Willow was making choices that weren’t safe for her.

Willow’s foster wanted her to see that returning inside wasn’t the party ending, but rather coming back inside and following her foster mom led to the fun continuing.

This is especially important as Willow is tiny and quick, her foster mom didn’t want Willow staying outside without supervision.

She didn’t want Willow getting herself into a pickle of problems.

Since Willow learned that “come” was irrelevant or even a predictor that the fun is over, we introduced a game that will always mean the fun is happening.

Counting is one way you can do this.

After a few short coaching rounds, Willow is willing to follow her foster mom inside without hesitation and with a whole lot of exhuberance.

This game makes the interaction fun and engaging, both of which is what Willow wants and needs.

Willow has a head start on learning and you can adopt her through Hearts4Doxies Rescue https://hearts4doxiesrescue.org/about/

If you’re struggling with encouraging your newly adopted companion to form a strong and loving bond with you, set up a Discovery Call with me to find out how you can get started

This quote from Marie Forleo is transcendent.

It speaks to the heart of anyone who is feeling stuck.

For the pet parents I serve, feeling stuck often coincides with being frustrated by what their dogs are doing or not doing.

What’s shifted things is sharing with the pet parents I work with about the growth cycle.

The Body Mind Coaching Program taught me how confusion and frustration is apart of doing something new.

Those sensations not only tell you you’re approaching your comfort zone and expanding your awareness, but it is also informing you about something deeper when you ask, “what is this trying to say to me?”

One of my pet parents was sharing with me the other day about her Great Pyrenees, Hank who had a hard time being out in loads of distracting environments.

So much so, he growled at a couple of family members that he met previously.

During those tense moments, her frustration was focused on what Hank was doing rather than how he was feeling.

When she had some space to reflect on these moments, she shared that he didn’t feel safe.

When I asked her what the frustration was trying to tell her, she shared, she need to go slow and take more time for Hank!

Yes!

“Everything is Figureoutable!”

The dog training culture is so hyper focused on the dog meeting our expectations, but this isn’t fair to us or the dogs.

This will lead both the pet parent and dog into frustration every time.

Giving space for our dogs to be dogs that is safe and they can trust they are safe will open doors for us and them.

Rather than reeling in control and thinking we have to be the boss.

I’m encouraging all my pet parents to offer more freedom and choice to their dogs.

This is a growth edge for many of us.

It’s also ok when you feel frustration and confusion bubble up.

I’m here to guide you in identifying what support gets to look like for you while coaching you in strengthening the relationship with your dog in dog friendly ways.

Are you curious about wanting a different life for you and your dog? Do you desire more freedom and joy? Set up a Discovery Call with me.

Join dog behavior consultants Roman Gottfried and Katherine Porter for a two-day Virtual Puppy Parenting Retreat on October 15th and 16th from 9 am to 3 pm PST. The cost is an amazingly affordable $149 for both days.

If you are feeling at a loss and don’t know where to start with your puppy, this is the perfect time to take a step back, take a deep breath, and equip yourself with new knowledge to bring peace into your life.

If you feel frustrated about your puppy’s unwanted or unpleasant behavior, we’ll help you to understand WHY they may be behaving that way. Once you know that, you can help them shift into behaviors that you prefer. Knowledge is power!

If you struggle to find the motivation to spend time with your puppy, you’ll get some great new ideas to take your relationship to the next level. Build your bond one step, one ball throw, one snuggle at a time, and start loving each minute you spend with your pup!

Here’s what you’ll experience when you attend the Virtual Puppy Parenting Retreat:
✔️ A paradigm-shifting science-based perspective of puppy parenting.

✔️ Access to expert behavior consultants Roman Gottfried and Katherine Porter to ask questions and find tailored solutions to your concerns.

✔️ Insight into modern relationship-based trauma-informed dog training that aligns with your values and the key to a happy and well-adjusted dog.

✔️ A greater understanding of developmental milestones.

✔️ A holistic approach to your puppy’s health and wellness.

✔️ A connection with your puppy’s emotional, social, biological, and enrichment needs.

✔️ Clarity in how to safely, humanely, and lovingly guide your puppy to make good choices for things like housetraining, jumping, nipping, and socialization.

✔️ A safe and supportive community where you can share your puppy-rearing struggles and successes.

✔️ Learn how to create ease in your puppy’s day-to-day schedule, so you can also have some relief and take care of yourself.

✔️ Create a stress-free, fear-free, and frustration-free environment which will reduce the likelihood of trauma, reactivity, and aggression as your puppy grows into adulthood.

This retreat will help you create a stronger connection with your pup and give you the tools you need to find joy in a rewarding relationship.