocacy

23/06/2025

Staying Cool in the Heat (Wave) of the Moment ☀️🐾

When the world outside feels like a giant hair dryer set to scorch, it’s more important than ever to stay cool—physically and emotionally.

For you and your dog.

💧 Physically Cool Tips:

Early mornings & late evenings are your best bet for walks.

Keep a fan blowing on both of you. Bonus if you add a cooling mat or damp towel for your pup.

Frozen lick mats, bone broth cubes, or water-rich treats like cucumber and watermelon (no seeds!) can help beat the heat.

Never leave your dog in a parked car. Not even for a minute.

Short-nosed dogs, seniors, and puppies are especially vulnerable—watch for heavy panting, drooling, or lethargy.

🧘 Emotionally Cool Tips:

Skip the training if everyone’s melting. Some days, success is just surviving with your relationship intact.

Dogs pick up on our stress—your calm is their calm.

Practice stillness. Lay on the floor together. Breathe. Drink some water. That’s enough.

Let your expectations melt a little, too.

This heat wave will pass—but the way you show up with empathy and awareness will leave a lasting imprint.

Stay cool, friends. Inside and out.
☀️💛🐶

18/06/2025

Six months have passed since our last session, and their kind words still echo. This week, I received more client love — another reminder that positive ripples don’t fade, they multiply. 🌊🐾

The work we do together doesn’t stop at basic skills aka obedience. It soothes chaos, builds connection, and brings peace to both ends of the leash. That is my gift, and I am honored to share it.🙏✨️🐾

Thank you to every human and dog who’s let me walk beside them. Your continued success is my success. 💫

17/06/2025

🌊 Be the Good. Be the Calm. 🐾🧘‍♀️

The world is loud. Fast. Uncertain.
But you? You get to choose how you show up.

Today, we chose slow breaths and stretching limbs.
A little downward dog beside my actual dog.
A reminder: You don't have to control it all—just soften into it.

✨ Change is constant.
✨ Stillness is powerful.
✨ Goodness ripples.

Be the soft place.
Be the example.
Be the calm.



Photo of me, in dolpin pose, with Ragnar laying in my arms, from our time in vet medicine.

13/06/2025

Technical term?
No.....at least I don't think so.
However, I have always liked the term "loading" when it comes to describing that change just before a full reaction.

It helps to describe that very quick build up... that moment in time just before those jumps, leaps, screeches, barks and lunges which many of you can relate to.

The lead can tighten.
They may lean towards the trigger without moving.
Necks can lengthen and the chest can look broader and more pronounced.

That is loading.

Your dog IS very likely going to react any second (usually because the trigger is moving closer or you are moving closer towards it).....or it could be a situation where trigger stacking is taking them up and over.

Whatever the reason, very shortly you are about to have a situation on your hands.

Do I stop fixation and loading all the time?
I used to be a stickler for not allowing fixation or "loading" but many dogs (with work of course) can learn to bring themselves back down and disengage.
If you work with me you'll know that little 1,2,3,4 count we do and then they actually make a decision to disengage.
They choose to not react.
That is a great feeling.

For others though, I know your journey may just be beginning.
Loading is happening and your dog IS about to react.

Do a U turn. (check out the post a few days ago about that).
Have a movement word and go the other direction.
Scatter some high value food on the ground (this needs a bit of care though).

Save this if you wish so you can revisit later.

All the best with your reactive dog.

You CAN do it.

13/06/2025

10/06/2025

🐾 Training Tip Tuesday 🐾
Routine builds RELIEF.

Dogs thrive when their world feels predictable. The more your dog can anticipate the rhythm of the day, the more confident and secure they feel. Want fewer “problem behaviors”? Create a daily flow they can count on.

✅ Meal times
✅ Walks or potty breaks
✅ Enrichment time
✅ Rest time
✅ Connection/training moments

It doesn’t have to be rigid. Just reliable. Even five minutes of intentional training or play a day adds up. Predictability helps nervous systems regulate—yours and your dog’s.

📌 Pro tip: If your dog is “acting out,” ask yourself—what’s the environment predicting? Are their needs being met? Is life chaotic or clear?

Structure doesn’t mean control. It means support.

09/06/2025

It’s Monday.
You’re tired. The dog is wild. The coffee is cold.
We’re doing our best.

Let this be your gentle reminder:

✨ Dogs don’t need perfection. They need connection.
✨ You can’t train well if you’re running on fumes.
✨ Enrichment counts even when you don’t leave the house.
✨ Sniff walks are still training.
✨ And it’s okay to just survive Mondays sometimes.

So today: 🦴 Toss some kibble in the grass.
🛏️ Let them chew while you breathe.
🧠 Train one simple thing. Then stop.

You are enough.
Your dog doesn’t need a superhero.
Just a kind, consistent human who tries again tomorrow.

Let’s get through Monday, together.

.

08/06/2025

Set Yourself (and Your Dog) Up for Success 🐾

Your dog doesn't need perfection—just a plan.

✨ Success in the human-dog relationship starts with intentional structure. That means preparing for your dog’s day just like you prepare for your own:

✔️ Enrichment prepped: Rotate toys, puzzles, sniffy activities, and food-based enrichment. Keep their brain busy even when you're not.
✔️ Training time scheduled: Even 5 minutes a day makes a difference. Choose one skill and reinforce it consistently.
✔️ Walks + sniff breaks built in: Don’t rush the walk. Let them be a dog.
✔️ Alone time supported: Use enrichment during your work hours or errands to prevent boredom and anxiety.
✔️ Flexibility matters: Life happens. Having a few ready-to-go enrichment backups helps you stay kind to yourself and fair to your dog.

You don’t have to do it all at once. Start small. Make a daily rhythm that works for both of you.

📅 Planning isn't extra—it’s essential. The more your dog’s needs are met ahead of time, the fewer problems you'll be trying to "fix" later.

Let’s stop reacting and start preparing. Your future self (and your dog) will thank you. 🐶💛

Photo of frozen enrichment/meals as well as boxes to be shredded.

06/06/2025

💥FLIRT POLES: Not just for the zoomies💥
Looking for a fun, focused way to exercise your dog without running a marathon? Enter: the flirt pole.

🐾 Think giant cat toy, but for dogs.
✅ Great for physical exercise
✅ Builds impulse control (on/off switch, needs to be trained)
✅ Engages prey drive in a safe, structured way
✅ Perfect for short, powerful bursts of enrichment

Tips: 🔁 Let them win! Don’t make it a never-ending chase.
⏱️ Keep sessions short (5-10 mins) to avoid overstimulation.
🧠 Ask for a “sit” or “down” before starting — work that brain!
🌿 Ideal for fenced yards, open rooms, or on-leash in safe spaces.
✨️Teach "get it" and "drop" cue

Flirt pole fun is especially useful for high-energy dogs, adolescent wildlings, and reactive pups needing a confidence-building outlet. It’s not just burning energy — it’s building a better connection with your dog.

🎯 Train smart. Play hard. Let dogs be dogs.

05/06/2025

There are no “bad” dogs.
There are misunderstood dogs.
Dogs whose needs aren’t being met.
Dogs living in environments that don’t support them.

We expect them to be perfect while giving them so little to work with.

Enrichment doesn’t have to be complicated—scatter their kibble in the grass instead of dumping it in a bowl. Let them sniff. Let them be dogs.

Do better.

They didn’t ask to be here.
They didn’t choose the home, the schedule, the chaos, the lack of boundaries, or the leash they’re dragged by.

If you don’t know what to do—ask.
There are force-free professionals out here ready to help.

Because dogs deserve better.
Every. Single. One. Of. Them.