C.A.R.E Focused Education for Dogs & Their People
Inspiring Curiosity, Agency, Reflection, & Empathy
Why Genetics Changes the Way We Should Handle Dogs If you’ve ever felt like handling your dog is harder than it should be—whether it’s trimming nails, brushing fur, or walking into the vet’s office—you’re not alone. And more importantly: you’re not doing anything wrong.
The truth is, handling isn’t just about training—it’s about understanding. And that understanding starts with your dog’s L.E.G.S.®
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 What if I told you that many of your dog’s “behavior problems” aren’t about disobedience at all—but about confusion? What if they just had tons of questions… and we could actually answer them? What if your dog isn’t being dramatic, reactive, or stubborn—they’re just trying to make sense of the modern world?
And what if just talking to our dogs with intention and consistency could actually treat some of those behavior challenges? Because it can. And it does. 1/7/2025 0 Comments My Core Beliefs About Dog Behavior and Training: Building Trust and Connection with Your DogThe Foundations of Teaching Dogs and Coaching People: Understanding Behavior, Building Trust, and Strengthening Relationships  When it comes to dog training and behavior, I believe in a relationship-based approach that prioritizes trust, understanding, and collaboration. Over the years, I’ve developed a set of core beliefs that guide how I help families and their dogs build stronger bonds and overcome challenges. These beliefs are the foundation of everything I do and reflect my philosophy on what it takes to create a happy and harmonious life with your dog. If you’re looking to better understand your dog, address behavior issues, or simply strengthen your connection, these principles may resonate with you, too. 10/2/2024 1 Comment Choosing a Vet For Your Anxious Pet 5 Essential Questions to Ask When Choosing a Vet for your Family Pet TeamChoosing the right vet is not just about medical expertise—it’s about finding someone who understands and prioritizes your dog's emotional well-being, especially if they’re prone to anxiety. While vets and vet techs do their best with the resources and tools they have, they don’t always get the full picture or see what happens behind the scenes at home. That's why it’s so important to remain curious, empathetic, and respectful while advocating for your dog’s needs. Here are five essential questions to ask when selecting a vet for your anxious pet. These will help ensure that the clinic not only takes care of your dog’s physical health but also makes them feel comfortable and safe during every visit. Keep reading...  Love languages, a concept popularized by Dr. Gary Chapman in his book "The 5 Love Languages," refer to the different ways individuals express and experience love. According to Chapman, there are five primary love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Each person has a primary and sometimes secondary love language, which dictates how they prefer to give and receive love from others.
These love languages provide valuable insights into understanding and strengthening relationships, as they emphasize the importance of expressing affection in ways that resonate most deeply with the other person/being. While initially applied to human relationships, I believe the concept can also be applied to how we show love and affection in our relationships with our pups! Understanding this not only strengthens the bond between you but also helps maintain a healthy and happy relationship long term, something referred to as building social currency. In this post, I want to help you explore the same five Love Languages and how they may be spoken or received by your dog so you can determine which ones your dog values most. Physical Touch, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, and Gifts. By understanding these, you can ensure a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship with your family pup. 3/20/2024 0 Comments Getting to know your... Gun Dog Get to know your dogThese enthusiastic, outgoing, and sometimes impulsive breeds are known for their intelligence, affection, and strong drive to learn. They were selectively bred during the middle ages for specific traits to assist in hunting. Nowadays, their primary function is to work alongside people and in cooperation with them, often making them an ideal family dog. Gun Dogs include but are not limited to breeds such as: American Water Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, English Pointer, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthair Pointer, German Wirehair Pointer, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Gordon Setter, Labrador Retriever, Munsterlander, Portuguese Water Dog, Spinone Italiano, Standard Poodle, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and more!
A Thank You letter to Dog Moms/Dad raising shy & worried pups  Raising me probably hasn’t been easy. I want to let you know that I understand how much you give up for me on a regular basis. I recognize your efforts and how you stick up for me.
FINDING A TRAINER & COACH FOR YOUR FAMILY AND DOG: A Round-Up of Tips from your fellow dog-loving community
Searching for the perfect trainer and coach for your dog can be a daunting task. But, by looking out for specific red flags and green flags on their website and social media, as well as in your communication with them, you can find a trainer that you and your family can feel good about. This guide about how to find a good trainer aims to provide you with a round-up of tips from professionals and your fellow dog moms and dads. 10/11/2023 0 Comments Heading down the Vet Prep Path
Preparing your nervous pet for a visit to the vet can be a daunting and overwhelming task.
Sometimes it feels like an all or nothing situation. "Well, if my dog is never going to love the Vet, we should just get it over with".
With a bit of understanding and some home-taught skills, you can make the next Vet visit a little happier. You'll turn this potentially stressful situation into a smoother and more comfortable experience for both you and your pup. Here is a overview to help you understand how I recommend navigating down the Vet Prep Path. 7/24/2023 0 Comments Foundations of Better BehaviorStruggling with your dog's behavior?
I'm going to share my 5 Relationship-Focused Building Blocks to Better Behavior with you to help you figure out where you might be getting stuck and how to re-establish your foundation.
When it comes to training and behavior change in your living, breathing, 4 legged family member, there can be a lot of behavior problems that come into play. Whether you're dealing with fear of people, leash reactivity, fear of new places, separation anxiety, poor manners, barking, biting, noise phobia, fear of the vet, or are starting with a new puppy or dog... your relationship with your dog and with the behavior process is where it all begins. All behavior needs a solid foundation, built in trust, safety, and agency. |
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