TAO DOG Training

04/01/2025

When do you feel most alive? For me, it’s in this space right here. That invisible force that exists between the two of us. The connection shared whether we are this close or a field length away. With each of my dogs, this connection feels different…but the feeling of being alive is consistent.

Each dog in our lives brings out a different part of us. I worked Mav today, I left our session feeling humbled. On the drive home I asked myself, “How did I get so lucky to be able to train this dog in sport?” He found his way into my life. I wasn’t looking for him but, I knew I had a deep desire to train and trial a dog to a higher level. I believe it’s that intention I set for myself that set our path in motion. The more I opened up to the passion I felt, the more he showed me he was capable of being my partner. We focus so much on our dogs and training particular skills but, the real joy is in the relationship. Learning together and even bigger than that learning about ourselves. I think deep down this is why we choose to share our lives with dogs, they have a way of showing us exactly who we are and what we are truly capable of.

📸

22/11/2024

I practice yoga with all of my dogs. Even this guy right here. Mav is an intense dog. His favorite command is “GO”. He would prefer we do everything at high intensity, fast and all the time. Teaching him to be calm with me is an important skill and piece to our relationship working together. Mav and I train and trial in the sport American Schutzhund, where part of the judging is on your dog’s attitude, power and your coordination as a team. Adding the element of calm doesn’t necessarily mean we are slowing down or dimming our energy. It’s a sense of steady calm, presence, feeling assured and trusting in each other. We discover this together on our yoga mat and it changes our relationship off our mat and in everything we do. Stepping out on a field to trial or do anything new with our dogs may bring a sense of nervous energy, excitement, increased heart rate, quicker movements…through yoga we learn to meet ourselves in this space. Connecting to our breath and feeling grounded and ultimately calm and ready.

Mav reminds me to go big, shine bright and just go for it!✨

22/10/2024

Maverick and I achieved our BT at the American Schutzhund Nationals this weekend! I am so proud of this dog.

Exactly 3 weeks ago, Mav bloated and had to have emergency surgery to save his life. It was on the day I started my trial prep routine. In a moment my plans changed and trialing instantly went into the background and him being alive is all I cared about. Fortunately, he was into surgery very fast, came home and made a full recovery with the me. We still have a long way to go to get him back into shape and strengthen his core.

With the encouragement of trusted friends, knowing Mav had healed enough, I decided to go through with trialing, a decision I made within 24 hours of getting on the field. We practiced a little for 2 days prior but, virtually went out with what we had from over this past year of training.

Mav came out into obedience his strong self, with his full attitude. Most importantly he stayed with me and enjoyed himself. It was important for me to feel like we had success being a team at our first trial experience. We moved into our environmental and hunt tests which again he showed his true self and approached them with his usual enthusiasm.

A huge thank you to Deb Zappia & Jody Potter for your training help, encouragement and belief in us. Jody thank you for creating this incredible dog. It’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to work along side and train him.

Let the training continue…AS1 here we come.✨

📸

29/08/2024

08/05/2024

Exciting news!! We have collaborated with to offer TAO DOG®️Yoga Class, Sundays from 11:30am-12:30pm once a month at their training center in Salem, CT.

Our first class is Sunday, May 19th @ 11:30am🙏🏼🐾💕
Upcoming class dates: 6/9, 7/7, 8/11, 9/1.

Register thru link in bio or @ www.coastalk9ct.com



TAO DOG® YOGA, where yoga meets dog training, is designed to teach you how to breathe, gain mental focus, stretch and strengthen your body, all while your dog learns to relax beside you. TAO DOG® YOGA classes and programs allow you to enjoy the benefits of yoga while teaching your dog important skills such as relaxation, relationship building and connection. Your dog will also benefit from the training, calm touch body handling and their own series of dog yoga poses, including stretching and conditioning exercises. We end class in savasana, where you and your dog enjoy rest and stillness. Leave this class relaxed and with a deeper connection to your dog.